Make Me Yours

CHAPTER4

The unexpected proposal hung in the air between them. Bella’s initial shock quickly morphed into laughter, unable to contain herself, convinced it had to be a joke.

Luca sat there, deadpan serious, and waiting for a response, his expression unwavering.

“Wait… you're not… you're not kidding?” The sudden realization hit her.

Luca remained calm, “I'm serious Bella”

“If you are willing to sign a contract marriage with me, everything will be taken care of including your sister’s surgery, scratch my back, I scratch yours too,” he said, a dubious smile playing on his lips.

By this time, her laughter had subsided as she tried to gauge his sincerity.

“Marry you? Just like that, you barely even know me”

“I know enough, you're going through a tough time and we could help each other” he shrugged

“Help each other? Is that what this is all about? Men really do think they are the price after all ” she scoffs and continues “you think you can just swoop in and offer me marriage like it’s some sort of a fair deal because money is nothing to you?

Hell, I barely even know you.”

Luca’s expression shifted slightly, surprise flickered across his face. “That's not what I meant…”

“Oh it isn't? Because it sure sounds like it!” she interrupted “I'm in a vulnerable place right now and you think throwing out a marriage proposal is the solution?”

“ I'm not trying to take advantage of you,” he said, his tone defensive but still calm. “I thought…”

“You thought that what?” she snapped “I'd jump at the chance of accepting a ridiculous offer to save my sister’s life in exchange. You're hilarious!”

Luca opened his mouth to respond but then paused, clearly reconsidering his words. “I didn't mean to upset you, I'll take my leave now,” he proceeds to make his way out of the bar but stops, reaching out for his pocket, he pulls out his business card and places it on the table where Bella sat.

“Should in case you change your mind” he said before walking out.

Bella spent the rest of the week at home pondering on her earlier conversation with Luca while tossing the business card he had left her back and forth between her fingers.

“You've been playing with that like it's some sort of stress ball B, Are you good?” Betty asked, gesturing toward the card.

“Hey, didn't see you there Bet, come sit,” she replied.

“I'm okay, nothing out of the ordinary,” she lied.

“You don’t always have to be strong you know,” Betty sighed then continued “I see how lost in thought you’ve been since mum died, I see you fight back tears when all you want to do is cry, I see you stay up at night staring at mum and dad’s pictures.

B it's alright to be vulnerable, it’s alright to cry, it's alright to break down in shudders if you need to, it shows how human you are…”

Before Betty could finish, Bella's tear ducts were already raining tears

“I’m so tired, Bet,” she confessed.

“I know, I don’t want you to think of me as a burden dearest sister, I'm grown now! even if you don’t think I am, I promise I can take care of myself,” Betty said gently as she wiped the tears from Bella’s face.

“Oh my little baby! come here!” She lunged forward to give her a hug but Betty folded her arms in disgust

“Ewww! stop! I get it, you love me, I love you too!”

“You cling to your bunny all day but I'm not allowed to give you a bear hug,” she teased,

“No,” she replied with a bland expression.

“You grew up way too fast and witty too,” Bella said with a smile, rolling her eyes as she conceded defeat in their playful banter.

“I’ll take that as a compliment and thank you” She stood up to leave.

“Betty” Bella called out, “are you okay?” worry lurking in her eyes.

“Omggg B, I'm fineee,” her sister snapped in frustration.

“I’m just… well never mind. I love you.”

“See you later, big sister…oh! By the way, before I forget, the caretaker came around today.

“s**t!” Bella cursed under her breath

“What did he say?” she asked, pretending not to have an idea.

“He mentioned something about arrears on rent or something like that… yeah, I guess” Betty replied, uncertainly

“Of course, thanks, I'll reach out to him later.”

Bella knew that was a lie, she had no money left for rent after using everything for their mother’s funeral and other household bills, plus paying off creditors who were hunting her since her mother had been deep in debt before she passed away. The little money she made from working wasn't enough to cover so much.

Her sister was oblivious to her numbered days because there weren't any obvious signs that she was sick except for those moments when Bella caught her scratching her skin or hiding under long sleeves to conceal tiny scars from relentless itching.

She had made Dr. Maurice promise not to tell Betty anything, at least not yet.

She heaved a heavy sigh and stared back at the card on the table staring at her, “I’m probably about to make the dumbest decision of my entire life.” she murmured

“Bella, your life is unreal!.”

The following day, as she walked into the luxurious building, which belonged to Luca, the thought of making a run for it crossed her mind more than once. As she walked through the sleek lobby of the company, she felt a mix of anxiety and determination.

“Can I help you” a voice came from behind, startling her.

“Uhmm, yeah! sorry, I'm looking for Luca, Luca Smith” she replied, wiping her sweaty palms on the black pants she was wearing.

The young lady in front of her was the definition of breathtaking, exuding so much aura and confidence effortlessly. With striking blue eyes and long flowing blonde hair that complemented her skin tone perfectly. Her curves were almost unreal.

“And you are?” she asked, charmingly but with an edge of condescension.

“I’m Bella Armstrong.”

“Okay, Right this way,” she said, leading Bella toward Luca’s office.

As they approached his office, the tag on the office door was boldly marked with “CEO.”

Bella couldn't help but feel awestruck by Luca’s success and he was only in his early 30’s.

She barely knew Luca but she never expected that he owned a company, more so, a company as luxurious as this, she stared with her mouth almost wide open.

“I see you've met Zephanie, my MD” Luca said suddenly causing Bella to jump slightly.

“Hi… hello, I…I” she stammered awkwardly.

“It's alright, take a seat.” Luca turned toward Zeph, “That will be all for now, thank you.”

Zephanie shot a scrutinizing look at Bella and back at Luca before leaving the office with an air of curiosity lingering behind her.

“I Didn't think you'd come” eyes still fixated on his laptop.

“Didn't think I would too” Bella managed to say nervously. “I'm sorry for the other day,” she added quickly.

“Oh it's all good, no harm done,” He replied nonchalantly while handing over a document to her.

“This is the arrangement document, take your time to read through it and understand.”

“I want to be clear about what I'm proposing,” Luca began, his tone serious.

“This isn't about romance for me. I've lost that part of my life. What I need is more of a partnership, one that can fulfill certain needs”

“What do you mean?” She asked, intrigued yet cautious.

“I’m looking for a surrogate mother,” he explained matter-of-factly, leaning forward slightly.

I want a child but I don’t want a traditional relationship. I don’t need love or romance; I need someone who can help me achieve this while we maintain our independence”

Bella’s heart raced at those words. “So you're saying… you want me to have your child?”

“Yes,” he nodded, without hesitation.

“We would have an arrangement where we could have s*x when needed but beyond that, it's purely practical. You'd have financial security for your sister's surgery and your own needs.”

“You might want to sign that when you know you're ready,” he concluded.

It was at this moment that Bella realized that she was throwing her whole life away.