Sentenced to Marriage by MadlainQ

Thanking him It took more than an hour for Alan and Norton to stop drooling over my newest toy. I had to admit that the equipment that Aren gave me was beyond amazing. The number of new possibilities this stuff could create for me was astonishing. I couldn‘t even begin to imagine how much this computer cost... Of course, it was a little bit like giving a full tank of gasoline and matches to an arsonist, but I would never release my evil powers upon someone who didn‘t deserve it. 

Pressured by the boys‘ excitement, the thought of thanking Aren for granting me this extraordinary gift engraved deeply in my head. For certain, I couldn‘t present him with anything that had a similar value, and since my freak friends had already seen this computer, there was no way that they would let me reject it. If I were to thank him, I needed to be either creative or practical, or better yet, both. 

There was also another issue that stayed on my mind: when did he order this laptop? Aren was an influential man, so I could imagine that he might have gotten equipment like the one he had given me way faster than the rest of the mortals would‘ve needed to wait. Still, an order like that should take at least a few days to prepare. I signed a contract with him a few days ago ... Did he order this computer then? If he did, then wouldn‘t it prove that he wasn‘t as indifferent as he wanted me to think he was? Of course, giving gifts could have been something he usually did. Nonetheless, I couldn‘t help but wonder if this was special. 

I needed to process it all quietly and alone. I bought myself a sandwich, sat on a bench in a nearby park, and called Neil, asking him if he knew anything about the roses or the laptop. 

“Um...” he paused for a moment, sounding surprised. “I confirm that I‘m the one who usually fulfills Mr. Lan‘s requests concerning buying gifts or flowers, but... I wasn‘t the one who ordered it. It must have been Mr. Lan himself.” 

I gasped. A wave of a strange, electrifying sensation rushed through me, and the heat followed. My lips uncontrollably curled into a dumb grin. 

“Neil...could you tell me... how is Mr. Lan today?” I asked, trying to restrain the smile in my voice. 

“Not good,” he replied almost immediately. My smile instantly gave way to a concerned frown. “Why? Did something happen?” 

JI 

“There‘s a serious crisis in the company. We have all been trying to deal with it since yesterday. Mr. Lan worked all night in his office to solve the recent problems. I don‘t think he‘s even eaten the food I brought him yesterday.” He sighed heavily. 

My stomach knotted. I suddenly felt guilty that I inwardly cursed at Aren for not showing up like he promised last night. While I‘d been sleeping and whining, he was putting his all into the work, most likely trying to handle the problems by himself. He didn‘t sleep, he didn‘t eat, and must have been deadly tired. As I pictured him glued to the desk in his office, a thought came to my mind. 

“Neil... Is Mr. Lan allergic to something, or maybe there is some kind of food he doesn‘t like?” 

1/4 

Thanking him 

there something he enjoys eating?” I couldn‘t believe that I asked about it. “He enjoys seafood, but he doesn’t have one type of food that he likes,” Neil answered, and

you know that I was going

“I didn‘t know, but I was hoping you would, Ms. Bell. Mr. Lan tends to overestimate his ability to

to argue with him. I couldn‘t see how my presence would possibly get this workaholic‘s mind off work. Nonetheless, if

from the supermarket. Thankfully, I had always had a good taste in cooking, and with a few of my Grandma‘s recipes, I felt quite confident in the kitchen. I decided on dishes that could strengthen his immune system and wouldn‘t be too hard to digest. I made a carrot and ginger cream soup and shrimp with rice and mango salad. It was almost lunchtime when I finished. I packed it all into thermal

the building, carrying lunchboxes with me, I noticed new faces at the reception desk. I knew that the rude lady had been fired, yet I wondered if I got the same kind of treatment from the other receptionists... I took a few steps forward, and my eyes met one of the receptionists‘ eyes. I could hear her audibly gasp as she saw me. A second later, all three ladies were standing and bowing to

of the receptionists

stepping towards their desk. “My name is Cora Bell.

we assumed that Mrs. Lan...” the lady with shoulder–long brown

three of them looked amazingly stressed. Were they afraid that they would lose their jobs if they didn‘t greet me

to be announced publicly... Call me by my name,” I suggested, awkwardness sounding clearly in the tone of my

replied, relieved. “Shall I inform Mr. Lan that you are here, Ms.

said

I should just hand over those lunchboxes to Neil. I watched the brown–haired receptionist notify the CEO‘s office, feeling more

everyone, from the few people that passed me, bowed down to me as if i had officially become their queen. It only multiplied my stress. Finally, I stopped in front of Aren‘s office. The windows were translucent. Aren sat by his desk and talked on the phone. As he saw me, he smirked, lifted his

didn‘t eat. I‘ve brought you lunch.” I hurriedly put the boxes on the

you worried about me?” he asked, his slightly hoarse voice

wanted to thank you... for the gift... and the roses.” “Oh?” He raised his eyebrows, his lips curling into a wicked grin. “Did

computer... it will be

“Did you cook the