Chapter 3: Marry Me

"Y-you?" I asked in disbelief when he removed his hand from my mouth. He was the man that saved me a month ago. How unlucky was I? I was able to get away from Robert only to end up with this pervert.

"Yeah, two points for me. I saved you twice." He grinned.

I rolled my eyes as I sat up straight in the passenger's seat. "Was it you who gave the note to the bridal shop assistant?"

"Who else?" He asked with a silly grin as he looked around.

I sighed. "But why are you doing this? Who are you? And how did you know that I was here? Are you following me?"

His brows furrowed. "Wait, just one question at a time."

I sighed again. "Okay. First question, who are you?"

"I'm A-Alfred. Call me Alfred."

"How did you know that I was here? Are you following me?"

He laughed. "Of course not. It happened that I passed by the lobby of the hotel when I saw you entering the bridal shop. I could see on your face how dejected you were, so I secretly talked to the assistant and gave her the note."

"So, should I thank you for that?"

"Didn't I tell you that I don't need your thank you?"

"Then, why are you doing this? If you're going to tell me that you want me, then just leave me alone." I exclaimed and opened the door as I was about to get down the car, thinking that the men chasing me were gone already.

Unfortunately, one of Robert's men saw me. I didn't notice that he was just around near the car.

"Boss, she's here!" The man yelled.

I was going to close the door, but the man immediately pulled it. I nervously looked at Alfred, asking for help.

However, he just shrugged his shoulders. I was saddened that he didn't want to help me anymore.

"Alfred, please help me one last time," I begged.

"Didn't you just tell me to leave you alone?" Alfred responded coldly.

Then, Robert came and the rest of his men. His face was dark in rage as he grabbed me from the car.

"Hannah, do you think you can escape me?" He asked angrily as he squeezed my arm.

"Robert, please, I don't want to marry you," I pleaded, disregarding the pain caused by Robert's grasp.

"Why, Hannah? What are you afraid of marrying me?"

"B-because I'm pregnant, Robert. I'm in love with someone else." I uttered falsely. I didn't know where I got the words. It just let out of my mouth.

Robert laughed out loud, not believing what I said. "Pregnant with whom, Hannah? We both know that you never entertained any of your suitors."

"W-with him," I responded as I pointed to Alfred, sitting in the car. I didn't dare to look at him as I was scared to see his reaction.

Please, please, please, Alfred, just ride on. I prayed silently.

"Hannah, are you kidding me? There's no one in the car." Robert laughed again in arrogance.

What? I was stunned that I instantly turned my head to look if Robert did telling the truth. Indeed, there's no one in the car. I suddenly felt hopeless. Then, a deep cold voice filled my ears.

"Are you looking for me?" Alfred asked.

I suddenly turned my head in the direction of the voice. I looked at him as though I saw a glimpse of hope.

Robert's brow creased as he asked. "Who are you?"

"Let go of Hannah first," Alfred commanded in a rather authoritative voice.

"Are you dictating me?" Robert smirked. Then, he ordered his men. "Men, get him!"

I anxiously looked at Alfred. I was worried that he would get hurt because of me. Suddenly, a group of men in black surrounded us. I saw how scared Robert's men were as though their tails were curled at the sight of the group of men that outnumbered them. I also noticed the shock on Robert's face.

"Who are you?" Robert asked again, baffled.

"It is not important who I am. Let go of Hannah." Alfred ordered once again.

I ran towards Alfred as soon as Robert released my arm from his grip. I was startled when Alfred wrapped his arms around me. Nevertheless, I knew that he did it as part of the act, and I needed to act as well like we're a real couple, so I buried my head on his masculine chest as I hugged him back.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a jolt of electricity surged in my veins caused by the warmth of his body. I also smelled his manly scent that gave an unknown sensation to my being.

"You won this time. We'll see each other again." Robert muttered. Then, he turned to me. "Hannah, I'll give you until tomorrow to pay for your father's debt. And make sure that you are pregnant. If I found out that you're just deceiving me, you know the consequence. " He said in a threatening tone as he smirked at me.

Afterward, Robert left with his men. However, I felt more depressed by his warning. My knees weakened, so I suddenly bent down on the floor.

"Let's go." Alfred uttered as he pulled me up. I was not sure, but I seemed to see the concern in his eyes.

"W-where are we going?" I asked, confused. 

Alfred didn't respond as he led me to his car. Then, he told something to the men in black before they all left.

Afterward, Alfred got in the car, started the engine, and we left the place. I was silent the whole journey as I was figuring out how to pay my father's debt. Moreover, how could I bear a child?

"Don't worry. I'll help you," Alfred uttered, returning my thought. I glanced at him and saw how serious he was. He seemed to be a different person now.

"How? Don't tell me you'll lend me money to pay my father's debt?" I questioned.

"Exactly." He confirmed.

My eyes sparkled. Did I hear it right? This stranger was going to help me?

"Really?" I asked eagerly.

Alfred stopped the car.

"In one condition. Marry me, Hannah Simons." He proposed in a deep cold voice, staring deeply at me. But my eyes grew impossibly wide. I stared at him in an unfathomable stupor. What was he saying? Was he crazy to propose to a random stranger? And how did he learn my full name?

It seemed that he read what was on my mind. "I got your name on the ID on your bag when I saved you that night." He explained.

I sat frozen in my seat. I was confused. What should I do? Did I run away from Robert just to marry a stranger?

"A-Are you insane? You're proposing to marry me? We're total strangers." I asked as I recovered my senses.

"It was you who told Robert that you're pregnant, right? And that you're in love with me. So, I'm just helping you out. "

He was right. It was my idea, after all. Oh, Lord. What trouble did I enter this time?