Chapter 9

Two hours later, outside the Marriage License Bureau...
I desperately grabbed Kenneth's hand and pulled him out. "Kenneth, stop joking around. I know I was wrong, Kenneth!"
With a slight force, Kenneth pulled me into his embrace. "Who was the one talking about getting married just now?"
I started to speak, but broke out in sobs.
"I was just scaring you; how would I know..."
How would I know that he would take it seriously!
Besides, he's a big, powerful CEO, is getting married such a joke for him?
"Kenneth, I haven't even met your parents yet."
Kenneth fell silent. I started to feel my scalp crawl, and I had a bad feeling.
Two minutes later...
I covered my face tightly with both hands, and Kenneth pulled me hard towards him: "Don’t cover your face, come on, meet my parents."
Kenneth, I hate you!
Do you never think things through?
If you are such an obedient character, how come you won’t let me be the head of the secretarial department?
Kenneth introduced me to his parents, Mr. Bailey and Mrs. Bailey over the phone: "Mom, Dad, this is your daughter-in-law. I'm outside the Marriage License Bureau now, I'll be there in a moment."
Then I heard Mrs. Bailey's puzzled tone. "Why does she look familiar? Why can't I see her face clearly?"
Kenneth smiled and spoke: "Mom, you have seen her before; it's just..."
"Kenneth!" I instinctively covered his mouth.
It's over, I made a mistake.
"Cynthia? Isn't this Cynthia?" Mrs. Bailey burst into laughter. "I knew I recognized her, so it's Cynthia, and Kenneth is so lucky. At this age, he found a fresh young college graduate..."
Kenneth cleared his throat a few times, "Mom, let's not talk about it for now, let's discuss it when we get back."
"Mrs. Bailey, actually I..."
"Mrs. Bailey? Call her Mom!" Kenneth corrected.
He ended the video call and raised an eyebrow at me, "Now that you have met them, let's go inside."
"..."
He hugged me, surrounding my body with his arms completely.
"Kenneth, what do you mean?"
"Marriage, see how agreeable I am. You're never satisfied. What else do you want? Honestly, you won't easily find someone like me, you should cherish it."
He had the nerve to lecture me?
What a cunning man!
Kenneth took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious. “Alright, tell me, what else are you not satisfied with? If you just want to be the head of the department, that's also fine. Go inside and get the marriage certificate, and I'll let you be the head."
"Then why didn't you give me the promotion first?"
I didn't understand why he agreed so quickly now. What was he doing earlier?
"I..." Kenneth seemed conflicted.
Oh?
Even the big CEO hesitated sometimes?
He must have done something wrong!
I won't let him off easily, "Speak up! If you can't, I won't go in today, I won't go in at all!"
Kenneth tightly held my hand, "I'll tell you, but you can't get angry."
"..."
Is he afraid that I'll run away?
He was gripping my hand so hard, it hurt.
"I won't get angry, just tell me!"