Ammie didn't remember how she left the office.
Everything after those words—
"I want you to marry me."
—felt like a blur.
The contract was still in her hands.
Untouched.
Heavy.
Too heavy.
She sat on a bench outside the building, staring at it like it might suddenly explain itself.
Marriage?
To him?
A man she didn't even know?
"This is crazy…" she muttered under her breath.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
And without thinking—
She dialed the only person who could make sense of her confusion.
"Hello?" Blue's voice came through, lively as ever. "If this is not good news, don't call me again—"
"Blue."
A pause.
"…Why do you sound like you just saw a ghost?"
"Can we meet?" Ammie asked.
"Ah. It's serious."
Thirty minutes later—
They sat at a small café tucked between two busy streets.
Blue was already halfway through a drink, her straw tilted as she leaned forward, eyes locked on Ammie.
"Talk."
Ammie placed the document on the table.
Blue glanced at it.
Then at her.
Then back at it.
"…Is this what I think it is?"
"I don't know what you think it is," Ammie replied tiredly.
Blue picked it up, scanning quickly.
Her eyes widened.
Then widened more.
Then—
She dropped it.
"HA?!"
Several people turned.
Ammie sighed. "Lower your voice."
"LOWER MY—" Blue stopped herself, then leaned in dramatically. "Ammie… is this a joke?"
"I wish it was."
Blue stared at her for a full five seconds.
Then—
"Wait wait wait," she said, sitting up straight. "Let me understand this properly."
She pointed at the paper.
"A CEO. A rich one. A very serious-looking one, I'm guessing—"
Ammie didn't respond.
Blue gasped. "It's that one from your interview, isn't it?!"
Ammie looked away.
"That's not the point."
"It IS the point!" Blue snapped, then immediately grinned. "Oh my God… this is like those movies."
"This is not a movie, Blue."
"Then why is a CEO asking YOU to marry him?" she shot back.
Silence.
Ammie didn't have an answer.
Blue leaned back, crossing her arms as she studied her friend carefully.
"Okay… okay," she said, nodding slowly. "Let's be serious now."
Ammie raised a brow slightly.
Blue cleared her throat, trying—and failing—to look composed.
"What exactly did he say?"
Ammie exhaled softly.
"He said… he doesn't usually involve himself in recruitment. That I'm different." She paused. "Then he asked how badly I need the job."
"And you said?"
"That I need it very badly."
Blue winced. "Ah."
"Then he gave me this," Ammie continued, tapping the contract. "And said it's better than a job."
Blue leaned forward again.
"And boom—marriage."
"Yes."
Blue blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then she covered her face with both hands.
"This is madness."
"I know."
"This is actual madness."
"I KNOW."
Silence fell between them for a moment.
Then Blue slowly removed her hands and looked at Ammie—this time, more serious than before.
"So what are you going to do?"
Ammie hesitated.
Her mind drifted—
To her mother.
To the unpaid rent.
To the quiet worry in her eyes.
"I don't know," she admitted.
Blue studied her.
Then leaned in slightly.
"Okay… let's think," she said, tapping the table like she was solving a big problem. "There are only two options."
Ammie nodded slowly.
"Option one," Blue said, raising a finger. "You say no. You walk away. You keep your dignity, your peace, your normal life."
Ammie swallowed.
"And option two?"
Blue raised another finger.
"You say yes… and enter a completely different world."
Ammie's grip tightened slightly on her bag.
Blue continued, her tone softer now.
"A world with money. Power. Opportunities."
A pause.
"Maybe solutions to your problems."
That hit.
Ammie looked down at the contract again.
Her chest felt tight.
"This isn't just about me," she said quietly.
"I know," Blue replied gently. "It's about your family too."
Silence again.
Then—
Blue suddenly leaned forward again, eyes sparkling slightly.
"But wait o—important question."
Ammie frowned. "What?"
"Is he fine?"
Ammie blinked. "Blue—"
"I'm serious!" she insisted. "If I'm going to support you in this madness, the man must at least be worth it!"
Despite everything—
Ammie let out a small laugh.
The first real one since she left the office.
Blue grinned proudly. "That's better."
Then her expression softened again.
"Ammie… listen to me," she said quietly.
"No matter what you choose… don't rush it."
Ammie nodded slowly.
But deep down—
She already knew.
This wasn't a simple choice.
And whatever she decided…
Would change everything