Chapter Five
1441 Words
“Thank you for coming,” I smiled as Don Lorenzo and I strode the soft grass, hand in hand.
“Anytime,”
As the birds chirped in the distance, I watched the ushers lay flowers, snacks and drinks on the playmat they had set up on the field. My smile grew broader while the warm countryside breeze tossed my wavy hair back and forth.
“You didn't have to do all of this, you know,”
“You're a little too late to stop me.”
“Not that I want to stop you,” I giggled. I'm just… I am…”
“Happy?”
I nodded.
“I'm glad you are.”
“We're done sir,” one of the ushers, who I think is the chief, interrupted.
Don Lorenzo nodded, and we both proceeded to the staged-out picnic castle.
“It's beautiful,” I said in a low tone.
His phone rang out.
Glancing at his phone, his countenance fell and he let go of my hand.
“Excuse me for a moment,” he said and walked off the mat.
I smiled even more as I noticed a handful of my favourite chocolate bars, lying amidst other chocolates, alongside the cupcakes, fruits, ice cream and drinks. Michael would warn me countless times about finishing a bar of chocolate, stating that it would make my belly fatter but who cares now?
“That was my lawyer,” he said softly as he sat on the pillow opposite where I sat. “He will be here any moment from now with the contract papers.”
I paused, mouth agape.
“Your mind isn't made up yet?”
“Yeah… I just need time to…”
“To what?” He yelled.
He sighed and looked away.
Looking back at me, he spoke softly.
“The moment you called me to come meet you here, I thought it was for the marriage so I started to make arrangements to fly your mother to India for her treatment.”
“Sorry?”
“But since you aren't ready, I might just give you the eight thousand you needed and continue with my life.”
“That's not what I mean. I'm still trying to… You know… process this whole thing.”
“Or do you have a boyfriend?”
“Oh… no. I don't.”
“You just don't like foreigners. I understand.” He made to get up but I held his thighs.
“I'll marry you.”
“Well, I'm no longer interested.”
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I just stared at him as he walked away.
No…
Why would I just let go of a lifetime opportunity to be close to a public figure? I sprawled to my feet immediately and ran after him, grabbing his arm just before he got into his SUV.
“You said the job offer was only for today and today isn't done yet.”
He stared coldly at me for a while.
“Get in the car.”
“We’re not going back there?” I pointed behind me. I mean I haven't had any of the chocolate.
He shook his head.
“Then, I might just go ahead and get my purse. Don't leave.”
“You have thirty seconds.”
“Seriously?” I gasped.
“Twenty-eight seconds now.”
He was serious so I dashed back into the field. Grabbed my inhaler, stuffed my purse hastily with some chocolate and dashed back right on time to meet Don Lorenzo's Bentley still parked in front of my car. I pulled the door handle and jumped into the car when my phone rang out; it was my mum's nanny at the hospital.
“Hello, Ma,”
“Priscilla! Your mum’s temperature and blood pressure are suddenly rising and the doctors have refused to attend to her because today's oxygen fee has not been paid,”
My heart skipped a beat, and I pulled open the car door, but Don Lorenzo held me back.
“Her oxygen has been removed?”
“No. But you need to come over to the hospital right now and sort the bills out,”
“Okay, Ma,”
She hung up.
“It's my mother!” I glanced at Don Lorenzo.
“What's the problem?” He asked.
“The doctors won't attend to her and… the nanny… I just have to go…” I stammered as my hands shivered.
“Calm down.” He held my hand. “First things first,” he added as he pulled the inhaler from my hand and pointed it at me.
I shut my eyes as my pacing heart slowed down and I pressed the canister a few times into my mouth.
“Sir,” the chauffeur interrupted, “your lawyer is here.”
“Tell him to come in,” Don replied calmly, his eyes fixed on mine.
The lawyer, a brown haired man in a burgundy suit, got into the front seat of the car.
“The documents, Sir,” he said, handing a blue file to Don Lorenzo.
“I trust it has everything I need.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Don Lorenzo nodded and the lawyer exited the car. He asked for my car keys, which I gave him from my purse, while he dropped the blue file on my lap.
“Swift?” He called.
“Yes, boss.” The chauffeur replied.
“Take her car home,” he added as he handed the keys to Swift and got behind the wheel.
“Which hospital is she at?”
“My mum? Saint Jude's. She's been…”
He ignited the engine and we hit the road.
Before now, I thought I was good at speeding but Don? He's on a whole new level.
“Have you signed that yet?”
“I… I haven't gone through it.”
He glanced at me through the rear mirror.
“It's the marriage contract. Go through it so you would know what your job would be like.”
I messaged my temple.
“I don't think I can go through this right now. My mother's ill health is really getting me worried and
The doctors are insisting we fly her to India, but my boyfriend,” I paused, “my ex-boyfriend and I couldn't afford it.”
“I'll make you an offer, Priscilla,” he broke the awkward silence.
I glanced at him.
“I'll send your mum abroad and ensure she gets whatever treatment she needs only…”
“Good lord!” I gasped. “You will?”
He didn't spare me a glance. His grip only tightened on the wheels.
“Oh! I'm sorry for interrupting you. I just couldn't hold in my excitement.”
“I'll help your mum only if you sign those papers.”
I sighed.
“And if I don't?”
“Why then did you run back to me? I really want to help but if we don't get married, I might not be able to do that.”
“Don Lorenzo, I'm still broken. I might not be able to love you.”
“If you had gone through that document, you would have seen that I don't need your love. It's clearly stated there that the marriage would only last for a year.”
“And within this one year, I'll get anything I need?”
“No. You get twenty million dollars a month.”
I gasped. Did this man just say twenty million dollars with a straight face? Like it was nothing?
“Of course, that doesn't include your necessities.”
“You want me to marry you for money?”
“Yes. I will give you the money, and we will stay married for a year.”
Why don't I just accept it? My mum’s condition isn't getting any better. My running to the hospital would be in vain, too, because I don't even have the money to pay for her oxygen.
“The marriage… wedding… whatever, would it be private or…”
“Private wedding but I don't care who finds out about the marriage.”
I sighed, raking my fingers through my hair.
“I'll do it,” I muttered. I wasn't sure I made the right choice but twenty million dollars might swerve whatever wrong outcome.
The car cornered into St. Jude's parking lot.
After the car came still,
“Here,” Don Lorenzo handed me a card. “Pay for everything she would need to be revived. She will be leaving for India tonight.”
- Writer
