Chapter 3 False Bride

"I will make you fall in love with me, Mr. Wil," Rafida offered, causing Mr. Wil to glare at her intensely.

Mr. Wil walked closer, narrowing his eyes. Rafida stood frozen with fear as Mr. Wil stopped just one inch in front of her. He lowered his face to look directly at Rafida, who avoided his gaze. His large hand lifted Rafida's chin to make her look at him, and his other hand pulled her closer by her waist. As he drew his face nearer, Rafida closed her eyes, trembling.

"Don't play games with me; you will regret it," Mr. Wil whispered and then pushed Rafida to the floor. He turned and left her there, struggling to catch her breath.

***

Mr. Wil was in the company's designated smoking area. He took out a cigarette and lit it.

"Haah..." Mr. Wil exhaled the smoke, his face looking very serious.

"Something wrong?" asked another person smoking beside Mr. Wil.

"None of your business," Mr. Wil snapped, annoyed, and immediately put out his cigarette. He walked away, leaving the other man watching him with a blank expression.

***

Mr. Wil was in his office, busy on the phone with one of his clients. Suddenly, the sound of high heels echoed throughout his office. A woman in a white mini dress above the knee, with her black hair down and wearing dark sunglasses, entered. Her bright red lipstick was striking.

The woman's beauty radiated brilliantly, dazzling everyone who looked at her. She stopped right in front of Mr. Wil's office.

Knock... Knock...

"Come in," Mr. Wil said without asking who it was.

"Good morning, Mr. Wil," the woman said, removing her sunglasses. Mr. Wil was startled by what he saw.

"Rachel..." Mr. Wil said with a broad smile.

"Hi, how have you been?" Rachel said warmly, immediately hugging Mr. Wil, who returned the embrace. They even exchanged cheek kisses as a sign of their closeness.

"Of course, I'm good. Where have you been? Do you know how long I waited yesterday, huh?" Mr. Wil scolded.

"Haha... You haven't changed, Wil; you're still as talkative as ever," Rachel laughed heartily.

"I had an urgent matter. Would you like to have coffee with me? I'll treat you as an apology," Rachel offered.

"Okay," Mr. Wil agreed.

Now they were in a cafe ordering their drinks.

"So, what made you ask me to see you immediately after I arrived in Jakarta?" Rachel asked.

"I need your help. You know my family is trying to find a match for me?"

"Your age is indeed appropriate to have a partner, even to have a teenage child. If I hadn't lost my daughter, she might now chat about the boys approaching her."

"Rachel...."

"Hahaha, sorry. If you want me to marry you, sorry, I can't. But we can pretend to be engaged. How about that?" Rachel suggested.

"I knew you wouldn't accept my proposal. So, I've prepared this."

Mr. Wil took out a small box containing a pair of rings. He took one and placed it on Rachel's ring finger, then did the same with his own.

"Today, we are officially engaged, Rachel," Mr. Wil said with a straight face. Rachel smiled bitterly.

"Ah... So you really intend to fake an engagement with me," Rachel said, looking at the ring.

"Tomorrow night, I'll take you to meet the elders. I'm exhauted of being forced to meet women I don't know."

"For how long?" Rachel asked.

"What?"

"How long do I have to be your fake fiancée? I won't be here long."

"Until your business here is finished, then we break up."

"Hmm... I'm curious."

"Curious about what?"

"What kind of woman they've arranged for you? Can I outshine her?" Rachel asked, sipping her coffee and glancing sharply at Mr. Wil.

"I don't know. I don't care what she's like. All I know is that I don't want to see her again," Mr. Wil said with a blank expression, clearly disturbed by Rafida's presence in his life.

"Again? Does that mean you've met her?"

"Yes, and she's a woman I never expected. I mean, their trick is truly unexpected. They sent a secretary for three years, then she becomes my candidate. Aren't they amazing?" Mr. Wil explained, full of emotion.

"Wow, I'm speechless. So, will they accept me?"

"Don't worry. You are the chosen woman and pass all aspects. Why wouldn't they accept you?"

"Because I'm fake?"

"Rachel!"

"Haha... I'm joking. Alright, I think we're done. See you tomorrow night, then."

Rachel excused herself. She got into her car, giving Mr. Wil one last look.

"Unfortunately, I don't want to be your fake fiancée," Rachel murmured.

***

Night fell, and Mr. Wil was at a party held by one of his colleagues. He was deep in conversation with several executives from various countries. Everyone was captivated by perfoming a singer who had just finished. The audience applauded enthusiastically.

"Well then, excuse me," Mr. Wil said, concluding his discussion.

Suddenly, the lights went out. Everyone was surprised, but the sound of footsteps caught their attention. A spotlight illuminated a woman's presence. With each step, she appeared very elegant in a long, glittering black gown. Her hair flowed beautifully, adding to her charm.

Click... Click... Her steps shook everyone's hearts.

"You are so perfect. In my eyes, you are so beautiful. You make me always adore you...."

Mr. Wil was stunned by the woman's beauty. Especially when she started singing with her melodious voice. The twinkling lights glowed, and the room's lights came back on. Everyone focused on Rafida, singing on stage.

"What is she doing?" Mr. Wil muttered in disbelief. He turned away, but Rafida's steps stopped him. Rafida continued singing, making Mr. Wil the subject of her song. Mr. Wil stood still, staring sharply at Rafida.

"Perfect," Rafida sang the final lyric.

Mr. Wil and Rafida looked at each other in silence. Rafida smiled gracefully.

"Mr. Wil, will you marry me?" Rafida asked, still holding the microphone. Everyone present was as shocked as Mr. Wil.