Marigold and Marcello looked at each other for a moment. In Marigold's eyes, Marcello looked far more handsome in the business suit he was wearing. But that wasn't what caught her attention. Marcello's flat stare was incredibly annoying, as if the man had already forgotten that he had proposed to her not long ago.
"I never thought we'd meet again this soon." Marigold smiled faintly, then added, "Don't tell me you've already forgotten me."
Marcello shook his head. "Of course I haven't forgotten you. I also know you're here because you accepted the offer to work as an advertising model for my company."
"Then why do you look so expressionless? Are you trying to maintain your dignity?" Marigold crossed her arms.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Marcello looked at Marigold.
Marigold didn't answer. She was annoyed by how indifferent Marcello seemed, even though she understood that he was maintaining his dignity because they were in the office. Luckily, no one else was in the elevator with them since it wasn't lunchtime yet.
When Marigold didn't answer, Marcello turned around. He glanced at the watch on his wrist as if he had an important appointment with someone. That only irritated Marigold even more. Had Marcello really forgotten that he had proposed to her? Marcello then started to leave the elevator when it reached their destination floor.
"I want to consider your proposal," Marigold said just as Marcello was about to step out.
Marcello turned around to face Marigold again and said, "We can't discuss that here. And we can't discuss it right now either because I'm meeting a client."
"I understand."
Marcello smiled faintly for a moment before taking his phone from his pocket. He asked for Marigold's phone number and promised to contact her. They then left the elevator, which had taken them to the basement parking lot. However, they parted ways there because their cars were parked in different areas.
Two days after their meeting at Mars Estate's office, Marcello actually contacted Marigold. They met for dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. Marigold didn't know whether this was an invitation to a date or something else, but she wore a black dress that made her look incredibly elegant.
"You look beautiful," Marcello complimented her.
Marigold smiled. "Thank you."
"I'm sorry if I seemed ..." Marcello began, referring to how he had acted at the Mars Estate office the day before.
"It's okay," Marigold interrupted before continuing, "I know you were just maintaining your dignity. I also know you haven't forgotten me because you were the one who asked me to model for your company's advertisement, and you didn't want anyone else."
Marcello frowned. "Jessica told you that?"
"Yes. Isn't it true?" Marigold prompted as she began enjoying the tenderloin steak in front of her.
"It is. But I chose you to model for my company's advertisement purely because of your talent. It wasn't because I wanted to meet you again," Marcello explained.
Marigold stopped chewing for a moment. She hadn't expected Marcello to say that. She should have been happy that Marcello had just praised her talent. However, she was also disappointed that Marcello hadn't actually been hoping to see her again. Marigold set down her utensils for a moment.
"Have you agreed to let your father arrange a marriage for you?" Marigold asked.
Marcello shook his head. "No."
"Or have you found another woman to marry for the sake of your father's business?"
"Not that either. I just thought you might really never be willing to accept my proposal or see me again. Didn't you say then that you would never change your mind?" Marcello's lips curled into a smile.
Marigold cleared her throat. "Yes. I admit that I've changed my mind now."
Without responding right away, Marcello began eating the dish he hadn't touched until then. Marigold continued eating as well. For a moment, they were swallowed by silence. Neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward, yet neither of them started a conversation for quite some time.
"So you've decided to accept my proposal?" Marcello asked at last.
Marigold nodded slowly, but with complete conviction.
Marcello smiled. "In that case, we'll meet my father tomorrow night. I'll introduce you to him and we'll discuss our marriage."
At that, Marigold's eyes widened. Why was Marcello suddenly asking her to meet his father? Marigold was certain she wanted to accept Marcello's proposal, but she was still shocked that he wanted to introduce her so soon. Why did Marcello love doing everything so suddenly?