Chapter 4
A/N: I hope that the reason behind the arranged marriage was satisfying enough for you. It's not some kind of dangerous mystery where Blaine had no other option but to get married, or a gradually thought out process on his part, but bear in mind that it IS common in this society, and it's not such a crazy thought to have for someone like Blaine. Also, I wanted it to be simple because that's not what the story is about. This story is about their lives together AFTER they got married, which we'll be getting into in a few chapters.
Now, this chapter picks up from where we left off in chapter 3. This time it's from Kurt's POV.
It was almost 12:30 in the afternoon when Kurt took his lunch break at the coffee shop. He made himself a sandwich and went to eat it outside while going through his phone. Only a few minutes into his lunch break, his phone started ringing. It wasn't a number he recognized but he answered it anyway.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Kurt Hummel?" A woman said on the other side of the phone.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"My name is Santana Lopez. I work for Blaine Anderson, the CEO of Anderson Financial Services. We have a proposition that we'd like to discuss with you. Are you free Wednesday afternoon?"
"Oh, um, thank you but I'm not interested in life insurance or whatever it is you're trying to sell me."
He heard her mutter something unintelligible under her breath. It sounded like a swear word but he's not sure. He was about to hang up when she started talking again.
"Mr. Hummel," She said a bit too firmly, as if barely controlling her temper.
Did I offend her somehow? I don't think I could've been nicer if I tried!
"I apologize for not being clear enough." She continued.
"I am the executive assistant of the CEO of a billion dollar company. I am NOT calling to sell you an insurance policy. Now, as I was saying, I have a serious proposition for you, one that cannot be discussed over the phone. Will you be free on Wednesday afternoon?"
"Um… You mean like for a job interview? Because that doesn't make sense either. The only thing I know about finances is how to manage my bank account, and I'm pretty sure I haven't submitted any resumes for…"
She cut him off then, with that same barely-controlling-her-temper tone,
"Mr. Hummel. I am not offering you a job. I promise I will explain everything during the meeting, but I'm afraid I can't say anything further about the proposition now.
"I can sense your hesitation but I am beyond serious. I am not selling you anything, offering you a job, pranking you or whatever it is you're thinking. You can pick the place of the meeting and bring whomever you want with you if that makes you feel better. Though I don't really recommend the latter."
What is she TALKING about?! It's not like Rachel, or anyone else I know for that matter, to do any kind of practical jokes. And even if this woman IS serious, what the hell does she mean by 'proposition'?!
"Um, are you sure you contacted the right person?" he asked.
"Yes Mr. Hummel, I'm sure. I'll tell you what. How about you think about it and get back to me tomorrow? This is my personal phone number; you can contact me any time you want. I probably won't answer but you can leave a message and I'll call you back."
"Okay?" He answered half in question and half in agreement.
"Great. Thank you for your time Mr. Hummel. I look forward to hearing from you." she said politely and hung up.
What the hell...?! He thought looking at his phone, but before he could dwell on it any further, he looked at the clock and gasped.
Shit, I'm late!
Quickly gathering his things, he went back inside to finish his shift. He would think about this later.
That night when Kurt was lying in his bed, he thought back to what must be the weirdest phone call he had ever gotten in his life.
Why am I even thinking about this?! This is ridiculous!
The woman had said she had a proposition for him, which was not to sell him something or offer him a job.
Wait, could she be referring to a different kind of 'proposition'?! Oh God, she is! She did say she doesn't recommend I bring someone along! Oh GOD…
His eyes flew open and he shot straight up in bed at those thoughts. He got up and went to Rachel's bed, already shaking her. She would know what to do, or she would at least accompany him to this mysterious meeting.
Accompany me?! What the hell Hummel?! When did you decide you're going to this thing?!
"Rachel come on, wake up!"
Her eyes blinked open.
"Kurt?! What is it? You look pale." She sat up at that realization, giving him her attention.
"There's something I need to tell you." He said and started telling her all he can remember from the phone call with Santana.
There was a bit of silence after he finished telling her everything, including his latest conclusions about the type of proposition he was going to get. Rachel looked like she was thinking hard about it and he gave her the time to process everything.
Finally she spoke.
"Well, first of all, it IS weird. And I have no idea what this is about. But I don't think it's what you think it is. I'm not an expert in this field but I don't think those kinds of propositions are made by phone calls from what looks like a valid, perfectly traceable number. I say don't pick up if she calls again and just forget about it."
"Yea, you're right, I just… It's SO weird! I mean, it didn't feel like it could be something dangerous, like a gang or something like that. I mean, why would anyone approach ME about anything gang related, anyway? And I looked up the company and the names she gave me and they're all valid. I don't think anyone would dare mess with a company like that… UGH! I just don't know, Rachel!"
"Well then go. It looks to me like you've already made up your mind. Just make sure it's in a crowded public place, have your phone on you and everything, and see what she wants."
"Alright, um, yea, I'll call her tomorrow, I guess. You don't think I'm crazy for considering this?" He asked sheepishly.
"No, I don't. I think I would've gone too if I were you. My curiosity would've killed me otherwise!"
He smiled at that. "Thanks Rachel. I'm sorry I woke you for this, I was just freaking out over the possibility of this being…"
She cut him off then.
"Hey, no, it's fine. That's exactly what I'm here for!"
"Right. Thanks again."
"Good night, Kurt!"
The next morning he hesitated a little while holding his phone. He thought of all the possible outcomes and didn't come up with any that could get him into trouble or something of the sort. But he also couldn't come up with even one possibility for what this whole 'proposition' thing might be about.
Huffing out a breath, tired of thinking in loops and coming up with nothing, he dialed Santana's number and put the phone to his ear. It went to voice mail after a few rings and he left a quick message for her to get back to him.
She called him back that evening at around 7 pm.
"Mr. Hummel, I believe you said you have an answer for me?" She asked as soon as he picked up.
"Yes, I do. I'll do it, I'll meet up with you, but it has to be in Bushwick. Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all. We can have it wherever you want. Just text me the address of the place and I'll be there. Is Wednesday afternoon at 4 okay?"
"Yes, that's fine,"
"Great. Thank you Mr. Hummel. I'll see you on Wednesday." She said and hung up.
Wednesday afternoon, an hour before he was supposed to be at the coffee shop, Kurt found himself staring at his wardrobe wondering just what to wear to this mysterious meeting. It's not a job interview but it's not an afternoon out with friends either. He's not going to a party or out to a club but he's not going to dress as if going to school either.
UUGHHH! This is so frustrating!
He sighed and looked at the clock, he only has about 5 minutes to decide on what to wear or otherwise he's going to be late, and from the sound of it, Santana isn't the type who you'd want to be late to a meeting with.
Settling on what he hoped would be seen as a casual yet elegant outfit; he went to the bathroom to start getting ready.
At about 3:52 he entered the coffee shop, mentally congratulating himself for making it on time despite his wardrobe crisis, and ordered himself something to drink while he waited for Santana.
A young woman entered the coffee shop a few minutes after he settled in his seat and started walking towards his table looking right at him. He glanced at the clock, 4:00 pm sharp.
Well that must be Santana then. How in the world does she know it's me, though?!
He stood when she approached his table.
"Mr. Hummel," She said in greeting, holding out her hand while standing in a full on business posture.
"Ms. Lopez," He said politely, shaking her hand briefly and returning to his seat.
Santana, of course, started talking the moment they were both seated, getting right into business.
"So, Mr. Hummel, what's your stance on arranged marriages?"