CONTRACT OF CONVENIENCE WITH MY ENEMY.

Episode3

MEETING THE MOTHER

ELENA

The following morning, I am still in my room, trying to gather my thoughts, when I hear a knock on the outside door. My heart jumps. Who could be visiting at this hour?

"Angel!" I call out from my room. "Please open the door!"

I hear Angel's footsteps as she walks to the door. She opens it slowly, and I hear a man's voice. Low. Smooth. Familiar.

I freeze. That voice.

"Good morning," Julian says, his voice polite but firm. "I am looking for Elena."

Angel looks him up and down, her eyes suspicious. "And who are you?"

"I am Julian Major," he says. "Elena's husband to be."

Angel's eyes widened. She looks him over again, taking in his expensive suit, his confident stance, his piercing gray eyes. She does not look impressed.

"Wait here," she says flatly. "Let me call her."

Angel walks inside, her face unreadable. "Elena, there is a man at the door. He says he is your husband."

I take a deep breath. "I know. I will handle it."

I walked to the door, my heart pounding. When I see Julian standing there, I feel a mix of emotions. Anger. Confusion. And something else I do not want to name.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice sharp.

Julian smiles, calm and unbothered. "I am not here to fight, Elena. I want you to take me to go and see your mother at the hospital."

I stare at him, my mouth open. "Eww. You mean you want to visit my sick mother?"

"Yes," he says simply. "And now."

I hesitate. Part of me wants to slam the door in his face. But another part of me—the part that wants my mother to survive—knows I cannot.

"Okay," I say slowly. "Come inside and wait. Let me dress up."

I feel my cheeks flush. I am standing in front of him in my old T-shirt and pajama pants. I feel exposed, vulnerable.

Julian steps closer, his voice soft. "Do not be like that, Elena. Loosen up. You do not have to be so guarded with me."

I pull my hand away, my voice rising. "What is that?" You do not get to tell me how to act."

I turn and march inside to dress up, my face burning with embarrassment and anger.

Julian stands in the sitting room, looking around. His eyes scan the room, taking in the small apartment, the faded furniture, the simple decorations.

And then his eyes catch the big frame on the wall. A photograph of me and my parents. A time when we were still a family. Before my father became a stranger.

He stares at the man who is no longer caring for us anymore.

"The hell?" I hear him mutter under his breath. "How could a father do this to his own daughter?"

I come out of my room, dressed and ready. "I am ready. Let us go."

Julian turns to look at me. His eyes soften, and a small smile plays on his lips. "You are a beautiful lady, Elena. I am lucky to have you."

I laugh, a short, bitter sound. I do not say anything. I just walk toward the door.

"Let us go," I say. "I am ready."

We arrived at the hospital. The familiar smell of antiseptic fills my nose. I walked down the hallway to my mother's room, Julian following close behind.⁹

I push open the door.

My mother is sitting on her hospital bed, her frail body propped up by pillows. Her face lights up when she sees me.

"Elena, Mija!" She reaches out her arms. "Come here, my love."

I rushed to her side and hugged her gently. "Mama, how are you feeling today?"

"I am doing well, Mija," she says, her voice weak but warm. "You do not need to worry about me."

Her eyes shifted from me to the man standing behind me. Her smile fades slightly, replaced by a curious, cautious look.

"Mother," I say, taking a deep breath. "Here is the man my father sold me to. His name is Julian."

My mother's eyes narrow. She studies Julian with a careful, suspicious gaze. Her voice is polite but wary.

"Why is he involved with this arrangement with my husband?" she asks, her tone measured. "Why would my husband sell my daughter to a stranger?"

Julian steps forward, his posture respectful, his voice calm. "Ma, I loved your daughter before all this contract came out. I will not harm or disrespect her. I promise you that."

My mother's eyes searched his face, looking for any sign of deception. "How can I trust you? My husband has already broken my heart. I do not want my daughter's heart broken too."

Julian meets her gaze, his voice firm but gentle. "I understand your fear, ma. But I am not your husband. I am here to protect Elena, not to use her."

My mother is quiet for a moment. She looks at me, then back at Julian.

Julian continues, his voice sincere. "I promise you, ma, I will take care of your surgery. You will soon leave this hospital and come back home to your daughter. You have my word."

My mother's expression softens. She looks at Julian for a long moment, and then she nods slowly.

"You are a good man," she says quietly. "I can see it in your eyes. Our creator will replenish your pocket."

Julian smiles, his eyes warm. "Thank you, ma."

He turns to face me. He reaches for my hands, and this time, I do not pull away.

Something shifts inside me. A bond. A connection I do not fully understand. His hands are warm, strong, and steady. They make me feel safe.

My mother watches us, a small smile on her face. She speaks slowly, her voice thoughtful.

"This arrangement is like a blessing in disguise," she says softly. "I never thought I would say that, but I see something good in this."

Julian looks at her, his voice sincere. "I am here to care and protect you both from her father. He has done enough damage to this family. It is time someone stood up for you."

My mother laughs, a weak but joyful sound. "God sent you to come and save us, Julian." She turns to me, her eyes filled with love. "Elena, please learn to love him. He is charming and respectful. Do not let your father's actions blind you to a good man."

Julian looks at me, his eyes soft. "She is too emotional, ma. But I cannot wait for her to love and care for me back."

I feel my cheeks flush. "You have cared for and loved my mother as your own. I cannot take that for granted."

Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and hugged him. Julian stiffens for a moment, surprised. Then his arms wrap around me, gentle and warm. I feel his heartbeat against my chest, steady and strong.

We pull back, smiling at each other.

Julian turned to my mother. "Take care of yourself, ma. On my way out, I will transfer all the necessary bills needed for your surgery."

My mother's eyes glisten with tears. "I do not know what to say, Julian."

Julian smiles. "I am doing this for the woman that birthed my crown."

I feel tears streaming down my cheeks. "Thank you, Julian. Thank you so much for helping my mother."

He looks at me, his brow furrowed with concern. "Why are you crying?"

I shook my head, trying to smile through my tears. "I have not been this lucky since birth. But it is happening right before my eyes. You are saving my mother's life. I do not know how to feel. I am overwhelmed."

Julian looks at me for a bit too long. His eyes are soft, gentle, filled with something I cannot name. "It is alright, Elena. You do not need to cry. You are making me emotional."

My mother's voice is soft, full of gratitude. "I do not know what to say but let our creator bless and keep him safe always."

"Amen," Julian says. He turns to me. "We will be on our way. Bye for now."

I nod, still crying. "Bye for now, Mama. I will come back soon."

My mother smiled, her eyes filled with love. "Go, Mija. I will be fine. And Julian, thank you. Thank you for everything."

"Take care, ma," Julian says gently. He takes my hand, and we walk out of the room together.

We walk through the hospital hallway, the sound of our footsteps echoing against the tile floor. Julian's hand is still holding mine, warm and steady.

I look at him, my heart full. He has done so much for my mother. He had promised to pay for her surgery, to save her life. He has shown me kindness I did not expect.

But something in me still hesitates. A wall I built long ago.

I do not know if I am ready to trust him. But something inside me wants to try. Something inside me wants to believe that this man is different. That he is not like my father. That he is not like Arthur Major.

I look at him again, and I feel a flicker of hope.

"Julian," I say softly.

He turns to look at me, his eyes warm. "Yes, Elena?"

I open my mouth to speak, but the words do not come. Instead, I just smile. A small, hesitant smile.

He smiles back, and for the first time, I do not feel afraid.