His Third Wife

Chapter 4

"What?", I asked.

"I would like to make you my third wife", he said, and I swear my jaw hit the floor. "Tony, that's enough beers for tonight", Mum said while taking the beers from their hands. "Honey, relax. He had one bottle", Dad said, pulling her back on the chair. "Kazuki, what do you mean third wife?", Dad asked.

"Sir, I promise you. Where I come from, it's perfectly legal for me to have more than one wife", he said as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "And where is that?", Dad asked, making him smile. "I'm afraid it's too early for me to disclose that, but I will when Zaria has accepted my proposal along with the engagement ring", he said confidently.

"I swear to you, I have no ill intentions towards her, only pure love and affection", he continued when no one said a word.

Mum was frozen in place. Dad looked at her, then me, and finally turned to Kazuki. "Uh, I don't know what to say, Kazuki", Dad said, making Kazuki nod.

"I understand that this might be a shock to you, considering that you barely know me, but I promise you. You can trust me to take good care of her. All you need to do is give me your blessing and leave the courting to me", he said with determination.

Dad was about to answer when the door was knocked, and one of the men I saw the first time I bumped into Kazuki at the restaurant entered and bowed to us, then whispered something in Kazuki's ear. He furrowed his brows and then nodded.

"May I give you some time to think about it?", he asked, and Mum nodded. "Thank you for considering it. Allow me to retire for the night; the truth is I came straight from the airport with no time to rest. I will visit tomorrow, and I hope to get a positive reply. Have a good night, Mr and Mrs. Smith. Zaria", he said, then stood up and put his coat on, then walked out of the house.

Dad rushed to the window and took a peak through the curtains. He called Mum, and they both looked shocked. No doubt it was because of the cars they saw.

"He has a convoy? Who is this man?", Dad asked, clearly talking to himself. Mum took her phone then started typing.

She looked surprised. "It says here that he's a businessman. A very powerful one, too, but there's nothing more to it", she said, looking confused.

I was still frozen in the same spot. I didn't get any of it.

"Zaria? How well do you know this man? How did you two even meet?", Mum asked. "I just bumped into him at the restaurant. It was a year ago. We didnt even talk much, but I kinda delivered food to his sick Mum... and helped her take a shower since she couldn't move on her own", I said, finally putting the plates I was holding in the cupboard.

"I think you two need to talk... Yeah, we leave whatever this is to you because I don't know what to do", Mum said, and Dad agreed. I didn't have a reply for them. I just went to my room and slept.

The Next Day

I woke up from a dream that Kazuki was a mafia guy; he took me hostage when I refused to marry him.

It was terrifying.

I was sweating bullets. I looked at the time on my phone, and it was 6:54 am. It's not remotely close to my time to wake up. I decided to get back to sleep. It was a struggle, but my body eventually gave in.

"Hey, sweety, Can I come in?", Mum asked, making me wake up and sit on the bed. "Sure", I said, then reached for my phone to check the time. 8:45 am. She walked in, already dressed in her work uniform.

"How did you sleep?", she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I had a nightmare", I said, making her look at me in horror. "Not that horrible. I just dreamt of Kazuki being in the Mafia and forcing me into this marriage", I said, making her giggle. "Don't answer that. This is not one of your romantic books", I teased, and we both laughed.

"I haven't slept, too. I was thinking of the timing of it all. I think we should consider his proposal. I mean, if you agree to marry him, then you will get the chance to mend your heart. I know you've been avoiding relationships after what happened, but something tells me he's a good person. I know he's a straightforward guy, but... just think about it, ok?", she said, surprising me.

Dad is usually the expressive one.

"Promise me you will decide without judging him from what happened to you in the past. It's been four years, Zaria", she said. When I didn't answer, she stood up and left.

I hate being reminded of the past.

I got out of bed and got ready for work. I decided to take a walk. I never did when going to work, but it was the only way I could have time to process everything that happened.

Weigh my options.

I owe my parents the world.

Kazuki looked rich, so this could be the time to restore their lives, I am the one that ruined it in the first place.

Yes...

I would agree to Kazuki's request, and in return, he has to help my parents. I have to come clean and tell him about my past first. If he's ok with it, then I'll give him my condition.

My hand in marriage was a chance to give my parents a better life.

I reached work on time and changed into my uniform. I looked around and finally realized that if Kazuki accepted my proposal, then my days in the restaurant might be numbered.

"Hey, you. Everything alright? What did the rich boy want?", Reggie asked, breaking my chain of thoughts. "He just wanted to give me a ride home", I said, then walked out of the locker room.

We had a busy day as usual, and as my shift approached its end, so did my anxiety.

"Ok, guys, I'm clocking out. See you tomorrow", I said, then went to the locker and changed. When I emerged again, I found Kazuki waiting for me with a glass of milkshake in his hand. He looked tense. "Hi", I said, making him stand straight abruptly. "Good evening, Zaria", he said nervously.

"Can we go somewhere and talk... alone?", I asked the moment we entered the car.

"Of course. Will you be comfortable at the hotel where I'm staying? They have a nice lounge; we can have a conversation there. Will that please you?", he asked. "Yeah, sure", I said, and he instructed the driver.

We walked into the fancy hotel, and he directed me to the lounge area, and it was indeed quiet. I followed him to the darkest corner, which had a love sofa. I sat while facing him. He did the same. When the waitress brought our drinks, I took a sip of the sweet wine he ordered for me, and it was so delicious that a satisfied moan slipped out accidentally.

A smirk appeared on his face briefly.

"Zaria... the floor is yours", he said with a serious face.