Contracted Love

My Mom is dying

SCARLETT'S POV

I left Mr Brody's office in shock. I really couldn't comprehend and come to fact that he asked me to marry him. After leaving his office after rejecting his offer, I laid behind the wall to his office and sighed with my hand placed on my chest.

I had already made up my mind after Miguel's breakup that I would never have anything to do with any man, and that was what I did. I knew he needed my help, but what he asked of me was way too much for me to give. How could I marry and also get pregnant for a man I barely knew? it was amusing and incongruous. There was no way at all I would have stuck to such a deal. As much as I was sorry about his predicament with his wife, I couldn't do what he wanted. There were sure other ways he could solve it without my involvement in the way he wanted it.

I rushed down the stairs and waved at the receptionist and smiled. I felt totally uncomfortable and restless. Brody's voice and offer stuck to my head. I reached outside and it was then I realized that I had no money to pay for my ride back him. I was stranded and with a tense heart.

" Oh Mother Theresa!" I sighed and stared around as the busy Los Angeles road was filled with cars and other vehicles. The indistinct chatter from others on the road and my present situation, made my head ache. I had no other option but to hit the road with my legs after I checked my purse and it was as empty like a Mason jar. I stared at the burning sun and at my skin.

"Oh my goodness" I whined and took the first step, but before I could pull through with the second, my phone rang. I rushed and picked it out from my pocket and before I could speak, one unfortunate fellow banged his shoulder with mine.

" Come on, watch where you goddamn go?" He jeered at me, whereas he was the one walking and he was the same person that bashed me.

"Hey Joan" I greeted as I picked up the call. It was Joan, my mother's God daughter.

"Hey... Scarlett" she whimpered and trembled. Immediately, my mind cleared and my eyes widened and also the hairs on my body rose.

"Joan, what's wrong, why are you crying?", I loaded her with questions and scooted over to the side to avoid further collision with other pyshcos that roamed the city of LA.

"It's... Mom...she is.."she paused and broke more in tears. My heart skipped a beat. I tried my possible best not to also break down in tears.

" Yes, what happened to mom? Is she fine? Speak to me Joan" I shuddered and my right hand became wet. I also felt a spasm on my leg muscle.

"Please just... Just come to the hospital." She said. Tears rolled out of my right eyes. I knew something was wrong with mom. " Okay, I am on my way right now" I assured and dropped the call.

I racked my brain of what to do, but I had no idea. I had no money on me at all. The ride from my present location to the hospital which was in Santa Ana, was about thirty minutes ride and thirty miles away. How in God's name was I going to walk to Santa Ana?

I glanced around, but there was no possible solution that came to mind. I stopped a taxi, I explained my situation to him but unfortunately he zoomed off saying despicable words . The second I tried couldn't stop staring at my boobs, I had to run off. There was no way out than to walk, so that was my solution. I grabbed my file tightly and ready to become the Usain bolt of time. I started jogging with the left over milk that I had in the morning in my stomach. Five minutes into the journey, I was sweating profusely, coupled with prying eyes gawking at me.

Luckily for me, a good Samaritan saw me and took pity on me. She asked me where I was going to and I told her. Fortunately, she was headed that way as well, so she gave me a ride.

Alas, I reached Santa Ana and the hospital precisely.

"Thank you so much, Ma'am", I waved and she waved back as she drove off. I hastily walked into the hospital and headed straight to my mom's room.

"Joan, what's wrong?" I asked immediately I entered the room. She was in tears and rushed to give me a hug.

" It's mom, she is unconscious and the doctor said her case is critical" she blubbered and encased me firmly. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I walked to mom who laid unconscious and emaciated on the bed. Her face was pale. I couldn't help it and just allowed tears pour out my eyes. I snifled and sighed before I dabbed the tears on my face.

"I will be back" I said and gave Joan a kiss on the forehead.

I left the room and went to have a word with the doctor. I pounded on the door and a voice gave me access in.

"Good day, Doctor Bryan"I greeted as I walked in.

" Good day Miss Scarlett. How are you doing?" The middle aged doctor with brown hair and wrinkled face greeted.

"I'm fine doctor. I am here in regards my mom. Please what's wrong with her? She is unconscious and she doesn't look so good." I queried with a shaking and trembling voice.

"Please calm down Miss Johansson."he paused and nodded softly. "Okay, I am calm, I am calm" I affirmed and quirked an eyebrow.

"Good. So about your mom, I am sorry to say but her health has deteriorated badly and her cancer is spreading. " He said with a pitiful countenance. Hearing those words made my heart sink more deeper than the abyss. Tears uncontrollably poured out.

"Wait...wa..it..you mean my mom is going to die?"I teared up and pressed my lips.

" No not at all, but it depends" he said and pulled away from the back rest of his chair.

" What do you mean?".

"What I mean is, your Mom's case is critical, and it gets worse by every passing second. I already told you that she needs is surgery. With that I would be able to help her permanently." He explained.

"Surgery, okay surgery. Then why not go on with the surgery?"

"Miss Johansson, the surgery isn't for free and it's costly." He stated. "How much is it?" I quizzed without caution.

" It's fifty thousand dollars for a stomach surgery" he spilled and my eyes widened. His words clipped my tongue and I couldn't speak anymore. My whole body became cold. Where was I going to get such huge amount of money? My eyes reddened and became pepperish.

" Okay Doctor, I'll get it" I muttered and staggered to stand up from the chair.

"And miss Johansson, it must be done in the next two weeks or else I don't think I can do anything to help her after that" he added. I couldn't speak but just gulped saliva and nodded gently. I walked out of the room with a good deal of thoughts in my head. I didn't even have five cents, how in God's name was I going to provide fifty thousand dollars? I wondered why the world and God was so cruel to me.

I went to my mom's room and just stared from outside. I couldn't even walk inside. I saw Joan praying the rosary with her hand wrapped with moms.

The first thing that hit my head was Mr Brody's offer. I had no other option but to go with that or my mom's life would be lost. As it is said, drastic situations require drastic measures, so I had to compromise my principles. I picked up my phone and dialed the number on the customer card he gave me. After a couple of ringing, he picked.

" Hello, who is it?" He asked in his baritone voice as he picked. I was mute for a second and just cried.

" Hello" he said again.

"I am ready to marry you" I whimpered with my eyes closed...