The marriage bargain

Chapter 3

Logan drew a long breath and looked at Marissa, who was still standing in the center of his living room. He was still astonished to see Marisa staring back at him, wondering how she had gotten into his home.

Her face was showing she was not sorry for earlier and Logan wondered how his day could have gotten much worse.

“Why are you here, Marissa?” Logan asked again, trying to keep his voice calm.

Marissa crossed her arms and smirked. “Your mother invited me over for dinner. Apparently, she’s friends with my mom. Isn’t that cute?”

Logan frowned. “You could’ve at least waited for me to come home instead of breaking into my apartment.”

She rolled her eyes. “Relax. Your mom gave me the spare key.”

Logan sighed. “Fine. But why are you acting like this is some big deal? We didn’t exactly have a nice conversation earlier. You ditched me, you remembered.”

Marissa’s smirk widened. “Oh, please. I can tell you were smitten with me at the café. It’s okay to admit it. Love at first sight and all that.”

Logan blinked, stunned. “What? That’s not.”

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “You don’t have to explain yourself. I get it. A guy like you doesn’t meet someone like me every day. It’s fine; I’m used to it.”

Logan clenched his jaw, trying to remain polite. “Look, Marissa, I’m not interested. I think we both know this isn’t going to work. I have to say, you have your ways with words.”

Marissa scoffed, her tone mocking Logan. “Not interested? Oh, honey, let’s not kid ourselves. A guy with your… humble background can’t afford to be picky. Besides, I’m doing you a favor. Someone like me deserves a man of high caliber. You should be grateful.”

Logan stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Grateful? For what, exactly?”

“For even considering you,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s be honest, Logan. You’re a nurse. A gynecology nurse. That’s not exactly paying work and If you want to keep seeing me, there are a few things you’ll need to do.”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Well,” she began, with her fingers outstretched, “first, you’ll need to buy me a luxury car. Something sleek and expensive. I can’t be seen riding in whatever bunker you drive all around.”

Logan couldn’t hide his disbelief. “A luxury car? Are you serious?”

"Dead serious," Marissa said, as if it were the most sensible request in the world. "Don't forget the gifts. Jewelry, expensive clothes, and possibly even a vacation. If you want to date me, you must be able to keep up." Logan shook his head, his patience thinning. "Marissa, I won't buy you a car or anything else. And, honestly, I don't believe I want to keep seeing you.”

She couldn't believe what Logan said to her. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Logan said firmly. “You’ve been rude and insulting. If you think I’m going to bow to your ridiculous demands, you’re wrong.”

Marissa laughed, a cold, mocking sound. “Wow. You really don’t get it, do you? Men like you don’t have options. You’re lucky someone like me is even giving you some time.”

Logan folded his arms, standing his ground. “I think we’re done here. You can show yourself out.”

Before Marissa could reply, the doorbell rang. Both of them turned toward the sound, the tension got even higher by the bang at the door.

“Are you expecting someone?” Marissa asked suspiciously.

“No,” Logan said, walking to the door. He opened it and froze.

Outside the door was Elena, the woman in white he’d helped earlier. She looked classy and composed as ever, with a calm smile on her face. Beside her stood a sharply dressed man holding a large gift box.

“Elena?” Logan said, surprised. “What are you doing here? How do you even know where I live?”

Elena stepped inside, her presence spoke highly of her. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” she asked politely, her eyes briefly flicking to Marissa, who was staring with her mouth twitched in anger.

“Uh, not at all,” Logan said quickly. “What’s going on?”

Elena turned her attention back to him. “I wanted to thank you properly for what you did earlier. And to be honest…” She paused, taking a quick look around the apartment. “I came to find you.”

Marissa folded her hands watching the drama between the both of them. “Wait a minute. This is who you’re ditching me for?”

Logan frowned. “No one’s ditching anyone, Marissa.”

Elena tilted her head, she looked at Marisa and smiled. She was finding her reaction funny. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

Marissa stepped forward, her voice showing she was pissed. “And who are you supposed to be? His boss? His charity case?”

Elena raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “I’m someone who appreciates Logan for who he is. And you are?”

“I’m his date,” Marissa said, crossing her arms. “Or at least I was until you barged in.”

Elena’s assistant cleared his throat, stepping forward with the gift box. “Ma’am,” he said, addressing Elena, “shall I place this somewhere?”

“Right here is fine,” Elena said, gesturing to the coffee table.

Logan watched in confusion as the assistant set the box down and opened it, revealing an array of expensive items—watches, a tailored suit, and even a set of keys that looked suspiciously like they belonged to a luxury car.

Marissa’s eyes widened. “What is all this?”

Elena turned to Logan, her expression sincere. “Consider these a token of my gratitude. You didn’t ask for anything in return, but I insist.”

Logan shook his head. “Elena, this is too much. I can’t accept this.”

Elena smiled. “I had a feeling you’d say that. That’s part of why I came here personally. To make sure you understood how much your kindness meant to me. You saved me, and I would forever be indebted to you.”

Marissa looked at them, her face a mixture of disbelief and anger. She still isn't grasping the situation. “Are you kidding me? This is who you’re leaving me for?”

Logan sighed. “Marissa, I already told you—”

“Don’t bother,” she snapped, grabbing her bag. “You’re just a nobody who got lucky. Enjoy your little charity handout.”

With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Elena watched her go, then turned back to Logan. “I hope I didn’t cause any trouble.”

Logan chuckled. “You might’ve saved me, actually. Thanks for that.”

Elena smiled. “It seems like you’ve been doing a lot of saving today.”

Logan looked at the expensive gifts on the table and shook his head again. “I really can’t take all this. This is way too much.” He said slowly with his hands over his mouth.

Elena stepped closer. “Then don’t think of it as a gift. Think of it as an investment. I believe in helping people who deserve it, Logan. And I think you deserve a lot more than what life’s been giving you.”

Her words were sweet, and for a moment, Logan wasn’t sure what to say.

“Why me?” he finally asked.

Elena’s smile widened. “Because you’re different. And I think we could help each other.”

Before Logan could respond, Elena’s assistant cleared his throat. “Ma’am, we should go. The car’s waiting.”

Elena nodded, but before she left, she turned back to Logan. “I’ll be in touch. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

And with that, she was gone, leaving Logan standing in his living room, not sure what to say or what Elena meant.