A Love Lost In Shadows

Chapter 5

Where are the guards, he looked up at the CCTV camera in the hallway to his office.

He couldn’t catch the picture very well, all he saw was two of his bodyguards running towards his office.

Diana suddenly barges into his office and he has to abruptly end the phone conversation as he stares at her, his brows creased.

This seemed like the only option she had now. If she accepts this life-changing offer, she will be able to pay her mom's bills and take proper care of her.

She would just have to do this, not for anything but for her mother. It will be a sacrifice she had to make.

Henderson signaled to his bodyguards to let go of her.

"I have thought about your job offer and I have decided to...." She pauses, letting her words hang in the air, igniting tension.

"I have decided to accept your offer but on one condition," Diana said, entering the office fully as she folded her arms.

Henderson raises his brows as he stands watching her, his hands in his pocket.

"What's the condition." He asked.

"I must have my pay now." She blurts out.

"It's fine by me as long as you sign the contract." He announces and Diana scoffs.

"Is that necessary?" She asks boringly.

"It's going to be a contract marriage and nothing more to it, just sign the papers and get your first pay," Henderson explains, handing her the contract paper.

"You just have to agree to the following terms, then you sign it."

"According to the contract, We are to respect each other’s privacy. We are to also live in the same house. Is that really necessary?" Diana asks and goes further without giving Henderson a chance to answer.

Henderson just stared at her as she just kept on ranting. She was a talkative.

"It also states here that when the rumors about you die, we are going our separate ways," Diana said.

"Once it is cleared, your work is done but we will divorce secretly," Henderson said.

"We are living in the same house, my room should be far from yours," Diana said slowly without looking up from the paper.

"Ok, I've gone through it. I need a pen to sign it." Diana asks with raised eyebrows.

"Wow!" Henderson screams in his head.

"You came for a job interview without a pen?

Who does that??" Henderson asked with surprise.

"That's okay, Mr. Grumpy," Diana mutters bringing out her pen to sign the documents.

"Grumpy!!, dont call me that." Henderson snapped.

"Why? I'm not wrong at all" Diana said smiling to herself.

"Let me make one thing clear to you, I despise your gender so much, so you are to stay out of my personal life. You don't have any right to know anything about me. We are to act as lovers when we are together outside but inside, keep your distance. " Henderson said coldly and Diana shrank in her seat.

"I won’t come to you for anything so you don't have to worry, Mr. Grumpy."

She said as she childishly chewed on her pen oblivious of the glare thrown at her.

"Can I get my pay now if you don't mind?" Diana asks as she stands up.

"You will meet my secretary, Lucas for that. We will be going to the church today. We need to get married immediately, send me your address and my driver will come pick you up." Henderson said and Diana nods boringly.

"But first, the money," Diana mutters, that was her priority.

Diana rushed back to the hospital with the cash and her mother was immediately transferred to another hospital. The doctors seemed curious about how she got that huge amount within hours but no one voiced out. It wasn't their concern anyways.

She was told to wait outside the surgery room as she paced around the entrance, checking through the glass window at intervals.

She had now begun a new phase in her life and she wasn't sure if she chose the right path. It's a sacrifice you have to make. A voice in her head reminds her. She did the right thing by trying to save her mom's life but she wasn't sure of the path she had to take now.

She was getting married now, not just to anyone but to a famous and rich billionaire. His psychotic female fans might just choke her up, claiming she is a gold digger who just married him for his money.

She reminds herself that she wasn't supposed to let that get to her. If they decide to behave that way, she is surely going to show them her crazy side since it’s what they were requesting.

After a few minutes of wait and hope, the doctor emerges from the surgery room as Diana rushes over to him.

"How's she." She asks, worry etched on her expression.

The doctor took off his eyeglasses as he used the back of his palms to wipe his sweaty forehead, a worried and guilty look on his face.

No one needed to tell her that all wasn't well.

"Tell me!! How's my mother." Diana asks, her tone wavering as she almost holds on to his coat.

"If she was rushed here a minute late, she would have died but as it is now, she's still in a critical condition." The doctor explains as Diana shrinks back dejectedly.

"She will be kept under close observation to see how fast she responds to treatment." The doctor adds and walks away leaving Diana shattered.

Why does fate have to be so cruel to her?? Had she wronged it in her past life?

A light tap on her shoulders threw her out of her thoughts as she glanced up to find a young lady, dressed in a nurse uniform, staring down at her.

"Take this." The nurse said, handing her a clean handkerchief. It was then Diana noticed that her face was teary.

"Thank you," Diana mutters as she wipes her teary face.

"I have no idea of what you might be going through but just remember that everything will be fine, trust me." The nurse mutters as she smiles and then walks away, leaving Diana to stare at her retreating figure.

*

A loud horn is heard from outside as Diana grabs her suitcase and her handbag as she begins pulling it out of her apartment.

She was looking as gorgeous as ever with the sleek red gown Henderson sent. Her hair was styled to suit her elegance and nature. Her pieces of jewelry and shoes were screaming wealth and elegance.

The driver collects her luggage and puts it into the trunk, he roars the engine to life as they drive off.

Soon, they arrived at the church and she stepped down. She walks in with grace and poise as Henderson beholds her ravishing beauty and breathtaking figure.

It seemed like the dress was specially made for her with the way it accentuated her slender but curvy figure.

Clearing of throats threw him out of his thoughts.

"Let's get started." The priest said.

The priest looked upon the couple, a warm smile gracing his face, and began, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred union, a covenant not to be entered into lightly but with reverence, love, and respect.”

“Today, you pledge to walk together through all seasons of life, to cherish one another in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, for all the days of your lives.”

He turned to the congregations with his voice softening.

"If anyone here has any reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."

The serene atmosphere was shattered by the low, throaty hum of engines approaching.

Three sleek cars swept into the church entrance, gleaming under the afternoon sun, engines rumbling with restrained power. Heads turned, and a ripple of murmurs passed through the congregation as the cars pulled up in perfect, dramatic sync, each door opening in smooth, calculated precision.