The night sky shone brightly. But the Magic City shone in the sky with its brightness. The chill slowly intensified at night. The breeze of the upcoming winter is slowly flowing.
People of the city come out for nightly adventures of the Magic City because Magic City is truly alive at night.
Arthur waited outside of the café Sara worked for her to clock out. Arthur himself was a part-time employee so he knew when she would clock out. She worked in the evening shift and this cafe closed around 11 P.M.
So it means she would be getting ready to clock out since it was almost 9 P.M.
Arthur had thought a lot about how to convince Sara. One idea seemed most possible because it is self explanatory. Arthur would not say anything he will just imply with his actions. Imply that he is some secretly super rich young master with circumstances.
This would explain the origin of his money. It will also give him a legitimate reason to demand and propose something a normal rich person would not.
He would basically sponsor her. Take responsibility for all her expenses, including her family, in exchange, he will stay at her house.
If Sara interprets it as he intends it to, then that is the conclusion she will definitely come to. Otherwise there is no explanation for his situation.
But framing is important. He has to come off as a person with hidden circumstances or he would look like another fraud.
He doesn’t know if it will work. But the human mind is an amazing thing. It can make some ridiculous local jumps to protect itself from the unexplainable.
Arthur is betting on that.
He waited for a few more minutes. He spotted Sara coming from behind the building and walking straight towards, presumably her home.
Arthur started to follow her. And he was not subtle about it.
Sara obviously noticed. The streets at this time are relatively empty. Arthur noticed Sara was visibly uncomfortable from behind. She had her hand inside her side bag. Probably a teaser or Pepper spray. He understood why she said she was strong.
She was a strong woman indeed.
They reached an empty ally when Arthur decided to call her.
"Miss Anastasia! Can we have a quick chat?"
Sara stopped and spun back. She took out a paper spray, her eyes blazing with determination. Arthur raised his hands in surrender.
"Although what I’m doing might not feel so friendly to you. But I really mean no harm. I will get to the point, I have a proposal for you. And if you accept, you will surely not regret it... and, just to show my sincerity, let’s go somewhere crowded so you can feel safe. How about it? It won’t do you any harm to hear me out, right?"
Arthur explained calmly with a small smile.
Sara did not move for a while, contemplating what to do before she exhaled out loud and put away the paper spray and nodded.
"Great! Now follow me."
Arthur said, Sara cautiously walked up to him. Arthur started walking when she caught up. He walked a bit ahead to make her relaxed. To only that he truly didn’t mean any harm.
Arthur took her to a few blocks away, to a different place from her work place. They entered the cafe and sat down on a table parallel to each other. No one was looking over because Sara was wearing a hoody and a mask. Barely any of her face was visible but her eyes alone were enough to make someone lost in them.
A waiter arrived to take their order.
"Order whatever you like, my treat."
Sara hesitated a bit before ordering a cheap beverage. Arthur changed it to a $30 one. He didn’t order anything for himself. The waiter took the order and went away.
After a short pause, Arthur stapled his fingers on the table.
"I will get to the point, I want two things from you. One, never ask me any question. Two, a place to live in your home. In return, I will take full responsibility for you financially."
Arthur laid down his terms and conditions and went quiet. He let her process his demands for a while. It was important for her to think this through. And the reason why he would want something like that. There will be a possibility where she will certainly think that he is trying to enter her house and when gotten the chance, rape her.
But he just needed to prove that he wasn’t after her body. Which he wasn’t. And that surprised him as well.
He knew for a long time he wasn’t the kind of guy to care about women since he was a teen. But never thought to this degree. But he still didn’t understand why he fell head over heels for Melissa.
But that is not the priority right now. Even if he fails, he is determined to get something out of this.
Sara was in deep thought. He will use this metal fog of hers to transfer money. And according to the system, to trigger a return, the woman just to immediately be repulsive and if she doesn’t reject it within the first 3 seconds, the system will count it as accepted and trigger a return.
So he just needed Sara to not think of anything for 3 seconds. And he will return. And carry that momentum until he has shit ton of money in his bank.
With that in mind, Arthur took out his phone, ready to transfer money to her. But realised ue doesn’t have her bank about or anything.
"Miss Anastasia, you seem to be doubting me. Please give me your bank account so I can show my sincerity. Even if you don’t accept my offer, I would like to give you the money as an apology for my rudeness earlier today."
Arthur said with all the sincerity in his heart. He meant it 100%. Because he has nothing to lose. He will only gain from spending on her.
Sara snapped out of her thoughts, she gazed at Arthur with a bit of shocked gaze. She once again started to contemplate.
"Miss Anastasia, I believe there is no harm in giving me your bank account information. You will lose nothing and it will also prove if I’m a fraud or not. And I won’t make any statements on whether or not I want you. I will let my actions prove that you’re safe around me. So just give me a chance."
After Arthur’s persuasion, Sara gave in because it made sense. And if she could refuse as well. He could go back on his words and frame her but she was recording their whole conversation. So she was more or less safe.
Sara gave him her bank info, Arthur felt his heart race after receiving the information. This was it, the moment of truth. And he didn’t even need to bet on the 3 second rule because she was already acceptant.