I was terrified. This "psycho" looked like he meant exactly what he said. Back home, my parents had taken out massive loans for their restaurant and to send my brother abroad. I've been slowly chipping away at that debt, but 100,000 rupees still remains.
If I don't do what he says, he won't just fire me—he'll make sure I never get a job anywhere else. If I can't pay the debt, the moneylenders will seize our restaurant. That restaurant is our life; it's the only reason we are living peacefully. I thought to myself, "If I just endure this company for seven more months, the debt will be cleared. Then, even if he doesn't fire me, I'll resign myself." With a long face, I finally asked him, "Fine, Sir. Tell me, what do I have to do?"
"Oh, so you've agreed? Good. Listen," he said, delivering the shocking news as if it were a treat. "I want you to be my girlfriend."
My eyes widened in total shock. I just stared at him, speechless. He snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Hey! What happened?"
Snapping out of it, I lashed out. "Hello? Sir, do you have any sense at all? Is this how you ask a girl something like that?" I really gave him a piece of my mind.
"Hello, Miss Arrogant," he replied in a serious tone. "Don't go thinking I'm attracted to your beauty or that you're some Miss Universe. There is a specific reason I'm asking you this."
"And what is that reason?" I demanded.
"The reason is my parents," he sighed, looking moody. "They want me to marry a high-status, wealthy girl. But I don't like her. She's only interested in my money and property, not me. Besides, I have no intention of getting married right now. I've just become the CEO, and I want to take this company to the top on my own. To escape the marriage proposal, I lied to my family and told them I already have a girlfriend. Now, they are demanding to meet her before they believe me. That's why I'm asking you."
"So, you've made me a sacrificial lamb," I thought. Out loud, I said, "I understand your problem, Sir. But out of everyone, why did you choose me?"
"Because I like your character," he said, looking at me intently. "You believe every rupee you earn should come from your own hard work. You don't covet what belongs to others. You work hard, you're cheerful, and you make those around you happy. You value relationships. You help people in need without expecting anything in return."
He continued, "I could hire a professional actress, but they would only be looking at my status. I lied to my family, but I don't want to hurt them. Even if it's a 'fake' girlfriend, I want someone who actually knows how to respect a family. That's why I chose you."
I don't know what happened to me, but I found myself lost in his eyes as he spoke. He snapped his fingers again. "Earth to you! What happened now?"
Returning to reality, I stammered, "Uh, yes Sir, I heard you. You've certainly done your research on me."
"I had to," he said with a small smile.
"I guess that's true," I replied.
He looked at me one last time. and asked me "So... Will you tell yes to my proposal ?"