A FLASH MARRIAGE

~Aria's pov~

" Marry me?" I say loud enough almost got chocked at his reply. Liana's plan was that I talk to the guy, make him want me and then ask him to pay in advance before meeting him the second time but I wasn't prepared for this trap.

"Sorry mister. You are clearly mistaken I...".

" You're in need of how much?" he says. At that moment I didn't think I call out the amount to him. He brings out his phone transferring it with an extra hundred.

A notification pops up on my screen, I check and there it was the money for my mother's surgery.

" Thank you so much" I say clearly excited. This was like a dream come through for me but the next moment my smile froze.

" I'll send you the contract".

" What contract?" I say as I stare at him dumbfounded.

" The marriage contract" he says again. " You're indepted to me at the moment and you also need the money. Think about it. I didn't ask you for much like how other guys would. I played my part and in exchange you'll marry me. it's a win win" he added.

He clearly has a way with his words. True to his words I didn't do more than kissing. One that took my emotions all out, if it were to be others I would probably have done worse. Gosh I can't even think about it.

" Like marriage—"

" It's a contract marriage after a year we'll go on our separate ways" he says.

There was no need to think. if this was the only way that I could work for the money instead of owing him then it's okay. There's nothing to be worried about.

" Okay then. After a year you say" I reply beaming with so much smile. He stares at me again, his gaze flickered to my lips but it was enough to send shivers down my spine making my breath hitch In ways possible.

" What—". " Your number" he says handing over his phone to me as he jiggled whatever thought I had out of the way.

I put in my number as I handed it over to him, thanking him once more.

" I'll text you the address to come sign the contract. Be on time plus you can't run away from my sight". he added more like a warning then left. So for me there's no escape route, more like I dug my own grave. I stare at his broad shoulders until I could see them no more.

That was it. I had the money with a condition but it was worth it. I squeeze myself through the crowd as I walk to find Liana and there she was sitting so pretty on the table and of course accompanied with two guys. Liana is a stunning beauty, she makes head turn whenever she's in a crowd—Poor orphan.

" Li" I call out excitedly as I reached for the table.

" Ouuu.... look at another stunning beauty we have here" one of the guy says. I scoffed feeling disgusted by their appraise. Guys like them were up to no good.

" Hey Ria" She exclaimed, from the look of things she was bored without me. " How did it go?" she asks. I nodded in excitement since people were here. She understood immediately and of course happy but furrowed her brows.

" Excuse me gentlemen. I have to go, see you some other time" Liana said as she grasps my hands and dragged me out of the bar. " Who did you meet Aria?".

" What do you mean by who did I meet? a guy of course" I reply.

" I know it's a guy but not the one I showed you. You clearly went somewhere else. Who was it? I want to make sure it wasn't a random guy".

" Oh!! he said his name's Nikolaus and I didn't ask from where though".

" Nikolaus? I pointed at Hendrix not—"

" Yeah I didn't like that guy. The one that owned Lan Enterprises right?" I say nonchalantly. The breeze flew through my hair making me appear like a diva.

" I went after my heart Liana. Don't be angry". I persuaded.

" I'm not angry but worried. What did you say his full name was? " I could see the worried expression all over her face.

" Nikolaus Blackwood " I blurted out.

" What?. Nikolaus?The president of Co foundation? Gosh!!" she screamed happily stopping in her tracks .

" Yeah what is it?He helped me with the amount and he offered i do something for him in return".

" A...and what was that?". She asks slowly I could almost hear her heartbeat.

" That I marry him" I sighed after saying it. I got so excited about the money that I forgot this part.

Liana froze for a while before she spoke." You're getting married to the world business legend of all time and you aren't fazed?".

" Should I? is that what he is?".

" Oh my gosh. You're so clueless. You don't know him, he's known for his ruthlessness and cruel acts".

" But I didn't see him as that". I say defending him.

" That wasn't who I said you should link up with Aria. I could have been more descriptive. it was the guy at the back of him I pointed at". she says in a whisper. " Now you're getting married all of a sudden".

" What could I possibly do Li. I'm running out of time and now I have the money without doing anything aside marriage. it's absurd and funny but it's just for a year okay". I reassured.

" Yeah. we've figured out this one. We can as well figure out the rest also". she says excitedly as she come off the overthinking. " I also got another money from a guy who appreciated my beauty. I'll help with a hundred thousand dollars for groceries cause mom would need a lot to recover". she says.

I felt touched by her gesture as we both held our hands. I am grateful for the gift of Liana that heaven blessed me with. Just then I got a call from the doctor.

My heart skipped—.