BILLIONAIRE IN THE DARK

Chapter 2: Lara

“Mom, don’t worry, everything will be alright,” I said with tears in my eyes while holding her hands tightly

“But you ca….n’t do this,” mum said with a weak and low voice. “I don’t want you to sacrifice your life for me. This is not how your dad and I planned your life, and this is not what you dreamt of; you’ve dreamt of a fairy marriage whereby you fall in love with someone you love with your soulmate. So I can't be the one to destroy your dream, noo” mum said and cried loudly.

“But I have to, my dream will never be complete without you. I have lost my dad, I can't lose you, too. So you just have to,” I said while trying to clean my tears, it was useless because more still kept on falling. “You know the medical bills are really expensive, and all our assets and savings have been taken by the bank. I don’t know what to do anymore, Mum.”

“I just can’t. I won’t allow this,” she said, then she tried to touch my face with her weak hands, which made me frustrated with myself.

I stood up, went to the door, and leaned my back because I didn’t want her to see me weak. “Look at you, you can't even speak well, talk more of raising your hands. I can't just sit and watch you die, you know that, and you also know that the sickness is getting worse every day. So you have to just allow, no matter what you say, I won't change my mind. I did not tell you so that you can tell me what to do; I just told you because I have been feeling guilty for not telling you since last week. And so that at least you can come to my wedding with a clear mind,” I said, pacing around the ward

“O……k my baby, calm down.” She paused and then continued, “I know you, once you are talking like this, no one can change your mind. But just please promise me that if the man you want to marry tries to abuse you, please run one way or the other. Don’t stay because of me, please, I’m begging you,” Mum said, crying on her bed, which made me rush to meet her and hug her tight

“Mum, stop it, there is no way I will allow. Don’t worry, you know when dad was alive, he taught me self-defense skills. Don’t be afraid, don’t you trust?” I said, trying to bring humor at least, which seems to work because her tears started reducing. “And stop crying, it does not fit you at all. Where is that woman who used to smile no matter the situation? Where is that strong woman who didn’t show the world her weakness even when Dad’s company was going through some s**t and throwing insults at us?” I said, trying to chant and cheer her up

“She is here. She is here,” she kept on repeating as if trying to remind herself who she is, and her tears finally stopped

“You know mum ……” My phone ringing interrupted me from speaking, and when I brought it out of my purse, I saw my uncle’s phone on the screen, which made my expression change.

“Who is that?” she asked with a concerned tone.

“Uncle Simon,” I said with a low voice and immediately stood up, not allowing her to talk “I'm coming, I need to take this. You know it is important,” I said and immediately left the ward

Immediately I closed the door, I went to the closest chair to me, sat down, and picked up the call “Good evening sir”

“So I just concluded the meeting with the man,” he said without any greetings

I’m already used to him by now. Sometimes I wonder how he and my father is related

“So what did he say?”

“He agreed even though he did not like it at first, but of course I was able to convince him, we just made some adjustments, and it has been finalized. Your wedding is going to happen next month. At least that is long enough for your mum’s recovering since her surgery is happening tomorrow,” he said in his usual nonchalant way. I can already imagine that his glasses he usual adjust every time

“Ok, sir, thank you, sir,” I said, and he immediately cut the call

“What the f**k!?” I said a little bit surprised, because why would he do that

I just hate him. He is the worst. But I have to still appreciate him because if not because of him, who would I have met?

Even though I never dreamt this for myself, I have to do this.

So this is how my life is going to change from next month.

I'm going to marry someone I don’t love.