After emerging from the kitchen, Belinda sat on the couch with a stern look on her face, glaring at Chase. âMr. Larios, what on earth are you up to? Do you realize this can cause a heap of trouble?â
Chase flashed a grin. âOh really? Iâm causing you trouble?â
Belinda nodded affirmatively. âYes! Youâre causing me a lot of trouble. I donât know how to explain this to my folks.â
Chase pursed his lips. âIf you donât know how to explain, then donât.â
Belinda crossed her arms and pouted. âCan I really not explain? They think youâre my boyfriend now.
When they find out youâre not, theyâll be asking for a son-in-law, and Iâll be nagged again.â
Chase shrugged. âThen why not accept me as your real boyfriend? That would solve everything. There would be no explanations needed.â
Belinda paused, then turned away from him. âIâve told you many times to stop joking about this. I canât play these emotional games, especially when my parents are involved. I canât handle it, Chase. Youâve picked the wrong girl!â
Chase picked up the coffee mug from the coffee table and took a sip. It was a cup of coffee that Mrs.
Wesley had made for him when she had welcomed him earlier.
After a moment of silence, Chase spoke, âI canât play these games either, especially when the other partyâs parents are involved. If Iâve come to your house, it means Iâm serious. Donât you believe that, Belinda?â
Belinda was taken aback again. She was speechless for a long time. Her eyes were locked with his;
she was trying to read some hint of mockery or insincerity in his gaze.
But there were none.
At this moment, Chase seemed more serious and solemn than ever before.
âChase, I really Eanât⦠To date me means marriage.â Belinda seemed to be warning him.
Chase smiled again. âSure. Letâs get married then.â
Belinda frowned. She didnât like Chaseâs casual attitude towards marriage. His attitude seemed to insinuate that if it didnât work out, it wasnât a big deal. She emphasized. âThe marriage I want is the kind that lasts a lifetime, not some temporary arrangement that you can walk away from if things go wrongâ
Chaseâs eyebrows seemed to crease with a hint of pressure. He sighed. âWhat will it take to prove that Iâm serious about marrying you and not just playing around, so you will believe me?â
âI donât know what it would take for me to believe you. Right now, I donât think youâre the type who would be content with marriage. Iâve come to realize that Iâm not special. I canât change anyone, nor am I an exception to anyone.â
Chase insisted. âYou are an exception to me. Before you, I never thought about marrying a woman or spending a lifetime with one. Havenât you changed me already? Why not take a chance with me?â
Belinda stared at him. âIâve tried dating too many times and failed every time. Now I donât want to try anymore, nor do I want to experience failure again. Iâm sorry, Mr. Larios; you should find another girl.
There are plenty whoâd be willing to give it a try with you.â
Chase put down his coffee cup heavily. âIâm serious. I donât want to experiment with you. I want to marry you, the kind of marriage that lasts a lifetime.
But I donât want to promise you that I can guarantee anything about the future because nobody knows what will happen. I donât want you to call me a liar one day. Belinda, I hope youâll seriously consider me. Canât we just be honest with each other and let things develop naturally? I really am serious.â