[That... That’s what I was talking about! Sara! Don’t fall for his tricks! He is listening isn’t he? Bastard! Leave Sara alone! I know you only want her body and then you will ditch her!]
The manager’s agitated voice came through the phone. Sara’s face churned with disgust.
"Is that so? So what do you suggest? Because from where I stand, Sara has no other option but to turn to me. Are you saying you can do a better job?"
Arthur said with an amused tone. His heart was still beating like a drum. Adrenaline was rushing through his veins. He was barely retaining himself from starting dancing. A hundred thousand dollars. Just like that.
[Wha—? Ye-of course! Of course I can!]
"And why is that? Why do you want to take care of an already taken woman so bad? Don’t tell me you have feelings for her?"
Hearing Arthur’s remark, there was a pause on the other side of the phone. Only sounds of heavy breathing could be heard.
Arthur waited for the manager’s response. He was trying to see just how desperate the manager was. From what he understood, he never opened up to Sara about his feelings, but if he does now, it means that the manager has some serious attachments.
Since Arthur made it seem like he will let Sara go if pursued enough. Or so it would seem to a person in desperation. Their rational brain stays half online and half in panic.
[I—I... Yes. I like her. No. I love her... Sara, I never said it out loud because I was afraid, I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you. I never opened up because I was afraid you would push me away. I always wanted to stand beside you, help you and live the rest of my life with you. I know I don’t earn much, but what I earn is legit, just like the way you want it. No illegal money. Sara, please, leave this guy. We could start over. We will be happy. You don’t know how this guy earns his money. You’re beautiful. The most beautiful woman I have seen in my life, what are the chances that he won’t sell you off?]
Hearing the manager’s arguments, Sara frowned. It actually made sense. Since she had been approached by a lot of companies from the entertainment industry. And she is not oblivious to the darkness in that industry. That is why she is so averse to acting, modeling, whatever.
She turned to Arthur, to see his reaction.
But she found him rubbing his chin, looking at her phone, contemplating something. And occasionally nodding with a small smile.
It was enough to tell her that this man was not like that. She may be a bit dumb, but she knows how to identify people. Her intuition never failed her. That is how she was still living normally without getting herself in a situation where her only fate is death or rape.
She sighed and honestly considered the manager’s words. He was not bad. But not what she is looking for. She is looking for nothing at the moment. All she wants right now is to look after her little siblings, give them a safe life and affection they deserve.
If she were to get in a relationship, she would be occupied with that, which is why she can’t be in a relationship.
"Look, I appreciate you opening up to me, but this is not what you think. And I would appreciate it if you could move on. Not for my sake but for your sake. It’s good for both of us."
Sara said calmly then hung up. He called back the next moment, but Sara denied and blocked his number on everything. She leaned back, sighed and exhaled loudly.
Arthur appreciated her way of rejection. She didn’t make it a fairly tale like Melissa and dumped all the emotional responsibility on the manager.
She staged her wish and told the manager to move on. That is very mature. According to him at least.
"Miss Anastasia, do you have a picture of him... or anyway of getting it?"
Arthur asked, breaking the brief silence. The kids were still here. Silently listening. Arthur nor Sara told them to go back to their room. Because there honestly wasn’t much going on.
Just a desperate guy losing money. How they interpret this is up to them.
"...I do."
Sara said after some thought, she didn’t understand what was the point but didn’t question since the agreement said she can’t question Arthur on anything.
"Excellent. Then pull that up and show us his photo."
Sara nodded. She started going through her gallery because she remembered taking a group selfie at a company party.
A few moments later, she found it. She zoomed in on a middle aged man with a bit chubby body and face. She turned her phone and showed Arthur the photo. She looked at it closely and tucked it in his memories.
"Show it to these two as well."
Arthur told Sara to show Jude and Judy the manager’s photo as well. Both kids enthusiastically leaned over to look at the photo. To see who was the man that was begging for their sister’s love.
After a while, they were done.
"Have you guys memorised his face?"
Both of them nodded.
"Good. From now on, if you see this man anywhere near you, your house or anywhere your sister could be, tell me or her immediately. You guys need to be on the look out. Alright?"
Both of them nodded. Judy understood why that is but Jude didn’t. But he didn’t ask out loud. Because he could see that everyone else other than him understood. He would look stupid otherwise.
Arthur nodded with a smile. After that, they continued to watch TV until Sara took both of them to bed because they have school tomorrow.
Arthur would sleep on the sofa while Sara would sleep with the kids as she always has. Their father’s room is not a place a normal person could live before deep cleaning. Sara gave Arthur a blanket and a pillow before she went back into the room to sleep.
Arthur also turned off the TV and laid down. Sleep came involuntarily and he slowly drifted into deep sleep.