chapter 8 Engage

Theodore Zhao, feeling overwhelmed, pressed the phone closer and asked in a puzzled tone, "Esme, what's this about?"
Esme Su shrugged dismissively, "What does it look like? Aren't you supposed to be responsible for me? My stepmom just gave me an earful. Shouldn't you step up, own up to everything, and take full responsibility?"
Theodore's voice conveyed a sense of helplessness, "Why does it feel like you've suddenly fallen out of favor, just like flipping a page in a book?"
Esme, reaching for the phone, demanded, "Enough with the nonsense. Are you going to answer it or not? If not, just hand it back and leave!"
Taking a deep breath, Theodore composed himself and answered the call, "Hello, Auntie, good day!"
The woman on the other end paused, her tone turning frostier upon hearing a male voice, "And who might you be?"
Even through the phone, a chilling sternness was palpable.
Realizing her identity, Theodore managed a strained smile and introduced himself, "I'm Theodore Zhao."
"And your occupation?" she probed further.
Theodore hesitated, unsure how to respond.
After a moment's thought, he clarified, "I'm a friend of Esme's."
Silence ensued on the other end, followed by a sudden outburst, "You're the security guard? Why are you there? Where's Esme? Hand her the phone!"
Snatching the phone, Esme teased, "Convinced now?"
The woman, feeling humiliated and angry, shot back, "Esme, what's your game? Why's he at your place? Do you have any idea how much I had to explain to the Wei family yesterday?"
Esme retorted, "Explain? What's there to explain?"
"Esme, haven't you caused enough trouble already?"
Esme, with a defiant sneer, replied, "I haven't caused nearly enough. I'll be heading over to get that certificate from him shortly!"
Dismissing the continued uproar on the other end, she hung up, turned off the phone, and tossed it aside.
After all of these, Esme was looking visibly drained.
Despondently, I returned to the living room, curled up on the sofa, embracing my knees, and began to weep.
Theodore stood frozen, initially planning to leave but now unable to move.
He was uncertain of what had transpired with Esme or how to console her.
Once her tears subsided, she accepted a tissue from him.
Esme, looking up with tear-stained eyes, asked, "Do your earlier words still stand?"
Theodore, unable to recall his exact words, instinctively nodded.
Esme inhaled deeply, "Then change your clothes!"
"Pardon, why should I?"
"We're going to the Civil Affairs Bureau for the marriage certificate!"
Theodore stood there, dumbfounded, then shaking his head, he replied, "I'm not in the mood for jokes. I need to get to work."
"How dare you think of leaving!" Esme protested.
A helpless Theodore inquired, "What exactly do you want, Esme?"
She repeated firmly, "I told you, come with me to get the certificate!"
Theodore still didn't take her seriously, sensing that Esme was using him as a diversion.
The whole certificate business seemed like nonsense to him, and he thought, 'Believe it and you're a fool!'
Esme, initially pretending to be infuriated to upset the woman on the phone.
Then she found herself genuinely angered upon seeing Theodore's avoidance. Her forehead heating up, she challenged him, "What's the matter, scared?"
Theodore admitted honestly, "I am, indeed, scared."
Esme was shattered. If Theodore had agreed, she would have mocked him and left.
Hearing his refusal, she was at a loss for words.
The more she pondered, the angrier she became, her words growing sharper, "Theodore, weren't you all about responsibility before? Why the cowardice now?"
Theodore frowned, "If you don't like me, why force the issue?"
He was willing to take responsibility, but only if it was mutual.
Their previous monetary transaction had effectively ended their relationship.
"Why continue this charade when you clearly despise me?" he reasoned.
"Whether you're going or not isn't up to you to decide."
Esme asserted aggressively, a perverse sense of satisfaction swelling within her at seeing Theodore's reaction.
Theodore was equally provoked, "You think I'm afraid of you?"
"Fine, you said it. Just don't back out later!" she retorted.
Esme turned and headed upstairs, her face betraying an expectation of amusement.
Moments later, she tossed a suit and shirt downstairs.
Bang!
A pair of fine leather shoes landed before him.
Theodore looked unimpressed. What was she implying? That his security uniform was a source of embarrassment for her?
Esme, with a teasing tone, explained, "It's not that I look down on you, but we're taking a photo for the cretificate later. You'll need to change, right?"
Theodore was reluctant to change. How did she even have men's clothes at home?
It was obviously Charlie Wei's.
Wearing another man's clothes?
The more he thought about it, the more upset he became, and he didn't want to change it even more.
Esme clarified, "These are new clothes, an engagement gift I had intended for Charlie Wei. It's more convenient for you now."
Theodore's expression returned to normal, but as he picked up the clothes, the invoice fell out, revealing a staggering price tag of over 50,000 yuan.
He opened his mouth to protest that he had his own clothes but held back, seeing Esme's expectant look.
How could he let himself be looked down upon by her?
Esme, arms crossed, inquired in a detached tone, "Well, are you going or not?"
Theodore, with a scoff, replied, "Fine, I'll change. But don't regret it later!"
Without saying a word, he took the clothes and entered the bedroom.
Esme too changed into a formal suit, a white shirt, cropped trousers, and crystal high heels, casually accentuating her slender figure.
Walking downstairs while tying her earrings, she nearly stumbled upon seeing Theodore exiting the room.
The suit, originally meant for Charlie Wei, had been set aside due to a size mismatch, as Charlie was rather slender.
Theodore, being more robust, was expected to look less flattering in it.
But contrary to her expectations, the suit seemed tailor-made for him.
She hadn't noticed the fat security uniform he always wore before, but now she realized that this man's body shape was simply perfect.
Not an ounce of excess fat, with his shoulders and chest forming a perfect inverted triangle.
The slightly unbuttoned white shirt, his sharply defined profile, deep eyes, and a hint of stubble gave him an air of commanding yet understated luxury.
Anyone unaware of his background would mistake him for a distinguished gentleman, not a night-shift security guard from Di Yuan.
Esme, while reeling internally, couldn't resist a cutting remark, "Who could have guessed? You actually clean up pretty well!"
Half an hour later, they stepped out of the car at the marriage registration office, drawing curious glances from passersby.
Esme's grace and beauty were undeniable, but it was their contrasting yet complementary appearances that caught the most attention.
Theodore remarked, "It's not too late for second thoughts."
He felt a tad uncomfortable under the public gaze but soon regained his composure.
"Frightened, are you?"
Esme's voice wavered slightly, her gaze evasive.
Theodore, wordlessly with a cigarette between his lips, led the way inside.
Esme, after a moment's hesitation, followed in.
The registration process, including form-filling, photo-taking, and document verification, was completed in under ten minutes, culminating in them receiving two bright red marriage certificates.
Esme stared blankly at the certificate in her hand.
No proposal, no diamond ring, yet she found herself unexpectedly married to a man she barely knew.
The thought had once seemed ludicrous, yet here it was, a reality.
The more she dwelt on it, the more conflicted she felt. The defiance towards her family had brought her satisfaction, but what now? Was she ready to spend her life with this unknown man?
Theodore, unsurprised by her reaction, asked, "Having second thoughts?"
Esme feigned nonchalance, "Not at all!"
Theodore left the building without further comment.
Esme hurried after him, "Wait up!"
"What now? Planning a three-clause agreement with me?"
Theodore surmised, knowing Esme's prideful nature wouldn't easily acknowledge their relationship until she was fully won over.
He was patient and knew better than to rush emotional matters.
Esme didn't care for him, much as he disliked her high-handed attitude. Her arrogance and whims were designed to subjugate every man under her heel.
But there was nothing to be done now. They were legally married, and all that was left was to take things one step at a time.
Esme, somewhat taken aback by his insight, retorted sharply, "Exactly!"
"Firstly, don't talk about our relationship without my say-so. Secondly, no touching!"
"And the third?" Theodore probed.
Esme, raising an eyebrow, asked, "Doesn't that upset you?"
Theodore replied earnestly, "Why would I? I promised to take responsibility for you. That's my commitment. If you ever change your mind, I won't stop you from leaving."
Esme cursed inwardly, 'Is he really this spineless?'
"Thirdly, I haven't decided yet. But Theodore, you are really worthless!"
Theodore responded, "One's worth isn't just in words."
Esme, cutting to the chase, said, "Don't worry. I'm only using you today to silence my family. Give me a month, and I'll sort this out. After that, we can go our separate ways and owe each other nothing."
Theodore pondered over the irony of not being permitted to touch his lawful wife.
She even threatened to split in a month. Had she ever considered his feelings?
Growing weary of these thoughts, he dismissed them with a shake of his head.
"Let's go," he suggested.
Esme, puzzled, inquired, "Where to?"
Theodore, already steps ahead, called back, "Lunch. There's a decent place nearby."
They soon reached a quaint street lined with humble eateries, their attire starkly contrasting with the patrons around.
Not long after, Theodore Zhao stopped.
Esme looked bewildered and spoke first: "Theodore, are you serious? This is where we're eating?"
He looked at her in surprise, "What's wrong with it?"
"But..."
Esme Su didn't know what to say, so she stamped her feet in frustration.
After all, it was also the first meal after receiving their certificate. She originally thought that Theodore would take her to have a big meal.
As of now, he had actually brought her to eat spicy hot pot?
She had only heard of spicy hot pot on the Internet before, but as for eating it? She really can't even think about it!
Esme Su was a little upset. If she had agreed to Charlie Wei's proposal yesterday, he would definitely book out Tian Zhou most famous Western restaurant to celebrate.
Instead, she chose Theodore, with no room for regret.
Theodore, sensing her hesitation, encouraged, "Give it a try, it's really good."
"I'm not hungry, you go ahead," she declined.
Reluctantly, Esme settled onto a stool, covering it with a tissue.
As the waiter served the dishes, she didn't touch her chopsticks.
Theodore Zhao stopped trying to persuade him and started eating alone.
Initially, Esme was adamant about not eating, planning to dine elsewhere later. But the tantalizing aroma soon overpowered her resolve.
Whether it was hunger or the aroma itself, she found the scent as appealing as that of a Michelin-starred dish.
After much hesitation, she asked tentatively, "Is it really that good?"
Theodore, taken aback by her question, realized she had never experienced spicy hot pot before.
But then he figured it out. Accustomed to high-end dining, how would she know of such common street fare?
Understanding this, he gently nudged her, "Well, for my sake, why don't you try it and see?"
Esme Su finally couldn't resist the temptation of the aroma and nodded.
She reluctantly said: "Alright, I'll indulge you this once!"
Theodore was momentarily speechless. He had thought her stubborn, responding only to force, but she proved surprisingly receptive to a gentler approach.
Once her resistance was understood, she wasn't so difficult to manage.
Soon, Esme had devoured over half of their shared spicy hot pot.
"It's delicious!" she exclaimed, wiping her mouth contentedly and patting her stomach in an uncharacteristically casual manner.