Chapter Ten: An Unexpected Reaction.
524 Words
Bella could hardly concentrate for the rest of the workday.
She couldn’t wait to get home and tell Sophia and Cynthia what Charles had said.
The moment she walked through the door that evening, she excitedly shared the news.
“He said he would do it!” Bella exclaimed.
Sophia’s face lit up.
“Are you serious?”
Bella nodded enthusiastically.
The three friends screamed with excitement, laughing, hugging one another, and dancing around the living room.
For the first time in weeks, Sophia felt hopeful.
Perhaps her impossible situation finally had a solution.
The following morning, Bella stopped by a boutique before work and bought a neatly packaged designer shirt and an expensive bottle of perfume.
She carefully placed the gift on Charles’ desk before he arrived.
A few minutes later, Charles walked into the office.
He noticed the package immediately.
Looking around, he asked, “Bella… who left this on my desk?”
Bella smiled.
“It’s from the woman who wants to marry you.”
Charles frowned.
“I’m sorry… what?”
Bella walked closer and lowered her voice.
“Remember the movie I told you about yesterday?”
Charles nodded slowly.
“Well… it’s about to become reality.”
He stared at her without saying a word.
“I have a very wealthy friend,” Bella continued, “who is looking for a man willing to enter a contract marriage.”
She paused before adding dramatically,
“And the deal comes with a huge amount of money.”
Charles remained silent.
Bella stretched out her hands.
“When I say huge…”
She smiled mischievously.
“I mean very, very huge.”
Charles looked even more confused.
“I still don’t understand.”
Bella sighed.
“Charles, we’ve worked together long enough for me to know your struggles. You’re the firstborn. Your parents depend on you. Your younger siblings depend on you. Your mother is ill, and your salary barely covers your responsibilities.”
She looked at him sincerely.
“I’m saying this because I care about you.”
“You deserve a better life.”
“That’s why I thought of you when my friend told me about this arrangement.”
For a few seconds, Charles said nothing.
Then his expression changed.
His eyes hardened.
He slowly pushed the gift across the table.
“What exactly do you take me for, Bella?”
His voice was calm, but filled with disappointment.
“A gold digger?”
Bella was stunned.
“So because I need money, you think I’d sell myself to the highest bidder?”
He stood up.
“I may not have wealth, but I still have my dignity.”
“I’m a man.”
“If I ever want a woman in my life, I’ll find one the right way.”
“I will never trade my self-respect for money.”
He picked up the gift and placed it back in Bella’s hands.
“Please…”
“Take this away from my desk.”
Without waiting for a response, Charles turned around and walked away, leaving Bella standing there speechless.
She hadn’t expected that reaction at all.
- Writer
