Contract Of Love And Sacrifice

Chapter 2

Maria arrived at the restaurant for her first day, she was determined to excel. Focused on her job, she poured her heart into cooking, her true passion evident in every dish.

As she served her first meal, guests praised her culinary skills, their smiles lighting up Maria's face with satisfaction. But her joy quickly turned to shock when loan sharks burst into the restaurant.They were the same men who had threatened her at her house. Fear washed over her as she attempted to flee, only to be grabbed by one of them. His angry expression twisted his features as he tightened his grip on her wrist, causing Maria to stumble and fall to the ground.

"Where are you going?" he bellowed furiously, his voice echoing through the room.

Maria's eyes widened in fear as she pleaded, "Please, let's talk outside," her voice trembling with desperation. She tried to shield herself from the attention of her coworkers, but the man's grip was relentless.

"You got yourself a job, huh?" he yelled, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

Tears streamed down Maria's cheeks as the man's cruel words pierced her heart.

"I paid someone for you to sell off your body, and here you are just wasting my time," he sneered, his voice filled with contempt.

In a fit of rage, the man lashed out at the workers, sparking a chaotic brawl in the once tidy restaurant. Plates and glasses crashed to the ground, adding to the mess.

Amidst the chaos, Andrew, the manager, intervened, his expression grave as he called for security to restore order. The men causing the disturbance were swiftly escorted out, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Whispers filled the room, swirling rumors of Maria's financial woes. She felt the weight of judgment pressing down on her, wishing she could vanish into thin air. Avoiding gazes, shame etched lines of turmoil on her face, though she held back tears, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotion.

"Meet me in my office now, Maria!" Andrew's sharp command pierced the air, leaving Maria quaking in its wake. With heavy steps, she approached his office, clutching a crumpled piece of paper tightly in her hand. Pushing the door open, she was met with the manager's furious glare, his eyes burning with anger.

Maria's heart pounded as she offered a hurried apology for the chaos of her first day. Andrew's fleeting stare conveyed his impatience, a trait well-known in his business dealings.

With a nervous tremor in her voice, Maria presented her resignation letter, bracing herself for the consequences. Andrew's response was unexpected; he chose to overlook the incident but imposed a punishment of late-night work and solitary cleanup duty.

His decision left Maria relieved yet apprehensive, unsure of what the future held in store.

"Thank you, sir, for your forgiveness. I'll do my best to avoid any future issues," Maria stammered gratefully as the man exited the office without saying anymore word.

Back at work, Maria swiftly picked up her tasks before fetching Ethan from school. His arrival at her workplace brought laughter and lively conversation, lifting her spirits and making her work more enjoyable. As Ethan grew tired, Maria carried on with her duties, feeling a renewed sense of focus and gratitude for his presence and support.

As Maria gently settled Ethan to sleep, her ears pricked up at the sound of voices upstairs. Curiosity piqued, she tiptoed barefoot up the stairs, careful not to make a sound. Peeking around the corner, she caught sight of Mr. Andrew, engaged in conversation with an unknown figure. Unable to resist the urge to eavesdrop, Maria positioned herself behind the partially open door, straining to catch snippets of their discussion.

Adrian's words hung heavily in the air as he revealed the urgent need for a liver transplant for his mother, who was battling cirrhosis. His desperation was palpable as he explained that his own blood type didn't match hers, necessitating a familial match. Turning to Andrew for help, he outlined the unconventional solution: finding a woman within the family who shared his mother's blood type and marrying her on paper to expedite the transplant process.

Andrew's confusion mirrored the complexity of the situation as he struggled to grasp the gravity of the man's plea. The urgency in his voice underscored the dire prognosis given by the doctors: his mother had only a few months to live. Emotions ran high as Andrew laid bare the harsh reality of their predicament, considering the weight of their decision and the swift action required to save a life.

Andrew looked worried as he spoke to the man. "What should we do next? We can't find a donor who matches your mom for the transplant," he said, concerned about the situation.

Adrian proposed the idea of hiring a contract wife, intending to divorce her once their need for a liver transplant was fulfilled. Andrew couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the suggestion.

"How much would that even cost?" Adrian's frustration was evident in his voice, as he speculated about the exorbitant price they might have to pay.

Maria's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the staggering amount mentioned. A sudden cough caught their attention, drawing their focus to her. Reacting quickly, Maria fled downstairs, her footsteps echoing through the silence.

Adrian moved swiftly to intercept her, grasping her hand as she turned to face him, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension.

"You!" The man's voice boomed with surprise as he locked eyes with Maria, his face contorted in shock. Andrew observed the unfolding scene, his confusion evident in his furrowed brow.

"Um, do you two know each other?" Andrew inquired, puzzled by the unexpected encounter. Meanwhile, Maria's mind raced with thoughts of the staggering amount of money she had overheard. Though she remained silent, her expression betrayed a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Andrew introduced Maria to Mr. Adrian Reynolds, the CEO of the prestigious restaurant where they worked. Maria's shock was evident as she processed the unexpected revelation, her brows furrowing in disbelief. The realization that the man who had previously caused her distress was now her boss left her speechless.

As Andrew explained Maria's employment at the restaurant, Adrian's confusion grew. "She works here?" he questioned, his tone tinged with incredulity. He turned to Andrew, seeking an explanation for her presence, while Maria remained silent, her face a portrait of astonishment..

Adrian's sharp question cut through the tension, his eyes locking onto Maria's with intensity. "What did you hear?" he asked urgently.

Curious, he pressed further, demanding to know what she had overheard. Andrew observed silently, his expression reflecting a mix of interest and concern.

As Maria mulled over her response, her mind raced with thoughts of her son's future. After a prolonged silence, she gathered her courage and spoke up, her voice steady despite the weight of her decision.

"I'll do it. I'll marry you," she declared, her eyes shining with determination and boldness. "I'll help you save your mother," she answered with determination.