Chapter 1 Arranged marriage

“Jane, this is my bank card and the password is 13124. You can buy what you want. It’s up to you.” Hours had passed, but the words of the newly married husband were still in her mind. To be honest, she knew very little about this man who was now her husband. She knew nothing about him and his family except that he told her his name is Edwin Carter. Jane didn’t even know what she was doing. She married a man whom she only met twice! Ten days ago, with the help of her friend Laura Ferdinand, she had her blind date where she met this man named Edwin Carter. She had no hope for this kind of relation, after all, three years ago an incident made her believe that she has no ability and right to criticize others. She could no longer criticize others, so she arrived fifteen minutes earlier on the date of her blind date. She had no individual advantage, so she tried to perform better in other areas hoping to leave a good impression. If she met the right person, without a delay, she would marry him and make her parents feel relieved. The man with whom she had her date arrive just on time neither a second earlier nor late. The man was dressed very formally, which showed that he gave great importance to this blind date and gave a simple and intuitive first impression that was really very good. “Hello, Miss Jane, I’m Edwin Carter.” The way he greeted was very common. The very common sentence became special just because his voice was very magnetic. Jane and this first impression gives him an extra point. After their simple and ordinary communication, they politely exchanged their telephone numbers and left separately. Jane did not take this blind date seriously. It was just one more blind date added in her counting of blind dates. She thought that this blind date would be the same as she had many times before, but unexpectedly two days later she received a phone call from Edwin Carter. “Miss Jane, are you free at night?” His voice was still polite. That night, Edwin Carter invited her to a Sichuan restaurant for dinner. Jane did not like the embarrassing atmosphere of the blind date. There was very little talk at the table. During the meal, it seemed a little restrained and she didn’t even eat to her fill. In hesitation, she was finding a reason to leave first. Edwin Carter took the lead in saying: “Miss Jane, I will be free next Wednesday, how about we get our marriage certificate on that day?” “Get Certificate? Which certificate shall we get?” Jane was totally surprised by Edwin Carter’s words. “Marriage certificate.” He repeated, his tone was serious. Serious enough to express that he is not joking at all. “Marriage certificate?” Jane still couldn’t believe what she just heard. She put her hand on her thigh and pinched it hard to make sure she wasn’t dreaming and carefully looked at the man in front of her. Edwin Carter has a pair of thick eyebrows, very bright shining and charming eyes, his attractive face is just like a painting. A painting that is perfectly carved, he is a kind of man that can be found at a glance in the crowd. He did not look like an impulsive person. His facial expressions were very serious. This was just the second time they met. And he said that he wanted to marry her. Instantly his low and deep voice came to her ears again: “I think Miss Jane, you and I have so much in common. We are dating to get married, have children, to make a family, and to live what others think is a normal life.” “Yes, I also think like that, but we just met for the second time. Don’t you think it’s too fast?” Jane spoke out her ideas. She wanted to have a family of her own, but she never thought of that so rashly. “It’s a little fast.” Edwin Carter’s expression was as bland as usual, he continued speaking, “After the first meeting, I went back and thought about it for two days. Miss Jane, you gave me a good first impression. Personally, I don’t think our personalities conflict, so I want to have a try.” Jane frown slightly, she was a little unhappy: “In my opinion, marriage is not a joke. Have a ry? What if the try failed?” Before she had finished, Edwin Carter interrupted her: “Miss Jane, we are adults, we should not expect love that does not exist at all, and in our hearts, we are very clear about what we want.” Jane gave no answer. She just fixed her eyes on the face of Edwin Carter. From the appearance, this man looked calm and unspoken, which seemed to be a good option for marriage. But could she really put the rest of her life in the hands of a man she had only met twice? Is it really OK? After seeing her in hesitation, Edwin Carter said, “Maybe I am too anxious to consider your feelings. If you think I’m considerable, think about this proposal. I’ll wait for your call.” After returning home, Jane had been thinking about it all night. She admits that she shares some views with Edwin Carter, such as love, which is impossible to exist at all. After being so deeply hurt, she no longer believes that there is so-called love in this world. After a sleepless night, the next morning she simply dialed the phone of Edwin Carter and accepts his proposal. Jane took the account book in the morning and went to the marriage registration office with Edwin Carter in the afternoon. There was an indescribable feeling in her heart when she and Edwin Carter came out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with their marriage certificates. It is said that marriage is just like a woman’s second life. But now it seemed so simple. Nine pieces and nine pages of a certificate had engraved the exclusive mark of Edwin Carter in her life. Yesterday was the day when Jane moved to Edwin Carter’s apartment to live together. Last night, Edwin Carter behaved like a gentleman. He left the master bedroom for her to rest, and he rested in another bedroom. Quite unexpectedly, before going out to work today, Edwin Carter handed her the bank card. She and he hardly know each other, how can he give his family property in her hands? “Jane, journalists from all major media channels are waiting inside. The board of directors and the new Chairman is coming soon. Why are you so stunned?” The harsh voice of Samuel Kinley, the manager of the Public Relations Department, interrupted her thinking. She quickly retracted her thoughts and maintained a nice attitude: “Manager Samuel, I’m sorry, I will pay attention to it.” Samuel Kinley looked at Jane and spoke sternly: “Jane, although you are a clerk in the business department, your manager has sent you to assist our public-relations department, so I expect you to assist me with great vigor and don’t make me regret.” Jane nodded her head: “Sorry, manager Samuel, I just lost my mind. This will not happen again.” Samuel had looked at Jane again before she moved her eyes. He clapped his hands and called several staff members from the same department who were in charge of reception. “Cheer up, everyone. We must handle today’s news conference in a magnificent manner. We must not make any mistake. We have to make it best, absolutely flawless” Samuel Kinley was addressing the staff and meanwhile, his sharp eyes were observing every staff member.