BILLION TO ONE: The Contract Marriage (ENGLISH)

4

4

“What the heck Anne?! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you!! If you don’t know how to answer the phone, why do you even have a phone?!!” My aunt’s been yelling at me since I got here at the hospital. Well, she does that even on a regular day, so I am used to it.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t have my phone with me. What happened?” My whole body is shaking. We’re outside the emergency room waiting to hear about my grandpa. Everything happened so fast. I had just got back to my car from the Hargreaves mansion, and I was on my way home when I got a call from Aunt Matilda. I checked my phone. There were a lot of missed calls and text messages from her. My heart came out of my chest when she told me that my grandfather had another heart attack. And I’ve been crying since then because this could be his last and I still haven’t considered his demand to see me get married. You might think it’s so lame, but that’s the only thing I could do to at least give him the complacency of the remaining days of his life. I couldn’t take our company back, not even our old house back. I don’t want him to leave vanquished because of what happened to our family. We thought we’d lose him the last time, and I hate that feeling and the thought that any moment he could leave us.

“Did you bring the money?” She asked, and I handed her the envelope with cash. “Thank God! They wouldn’t see him without putting money down.” She was trying to be brave, and she’s doing a good job. Her personality is so strong that you won’t see her cry. I hope I inherit her bravery. “What took you so long?!!” She opened the envelope and started counting the money.

“It was raining. I—I couldn’t find a cab,” I said hesitantly while wiping my tears off and I saw the look my aunt gave me. “Yeah, I sold my car.” I was trying to mollify myself. That car was the first car my parents got me. I didn’t really think I would need to sell it, but if it was for my grandpa, I would even sell a kidney.

“Why do we have to suffer the consequences of your parents’ misfortune?!!! Look what they did to dad.” She then again fired away with her animosity as regards my parents. She caught sight of my scrunching fist, so she didn’t carry on. “I will go put money down for dad’s admission. Let’s just worry about the rest later. Stay here and wait for the doctor.” Then she made her way to the second floor. She talked as if she did something to support grandpa’s financial needs. I was the one who always bore all the weight of everything. Aunt Matilda supplicated no one for any monetary help. She still couldn’t accept the fact that we’re already skinned. She feels distressed and humiliated when her so-called friends should be the ones too chagrined.

I was walking back and forth, and I couldn’t really think straight. My grandpa has undergone so many surgeries in the past. Before our business went bankrupt and dealt with financial difficulties, we had our first ones done in the States. We couldn’t afford anything anymore, especially grandpa’s treatment. We lost everything grandpa worked hard for his whole life. The main reason he did not want to get treated was the bills, but I couldn’t lose him, either. He’s the only one I have. He’s been saying that we lost everything because of his incurable malady, but I was old enough to understand what really happened, and why my parents just vanished into thin air. They were all connected. He just doesn’t want to disappoint me.

Finally, the doctor walked out of the emergency room, and he went straight to me. “Are you a family member of the patient?” He asked, and I tensely nodded. “He’s stable now. We’ve given him medication.” He was taking his gloves off as he was explaining everything to me. “Did you know he hasn’t been taking his maintenance?” He strangely inquired, and I wrinkled my eyebrows with uncertainty. “You really have to talk to your grandfather. We had some blood work done and there was no trace of the medication. His numbers were not good either.” He took a deep breath. That’s how I knew that the next thing he was going to say wasn’t good. “We had to condition his body for surgery. His body needs to respond physiologically to some controlled factors.”

“Surgery? But—but he barely survived the last one—“I cut myself off as I was terror-stricken. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, “–what’s going to happen if we don’t do the surgery?” I rubbed my hands against each other with firm pressure.

“He will not get through the next attack, and it could happen any time.” My tears fell off my face and my whole body just stopped dead. “But if we also do the surgery, he has only a slight chance of survival, and it doesn’t guarantee that he will get better. I am sorry, he just had so many complications, and for his age, it’s a lot. His body might not take either way. Just talk to the patient. Just give him what he wants, show him how much he’s appreciated and loved while he’s still here. He really needs his family now. I am sorry I don’t have any other great news.” He tapped me on the shoulder before he walked away.

I sat on the chair for a bit, thinking about what the doctor said. Whether or not he does the surgery, my grandpa could still end up dead and just the thought of it heretofore breaks my heart. “There she is. See, I told you my favorite granddaughter would be here.” The emergency door went wide open, and I saw my grandpa smiling at me. I held my tears back and showed him a faux sneer. The aides were pushing his bed.

I pretended to sneeze, so I have an excuse if he asks why my eyes were red. “Grandpa, of course, I am your favorite granddaughter because I am the only one you have got. You are being silly!!!” I stood up and held his hand. “You’re in really big trouble, old man!!” I threatened him and he just giggled. I tried not to cry. I bit my lower lip to keep my emotions off, but hearing his genuine laughs made me want to burst into tears and fight for his life. If I could only give him half of mine, I would not think twice.

“Am I making you cry, my sweet Anne?” Grandpa asked while they were moving him onto his bed. They fixed his IV and oxygen, then hooked him up to this ECG machine.

I looked away quickly. “Yes, because I found out you weren’t taking your medication!!!” I sat on the chair next to him as the aides were leaving. “Thank you for your help,” I said while they were making their way out.

“Medication? Who needs medication when I can still do the triathlon?” He was still joking around to not make me worry, but I didn’t even smile. “I hate that, doctor! He’s a liar!! I need nothing! I am healthy, and I want to go home!!” He took his blanket off, but I stopped him.

“No, grandpa! You’re not going anywhere. And he’s not a liar, he’s the best doctor, and he’s not charging us that much. You—you need to do the surgery if you want to attend my wedding.” I hate to lie to him, but I know he wants to see me get married and if I had to fake it I would. The only difference is, I could make money by doing it instead of the other way around.

“Wait, what do you mean?” He looked at my hand and saw me wearing the ring. “Come on sweet girl, you don’t have to buy yourself a ring. I would have enough life in me to be on your wedding day without even doing the surgery.” He said, teasing me. This is what I love about him. He’s badly ill, but he still wants to make me laugh and he never fails to do so.

“Grandpa! Do I look like I can afford this ring?” I responded sarcastically and sat on his bed next to him so he could see the ring closely.

“Oh geez, you stole that ring?” He smacked my arm. “Didn’t I teach you well enough? Stealing isn’t our thing!!!” He looked so serious, and it offended me he thought I would do such a thing.

I cleared my throat just to break the awkwardness of my charade. “Nope grandpa, this is my engagement ring, and I am happy to announce that I am now – “ the door went wide open and my cousin showed up.

“Grandpa, Anne is on TV!!!” He quickly grabbed the remote and turned the TV on.

“Oh, boy!” I murmured as they were showing the same news about Tanner Hargreaves two days ago. I was looking at all of them and they were so serious. Even my aunt Matilda, who was just walking in the room, almost had a heart attack when she saw me on the news.

My grandpa looked at me and I anxiously guzzled. “Grandpa, I think you shouldn’t be watching TV yet. The doctor said you need to rest.” I prepped his pillows and adjusted his bed. “Did not want to be the reason for your next attack.” I humorously stated.

He would know if I’m lying or not, but I had to play this game. “Anne—I don’t think he’s the one for you. I can tell his intentions aren’t pure.” Of course not, either am I. It’s all an act. I wanted to tell him that, but I shouldn’t and I was thinking of a quick excuse to not make it so evidently bogus. “I don’t think you’re his type. Come on, my sweet girl, I mean no offense. He’s just going to break your heart.” He said, showing sympathy.

I did not expect him to say that, and I wanted to tell him hey grandpa, too late for that, he already broke my heart 10 years ago when I wasn’t supposed to have a boyfriend yet. “Wait till you meet him, grandpa. You would like him.” I hope I can’t believe I'll have to deal with that arrogant guy again. I have to do this for my grandpa.

“Isn’t he the Hargreaves Casanova? He’s been all over the blind items so many times about women and he decided to propose to you? That is so hard to believe.” She chuckled evilly. “I mean, I would do the same thing if I were younger for the sake of money. Besides, he’s the heir to a multibillion company anyway and he could obviously help us with dad’s surgery, or even get our family business back.” Aunt Matilda said excitedly while preparing grandpa’s things.

I opened my mouth to say something like yeah, you’re right because I am the only one doing anything in here to make money to save grandpa’s life, but I didn’t because she is still older than me and she is still my aunt, unfortunately.

“Matilda! If I am a burden to you, then stop taking care of me! Don’t you ever assume that Anne is only marrying that guy for the sake of money!! I could see in her eyes she loved that guy.” I wanted to protest about what he just said, but instead, I took grandpa’s hand when I heard the ECG monitor beep, which isn’t a good sign.

“Grandpa, hey, hey look at me. It’s not what aunt Matilda meant. You have to relax if you want to be on my wedding day. I don’t care what other people say. All I care is what you say and what you think, because you are the one walking me in the aisle on that special day, remember?” I smiled at him, and his heartbeat and blood pressure went back to normal. “There you go. Why don’t you relax and sleep, okay? We’ll be here when you wake up.” He nodded, and he closed his eyes. I kissed him on the forehead, then tucked him in. “Seriously, Aunt Matilda?” I walked up to her, but I was whispering because I didn’t want grandpa to hear me. “Never talk about money in front of grandpa again. I am doing everything I can to make money, but don’t jeopardize my engagement because of your trust issue.” I was really upset that she had to bring up the money in front of grandpa. It’s a very crucial topic for him because he feels like a burden to all of us and also because of what happened to our family business, which is none of his faults. But if I want to make this fake wedding work, I have to convince them all that I really am getting married because of love.

“What are you yelling at me for? At least I am doing my job as his daughter to take care of him despite the reality of not getting any of my inheritance back. Why? Because your parents gambled them all, then took off!” She slapped me on the face with the truth and it hurts all the time. “The only reason I am sticking around is because of dad.”

“And I thank you for that, for being a wonderful daughter to him. Something that my dad wouldn’t be able to do. But none of this is my fault. That’s why I am trying so hard to do what grandpa wants.” Swiftly, I wiped my tears off my face. “I talked to the doctor, and he said the next attack would be his last, but if grandpa does the surgery, it’s only an infinitesimal chance of survival.” It was so hard to calm myself down. I folded my arms over my chest, trying to make the hardest decision of my life. “There should be another way because I can’t lose him. I just can’t.” As evil as my aunt is, she gave me a warm, empathetic hug.

“Just get married right away. That’s all he wants. To see you in your wedding dress and walk you to your groom. Do it while he’s still with us. Then, whatever happens after that, it’s up to him. If he wants to do his last surgery or just wait—“ She pulled away and wiped her tears off, “– you know what I mean.”

“I will work on it.” My head is blank, and I didn’t know how to swallow my ego and go back to Tanner to discuss our wedding when, not too long after I left, I made sure I wouldn’t want his help. Great! I have to come up with something. I have to be smart about this.

“They gave me these prescriptions for dad. They didn’t have these here, so if you could get them somewhere else, that’d be great, but they said it was so expensive. So if you don’t have— “I cut her off.

“Don’t worry, I will make sure to get these.” I took all the prescriptions from her.

“Oh, I was going to say maybe you could ask your fiancé for help, but I am pretty sure you already had that figure out.” She responded before going into the bathroom. I would not want to call her mean, but she is. When we lost everything, she was the one who had the hardest time. Because she lost not only her luxurious privileged life but also lost her fake elite friends. And I think that is when she realized that family matters most than anything or anyone else. Meanwhile, my dad was the total opposite. No one saw him as a gambler. He’s the most responsible in the family, so for him to gamble all our assets and lose all of them was a nightmare, something none of us expected him to do.

I left the hospital, and I wanted to talk to Becky and Alec and ask for their help, but they couldn’t really help me when the only person could be Tanner because he’s the one who could be with me on my wedding day. I swallowed my ego, and I called him. Yup! I called him and he picked him up right away, so unexpected.

“I didn’t know you didn’t understand English!” He started.

“Hello to you too.” I greeted him. “I am taking your offer.” That came out of my mouth as if it was so easy to say it. As expected, he just laughed his butt off at what I said.

“Wait, you what? Didn’t you just braggingly tell me to keep my money to myself? And now you are taking my offer back? Well, too late for that now because the deal is off, sweetie.”

“Oh, maybe for you, sweetie! It’s not a request. I could make more money when I go public, right? Hmm, let me see, do you think News101 would pay more? Oh, wait, what was the other company you’re against? Oh, they would give me everything I wanted, for sure, but wait, your grandmother would be so disappointed, and then she would end up giving her money to a charity who could also be me, because she would feel bad that I was one of your victims. Thank you for taking the time to drag me into this. You’re such a great help! Enjoy your life while you still can!!! Bye!!” Then I ended the call and not even a second, my phone rang. “Wrong number.” Then I hung up again. Then he called again.

“Don’t you dare hang up on me again!!” He threatened me. “Listen, I know what you’re doing—and I hate to say this, but it’s working. So, what do you want?”

When he said that, I just made the smirk of a winner. This is not hard after all.