Chapter 2 : Do You Like It?

Alexander looked up at the sound, his gaze landing on my face. I didn''t need a mirror to know how pale I must have looked.

"Not feeling well?" He frowned slightly.

I walked silently to his desk, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. "If you don''t want to marry me, I can go back and tell Mrs. Smith."

Alexander''s frown deepened; he knew I had overheard his conversation with Leonard.

My throat felt dry and salty. "I never thought I''d become so insignificant, Alexander..."

"In everyone''s eyes, we''re already married," Alexander interrupted me.

So what? Is he marrying me just for everyone else? But what I want is for him to marry me because he loves me and wants to spend his life with me.

With a snap, Alexander closed the pen in his hand and looked at the household register in my hand. "We''ll get the marriage certificate next Wednesday."

Those were the words I wanted to hear, but at this moment, they made me feel terrible, really terrible...

I lowered my head and shook it slightly. "Alexander, you don''t have to force yourself. I don''t need this kind of charity."

"Alex!" He called my name sternly.

I shuddered and looked up to meet his impatient eyes, seeing him reach out his hand to me.

I tightened my grip on the household register. His jaw clenched. "Give it to me."

I didn''t move, and the atmosphere grew tense.

A few seconds later, he got up and came over, his tall figure standing in front of me. He sighed lightly, with a hint of helplessness. "I was just joking with Leonard, and you took it seriously?"

Was it really a joke?

"You know men have their pride." His hand gripped my arm, then slid down to hold my hand, taking the household register from me.

"Don''t jump to conclusions." He turned and put the household register in the drawer, grabbing his coat. "I need to go out for a bit."

Lately, he''s been going out a lot, and for long periods.

"Alexander," I called out to him, "do you like me?"

Alexander had just reached my side and stopped at my words, his dark eyes staring at me. After a moment, he smiled, the dimple on his left cheek faintly visible.

Alexander''s smile was beautiful and warm. I still remember when I first joined The Smith Family, he smiled as he approached me and called me "little girl."

It was probably that smile that warmed me and made me fall for him.

Even now, I still love his smile.

He placed his large hand on my head and ruffled my hair. "Of course I like you. Why else would I go halfway across town to buy you baked pear, give you roses on every birthday, watch shooting stars with you, and... want to marry you?"

Every time I waver, Alexander''s smile and a few sweet words make me surrender.

I''m like a kite, with one end of the string firmly in his hand.

He controls my emotions based on his mood.

But the words I heard earlier affected me.

This time, I didn''t let his words easily appease me. I looked into his eyes. "Is it the kind of like a man has for a woman?"

As soon as I finished speaking, I felt his hand stop on my head, and his smile faded.

His large hand moved from my head to my cheek, gently pinching it. "Don''t overthink it. We''ll go home together after work. You like fish, right? I had some fresh salmon delivered. I''ll cook it for you tonight."

He left, just like countless times before, avoiding my question.

The scent of his hand cream lingered on my nose, and the warmth of his palm remained on my cheek, but my heart felt cold.

He treats me well, spoils me, and likes me, but it feels more like the affection between family members, not the love between a man and a woman.

And my heart is filled only with him. I''ve loved him for ten years.

So, what should I do?

Marry him and live a life like an old married couple, with no interest in intimacy?

Or leave him and let him find his true love?