Chapter three

Henry's POV

“You won't walk out on me!”. My mother Mrs Raymond screamed, I've always called her that, I literally grew up without her, and now she wants to force a marriage I don't want down my throat!.

“I'll get to make that decision, I don't know what relationship you're trying to create between both families but I'm not getting married to Lydia” and “that's final!” I uttered walking out on her.

“Henry! Stop right there”. she barked but I kept walking to the door.

“How's the search going?” I asked Gabriel, my personal assistant, as I stepped out of the house.

“None that fits your description sir” he replied, opening the car door.

“What exactly have you been doing Gabriel?”

“You know what? just get me any girl, any one at all, that I can use to escape Mrs Raymond claws.” “And be fast about it!” I snapped, settling inside one of my luxurious cars.

“Alright sir” he replied, shutting the car door.

I drummed my fingers on the armrest, my mind racing with impatience. "I wonder why Gabriel hasn't found anyone yet," I muttered, raking my hand through my hair.

Gabriel began explaining our destination, “We are headed to your uncle's office for the”…. “Just drive,” I replied , cutting him off.

****

Here I was at my uncle's office with an opportunity providing itself “a way to get off Mrs Raymond claws”. With this brief history I was convinced this was my way out. It's shameful that her husband left her after she took out a loan for him. But I didn't care.

“Uncle Charlie, can you let her go?” I muttered. “Let her go?” He repeated.

“Do you think I am running a charity organisation here? He snapped. “I'll collect every penny from her including the interest” he scoffed. “And why would you even suggest that Henry?” He asked, giving me a long stare.

I didn't give him a response. I know it was a bad idea asking him to do such, he wouldn't let his money go just like that. “I wonder why my father is still running business deals with him” I whispered in a way that he wouldn't hear me.

I took out my phone and called Gabriel.

"Hello sir" he answered, his voice crisp and alert.

"Yes Gabriel", I said with a firm tone.

"I need information about Camelia Roy. I want to know about her family, her education, her past relationships- every detail, no matter how insignificant."

" I want it before the day ends" I emphasized with my eyes locked on Uncle Charlie's curious face.

“Okay sir”, he replied "and you can stop with your search", I added before hanging up.

“What are you doing with her personal information?” Uncle Charlie asked, his eye brow furrowed in concern.

I couldn't think of anything, more than offering her a proposal. She was in desperate need and I knew she needed help.

“Who would turn down such an offer?”I thought.

“Uncle Charlie, I want to pay Camelia's debt.” I uttered.

What?? He snapped. “ Why would you want to help someone that you don't even know?”.

“She has something I need," I replied .

His eyes widened in shock. “Something you need?,” he repeated. I could tell he was trying to understand what I was saying. But I wasn't going to mention my true intentions to him.

"Are you serious about paying off her debt, Henry?" He asked.

“Yes I am, Can you keep this away from the family for now?” I urged him since he is known for having a big mouth.

"At least till I tell them myself?”

Does she know?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "About your family's empire? The corporations, the wealth...?”.

I know I had to shut him up by sweetening the deal, "I'll give you more money”. I chipped in, and I watched his lips grin from side to side. I know how much he loved money “more like an obsession”.

“Of course” he replied, "anything for you my dearest nephew" he replied rubbing his hands together. “So when would you make the payment?” he asked glaringly.

"You have nothing to worry about uncle, it's just five hundred thousand dollars, I'll have my accountant make the transfer” I answered him. “I trust you” he said smiling sheepishly as he hummed out of the office and I followed behind him.

Camelia's POV

"Marry you?" I repeated, my voice shaking and tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"Did your uncle sell me out to you?" I demanded, "Was I looking that desperate?" I sighed, taking a look at myself.

He remained calm, but I sensed some kind of feeling from his face- amusement, perhaps, or even sympathy. "It's going to be a contract, Miss Camelia," he explained, his voice low and soothing. "A contract that would benefit us both."

“ This had to be some kind of sick joke”! I shrieked, staring at him in disbelief. My life had been a rollercoaster lately, but this was the most shocking twist of all. "I'm not some damsel in distress who's going to jump at the first offer that comes her way!" " I snapped, salvaging the rest of my pride. But deep down I knew I needed rescuing.

“Mr Henry” I could already tell his name “What do you know about me?” I said with my voice rising.

Not much," he admitted, "but with what I know, I'm sure I'm your last bet Miss Camelia”.

His words cut deep like a knife, but he wasn't wrong. I was desperate, and he knew it.

They were a few eyes watching but I doubt they knew the content of our conversation, but I didn't care!.

I turned to leave, without giving his proposal any thought, but my feet faltered at the door. “Go where?” There was nowhere left to run.

Panic set in, and my heart began racing with memories of my struggles flooding my mind,

How could I even consider marrying a stranger just to pay off a debt that wasn't even mine? The thought was crazy, yet...“This maybe my only way out”

I hesitated, with my hand on the door handle leaving me with my last option. I turned to face Henry, my eyes searching for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a calm man.

I would accept his proposal, i just want to get out of this mess, I said walking to where he was. I could feel the weight of my decision settling in. My heart racing, I stopped in front of him, my eyes locked on his.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll be your fake wife."

Very good, Camelia.” he said as his lips curled up in a smile. “I'll have my assistant bring the papers,” he muttered, signaling a thumb snap to a young man standing by the door.I watched as the man dashed out.

You don't have to panic, Miss Camelia. “I only want to avoid a marriage and the lady in question…" he paused, “there'll be no emotions attached" he continued, it's purely business ”he smirked.

“You only have to act as my wife for a year till I'm off Mrs Raymond claws”. He added adjusting his wristwatch. “If you play your role really well I'll pay you off with any amount you want,” he added.

It was obvious that he is rich, but who is Mrs Raymond?....”I thought”.

The man that dashed out came running with some papers. “Thank you Gabriel," he said, collecting the papers from him.

“Go through the contract," he said, handing me the papers.

The contract was just as he explained…. “No feelings attached, No kids, No physical contact except in dire situations”. Chills ran down my spine as I picked up the pen, my hand trembling slightly as I signed my name. I was divorced a while ago and now I'm in a fake marriage “can life be any cruel”?.

“What's next?” I asked him as he took the contract with his eyes gleaming.

“Call me tomorrow,” he said, giving me a paper with his number scribbled on it. “I'll have Gabriel pick you up and drop you at home”.

“Home” the word felt new again. I nodded, taking the paper from him. “Why did he give me a paper and not a card?” I thought, maybe he wasn't with any I concluded.

I'll take my leave now, Miss Camelia," he murmured, breaking into my thoughts.

As I watched him walk away, a sudden realization struck me.

"Mr. Henry!" I called out, my voice tingling with desperation.

He paused, turning back to face me..

"I was wondering...if it's possible...could I get somewhere to stay tonight?" I stuttered, my eyes fixed on the floor as I nervously fidgeted with my fingers.

“Gabriel would sort that out. Make sure you get a comfortable place for her to stay”, he replied without giving it any thought.

“Right away sir,” Gabriel replied.

Madame, please follow me," he said, bowing slightly”.

"You can go with him," he said. "He is my personal assistant and also a friend," he concluded.

I tried walking but my legs felt weak and feeble, refusing to budge. The room started spinning, and colors blurring together in a whirl. Everywhere suddenly became dark, and I could only hear voice echoes from a distance which made my head spin. I stumbled, my knees buckling beneath me, and I felt myself collapsing to the ground.

"Camelia! Camelia!" Henry's voice echoed from afar, running towards me. I tried to respond, but my voice was trapped in my throat. My eyelids fluttered, and then finally, they shut out.