10 Manipulative

When he did not say anything, Elvina pondered over her words.

Did he think of her woman who was crazy after money? Hmm, it was true though.

But was he seeing her as a woman who was trying to climb the social ladder using him?

She narrowed her eyes in contemplation, 'Better that way,' Given how easily he married her, she must have moved his heart.

She admitted it was hard to not fall in love with her but it would be so troublesome if he clung to her in the future.

It's better if he has some misunderstandings about her. That way, he will keep his distance from her.

''You are honest. So interesting,'' Archer's words snapped her out of her thoughts.

Elvina froze.

Interesting?

Was he a bit slow or loose in the head?

He did not know that she was rich. To him, she was just a poor maid… 'gorgeous and sweet' poor maid who just married him for money.

Shouldn't he see her shallow? Shouldn't he grab her throat and say that he hated women like her? Shouldn't he warn her to stay out of his sight?

Isn't that how it worked in romance novels?

What's up with this man acting so unconventionally?

Did she move his heart to the extent that he could not differentiate between right and wrong, huh?

''This is going to be fun,'' Archer continued.

''Fun?" Elvina straightened up in her seat, ''What's fun?"

''I like it that you are honest,'' Archer smiled.

Her gaze shifted to the dimple on his left cheek for a brief moment before she averted her gaze.

''That makes it easier for us. We don't need to go around in circles.''

''I think that's what you are doing right now. Going in circles, I mean,'' Elvina frowned, ''Stop the car.''

Archer stepped on the brakes before parking the car on the side of the road.

Elvina opened the door and alighted the car.

Archer stepped out of the driver's seat before approaching her.

She tilted her head to look at him, ''We did not have the chance to discuss it properly so if you have something to say, say it now.''

''Here?'' Archer looked around.

The sky was turning dark and they were standing on the sidewalk of the road. The car headlights on. There was no living being in sight.

''Yes, here and now.''

When Archer did not say anything, she sighed, ''You recognized my voice back then but you still let this marriage happen. I mean… I know how easy it is to fall for me but…''

''Fall for you?" Archer interrupted her, scanning her from head to toe.

''No?"

Didn't he marry her because.. she moved his heart or something philosophical like that? Like… maybe his heart stirred when her hair flew in the air or his breath hitched when smiled.

She has heard similar lines from men before.

Archer laughed, noticing the serious look on her face, ''Humorous. I'm coming to like that about you too.''

''Is there a joke written on my face?" Elvina pursed her lips when he did not stop laughing after a few minutes.

''Apologies,'' Archer cleared his throat before leaning against his car. He started speaking, his tone serious, ''Look, let me be honest here. I have no feelings for you. Not like, not love, and certainly no soft corner. There was a possibility that it could have existed in the future. Maybe… I would have started to like you as a friend, or as a life partner but…''

''But?'' Elvina raised an eyebrow at his deliberate pause.

"Vous êtes manipulateur,'' Archer said.

His French accent was like fine wine. It was pleasant to her ears.

Elvina smiled, ''What makes you think that I am manipulative?"

''Exactly this…'' Archer quirked a brow, ''For someone who is looking for odd jobs and has spent her entire childhood with her sick aunt, you must have a deep fondness for learning languages given that you understand French, hmm?''

Elvina did not say anything.

Archer straightened up.

Thrusting one hand inside his pockets, he stepped towards her and grabbed her wrist with the other.

''Don't touch me!'' Elvina frowned.

He did not pay attention to her as he turned around and dragged her with him.

The audacity of this damned human.

Earlier, she tolerated it because they were still in that crowded resort.

Showing all hate and stuff, he was just waiting for the right opportunity to get handsy with her, wasn't he?

Elvina's eyes started glowing as she looked at his back.

See a beautiful woman and all blood will rush to their lower body part. Males will be males, let alone a human male.

But unluckily for him, he messed up with the wrong woman.

Did he think she would let him off?

...

A/N: Vous êtes manipulateur (French)- You are manipulative (English)