Chapter 2

The faint sound of cars blaring from afar mingled with the rhythm of her heart, as she lost herself in the wilderness of her thoughts. Her phone buzzed, interrupting her. It was Anya.

“Girl what's up?" Anya uttered from the other end of the call. "Ariel, are you listening?"

Anya heard the sniffs. “Girl, are you crying? talk to me, I'm worried.”

“I'm homeless now.” She hated to trouble people with her own problems, but what option did she have?

“I'm on my way, we'll figure this out together.” Anya hung up. Minutes later, she arrived at Ariel's place. "You can stay with me for the meantime." Anya patted her back for ease.

————

The next day, Ariel was on the bed, half asleep. A call buzzed from her phone. It was Mrs Garrett; her son's class teacher. “Hello Mrs Garr–”

“Max collapsed!” She yelled.

The room spun round, she placed her arm on the headboard for support." What happened to Max, where is he!?" Ariel was on her feet, slipping into any cloth she could find.

“The hospital Ma'am."

“Which hospital?”

“Saint Joan hospital” The woman responded and hung up.

Ariel waltzed past the crowd of people, heading towards Mrs Garrett. "Where is max?" She shook her violently.

"Calm down Ma, he's fine now but the doctor wants to see you."

Along with Mrs Garrett, she went to the doctor's office. He ushered her in and Mrs Garrett excused herself.

"You're Max's mother, right?" He took off his glasses, which he placed on the table.

"Yes," She nodded. "Will Max be okay?" She wiped off her tears. “ What happened to my son?”

“Madam I'm sorry to tell you that your son has arrhythmia."

“What….what did you say?"

“You heard right Ma'am.” The doctor reiterated. "He needs to be operated on, it'll cost seven million."

Ariel froze. She pinched herself to be sure it wasn't a dream. Where was she supposed to find the money? "Doctor, I don't have such an amount."

"Well, I suggest you find it or else Max's health will deteriorate." His tone carried a serious warning.

“I'll try my best. Can I see Max now?"

"Yes, you can."

Before entering, she came to a halt, wiped her tears-stricken face, and curled up her lips to apply a smile on her face.

“Mama, what happened to me, why am I here?"

Ariel sat next to him, stroking his hair.“ My baby, everything is fine.”

Beside Max was a nurse who was inspecting Max's heart monitor.

“Can he be discharged for now?” Ariel asked the nurse.

“Yes ma'am, but he needs to be monitored.”

She nodded but her eyes gave her misery. Some minutes later, Ariel signed for her son's discharge and took him home.

Back at home, Ariel sank into the sofa, tired and defeated.

“The business card, how about we check if you can be offered a position in their company?” Anya suggested.

“Are you sure?”

“You should try first." Anya tried to reason with her. "You never know what benefit you could gain from doing so.”

From the dresser, she brought out the card, JC was embroidered on the card. Below it was a telephone number and an email address. “Are you sure about this?” She was in doubt.

"Try.”

“Okay, I'm gonna email them now.”

“No, don't email, call.” Anya suggested.

“Okay." Ariel responded as she jacked around to pick her phone. She called, it rang but no one answered.

“Tr—” Anya's statement was interrupted by a buzz from Ariel's phone. “Pick up!”

Ariel swiped to answer the call. “Hello,"

“I will send you the address.” A masculine voice said. His voice was calm, yet intimidating. Minutes later, a message came in; an address of a restaurant.

“An address, It's a restaurant." Ariel said. "Formal or casual?”

“Formal." Anya was already on her feet, going through the wardrobe. "I will go select a perfect outfit for you.”

Ariel took a look in the mirror. She was dressed up in a brown button down shirt, paired with a cream pant. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail. She was ready!

“Casa Petra.” Ariel hopped into the taxi and drove off. Minutes later, she arrived at the restaurant. A man whom she instantly recognized as the one who had handed her the card waited outside.

"You may go in." He opened the door. Ariel entered, holding her CV tight to her chest. There was no one aside from a man surrounded by bodyguards and her at the restaurant.

“You are 4 hours and 37 minutes late.” The man in a navy blue tuxedo said. “Move closer and have your seat.” Johny ordered, pointing at the empty seat which she sat in.

“What is your name?” He arrested his fork halfway, his eyes scrutinizing her.

“Ar—Ariel Richmond.” She stuttered.

"Johny Lucas.” He grinned. “Let's get straight to business.” He picked up a file, and he handed it to her.

“My apologies, something came up on my way here.”

Johny didn't respond. He put the file on the table and slided it across, followed by a pen and an utterance. “Marry me."

Ariel's hands came to a halt upon hearing the statement. She shifted her gaze up and locked eyes with him. Her eyebrows squinted in disbelief “What did you say?”

“You heard me right.” Johny responded, his eyes remained calm and emotionless. “Read what the offer comes with.”

Ariel took the file. Her expectation was to be given a job and not get entangled with a stranger. She skimmed through the file until her eyes fell on the amount being offered.

"Thirty million dollars!" She thought inwardly. "Comport yourself." Her eyes scrolled down the contract to read further. “A marriage of convenience?" She asked in confusion.

“Yes," Johny nodded.

Ariel pushed back the file. "I came here to get a job, not to get married.”

Johny chuckled softly at her expectation. "Think about your son."

Ariel narrowed her eyes at him like a detective which made Johny chuckle. "How do you know about my son?”