THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN BRIDE

Mara tried to listen to what the middle-aged woman had to say. She missed two of her job shifts and she was struggling to know whether she still has those jobs. She also had a test in five days time and she is still struggling to understand what the lecturer was teaching.But it was quite hard. She hadn't had enough sleep for three days now, mostly because she is trying to renew her insurance. She is diabetic, and she is short on her long-acting and short-acting insulin. She checked the time on her phone, 2:30pm. Just 10 minutes until she could leave for her uncle's house. Hopefully no one would be around to disrupt her much needed sleep. "Hey, do you have a pencil I could borrow?" A hand nudged her. Mara's gaze lifted slightly only to meet a blonde guy with blue icy eyes. He had dimples and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. She nodded quietly reaching into her stationery purse for a spare pencil she always carried to class. She didn't understand why he needed a pencil at the moment, class was almost over. But she didn't want to question it. It was his personal business. "You are a lifesaver, dear. " He thanked her quietly, throwing her a wink as he scribbled something down on a paper and threw it to a girl at the back. Of course, she nearly chuckled. She was surprised because she has seen the guy flirt with so many girls in the school. Everyone just wanted to have fun. Perhaps she'd understand if she were in their shoes. She has never been in a relationship before but has been crushing on a number of guys. She'd hear them in the bathroom, at the library or on her way to the laboratory. It was really disgusting . The boy didn't speak to her again. He returned the pencil back and proceeded to listen to what the lecturer was saying. ".....this brings us to the end if this class. I will see you all for revision before the test on Monday morning. Have a nice day." He said as he packed his things and dragged himself out of the classroom. Finally, Mara thought. He was one of Mara's favourite lecturer in the school. He was always smiling and friendly. The class was empty before she knew it . She glanced at her blank notebook and sighed. She wasn't listening to what the lecturer was teaching. The walk to her uncle's house was a long one, so she decided to take a bus because she was exhausted. She got to her uncle's house and went straight to the kitchen to get water. "Mara, is that you honey? Can you come into the sitting room; Chris and I have some stuff to discuss." " I know that face, stop looking guilty you've done absolutely nothing, it's us this time. Come and sit down," Mary said patting the chair next to her. " Okay, what's going on? Omg, is your business going well? Have you found a philanthropist who is going to take care of the payment of my treatment? We"ll find someone- it's only a matter of time!" I was speaking so fast. I was worried. " Calm down, we found a philanthropist, that's what we want to talk to you about, Mary said, guilt plastered on her face. s**t, there are conditions from the giver but at least we had one, thank God. I plopped into the chair, calmer- we now have the money for my treatment and my uncle's business that has gone down the drain. "But what is the condition ? The giver wants us to do something in return? Listen, I can see the guilt Mary, it's okay. I can do my college work but my health is more important to me- I will do whatever it takes to get this treatment. I don't funking care whatever condition it is. I am willing to do everything and anything. Mara said without giving any second thought about it. "That's the problem Mara....what the giver wants is something I can't give him, or I would have. It is not mine to give," Mary whispered putting an arm around me, holding me tight. So it's something I need to give to the giver....... "Okay, what's it? I'll give it to him." I said patting Mary's arm. Just then, the outside door opened. I could hear Williams coming in yelling and laughing. Williams is my cousin and we have been best of friends since our childhood even before I lost my parents. "Williams, I screamed and jumped on him giving him a huge hug, "Yeah I missed you too," Williams said squeezing me tightly. "So, what do I have to give this giver?" "Mara, I don't know how to say this so it doesn't sound crazy so I am just going to say how it is." Mary said and I just nodded asking her to go on, Yesterday a man called Mr Phillips rang, the giver, and said that he will pay for your medical treatment and give us £150,000 pounds to support your uncle's business. "Oh, my god- that's great, I thought we would never find a philanthropist! Mary, how is that crazy - it's great!" I yelled, getting a high five from Williams. Mary shook her head. " The only way he is going to give us that money....is if you marry his son." Mary whispered, waiting. I didn't hear that correctly -THAT'S just crazy. "Sorry, but that's bullshit!" He yelled. Chris and Mary were taken aback from his anger, surprised that I hadn't yelled yet. I put an arm around Williams. "Hey, it is okay! Why though? Why would he want me to marry his son? Why can't he just arrange a marriage for him amongst his successful peers? "I am sorry honey, I am not asking you to do this and if you disagree that's totally fine- we will eventually find a giver. We'll honey, they want you because you seem to be the best option for their son. If you agree to this, they have to come see you tommorrow. Mr Phillips has some meetings he needs to attend to, he said he us only free tomorrow. Honey, this man has a lot of money, you could really go to a good university and become a recognised doctor. Remember your promise to your late parents. Mara, just think deeply about it, you know the circumstances here. We are going to be behind you no matter whatever your decision is, okay?" Mary said, standing up with Chris. "Mara honey, you have four hours to decide then we have to ring Mr Philips with your decision. Mary come on, give her some time, let her take all this in". Chris said, waiting for her at the door. "You okay?" He asked, hugging me. I just nodded my head. "Mara, you don't have to do this-we"ll find someone who is able to take care of your medical treatments. You can't do this - living with someone you have never met, getting married to them - he could be some dangerous guy- he could harm you ! Mara, please don't- I can't stand it, it's making me sick, you need to go out there and fall in love with someone you want, not someone who is thrown at you. You can get any guy you want, you are beautiful, intelligent, caring- the list goes on. It doesn't matter what happens with my father's business. I have to start doing more part-time jobs so that I would be able to assist you. "Williams, please let me think about it, okay? I need this treatment so badly, and time is no longer on my side," I said, letting go of him. He stepped out and walked out, anger in every step that he took. Okay. Four hours to decide if I'm going to marry this stranger- great. What the f**k am I going to do? If I don't accept, my health worsens- I have just two weeks to find the money for the treatment. I was 7 when my parents died in an aeroplane accident, Chris and Mary were here for me, they helped me get over my parents death, Williams is like an older brother I never had or never will have. Chris business has not been doing so well because he has been handling my diabetic treatment since I was 15 years. If I marry this person- omg, I don't even know his name, what if he is horrible to me? Omg, like Williams said, abuses me? If I marry this guy, I could. After everything Chris and Mary have done, for me why can't I do this little thing for them? I got up and walked down stairs and went into the living room. "What is the verdict,? Mary asked me "Okay" "Honey, okay that you are going to tell us or okay that you are going through this?"