2. I will marry him

“You don’t have to do this, Beatrice!” Javier was trying to stop Beatrice. 

They were in the hospital’s comfort room. Beatrice was cleaning herself because they were going to Bruce’s mansion. The place where the man who wanted to marry Beatrice lives. Beatrice never minds if Javier is also in the comfort room. She was changing her clothes in the cubicle and Javier was just outside waiting for her. It was okay for her because Javier was a good man. She treats her as the brother she never had. Also, she always felt safe when she was with him. 

“Then what should I do, Javier? I cannot let my father die. He is my only family,” Beatrice answered. She grunted when she tried to wear the dress brought to her by their maid. “I need to do this. At least for my father.” 

“No. This is never for your father. You know that your stepmother–”

“Mother.” 

“Fine! Mother. You know it is her that will be happy only. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself!” 

Beatrice went out of the cubicle and examined her face in the mirror. She had bruises on her cheeks and a bandage on her forehead. Even her lips were bruised. Though, she was confident that whoever that man will still want her. Beatrice has gray eyes that she takes from her mother. Her hair was a long and natural blonde. She also has freckles on her cheeks and on her nose bridge. Her skin was fair and had a slim body. She does have suitors but she never entertains anyone because of her stepmother. Plus, she was more focused on building her career than having a boyfriend. 

“I need to do this, Javier. Please understand me.” Beatrice looked at her friend. She took Javier's hand and locked her eyes on his. “Come with me tonight.”

“No. I will not let you go there!” Javier took back his hand. He will never agree to her plan. He knew that Beatrice never wanted this. 

“Okay. I will not do it. But what about my father, huh? Where will we get the ten thousand dollars we need to pay for this hospital? Then fifty thousand dollars for BMH? Where in the hands of gods will I have that money, Javier?! Even if I sell the resort now, it will still not be enough until my father recovers! And it will be too late!” Beatrice stopped and looked in the mirror. She took a deep breath and tried to control her feelings. “W-We don't have any money anymore, Javier. You… of all people know about it. So if you can't support me, you better go home now,” she said and went out hurriedly. 

Javier sighed. He was just worried about his friend. He understood her but doesn't want to force herself into the marriage that she never wanted. Yes, she might look at her as a brother but Javier was not. He adored her secretly. 

After Beatrice fixed herself. She went back to her mother’s room. Who was talking to someone on the phone. Clementine smirked as she saw Beatrice. She had been jealous of her since the first day she met her. Though she never admitted it to herself. The truth is, she was the one who should be marrying the wealthy stranger. But she learned that the man was old already. So she begged her mother not to marry her. Luckily, It was Beatrice that he really wanted. 

“Go and pay for your sins, Beatrice.” 

Beatrice just looked at Clementine and continued walking on Veronica’s side. “Mother.” 

Veronica looked at Beatrice. “Okay, sir. She will be out in a minute,” she said and turned off the call. Veronica scanned Beatrice's body and then shook her head in disbelief. “What kind of dress is that? Tsk! I didn’t know what that man liked about you!” 

Beatrice tightened her fist. Her lips curled up. She tried to say a word. ‘This is for your father, Beatrice.’ 

“Luckily he is wealthy.” Veronica puffed a breath. “Go on! A car is already waiting for you outside the hospital. Make sure to make Mr. Bruce adores you more, Beatrice. Don’t disappoint me! This is for your father! Do you want him to die?” 

Beatrice's eyes instantly became teary. She never wanted to marry Mr. Bruce. But what can she do? That man was taking advantage of them! 

“Huh! Looks like she doesn’t want to help. What a shameful woman! You never cared about your father!” Clementine blurted. 

“Beatrice?! Is it true?!’ 

“N-No, mother. I will marry him. I-I promised you. I will come back here with the money we need.” 

Veronica smirked. “Of course! You should. If you don't, you can go to hell and never face us again! I will never let you see my husband again! Alive or dead!” 

Beatrice's tears fell down but she immediately wiped them. “I-I won’t disappoint you, mother,” she said in a rattling voice. 

“Go now! Time is running!” 

She nodded and walked outside of the room. She cannot stop crying thinking that she will be going to a stranger’s home. She instantly felt dirty thinking that she was not like the other people who sell for pleasure to any man. Beatrice was a virgin and she had never been in a relationship. Also, she doesn’t know the man. She just knows that he came from a wealthy family lusting for her. 

“Beatrice!” 

Javier saw Beatrice near the hospital exit door. Beatrice stopped and looked at him. 

“J-Javier!” Beatrice ran to Javier and hugged him. Javier was taken back at first but immediately fixed his composure. “I’m scared. I don’t want this!” 

Javier sighed. If only he could do anything for her, he would pay for everything. But he was just a servant to them. 

“I can help you run away.” 

Beatrice woke up from her senses. She removed herself from Javier and shook her head. “I-I can’t. I’m sorry.” She wiped her tears and turned her back on Javier. 

“Okay!” Javier stopped Beatrice. “I will go with you.” 

Beatrice looked at Javier with hesitation. She could see the seriousness in his expression. Beatrice smiled. At least someone was with her. She knew that Javier won’t let her be endangered. 

They both went outside of the hospital. Beatrice saw a black small limousine that was parked in front of the hospital. It is not right because it was for ambulances only, but guards are letting them park.  A man went out from the front seat when they were out already. 

“Miss Lichter, the master is already waiting for you at the mansion.” A man wearing a black suit with white gloves opened the back door of the car. There were traces of wrinkles already but his aura was still strong. Just by his look, he could make anyone tremble.  “Please get inside now, Miss.” 

Beatrice gulped and held onto Javier's arms. She was pulling him to the car too but the man stopped her. 

“You are the only one he’s expecting, Miss.” 

Javier frowned. “Huh? No! I cannot let her go with you!” 

The man looked at Beatrice. “Master will not like it, Miss. This might affect your father’s surgery.” 

Beatrice sighed and let go of Javier's arms. “P-Please, Javier. I can do this. Don’t worry.” 

“But Beatrice! You don’t know them,” Javier said worriedly. 

“It’s okay.” 

Beatrice smiled at him and went inside the car. Javier couldn’t do anything but let Beatrice go. He glared at the man. “Remember this. I will come to you if something bad happens to her!” 

The man just smirked. Then he went inside the car too. “Drive.” 

Beatrice took a deep breath. She tried to stop her tears again as Javier’s figure slowly faded from her eyes. Her hands were trembling and her heart was pounding. What could be waiting for her there? Who was this man wanting to marry her?