My Secret Helper

Marriage Path

Elara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the flickering bulb on the ceiling. The air in her tiny apartment was , thick with the scent of damp wood and a smell she couldn't point out. Dante’s offer tormented her. He had said he would provide for her and her child and all she had to do was marry him.

“It's not even a real marriage,” she signed.

The night's breeze hit her hard, and she covered herself up with the thin blanket she had. “He is probably a scum” she muttered to herself in the dark.

Those designer shoes were probably not even real. She signed again. Her naïveness was what got her pregnant and she was not ready to fall into that trap again. She looked at the business card once more.

“What do I do, baby?” she touched her stomach lightly. “Mama is scared.”

Her baby kicked in response, giving her comfort. She looked at her room and the thought of raising a child there sent shivers down her spine.

“I'll figure it out. "I promise”, she assured herself, and she tried to sleep with the honking of cars and the distant sound of planes taking off.

Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into restless sleep.

Morning came quickly and Elara was almost blinded with the light that came from her window. She forced herself up, quickly dressing in the only semi-professional outfit she had left. It was a worn blouse and an old skirt that barely fit around her growing stomach. Today was payday, and she needed that check. She had to start getting ready for her baby's arrival.

She arrived at the small diner where she worked five minutes early but she noticed the tense atmosphere the moment she stepped inside. Her co-workers never really liked her because she always got the best tip whenever customers came around. Her manager looked like he was expecting her because he stood near the counter with his arms crossed. He was a balding man with a permanent frown on his face. Elara had heard his wife left him ten years ago and since then everything seemed to anger him.

“Elara" His voice was impatient as usual “Come to my office"

She didn't think much about it. It was pay day after all. She set her purse down behind the counter before following him into the cramped back room.

He shut the door behind her and sighed. “Listen, this isn’t easy, but… we have to let you go"

That's not what she was expecting.Her breath caught. “What? You are joking?” She chuckled. But her managers frown deepened. He was not one to make jokes. “Why?” she asked sadly.

“You’re five months pregnant, Elara" He rubbed the back of his neck. “And we need someone who can keep up with the pace. You’ve been slowing down, missing shifts…”

“I told you why! I had doctor appointments, and when I asked for more hours, you said you’d try to work something out" she tired to speak calmly.

“I know. But the owners made the call. We need someone more… reliable"

She scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping. “Reliable? I have worked my a*s off for this place! I’ve pulled double shifts when no one else would. And now, just because I’m pregnant, I’m disposable?”

He had the decency to look guilty. “I’ll put in a good word for you somewhere else"

“Oh, that’ll pay my rent, right?” she snapped, her voice laced with anger and desperation.

“Elara…”

She shook her head, biting the inside of her cheek to keep the tears at bay. Turning on her heel, she stormed out. The few employees she had worked alongside avoided her gaze as she grabbed her purse.

“Eat your stupid cafe” she yelled before stepping outside crying. The wind had picked up, it was probably going to rain again. Leaves fell down from trees and clung to her skin. They only added to her anger

And then, as if the universe had been waiting for the perfect moment to mock her, a familiar sleek black car pulled up beside her.

The passenger window rolled down, revealing familiar piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through her.

“You look like you’re about to collapse"

She glared at him. “Not now, Dante" she kept on walking making him drive alongside her.

“Bad day?” His voice was unreadable “you need coffee then, my treat. It will make you feel better about your self”

“I don’t need your pity" she spat “you can go ahead and get lost Mr Scliair”

His gaze remained steady. “I wasn’t offering you pity though. And I would be more than happy to get lost, Miss Hayes"

She huffed, running a hand through her tangled hair, stopped walking and turned to face him. “Why are you even here? Do you make a habit of stalking desperate women?”

He smirke. “Ouch you are making me look like a bad person. I don't stalk everyone, only the ones who interests me"

She clenched her fists. “I’m not some puzzle for you to solve, Dante. I don’t need saving"

“Who said anything about saving?” He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping. “I made you an offer. One that still stands"

She hesitated. The rejection was on the tip of her tongue, but the reality of her situation crashed down hard. Rent was due. She had no job. No prospects. No way to ensure her baby’s future.

Dante watched her, waiting and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He began to whistle after a minute had passed. “Take your time baby girl, I have all day”

Her pride was screaming at her to walk away but he seemed very legit.

“Tell me" she finally said, voice barely above a whisper, “what exactly would this arrangement entail?”

His smirk faded and he became serious. “Get in the car, Elara. Let’s talk"

She swallowed, looking down at her trembling hands. Then, against every instinct she had, she reached for the door handle and stepped inside.