44- Condition

"Will you marry me?" He straightened his back, looking at her in amazement, not sure what he heard. He scanned Red to find any hint of amusement on her face but to no avail. "No." He replied. "No, never." Erich said, shaking his head in denial. "Why? What problems do I have?" Red rudely asked, coming closer. "None but I won't marry you. I don't want to be a part of your life." Erich shrugged, turning his attention back to his work. "Why? You can stalk me, and know everything about me. If you don't love me then what's your problem?!" Red asked furiously. "That doesn't mean I-" Red moved closer and turned Erich to her, putting her hands on the armrest of his chair, she leaned in dangerously close to his face. Erich was disturbed by the closeness, curling his toes to contain his overwhelm. "Marry me, Erich." Red whispered with her breath lingering on his face. "Wh-What are you saying?" Erich stuttered, He couldn't even raise his gaze to meet hers. Erich swallowed hard and put his hand over her shoulder, "Get away, M-Ms Bennet." He said in a faint voice. "I can't marry you." He said, pushing her back softly. "Why? You have known me all this time and now I am fulfilling your wish. You are denying it." Red hissed. She thought of all people he is the one handy for her and when he poured water over her expectation, he began to ire Red immensely. "Please try to understand." Erich said, wanting to make Red apprehend what she is doing will bring nothing but chaos. "Didn't you want me for your lust?" Her words never fail to crave agony in his heart and hurt him badly. "Please, it's nothing like this." His voice broke in between. Erich lowered his head, gritting his teeth. "Then what's the problem!?" "Please understand, I cannot marry you." Erich said, his voice barely composed. "Then why are you after-" "Stop playing with my emotions, Red!" Erich raised his voice, slamming his hand on the table, glaring at Red. Red was taken aback by his outburst and startled a bit. Erich gave her a stern gaze, getting up and walking to her. He stood in front of her, glaring at her, "And if you are done with your stupidity, then I am working. Get lost." He said, stressed. Red narrowed her eyes at him, lips shaking slightly as she asked in a low voice, "What do you feel for me?" "Nothing." Erich lied. "How do you know me?" Red asked, invading his personal space, standing too close. "Think whatever you want." His tone was low but firm. "What will you gain by running?" "The result of coming before you is here." "Why are you refusing?" Red asked. Erich broke the intense stare from her as his fury evaporated and a gloom took over his whole being. "Do you feel anything for me?" He asked sadly. "But you do." Red reasoned. "Who told you?" "You must feel something for me." "Why are you doing this?" Erich asked, breaking his posture. "I want to move on from Lucifer. Annihilate anything related to him in my heart and for that I need someone who loves me endlessly and the first name that came to my mind was yours." Red told him her real reason for doing this but her words didn't take Erich by surprise. "You just wanted to use me so you can forget Lucifer." He said. She nodded, "Yes, And I know only you can do this." I wish after hearing it, I could hate you. Erich thought and let out a heartbroken laugh as a tear pricked in his eye. "Red, how easily, without caring for my emotions you said it." He said in a croaked voice. He moved back and leaned on his table, turning his laugh into a sigh and relaxing his shoulders looking at his in grief, "I am already in too much pain, do you think I need a new source to increase my anguish more? Like I used to burn while watching you from afar and now perish by losing you even after having you." Erich growled. Pointing his index finger at Red who was ashamed at this point in contempt, "That, This woman Erich. She can never be yours." Erich hissed. "No thanks." He scoffed. Red nibbled her bottom lip and came closer, she looked innocently at Erich who was looking in another direction while closing his arms at his chest as she could help but to notice the tears brimming in his eyes. Red sniffed and helped his shirt, lowering her head, "I am tired, please help me." She pleaded. "I am also tired; exhausted and more than you." Erich replied. "Please Erich, help me to forget him." At this point, Red was on the verge of crying as a tear rolled down her cheek. "And when he comes back, you will leave me." Erich snarled, pushing her away. "You are just using me." He hissed, pressing his teeth together and making a fist to not cry. "Please, don't increase my sorrows." "I will fulfill all my obligations as your wife. I will be yours, I'll be loyal. Please evoke your love in my heart." Red was desperate but it hurt Erich more. How can I make you realize about love which doesn't exist? "And If I can't do this, I will be devastated, Red." Erich excused. "We both already are. We can at least try, please Erich. Please." Red began to cry, joining her hands together as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Please..." And before this, everything fell apart for Erich as he couldn't see her like this, his heart will never allow him to let Red be miserable, moreover cry while begging being this hopeless- even if it cost him his breaths. Erich smiled emptily and said to himself, "I am such a fool." Erich sighed, came closer and held her hand, calling her softly. "Red." She looked at him with her teary gaze, "I have a condition, Red." He said. "What?" "You will never be fake with me. If you have any abhor, curse for me, say it but don't fake love or anything." He said, tightening his grip on her hand. "It will hurt you." Red managed to say, stopping her cries. "I am used to it." He smiled. Holding her one hand with his both, clinging on it as if it's the last hope. "Your fake love will give me false hope which will hurt me a lot, that's why don't do this." "And what about the condition of my heart?" Red asked. Erich's smile grew wider as he put her hand over his heart, "It's my duty to take care of it. Leave everything to me, just fulfill our relation of rights." Erich whispered. "Wouldn't it tire you?" "No." "Wouldn't you get angry at me?" "No." "Wouldn't you want to leave me for hurting you?" "No." "Wouldn't I be bad after cursing at you?" "No." Please forgive me. Red couldn't say it aloud. Erich kissed the back of her palm, "It will be a beautiful life for me." He said, moving back, still giving his pained smile. "Even this life doesn't contain emotions?" Red asked, not believing whether she placed her faith on the person before her, hopeless in love or the stalker image of him she had in her mind. "I never expect emotion, so it wouldn't hurt me to know there are none." He replied. "Can you bear this?" "Yes." You made me fall low in my own eyes. Red thought, taking a step back and wrapped her hand around her other arm. "I can't believe it's happening this way." He chuckled. "And yeah, another thing Red." "What?" "Never touch me unless it's necessary, I will do the same." He said. Red was surprised, "You have a playboy image and-" "I don't care. I will be loyal as long as you are to me." He shrugged. "And yeah, can I come to your place this weekend to ask for your hand in marriage properly?" He asked. Red passed him a faint smile and nodded. "Sure." "Erich." She called him, and he hummed, "Thank you." "Ah, it's nothing." If I didn't ruin myself by being used by you, what heart I placed in the first place then? They stood for a few seconds and Erich spoke up, "Okay then, I will see you at the weekend. I am working now." He smiled widely. "Thank you." Red said sincerely. "Bye." He waved at her and she left.