Chapter Twelve: Survival or Pride
584 Words
The following day, Charles couldn’t get Bella’s proposal out of his mind.
The battle between his pride and his responsibilities had followed him to work, leaving him distracted throughout the day.
Unable to carry the burden alone, he called his childhood friend, Andrew.
“Can we meet after work?” Charles asked.
“Of course,” Andrew replied. “Same place?”
Charles nodded.
“Same place.”
That evening, they met at a small local bar just a few streets from Charles’ apartment.
After exchanging greetings, Andrew noticed that Charles looked unusually troubled.
“You don’t look like yourself,” he said. “What’s going on?”
Charles let out a heavy sigh.
“Andrew… I’m standing at a crossroads.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m torn between survival… and my pride.”
Andrew frowned.
“Start from the beginning.”
Charles took a deep breath and explained everything—Bella’s strange proposal, the wealthy woman looking for a contract husband, and the enormous amount of money being offered.
He also spoke about the pressure he was under at home, though Andrew already knew most of it.
When he finished, Andrew sat quietly for a moment.
Finally, he asked,
“Who is this woman?”
Charles shrugged.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“I’ve never met her.”
“Everything I know is from my colleague, Bella.”
Andrew leaned back in his chair.
“You know I’ve known you since we were kids,” he said. “I’ve watched you carry your family on your shoulders for years.”
Charles remained silent.
“So let me ask you something.”
“Are they asking you to pay anything?”
“No.”
“Do anything illegal?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Charles hesitated.
“They just want me to pretend to be her husband for a while.”
“And they’ll pay you?”
Charles nodded.
Andrew laughed softly.
“My friend…”
“I think this is the breakthrough you’ve been praying for.”
Charles looked at him in surprise.
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely.”
Andrew leaned forward.
“You’ve been struggling for years. Your mother needs treatment, your brother’s education is on hold, your sister’s school fees are overdue, and you’re barely surviving on your salary.”
He pointed a finger at Charles.
“And now someone is offering you life-changing money without asking you to steal, cheat, or hurt anyone.”
He smiled.
“My friend, this is free money.”
Charles lowered his eyes.
“I don’t know…”
Andrew shook his head.
“You told me Bella said the woman was offering huge money.”
Charles nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Andrew laughed again.
“Then you’ve hit the jackpot!”
“This money could change your family’s life forever.”
Charles stared at the table.
Part of him wanted to believe every word Andrew was saying.
The other part still felt as though accepting the offer meant giving away a piece of himself.
Andrew noticed the uncertainty on his friend’s face and chuckled.
“Don’t tell me this is why you’ve been looking so miserable all day.”
He waved at the bartender.
“Come on.”
“Order something to drink.”
“I think we’re celebrating your breakthrough.”
Charles forced a faint smile.
But deep down…
…he still wasn’t convinced that this was the breakthrough he had been praying for.
- Writer
