Loving The Heartless Man

Chapter 1

Elara Pov

I slightly stretched my arms while sitting in my chair inside my office. I am a fashion illustrator at a small but rising company that I built together with my business partner and gay best friend, Liam. Our company is only three years old, but we have managed to make a name for ourselves in the fashion world. Liam is the CEO while I am the designer.

"Are you done, my dear?" Liam entered my office and looked at my sketches of the gown that a famous actress in the country would wear.

I was thrilled that this actress chose my design over other famous designers to design her gown for an awards night. She liked the two gowns worn by two candidates in the recently concluded local beauty pageant aired on television, so her manager contacted Liam to make two gowns for her to wear at the award night.

"I'm done. Check it if it's okay with you or if there's anything that needs to be changed before you present my sketches to the client," I told him. I stood up and went to the pantry area to make coffee because I was feeling a bit sleepy. I wanted to take a nap for a while but couldn't because I still had something important to draw for a very important contest I would like to join again for the second time.

"Oh my goodness, Elara! What kind of hands do you have? These designs are very unique and beautiful. The audience's eyes will surely pop when they see our client wearing this," Liam praised me. His voice couldn't hide his admiration for my designs.

This is probably the reason why even though our company is small and new, we have already made a name in the industry. Because of my unique and beautiful designs.

"If you don't want to change or add anything else, meet with our client's manager now so that it can be taken to the seamstress and the payment for those gowns can be secured." I dismissed him so I could start drawing again.

"I won't change or add anything to your drawing, my dear. If I do that, it might ruin the design." Liam picked up the three gowns I had designed before approaching me and kissing my cheek. "It won't be long before I see us both becoming millionaires. So don't get married just yet, okay? I wish no one would propose a marriage proposal to you."

I was momentarily stunned when I heard the word "propose" that my friend said. There was someone who wanted to enter my mind but I quickly shook my head to keep him out. He's not worth wasting even a second of my precious time.

When Liam left, I took my special pencil and sketch pad from one of my bags and started to draw the design I would enter in the contest. But I only started drawing when my cellphone, which was just on top of my table, rang.

I was about to pick up the cellphone to answer the call when I stopped and momentarily didn't know what to do upon seeing the name of the person calling me. After three years, this is the first time she called me. And I think she wouldn't call if it wasn't important because she wouldn't swallow her pride just to call and check on me.

With trembling hands, I picked up my cellphone and pressed the accept button. "H-Hello, M-Ma." Those words barely came out of my mouth. Suddenly, there was a lump in my throat, as if something was preventing me from speaking.

"Come here to the hospital right now, Elara. Your father needs you. He is in critical condition," my mother's serious and cold voice answered me on the other line.

I clenched my fist. My father was in the hospital again. My father has been consistently in the hospital because he has a heart condition. And his condition worsened after the embarrassing scandal that happened to me before. The scandal that distanced me from my parents. The scandal that I don't want to recall in my memory because it only brings intense pain and embarrassment. That scandal changed my entire life.

Our conversation on the cellphone didn't last long. She immediately cut the line and then just sent me the name of the hospital where my father is confined.

I was a daddy's girl before that scandal happened. So when I found out that he was in the hospital now and in critical condition, I immediately left my office and went to the hospital. The hospital where my mom took my father is nearby, so in less than thirty minutes, I was already in front of the hospital. I parked my second-hand car in a proper place before walking into the hospital.

I quickly found the room where my parents were. And it felt like my heart was crushed when I saw my father's pitiful appearance. He was very pale and extremely thin while many different apparatuses were attached to his body.

"'Pa," I softly said as I slowly approached my father's bedside. His eyes were closed, and I didn't know if he was aware of my presence.

I couldn't help but cry as I gently hugged him. I felt so sorry for him.

"Since you left home, your father's illness has worsened. The money you send to my bank account is not enough to meet all his needs. He doesn't want me to tell you because he knows you'll worry about him," my mother said. I tightly closed my eyes at the tone of her voice. My mother, who used to be loving towards me, now talks to me like a stranger. My heart ached how the way she treated me.

I wiped my tears and stood up to talk to my mother. "What did the doctor say? Is there still hope to extend his life?"

I really want to hug my mother, but the coldness she shows me holds me back. Until now, she still blames me for what happened to Papa. Until now, she still hasn't forgiven me for the shame I brought upon them although I didn't want it to happen.

"The doctor said there is a way to extend your father's life. That is to put a pacemaker inside his chest. But the pacemaker costs ten million pesos and is only available in another country."

I couldn't help but furrow my brow while looking at my mother. She appeared calm as if she had already thought of a way to get ten million pesos. But if she already had a way to get such a large amount, why did she call me?

"What is it, 'Ma? What is the plan you thought of for us to get ten million?" I asked her right away. Maybe the plan she thought of involved me, which is why she swallowed her pride and contacted me. Maybe she will ask me to take a loan from the bank for ten million. I just don't know if there's a bank that would lend me such a large amount, but I will try just to extend my father's life.

"There is only one way I thought of to easily solve our problem with money, Elara. Marry the son of my friend and give her a grandchild who will inherit their properties. After the wedding, they said she would give us ten million and even cover the plane ticket to America and other expenses while I am abroad and taking care of your father," my mother said without hesitation. In the tone of her speech, it was obvious that she had already spoken with the friend she was referring to.

Although I was surprised by what Mama said, I did not show it. I just took a deep breath and thought about it. I no longer believe in love, so I do not dream of marrying any man. But my freedom is at stake, as well as my father's life. I don't know what the right decision to make is. Should I agree to marry a man I have never seen to prolong my father's life?