CHAPTER FIVE: GETTING MARRIED AT ALL COST

I got dressed and drove to the restaurant where Jason and I had planned to meet. A part of me was still curious about what my mom had wanted to tell me earlier, but she clearly wasn’t ready to open up.

When I entered the restaurant, I didn’t see Jason anywhere. I scanned the room, feeling slightly uneasy, before finally taking a seat. Just as I picked up my phone to call him, the door opened.

There he was — Jason — looking as handsome as ever. I caught myself staring dreamily before quickly regaining composure.

“Hi, Miss Alexa,” he greeted with a small smile. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a meeting to attend.”

“It’s fine,” I replied. “I only just got here myself.”

He called for a waiter and ordered some food, his calm confidence filling the air between us.

“You look stunning,” he said, his gaze soft yet unreadable.

I smiled faintly. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

After a short pause, he continued, “I’d love for you to come to my mom’s birthday and wedding anniversary this weekend.”

“Hmm… I’d love to come,” I replied, a bit surprised.

“My mom wants to meet you,” he added.

I frowned slightly. “Jason, you do know we’re not in a relationship, right? Why would you want to introduce me to your parents?”

He chuckled lightly. “Please, don’t misunderstand me. Like I said before, I’m not interested in you in that way. I just want to make my mom happy, and introducing you to her would mean a lot. That’s all—no strings attached.”

His words disarmed me for a moment. I quickly composed myself and replied, “Good. I’m not interested in you either. I’m only doing this for my mom too.”

“That’s good to know,” he said, his lips twitching into a faint smirk.

We talked casually for a while. At one point, I mentioned, “Your brother stopped by my office today.”

He raised a brow. “What did he do this time?”

“Nothing much. He just claimed he came to check on me.”

Jason chuckled. “He’s a flirt. Don’t mind him—he’s always like that.”

“I’m well aware,” I replied with a small laugh.

After a few more minutes, I stood. “I should get going. I’ve got another appointment.”

“Same here,” he said, standing up as well.

He offered to drop me off, and I didn’t refuse. When we finally parted ways, it was with a simple goodbye and a quiet sense of relief I couldn’t quite explain.

Jason’s POV

Later that evening, I found myself at a bar with my two closest friends, Rufus and Harry. I rarely went out drinking, but tonight, I needed it.

“So…” Rufus began with a teasing tone. “What’s she like?”

“What kind of question is that?” Harry cut in, already halfway through his drink.

I chuckled. “You guys are ridiculous.”

“Are you planning to marry her?” Rufus pressed.

I raised a brow. “I’m not interested in her. So why would I even think of marriage?”

“So, no feelings at all?” Harry asked sarcastically.

“You both are idiots,” I said, shaking my head. “I just told you—I’m not interested in her. Why would you assume otherwise?”

Rufus laughed. “You two are pretending now, but I give it time—you’ll fall in love eventually.”

Harry nodded drunkenly. “That’s a fact.”

“This isn’t a romance movie,” I replied sharply. “I’m only doing this for my mom. That’s it.”

“Sure, sure,” Rufus said, raising his glass. “To Jason… the next man to fall in love.”

They clinked glasses. I just scoffed and took a sip of my drink, silently swearing it would never happen.

Alexa’s POV

“So, let me get this straight…” Barbara folded her arms and gave me an incredulous look. “He isn’t interested in a stunning woman like you?”

Why did I even tell her? I regretted it instantly.

“I don’t care,” I said, shrugging. “I’m not interested in him either.”

“If you aren’t, then why tell me?” she teased, arching a brow.

“Now I regret it,” I muttered. “I’m only doing this to please my mom for now.”

Barbara sighed dramatically. “Jason Anderson is the hottest man I’ve ever seen. How could you be so… nonchalant?”

“What’s the big deal?” I shot back. “He and I are just doing this to satisfy our moms. That’s all. So please, drop it.”

“Fine, fine,” she said, raising her hands. “But if I were you, I’d win him over. Maybe even seduce him.”

“You’re a bad friend,” I said with a laugh.

“Stop pretending to be all innocent—”

“Barbara, please,” I interrupted.

She giggled. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

“Good. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Alright! I was invited to Jace’s mom’s party on Saturday!” she squealed.

“I was invited too,” I said casually.

“By?”

“Jason.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, it’s going to be lit! I’m getting my dress made by my Creative and Spectacular Fashion Designer,” she announced dramatically.

I burst out laughing. “Barbara Smith, I love you.”

“I love you more than you can imagine,” she said, hugging me tightly until I nearly gasped for breath.

Jason’s POV

I was working on my laptop when Mom called, asking me to come to the mansion. I closed my computer, got dressed, and drove over.

“Hey, son,” she greeted warmly, descending the stairs.

“Hey, Mom.” I hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“¿Cómo estás?”

“Estoy bien,” I replied. My grandmother was Spanish, and Mom made sure we learned a little of the language growing up.

“So, why did you call me?”

“Your dad and I want to talk to you and Jace. Sit, he’ll be here soon.”

I nodded and sat on the couch. “How are the arrangements for the event?”

“The planner’s handling everything,” she replied.

“Good.”

Just then, Jace walked in.

“Oh, hey, little brother,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re pathetic.”

“I’m not the loser here,” he shot back, smirking.

Before we could continue bickering, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Oh, stop it, you two!”

We turned — and there she was.

“Jennifer!” we exclaimed at once.

She smiled. “Why are you two acting like you’ve seen a ghost?”

“Mom, why didn’t you say she was here?” Jace complained.

“Don’t you miss me?” Jennifer pouted.

“We don’t,” we both replied, deadpan.

“How cruel!” she said dramatically, folding her arms.

Mom laughed. “Be nice to your sister.”

“Yes, your elder sister,” Jennifer added pointedly.

“You don’t need to remind us,” I muttered.

Before long, Dad arrived, and we all gathered at the dining table. Dinner was quiet — until he cleared his throat.

“You both need to get married,” he said suddenly.

The words hit like a bomb.

“What?” Jace and I exclaimed in unison.

“Yes,” Dad continued calmly. “Your mother and I are getting old, and I want to see you both settled.”

“Dad, you’re not old. And you can’t just force us into marriage,” Jace protested.

“I can,” he replied. “And I’ll deprive you of my properties if you don’t.”

I frowned. “We don’t need your inheritance. We can survive without it.”

“I’ll still make it difficult for you,” he said sternly.

“Wow, you sound like a villain,” Jennifer muttered.

Mom stayed quiet — too quiet. Then, after a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice trembling.

“I’m dying.”

The room froze.

“What?” Jennifer gasped, dropping her fork.

“I have cervical cancer,” Mom said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“No… Mom, that’s not true,” I whispered.

“It is,” Dad said, his own eyes wet.

“I didn’t tell you earlier because I didn’t want to worry you,” Mom continued. “But now… I just have one wish. I want to see my children married before I die.”

I felt my chest tighten. My heart sank. Death — that uninvited shadow — had suddenly crept into our home.

“Mom, please don’t say that,” Jennifer sobbed.

Jace stood abruptly and stormed out to the balcony. I followed soon after, tears burning behind my eyes.

“What do we do?” I asked him, my voice barely steady.

“Get married,” Jennifer said quietly behind us.

I turned. “Do you think it’s that easy? Marriage isn’t a game.”

She glared. “You’re cold-hearted, Jason. At least Jace has emotions.”

Jace sighed. “Even if I have a girlfriend, I’m not ready for marriage. Not yet.”

Jennifer groaned. “You two are hopeless.”

Then Mom appeared, wiping her eyes. “Jason,” she said softly, “I thought you were seeing Alexa Leonard.”

Oh no. Not now.

“Alexa?” Jace repeated, shocked.

Mom nodded. “Invite her to the party, please.”

“Okay, Mom,” I said quietly.

“See? He’s doing better than you,” she told Jace.

Jace scoffed. “He doesn’t deserve her. He’s been cold since his last relationship.”

“That’s no one’s business,” I muttered.

Mom smiled faintly. “You’ll learn to love her, Jason.”

“I hope so,” I said aloud.

But deep down, my thoughts whispered otherwise—

I hope not.