“I won’t allow my daughter to be used for someone else’s benefit,” her father continued coldly.
“You misunderstand. Alya will receive fair compensation and benefits—”
“Absolutely not!” her father cut him off sharply. “I don’t believe an unmarried man and woman should live under the same roof without a legal bond. If you’re truly serious about needing Alya and want to take her away... marry her!”
BAM!
Alya’s eyes went perfectly round. “D-Dad?! What are you talking about?!”
“Your choice,” Alya’s father continued, ignoring his daughter’s shock. His firm gaze locked onto Arka. “I won’t let some strange man take my daughter away just like that. If you want to take her, marry her legally. If you don’t, then get out of my house.”
“Dad, please don’t joke around...” Alya whispered in a panic, clutching her father’s arm. But her father remained unmoved, challenging Arka with his stare. He didn’t care if this man was a filthy-rich boss. He wouldn’t let anyone trample on his daughter’s dignity.
Arka was silent for several seconds. His fingers interlaced over his thigh as his eyes gleamed with thoughts of every possible consequence. Finally, he let out a long breath.
“All right. I’ll marry her.”
Alya nearly choked on her own tongue. “Mr. Arka?!”
“I’ll marry Alya as soon as possible,” Arka repeated firmly, without a trace of hesitation. “But for tonight, please allow me to take her with me first. My daughter needs to meet her, and Alya needs time to adjust to my home before the wedding.”
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became unbearably awkward and absurd. Alya felt like she was trapped in an utterly nonsensical nightmare.
Alya’s father studied the sincerity in Arka’s eyes for a few moments, then slowly nodded. “Fine. This time, you have my permission.”
“Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll take care of Alya and keep my promise to marry her.” Arka offered a faint smile—a reassuring smile capable of breaking down Alya’s parents’ defenses.
“Come on, Alya. Get your things.”
Arka stood, picked up Alya’s small suitcase, which had already been prepared, then gently took Alya by the wrist to guide her to her feet. Still in a state of severe shock, Alya could only obey like a wooden doll.
“W-Wait a second, sir... I want to say goodbye first,” Alya whispered.
Arka nodded and released her wrist, giving her space.
Alya hugged her mother and father tightly. Tears slipped down her cheeks, caught between confusion, fear, and anxiety over this future that had suddenly changed by 180 degrees. After exchanging a few brief words, she stumbled after Arka into the car.
On the drive back to Arka’s residence, Alya couldn’t stop studying the man behind the wheel. How could this fierce, cold, arrogant man suddenly become so polite and sweet in front of her parents? What kind of magic had he used to agree so easily to that insane marriage condition?
“Don’t stare at me like that unless you want to fall in love,” Arka remarked suddenly without taking his eyes off the road.
“Tch! You’re so full of yourself!” Alya scoffed, turning away.
Arka gave a mocking chuckle. “I’m serious. Never fall in love with me. Remember, I warned you today. So don’t blame me if you end up hurting someday because of your own feelings.”
“Ugh, get over yourself!” Alya fixed her gaze firmly on the window. She’d rather pretend to sleep than listen to this man’s nauseating self-confidence.
But before her eyes could fully close, Arka’s cold voice broke the silence again.
“Our marriage will be nothing more than a formality on paper. If it weren’t for Caca, I would never agree to marry a woman like you.”
His words struck deep, but Alya had expected them.
“I know,” Alya replied flatly.
“Good. At least you know your place. Don’t worry. After we’re married, you’ll remain free. If you want to see your boyfriend or get involved with other men, that’s up to you. I won’t control your life, as long as you don’t tarnish my family’s reputation in the media.”
“Yeah.” Alya answered curtly, suddenly too tired to prolong the argument.
“Okay. Once we get home, we’ll draw up the points of the written agreement.”
Alya could only nod in resignation. Deep down, she was filled with profound reluctance too. The trauma from a past relationship still haunted her thoughts to this day.
The luxury sedan sped through the darkness once again, carrying two wounded souls with their own hurts and agendas beneath the same roof.