Contracted Hearts

Borrowing Money

"How about it, sir? Can you help? I really need money for my sister’s medical treatment. In return, you can deduct it from my salary next month. I don’t mind," said Ella earnestly. She waited for Edward's response after explaining her situation.

Edward stared at Ella for a moment before smiling. "I can lend you any amount of money you need, Ella. You can pay it back whenever, and I won’t deduct it from your next month's salary. Just continue being disciplined and diligent," Edward replied calmly.

Ella looked incredulous. "Really, sir? I honestly feel very uncomfortable borrowing money from you, but I’m desperate. I promise to pay it back as soon as I can."

Edward smiled again. "Don't worry about it. The most important thing now is for your sister to get better."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Edward. I truly owe you," Ella replied, touched by her kind-hearted boss.

"You're welcome, Ella," Edward replied with a warm smile.

"When do you need it? I can transfer it to you right now if you like," Edward continued.

"After work is fine, sir," Ella responded, and Edward nodded in agreement.

Unbeknownst to them, Frans had been watching them closely from a nearby seat, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"It seems I've found a solution to my problem, and it will benefit both parties," Frans thought to himself, a slight smile forming on his lips.

Frans shifted his gaze when he realized the conversation between his friend and the employee was over.

"Edward," Frans called out as Edward was about to leave the restaurant after speaking with Ella.

"What is it?" Edward asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can I talk to your employee?"

Edward frowned. "Which one?" he asked in return.

Frans sighed. "The one you were just talking to," he replied, causing Edward to nod.

"Why do you need to talk to her?"

"Come on, don’t ask too many questions. This is important," Frans replied, annoyed.

Suspicion grew in Edward's mind, and he squinted at Frans. "Do you know Ella?" Edward asked, not realizing he had mentioned her name. He glanced over at Ella, who was now back at work.

"Her name is Ella?" Frans asked back, nodding again.

"Stop asking so many questions. I'll explain after I talk to her," Frans continued, impatiently. He felt Edward was just wasting his time.

Edward let out a harsh sigh. If Frans weren't his friend, he might have already kicked him out.

"Fine! I'll call her over," he said, before walking away from Frans and approaching Ella, who was in the kitchen getting some food.

Frans nodded, and shortly afterward, Ella came over, looking confused.

"Why did you call me, sir? Did I do something wrong?" Ella asked hesitantly, her mind racing with thoughts that she might have upset a customer.

"No, please have a seat. I have something to discuss with you," Frans replied calmly, staring intently at Ella. He even looked her up and down, making Ella feel uncomfortable.

'What does he want? What could he possibly want to talk about?' Ella wondered, her curiosity piqued.

"Sorry, we don’t know each other. What do you want to talk to me about?" Ella asked, full of questions. She sat down across from Frans, despite her apprehension.

Frans cleared his throat briefly. "I overheard your conversation with my friend, Edward. I want to make you an offer in exchange for any amount of money you need," he began, leaving Ella to prompt him with another question.

"What do you mean? What kind of offer?" Ella asked again, her forehead creased in confusion. She didn’t mind that Frans had overheard her private conversation with Edward, but she was curious about his intentions.

Frans cleared his throat again before explaining his proposal.

---

That evening, after work, Ella went straight to the hospital to be with her brother, who the doctor said had come out of his coma.

Ella felt relieved and happy to hear that her brother was awake. She hurried to the hospital without going home first.

"I'm sorry, Vico," were Ella's first words to her brother.

"For what, sis? Don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong," Vico replied weakly, letting go of his sister.

Ella’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Vico. "Because of me, you couldn’t be operated on immediately. I didn’t have the money," she said, making Vico smile and gently squeeze her hand.

"It’s not your fault, sis. I feel like a burden to you," Vico replied, but Ella shook her head firmly.

"No, don’t say that, Vico!" Ella insisted.

"Now, you should eat, take your medicine, and rest. I promise you’ll have the surgery tomorrow," Ella said softly, feeding Vico, who obediently nodded.

Vico didn’t ask where Ella got the money for his surgery, not wanting to add to her burdens.

After Vico finished eating and taking his medicine, he closed his eyes, and Ella gently stroked his head until he fell asleep.

"Get well soon, Vico. I love you so much," Ella whispered with a small smile before leaving his room.

Ella went home just to take a shower since there was no bathroom in Vico’s room. Understandably, the room wasn’t very expensive.

"Huff! I’m so confused," Ella muttered as she walked toward the parking lot.

'Should I cancel borrowing money from Mr. Edward and accept Mr. Frans’ offer? But I’m scared of what my life will become. I want to marry once and for all, not enter into a contract marriage like Mr. Frans proposed,' Ella thought, lost in her thoughts as she reached the parking lot and left the hospital on her scooter.

Frans had offered Ella a contract marriage for a year, with any amount of money she needed.

Ella was hesitant about borrowing money from Edward and leaning towards accepting Frans’ offer. If she accepted Frans’ offer, she could pay off all her mother’s debts with his money. But if she borrowed from Edward, she would still be haunted by her mother’s debt.

'Mr. Frans explained a lot about his terms this morning, and they’re not difficult. I just have to marry him, live in his house, and act like a servant, then I can get anything I want. But what I’m afraid of is his girlfriend.'

'I’m scared it’ll backfire on me,' Ella continued to ponder Frans’ words as she drove home, lost in thought.