Proposal?

What do I think?

Elvira was confused. She didn’t know whether Nigel was referring to buying him a coffee or marrying him. On second thought, she smiled bitterly. Why would such a successful man like Nigel be so reckless about marriage? Once again, she convinced herself that he was just being helpful at the cafe.

Besides, military marriage was sacred. It couldn't be decided on his own decision alone.

"Okay. I’ll buy you a coffee,"

Elvira said with a sweet smile, leaning backward to put more distance between her and Nigel.

"No, I mean another matter."

The look in Nigel’s eyes became more intense. He looked like a cheetah hunting a hare in the dead of night.

Elvira gasped.

How is this even possible?

I’ve just graduated from college. My job isn’t secure yet. I—

"It’s settled then,"

Nigel decided before Elvira could respond. "Meet me at the entrance to the Civil Affairs Department at 8:30. Bring your ID with you.

Pull over and let her out."

Elvira was dropped off at the roadside. The cold wind blew on her face. That was when she realized that her marriage had been decided before she could say a word.

This is my marriage. Shouldn’t I have a say in it? How could he make the decision for me?

Who does he think he is?

Yes, he is a high-rank military officer. So what?

Elvira thought sullenly. She stood in the biting wind and watched the car drive off. She decided she wouldn't show up the next morning. What could he do about her?

The next morning, sunshine streamed into her room through the window, dancing on her cheeks. At 8:30, Elvira was still sleeping in. Then the loud ringtone disturbed her sweet dreams.

"Hello?"

she said in a sleepy voice.

"Still sleeping? You're in big trouble!"

a shrill voice said angrily at the other end of the line.

Elvira jerked up on the bed and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"The mister whose shirt you stained on the plane is here asking to see you. Come to the office, now!"

Bernice ordered and hung up without waiting for Elvira’s explanation.

Elvira stared at her phone, taking in what she had just heard.

The man whose shirt I stained? Isn’t he the same guy who threw me out of the car? Isn’t he supposed to be at the Civil Affairs Department right now? Why is he at the airline’s offices?

He is really a pain in the ass. How could he show up at my workplace like that? Is he trying to let everybody know that we are supposed to get married today?

The more she thought about it, the more irritated Elvira got. Why was everybody in her life trying to make trouble for her?

But in the end, no matter how reluctant she was, she had to go to the offices. She didn’t have to marry this man, but she needed her job.

If she lost this internship, who knew what kind of evil idea her stepmother would hatch?

So Elvira got dressed, hopped on her scooter and sped towards her workplace. At 10 a.m. she arrived.

In the hall, a man was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

Upon seeing her, he gave her a sinister smile.

Just as she had expected, it was him!

"Hey! You!"

Elvira shouted at him, anger rose in her heart. "What's wrong with you?

It’s my fault that I stained your shirt, but I didn’t mean to. How could you come to my workplace just like this? Are you trying to get me fired?"

"Shut up!"

Bernice snarled. She pulled Elvira aside and glared at her. "It was obviously your fault. How could you talk back to Major General Nigel? I’ll deduct part of your pay as a punishment if you keep being so unreasonable."

"Who? Who—"

Elvira wanted to explain, but Bernice covered her mouth with her hand to stop her from talking.

"Major General Nigel, I’m so sorry about this. What do you want me to do about her? Just say the word and I’ll do it,"

Bernice said with a giant fawning smile on her face. Elvira looked at her and thought if only she had a powerful backer, Bernice wouldn’t treat her like this.

"Mph..." Elvira tried to pull Bernice’s hand away. She needed air, and she wanted to explain what exactly happened yesterday. However, Bernice covered her mouth more forcefully. "If it’ll appease you, we will fire her," she continued.

What! Elvira couldn’t believe her ears.

Was her future totally in this man’s hands?

Elvira didn’t know how powerful a major general was. She wondered why Bernice was so cautious around Nigel.

Nigel hadn't said a word from the beginning. His brows had been furrowing since the moment Bernice started scolding Elvira. When she said they would fire Elvira to appease him, Nigel suddenly tossed the magazine onto the coffee table and stood up.

Seeing Nigel waving his hand at him, Ferguson Lu, who was standing behind Nigel, walked up to Bernice, pulled her away from Elvira, and gave the woman a heavy smack. "Do you have any idea who she is?

How dare you treat her so rudely?" he snapped with a stony face.

Astonished, Bernice stared at Ferguson. "This is Major General Nigel’s fiancée. Show some respect," Ferguson added.

As soon as she heard the word "fiancée," Bernice gasped, her eyes widened. Elvira had tried to stop Ferguson from saying it, but to no avail.

Some other co-workers of Elvira's also heard what Ferguson had said. They all looked at her. Some envied her. But in the look of the others’ eyes, she saw jealousy, even resentment.

Nigel remained calm all the while. His face betrayed no emotion. When Ferguson finished, Nigel unknitted his brows and said to him icily, "No, she is not my fiancée."

Elvira was relieved to hear that, thinking that after all, the man was smart enough to prevent the situation from getting worse.

However, after a pause, Nigel continued, "She is about to become my wife." Then he turned to Elvira and asked, raising his brows, "We’re supposed to get our marriage license this morning. Did you forget?"

Elvira was taken aback. She started coughing violently.

There was not a trace of smile on Nigel’s face, but she could sense his smirk. He got his way anyway. What a despicable man!

By now, Bernice was too scared to say anything. She kept her mouth shut and slipped away quietly.

Ferguson also excused himself to leave the two alone. This was a personal matter. They couldn't interfere. Even if they were curious, the thought of Nigel's cold face was scary enough to keep them from prying. In the air force, Nigel was called The Ice.