LOVE IN THE SHADOWS

The Desperate Proposal

Tarrytown NY state. 6am

The sun peeped through the window onto Charlene's face. The alarm went off vibrating, waking her up as she stretched her hand to put it off. Yawning she stepped down from the bed.

She had to clean up her sick mother who just got discharged because of medical bills before heading to work. She was not always at home and the former caretaker quit last week. She has to find a new one sooner than later.

After she got dressed she prepared omelette and bread, fed her mother and left the house. She could not afford to be late as today was a big deal.

While leaving she went to their neighbors house Mrs Smith to beg her to help her watch after her mother while she was away.

‘Ding’ she rang the doorbell of Mrs Smith.

“Good morning ma”

“Morning Charlene, what brings you here this morning?”Mrs Smith replied.

“The caretaker quit last week and I have a really important deal today. Can you please help me watch over my mother?” Charlene pleaded with Mrs Smith as she could trust her mother with her as they had known each other for a long time and we're like family friends.

“That's no issue Charlene, I will go there as soon as I am done with what I am doing”. Mrs Smith said smiling.

“Run along, you can't be late for this ‘big deal’. She teasingly added doing the quote sign with her hands.

“Thank you” said Charlene as she rushed away.

She entered the next bus as a call came in

Cherina her acquaintance who gave her the deal called

“The event is almost starting and the event planner is late, where are you Charlene?*

“So so sorry I am already close, is the host already there yet?”

“I guess you will have to see for yourself,” replied Cherina as she hung up the call.

Shit! The host should not be there yet it will be doom to her career. She thought to herself.

Getting to the event area she quickly ran to Cherina to get the information of people who had arrived.

“Speaking of the devil”. Cherina said as she sighted Charlene coming towards them hurriedly

“I had some issues to settle, that's why I came late”. Explained Charlene immediately as she noticed the eyes that were about swallowing her up.

Collecting the list from Cherina, Charlene made her way to check out and confirm the sitting arrangements assigned to each attending families, desserts and drinks with the waiters to serve them out to avoid any future mistakes. Soon after families started tripping in, Charlene walked to and fro ensuring the smooth going of the event.

Suddenly the hall went so quiet that a pin could even be heard if it fell. A figure emerges as the lights reveal the face; it was the most feared business tycoon, Ethan Allen.

Whispers flew around as he made his way to the front table as he was the host of the event. Ethan sat down as everyone returned to their normal doings while looking at him sneaking. Charlene saw him and thought to go to him as he was the host to show him the order of events directly because he was not the one who appointed her directly.

Heading to him “Good day sir, I am the event planner of the event. I figured we have not met before so it is only right to show you the order of events.” Said Charlene as she brought out a duplicate of the paperwork and presented it to him.

Lifting his eye gaze to the figure talking in front of him. Meeting a pair of blue sea eyes he was drawn to them and he couldn't quite put his fingers on it. Ethan collected the paperwork and nodded to her. Charlene felt tense with his look as she could feel a drop of sweat falling.

Charlene left as Ethan's eyes followed her until she disappeared from his sight. Going through the paperwork, he saw her name , curiosity got a hold of him as he turned to his assistant

“Do a research on this name”

“Ok sir” Franklin, Ethan's assistant said as he pressed on his iPad.

Few minutes later, “here sir”

Taking the iPad, Ethan looked and scrolled going through it a smirk escaped from the side of his mouth

“She is exactly what I need”. Ethan said.

“Who is that?” the assistant asked

“The event planner” said Ethan while adjusting his tie the event was almost beginning.

“Are you sure? we could look for another girl”

“No, I want her," Ethan said firmly.

“There are a lot more here, just be patient. I will look for a suitable one” said Franklin trying to dissuade him from picking a girl from a small town.

“My decision is final!” replied Ethan with annoyance already growing in his tone.

The sound of violin and trumpet filled the hall as the event started.

Few minutes into the event, Ethan was called up to give his speech. Eyes escorted him to the stand but he seemed unmovable. Charlene saw his features well for the first time there was a wind of darkness moving with him she could not understand why she was getting that feeling.

The event ended some hours later.

“The charity event was a success”.Cherina squealed happily

“You really know how to do your job” she added as she grabbed on to Charlene's arm.

“Are you not the same person who nearly screamed my head off before?” Charlene looked at her questioningly.

“I just want everything to be done right. That's just it and you are good”. Cherina did the thumbs up sign as she walked away smiling.

“Yeah right”. Charlene said as she decided to head home

A man wearing a black suit dressed like a bodyguard walked towards her

“My boss wants to see you”

“Who is your boss?”

“The host of this event, Mr Allen.

“Oh” escaped her mouth.

“Follow me”. The bodyguard walked away with Charlene following him from behind.

They arrived at a black luxurious car entering the car she saw Ethan sitting down as he gestured for her to sit opposite him.

“You called for me”. Charlene broke the silence as Ethan stared into her eyes without mentioning a single word

“Yes I did. I have an offer for you”. Ethan said pulling out a document file and placed in on the table

Opening it she exclaimed in shock “what is this?”

“A contract marriage of six months” he replied her

“What for?”

“I did a background search on you. I know you have a sick mother who needs urgent surgery and you don't have the money. Look at the benefiting side here it will benefit you”

“So you are helping me, what are you planning to gain from it?”

“Nothing, just want to help you. You are aware of my recent charity program ".

“Can't you just help me without getting married to me?”

“Relax, it is a fake marriage with no strings attached, go through the contract information. And besides nothing is free even in a free town”.Ethan said unmovingly.

“Charlene got lost in thinking about the conditions. It would surely benefit her and her mother”

“Think about it, after I have made your decision, reach out to me”. Said Ethan as he handed her his card.

Charlene came down from the car and headed towards the bus stop. She placed her attention on the card thinking about what happened earlier as she walked.

Suddenly a woman bumped into her

“Sorry” the woman said hurriedly before Charlene could understand the situation the woman had already left. She saw a piece of paper on the ground picking it up. She looked back to see whether the woman was still there but she was nowhere to be found. Opening the paper it read;

“DON'T TRUST HIM”.