Evan sighed. "Fara, if you want something, just say it straight away."
Fara smiled, then looked at Evan with an unreadable expression. "Okay, I'll be direct. I'm interested in you."
Evan wasn't surprised. He had guessed this from the start.
"And I know you're the type of guy who's hard to get," Fara continued. "But I'm not the type of girl who gives up easily."
Evan rubbed the back of his neck, a bit tired of all this. "Listen, Fara. I'm not interested in dating or getting close to anyone right now."
Fara raised her eyebrows. "Oh yeah? But you already have a girlfriend. Or… more than one?"
Evan snorted. "That was the old Evan. I'm tired of all that drama."
Fara stared at him for a moment, then gave a sly smile. "Interesting. The more you reject me, the more curious I get."
Evan felt this was going to be harder than he thought.
—
Evan's Proposal PlanAfter talking with Fara, Evan felt more certain about his decision. He didn't want to waste any more time. If Michelle was truly important to him, then he had to take a big step before it was too late.
That night, Evan sat on his apartment balcony, gazing at the sparkling cityscape. He opened his phone and started looking for engagement rings.
"Should I buy an expensive one?" he muttered to himself.
But this wasn't about price. It was about meaning.
Finally, Evan decided he would go to the jewelry store tomorrow and pick a ring himself. He wanted something simple but classy—something fitting for Michelle.
However, one thought still troubled him.
What if Michelle disappeared at the beginning of next year, like Raka?
Evan clenched his fist.
"If that happens… I won't let her go without a fight."
For the first time, Evan felt like fighting fate.
—
The Ring That Changes FateEvan fell silent.
His hand trembled as he opened the ring box that had been stored in his apartment drawer for years. It was the ring he bought for Nadira back in 2016.
Inside the ring was engraved "Evan-Nadira." But on the morning of January 1, 2017, the inscription vanished as if Nadira had never been part of his life.
Now, in 2018, the ring had changed again.
"Evan-Michelle."
Evan stared at the engraving, holding his breath.
Did this mean Michelle was truly his destiny?
Or… was this just part of the same cycle? The cycle where he would lose Michelle at the start of the year, just like Raka and everyone else who had been close to him?
Evan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his mind.
No. This time, he wouldn't stay silent.
If the ring changed for Michelle, it meant he had time.
Time to protect Michelle.
Time to make sure Michelle wouldn't just disappear like the others.
With firm determination, Evan closed the ring box and put it away. Tomorrow, he would meet Michelle.
And he would propose.
—
An Unusual SmileAt the office, something was different about Evan today.
Usually, he was known as a calm, sometimes cold man, often seeming lazy when dealing with people. But today? Evan looked… brighter.
Many noticed.
"Why is Evan smiling all the time?" whispered one coworker.
"He usually looks like he's thinking about the global economy," another replied with a quiet laugh.
Mr. William's secretary even frowned in surprise when Evan came in early with a more relaxed expression than usual.
"Morning, Evan," she greeted, handing him some documents.
"Morning," Evan took the documents and—for the first time—said thank you without a rushed or lazy tone.
The secretary was almost shocked.
Mr. William, who was reviewing reports, glanced at his son briefly. Usually, Evan came in expressionless, focused on work, or looked bored. But this time, Evan worked calmly, even occasionally… smiling softly.
As a father, Mr. William immediately grew suspicious.
He drummed his fingers on the desk before finally asking, "Evan, what's up with you?"
Evan looked up. "What do you mean?"
Mr. William squinted. "Why are you smiling? Did you get a big project? Or…" He looked sharply, "are you seeing someone?"
Evan just chuckled softly. "Nothing, Dad."
But from the way Evan spoke, Mr. William knew something was up.
And he would find out.
—
Blessing Already GivenActually, Mr. William had approved of Evan and Michelle's relationship from the start. After all, this arranged relationship was not sudden.
He and Aunt Mirna had known each other for a long time. They knew Michelle was a good, smart girl from a decent family.
What surprised Mr. William was how Evan had truly changed since being with Michelle.
He thought Evan would just go through the relationship to meet family expectations—like he often did with many things in life. But the opposite happened.
Evan not only accepted Michelle as his fiancée, but also seemed calmer, more responsible, and—most importantly—more alive.
Mr. William watched Evan working at his desk, occasionally checking his phone with a small smile.
A smile he rarely saw before.
Maybe… this was the first time Evan really wanted to protect someone.
And as a father, that was more than enough.
—
Family MeetingThat night, the atmosphere at the William family home felt more formal than usual. The large dining table was set with the best dishes, and the mood was warm but full of expectation.
Evan sat beside Michelle, who looked elegant in a simple dress. He seemed a bit nervous, though trying to stay calm.
Across from them, Mr. William and his wife sat side by side. Meanwhile, Aunt Mirna—Michelle's mother—watched them with a satisfied expression.
The initial conversation went smoothly, covering light topics like business and family. But as Evan expected, the serious topic finally came up.
"So, when's the plan?" Mr. William asked, his tone calm but meaningful.
Michelle glanced at Evan as if giving him the chance to answer.
Evan took a deep breath. "We haven't set a definite date, Dad. But…" Evan squeezed Michelle's hand under the table. "We're serious."
Aunt Mirna smiled. "Michelle has told me a lot. I believe she's in the right hands."
Evan's mother added, "We just want to make sure you're ready, Evan. This isn't a small decision."
Evan looked at them confidently. "I know, Mom. I'm not playing around."
Mr. William was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Then we support you."
Michelle smiled with relief, while Evan felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.
A certainty.
—
Michelle and Her StudiesAfter the family dinner was over, Evan and Michelle talked alone on the William family terrace.
"So, if we get married, what about your studies?" Evan asked, leaning back in his chair.
Michelle stirred her drink slowly. "I still want to continue, of course."
Evan nodded. That was the answer he expected. Michelle wasn't the type to stop just because of marriage.
"You don't mind?" Michelle looked at him attentively.
Evan shrugged. "Why should I? Your studies are important. I don't want to be the reason you quit."
Michelle smiled softly. "Yeah… but we'll be busy. You working, me studying… You sure it's okay?"
Evan looked at her intently. "Michelle, I just want you to keep being you. Nothing has to change. Getting married doesn't mean you have to stop chasing what you want."
Michelle paused, then smiled wider. "You know? That's one of the reasons why I like you."
Evan just chuckled, then took her hand.
For the first time in his life, he felt maybe all this wasn't a mistake.