An Arrangement (BWWM)

A Better Life

Viktor waited patiently at the table for all of ten minutes and just as he was about to get up to go find Dulani she came walking behind the rude hostess from earlier. He stood pulling out her chair for her to sit. She had obviously wiped herself down as best she could in the bathroom but her tattered clothing still made it obvious that she lived life on the streets of New York.

"Thank you Dulani for staying."

"I might be homeless but I'm not rude Mr. Kaspar. I obliged your invitation to dinner and despite my discomfort I wouldn't just walkout on you. I'm an honest person despite what you witnessed today. I had a moment of weakness and gave into my own selfish needs but it's a moment that won't happen again I assure you. Nothing is worth feeling the shame that I felt when I did that."

"I would hardly call being hungry a selfish need and I most certainly don't see anything you should be ashamed of. We're human and we all have a need to survive. It angers me to see that bruise on your cheek from that feigling (coward). No man should touch a woman that way."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I thank you though for all you have done. I wish I could repay you."

"Your more than welcome. I'm enjoying your company."

The waiter came and took their orders and they continued to make conversation getting to know one another and she telling stories of her life before New York. She was well traveled to have had it all taken away at such a young age. He was impressed with her table manners and ability to converse. She was quite current on today's culture and the who's who of society and events in the world.

She quoted again how she was touched by his kindness and wished she had more to offer him then just conversation for his kindness. As dinner came to an end and thought came to him. She would be the one. If he was forced to marry he would at least want it to be someone he could tolerate and respect. Someone he could learn from. Someone who was humble and didn't care about money.

He wanted someone with culture and that kept him interested in them. He needed a woman without an agenda and Nadja Dulani Klaus was just that. She was decent looking and would probably be a knockout if she wasn't wearing oversized dirty clothing and a smuged face with dirty madded hair pulled into a poorly done ponytail.

"Dulani, may I ask something of you. You see I'm in a bit of a predicament that I only have one way out of and you are the answer to this situation I'm in."

"Like I said before I would love to be able repay your kindness and so if giving the opportunity to do so I would love to."

He took that as a chance to explain the entirety of his situation and what conditions his parents gave to him.

"So would you marry me? Would you be Mrs. Kaspar. I will never mistreat you nor would I hold you against your will should you decide you want out of this entire deal. Should this work out I'll be ecstatic  but if not then I will free you of all obligations to me as my wife and I will make sure that you have a home of your own and money to take care of yourself for the rest of your life. So you see either way this is a win win for you."

"You can't be serious?"

"I've insulted you. I'm sorry. I really am. I just don't think I'll ever find someone like you and if I'm gonna have to endure marriage then I rather it with you."