Chapter Eight: The perfect Candidate
377 Words
Sophia stared at Bella in disbelief.
“How is that even possible?” she asked. “What man would agree to sign a marriage contract with a complete stranger?”
Bella and Cynthia exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter.
“You’d be surprised,” Bella said. “These days, not every relationship is built on love. Some people stay together because they both have something to gain.”
Cynthia nodded.
“If the offer is attractive enough, someone might actually agree.”
Sophia folded her arms.
“And you honestly think this could work?”
“We do,” Bella replied confidently.
“But where do we even find such a man?” Sophia asked.
Bella smiled.
“Leave that to us.”
“We’ll find someone,” Cynthia added. “All we have to do is offer him enough money to make the arrangement worth his while.”
The moment Sophia heard the word money, her expression changed.
“So… you’re saying this could actually happen?”
Bella grinned.
“It could.”
For the first time since her father had given her the impossible condition, Sophia felt a spark of hope.
“If this is the only way to get my father’s business without marrying for love,” she said, “then I’m in.”
The following day, Bella couldn’t stop thinking about someone she knew at work.
His name was Charles.
They had become close friends shortly after she joined the company. Over time, he had shared pieces of his life with her.
Charles was intelligent, hardworking, and remarkably handsome. Despite his good looks, he wasn’t interested in dating.
Not because he couldn’t find a woman…
…but because life had given him bigger responsibilities.
He came from a poor family and carried the weight of everyone on his shoulders. His parents depended on him. His younger siblings depended on him. Every salary he earned disappeared into paying school fees, buying food, settling hospital bills, and keeping his family afloat.
Even after sacrificing everything for those he loved, he barely had enough left to take care of himself.
Bella leaned back in her chair and smiled to herself.
“Charles is the perfect man for this arrangement.”
She just hoped he would agree.
- Writer
