THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN BRIDE

Episode 2

Okay,"I'm going through this." "Are you out of your mind?"" Williams burst in, coming through the kitchen's back door. He came and grabbed me by my arms, shaking me... "You don't know this guy! An arranged marriage, Mara, a stranger for that matter! He could harm you!" He yelled at me. "He could be a really nice guy;; stop judging the person you know nothing about yet;get your hands off me!" me!" I said I was trying to pull him away from me. "You are doing this all because of money, aren't you? So you can live a better life and leave us behind. I didn't know you were such a gold digger until now! He said that said that, pushing me away from him. I looked at him in in shock. How can he think that of me? After everything that I have shared with him! His face dropped after repairing what he just said to me: : " Mara, I am so s----orrryyy. . I didn't mean it that way." "Is that what you think of me, Gold Digger? Digger? Really? I am going through this because of my health, and you know it. I am also doing this because of your father's business that has gone down the drain, all for giving me proper and adequate medical treatments. After everything you guys have done for me, I can't do this little for you guys? I know that I can, but you are too selfish. You would never do this for me if you were in my shoes, would you? "Yes, I would!" He yelled back at me. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, but if the time came, you wouldn't!" I screamed back at him. His face was so red, furry was written all over it. He came to me and said, "Wasn't it your fault that you lost your parents in an accident?? You are an ungrateful person!" He slapped my face. I fell really hard. Mary came running to me. "Mara, I am so sorry!" I didn't mean to; I don't know what came over me. He tried to grab me,me, but I pulled away from him. He just hit me! I didn't expect this from Williams. I took him as my blood. I didn't even expect to hear such hurtful words from him. He had tears in his eyes.. "Mara, I didn't mean for this to happen—I don't want to lose the bond I have shared with you with another man!!"! He said this said this while trying to grab me back. "Don't you ever lay your filthy hands on me again." I whispered, and he moved his hands.. My head was banging, and banging, and I felt sick and really dizzy. Mary came to me and helped me up, sitting me down on a chair. "Honey, are you okay?" Mary asked while trying to use the ice pack on my face. Yeah, was all I could say while trying not to break down in tears. "Mara, can you please let this slide? I didn't mean anything I just said. I am so sorry. Williams said, kneeling down beside me, tears leaking out of his eyes.. I couldn't stand to see him like that, so I just pulled him towards me, hugging me. "Williams, I really do think that you should do something about your anger issues," I said with a very serious face. "I know, I will, and I am promising you that right now.." He said he was said he was pulling away while kissing my cheeks. "If you are crazy enough to go through with this thing, I am going to stand by you with every step that you take". Just about five minutes later, the phone rang, and Mary got up to answer it. "Hello, how can I help you?" Someone answered her on the phone. "Yes, Mr. Philips, she has agreed to marry her son. Are we going to have you come over tomorrow?" Mr Phillips answered her. Omg, I can't believe the mess that I have gotten myself into; now they are coming over to see me. This is getting real already." " Okay, thank you Mr Phillips.. See you by 4 o'clock. Bye. Mary replied, hanging up. "Honey, you need to get home by 3 o'clock so you can get ready and look presentable. I know that school is very important but is too much.. You can ask your lecturer if you can leave early, honey, okay? Mary said this when trying to make lunch for herself. I went to bed wondering if I had had made the right choice by agreeing to marry Mr Phillips' son. Was it the right or wrong choice? I couldn't sleep that night; I was just rolling on the bed. I had to leave the school around 2:30pm so as to catch the train and get home on time,and be able to prepare to meet Mr Phillips. I don't know if his son will be coming together with him. I entered the house and saw Mary in the kitchen. I hugged her from behind as she peeked at my cheek. I turned to go upstairs and change. When I entered my room, I saw Williams with my outfit in his hands. He also had my jewellery and makeup. I usually hate wearing makeup; I only wear it on very rare occasions. Philip Leo POV

Okay, being an only child stinks. stinks. I've never had to share a room. My parents spoiled me to death. My parents run a very massive business. Since childhood, I knew that I wasn't going to trust just anyone in cases of love and marriage, , especially after seeing the situation between my parents. They had fights and arguments every time they saw each other. I knew love was something I did not look up to in a relationship. And as for love marriage, I knew it wasn't in my destiny. So with this arranged marriage, I knew this was going to happen one day or another. I just hope my other counterpart doesn't have high expectations from me; after all, this is a platonic agreement. My father has picked a partner for me. I've never met her or her family before. Well, today is the day. I dress nice. I comb my hair, so it's not a mess. I even put on a button-up shirt. I sprayed some perfumes and body spray on my body. I take a deep breath. I come down the stairs to the family room to see if my dad is ready. My daddy was just about to put on his suit when I went downstairs, so I assisted him with it. "You know this is one of the decisions you are going to make in your life snd not going to regret it" My dad said. He gave me a hug and that hug felt so genuine from his heart. "Your mom won't be able to join us; she had an emergency at her workplace." He instructed me to call his secretary to come take his things to the car. On our way to my soon-to-be fiancee, so many things were running through my head. Mara Jones POV I was waiting for my soon-to-be husband with my uncle and his family. We were all properly dressed and seated. Wearing a simple blue dress that reached below my knees with my favourite pair of sneakers and my hair tied in a long ponytail, I was contemplating life when the door creaked and three men entered the sitting room. Immediately bolting upright from our sitting position, we all stood up. Firstly, Chris and Mary greeted the elder one. Williams then proceeded as well. I greeted the first one, followed by the younger one, and both of them replied with small nods. One of the men stepped out after dropping a tablet on the side table where Mr. Phillips was seated. I am guessing that was their secretary. I saw the elder one flashing a satisfied smile while the younger one, who was supposed to be my soon-to-be fiance, just checked me out. Who does that when meeting someone for the first time? It would have been a while if I said that his gaze didn't intimate me for a moment, but I shifted my focus on his dad, greeting him as soon as I looked down. "Leo, go outside with Mara and have a talk. If you are fine with this arrangement, then we can proceed with preparations." Mr. Phiilips said. Phillips and I nodded and stood up at the same time. We both went to the balcony at the end of the corridor and stood there in silence for a few minutes. We were both looking down and waiting for the first person to talk. Leo finally gathered the courage to say, are you uncomfortable around me?" He asked in the softest voice. Mara still looked down, and Leo was curious as to whether she was also forced to marry him. Leo then asked in an intimidating voice, Do you not want this marriage?". Mara flinched. Mara stepped back a little towards the fence while shaking a little. "I am sorry; I want this marriage," Mara said in apology as tears rolled down her cheeks. Leo felt so bad, and he decided to give her a hug. Looking into her teary eyes, Leo just wanted to protect her and keep her happy, away from this cruel world. Leo waited until she calmed down. Leo didn't know what to say at this moment. How can she get married because she needs money for her medical bills and for her uncle's business? But on the good side, it was all for Mara and her uncle's good. Mara looked up at Leo without letting go of the hug, and Leo's heart skipped a beat. With those cute puppy eyes, Leo just wants to protect Mara and make her happy. She looked at Leo and wiped her face with the handkerchief Leo lent her. Let's go back.