Gianna (Contract Marriage)

Chapter 4

I couldn't go back to the restaurant again, so I went back home. On my way home, I thought of how inconsiderate Mr William Charles could be for him to make such a proposal to me. How in the world would I sign up and agree to marry a man old enough to be my father? My mom would never agree for such a thing to happen to me.

Abigail couldn't find me in the restaurant. She checked the second session, but still couldn't find me. So after work, she decided to call my phone.

(ring-ringg), my phone rang so loud. Without checking who it was, I already knew it was Abigail.

“Hey Abigail.” I answered the call with a faded tone.

“Gianna, are you alright?” Abigail asked curiously. “Where have you been, why didn't you tell me you were leaving the restaurant?” Abigail continued with her questions.

If I had an elder sister, then she would have been Abigail.

So interrogative.

“Abigail, I'm home.” I quickly told her to avoid answering any of her unending questions.

“I’m coming to you now.” Abigail said, then she hung up the phone.

After a few hours, Abigail came home and met me in my room, very deep in thought.

“Gianna.” Abigail called, but I didn't realize my name was called as I was already deep in thought.

Then, she called again and this time while raising her voice. “Gianna!”

“Yess!” I responded in shock.

“What's wrong, why are you thinking this way?” Abigail asked slowly.

My mouth and my cheek turned red. I opened and closed my mouth for a moment, as if I was at a loss for words. “He wants me to be his wife.” I finally said, with tears in my eyes.

“Who wants you to be his wife?” Abigail inquired with her face folded.

I wasn't in the mood to explain at first, but then I remembered who Abigail was, she wouldn't let me be if I didn't. So I explained what happened between Mr William Charles and I, and his proposal to me. Abigail immediately became exasperated.

“How could he propose such to you?” Abigail responded, raising her eyebrows. “He's old enough to be your father, and I hear he has two wives already.”

I wiped the tears off my face and kept a mean look. “If that old man thinks he can make me agree to be his wife, then he must be really joking.”

“Come on Gianna, don't you worry, I'm sure there'll be another way to get the money.” Abigail assured me, giving me a glimpse of hope. “So let's go to my place, or will you stay here alone?” She said as we both laughed while standing up to leave my room.

Abigail and I left for the hospital to see my mom. Later that day, I stayed over at her place with her parents and siblings and it was so much fun. They made me think less, and I had fewer anxieties, even though the thought of my mom was inevitable.

It was the fourth week already. The hospital bills started piling up as I couldn't pay any reasonable amount to the hospital after I made the $12000 payment. I pleaded with the doctor to give me a little time to raise some amount of money, but even when I tried raising some amount, it was barely enough to even pay for a day's use of the life support machine.

When it was evening, Abigail and I went to the restaurant together to carry out our various duties because this time we were on the night shift.

“See you after work, Abigail.” I went to the other session, while Abigail was in the main session.

“Sure, see you after work,” Abigail responded.

A few minutes later, just as I was serving, Mr William Charles came into the restaurant. It was obvious because of the captivating and distracting sound of his Bugatti. He went to the main session and was on table four. Immediately, Mr Lawrence called my attention.

“Gianna, Mr William is here at the main session, go take his orders,” Mr Lawrence informed me.

Rolling my eyes, I hurried back to the main session. I really didn't feel like serving Mr William, but I didn't feel like losing my job either. Ugh! I had no choice.

As I turned around, I caught Mr Lawrence staring at me and pointing to Mr William's table frantically. “I am going Mister.” I muttered to myself as I turned towards the table.

“Hello Mr William,” I greeted you, offering a fake smile. “Can I start you off with a drink?” I asked with my fake smile still on.

“How's your mom, has she not gotten worse?” Mockingly, he smiled while checking the menu. “You should accept my proposal, so your mom can be well again, you know.”

I opened my mouth to reply rudely because I really felt hurt by his mockery, but I let it slide. “You haven't responded to what I asked.” I said while trying to remain calm.

“Alright then, get me two shots of Hennessy,” he finally asked.

I went over to the bar to give our bartender, Johnny, his order. Johnny prepared the order and handed it to me.

So I took it straight to Mr William on his table. “Here you go Mr William.”

After serving him, I was just about leaving when my phone rang. I checked, and it was the doctor in the hospital. My heart skipped a bit. I hope my mom is alright. I wouldn't have picked up because it was against the rules at work, but I couldn't just miss this very call, so I left for the restroom to answer the phone.

“Hello doctor.” I greeted him with a quavering voice, with my sweaty palm on my head.

“Hello Gianna, I had to call to inform you that your mom will be removed from life support if payment is still not made,” the doctor sounded firm. “The ultimatum given is two days.”

“I understand, doctor, but can I please be given a little more time?” I pleaded helplessly.

“I wished I could, but hospital policy won't support that. You have two days, Gianna.” The doctor concluded and hung up.

After the call, I felt wavered, lost concentration and didn't know what to do next. I came out of the restroom feeling very sad and moody, my arms in my apron as I forgot them in there due to thoughts about what in the world I was going to do. I didn't know, actually.

Clueless, I turned my face towards Mr William Charles' table and the thought of his proposal immediately came to my mind.

While the idea of becoming the third wife of a man old enough to be my father was so irritating and disgusting, I was determined not to let my mom die.

I know his proposal wasn't right, but at this point, who cares? In the end, money has power!