He sat up, eyes fixed on me, and challenged me with the question.
I looked away in panic. I had no idea why I was so easily intimidated by him and his piercing gaze, even though I did no wrong.
“I did not forget our agreement. The problem is my family has been pressuring me to get married due to my age. My parents are getting old, so I do not want them to worry for me anymore.”
Every time my parents called, they would nag at me to get a boyfriend. I did not have anyone in mind at that moment, but I did not want to let them worry for me.
Michael silently stared at me for a while after I explained my situation. Then he said, “You can find yourself a boyfriend, but until you get one, we maintain our relationship!”
I was frustrated by his offer and wanted to reject that proposal. However, I knew my demand to end the relationship after receiving his money was unreasonable, so I had to swallow my protest.
“Okay. Agree. We’ll end our relationship when I get a boyfriend.”
It was not the perfect outcome I wanted, but I was relieved he gave me a way out of our relationship.
“Um.” He gave me an intense look, acknowledged our new deal, and turned to sleep with his back facing me.
I was relieved as that was a huge load off my mind. I fell asleep while thinking about how to get myself a decent man in the shortest time possible.
When I woke up the next morning, I was a tad disappointed Michael had already left. I should not have any desires for Michael as we would go our separate ways once I have a boyfriend. With that thought in mind, I got dressed and left the apartment too.
Over the next few days, I made finding a boyfriend my top priority and went on blind dates every day after work.
Love was no longer a consideration for me. I had devoted myself to someone for many years, only to be repaid with betrayal. I no longer had faith in that abstract concept of love.
My requirements were simple, a stable and decent man who would stay faithful in our marriage. Most importantly, he had to be a man whom my parent could trust so they would not have to worry for me anymore.
After I told Natalie about my wish to find a boyfriend with marriage in mind, she had been busy keeping a lookout for me.
However, all the blind dates I went to were disastrous. The men were either unbearable to look at or lecherous, with only sex on their minds.
Even though I had no high hopes I would find love, the least I could expect was someone pleasant to look at. I had difficulty accepting those ugly and lustful ones.
The never-ending cycle of work followed by blind dates drained me out. Every night, I would fall flat in bed and fall asleep once my head hit the pillow.
And Michael seemed to have vanished from my world. He had not contacted me for many days. Sometimes I wondered if he had already forgotten about me. Or maybe he had found a new love and no longer needed me.
I felt a sense of loss when that idea crossed my mind. At the same time, I would be grateful if that happened. Having a new love and forgetting about me would be a good ending for our relationship.
I was dead beat when I reached home after work the day before. I lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and was ready to knock out.
I did not have that kind of luck. Even before I could fall asleep, Natalie was in my room, violently shaking me to wake me up.
“Get up, Anna! You are going to be late for your blind date. You should not keep him waiting!” she grumbled.
I had been going on blind dates the past few days, and I had enough of that.
“Natalie, can I skip this one? I have been going on blind dates for so many days. I am tired and wish to take a break.”
Work was hectic in big companies like Joyful Success. On top of that, I had not gotten enough rest in the past few days, so I was really exhausted.
“No! How could you play me out when I already promised him? You have to go today!” Natalie was stubborn and refused to spare me despite my plea. She shook me more vigorously instead.
I sighed and reluctantly sat up in bed. “It is going to be a disaster again, so it makes no difference whether I turn up or not. Could you kindly spare me just for today, please?” I pleaded with her earnestly.
“How could you conclude it would be a disaster when you have not met the guy? You were the one who wanted to go on blind dates so as to find yourself a boyfriend! What is with this lackluster attitude?” Natalie was insistent. She had a smile on her face but there was a hint of annoyance in her voice, so I knew she would be angry if I did not go on the date.
However, I felt it was a waste of time as it had gone on for a few days and the quality of the men I met got worse by the day.
Finding the right guy to get married to was not as easy as I thought it would be.
“Natalie, you have seen the men I met in the past few days, right? They were either ugly or lewd. I am done with blind dates for now.”
It was alright to be plain-looking or even ugly, but being lustful was something I could not tolerate. No decent man would grope and try to hint at sex on the first date. I would rather stay single than face those disgusting men.
Natalie smiled sheepishly at my complaints. She was the one who arranged for those blind dates, and she was well aware of how those men were.
“I know those men you met in the past few days were somehow lacking. But I swear the guy you are meeting today is different. He is capable and definitely not a pervert. You will like him. Will you give it one more try tonight? I am sure you will be satisfied with your date for today.”
She was persistent and seemed to be confident of the man she had arranged for that date.
“Nat, I really don’t wish to go. I am dead beat.” I looked at her piteously, hoping she would spare me for a day.
Despite her assurance, I did not have high hopes for the man. I had already concluded all the good men were already taken by other women, so I would have no hope of meeting one.
