CHAPTER 6

Rhea did not know how to react to everything that was happening. She was stunned, her body breaking out in goosebumps from the bizarre things Lucas was saying. Silently, she bit her lip, her eyes studying him with confusion. She then reached out without hesitation to touch his forehead, wondering if he was still mentally sound or if he had completely lost his mind.

“What are you doing, Chararat?” Lucas scolded sharply, brushing off her hand in irritation. The way he pushed her hand away was harsh, yet he was the same man who had just asked her to marry him. Was there something wrong with her ears? Maybe it was time she got them cleaned because surely, she was hearing things.

Lucas had been switching between personalities. Moments ago, he had acted like a rugged man, only to suddenly return to his flamboyant and playful self. It was exhausting to keep up. She preferred this version of him, though, because when he tried to act masculine, it sent chills down her spine. She just could not get used to that side of him.

Trying to brush it off, Rhea cleared her throat and said, “Baks, maybe you are sick and that is why you are saying all these strange things. Can you not mess with me right now? Look around, do I look like I am in the mood for your jokes? Please, stop with this marry me nonsense. We are not movie characters, and this is not some romantic comedy.”

Lucas crossed his arms with an exaggerated sigh. “Chararat, I am being dead serious. This is actually the favor I wanted to ask from you earlier. That is why I went looking for you. Do you think I would waste my time if this were just a joke? I am serious. Just agree to marry me and I will take care of everything, you and your mom,” he insisted, trying to convince her.

Rhea stared at him like he had completely lost his mind. Marriage? Was he insane? She barely knew him, and while she had met his family, that did not mean marriage was on the table.

“Have you seriously gone mad? Aren’t you part of the Federation of Queens? You don’t even like women. Why would I marry you? We only met last night,” she argued defensively. “And even you should think, who proposes in a hospital? You did not even prepare for it.”

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Ah, so that is it. You want some grand proposal, huh? You are so choosy for someone who isn’t even that pretty,” he sneered, clearly hearing her mumbling. His hearing was surprisingly sharp.

“It is not about that, okay?” She snapped back. “Any woman would say no if that is how you propose, specifically in a hospital where my mother is being confined. Plus, you are asking me for a favor, yet here you are also insulting me. Why would I marry a gay man? I want a real man, someone like Timothee Chalamet, Orlando Bloom, or Lee Min Ho. In short, women and gays both like men. It is a lost cause for us.”

“Fine, sorry. I was only teasing because you are too serious,” Lucas muttered apologetically. “But please, just say yes. I will do anything you want. I will provide for you. Just marry me, pretty please. Have some mercy. If you don’t agree, I will lose everything I have worked for - my beauty, my blood, sweat, and tears – all that I have given to the company. Please.”

Rhea sighed heavily. Her head was starting to hurt. She already had too much on her mind, and now this? She could not tell if meeting Lucas was a blessing or a curse.

“Baks, what you are asking is not easy. For us women,” she paused, correcting herself, “well, for us real women, because you are not included in that, marriage is something important. We want to marry someone we love and who loves us back. Love is not a game. Like the elders say,” She stopped, trying to remember the saying, but it slipped her mind. She frowned, frustrated that she had forgotten when she needed it most.

Lucas clapped loudly, cutting through her thoughts. “What now? Can you finish your speech within the year? What did the elders say again?” he said sarcastically, his hands on his waist.

Rhea glared at him. “Forget it. I forgot the saying,” she admitted, faking a cough to change the subject. “What I am saying is, marriage is not a joke. It binds you to someone. Both people need to love each other. If not, it won’t work. And in your case, we both do not like each other, so it will never work. You are just making things harder for yourself.”

“You are being too negative,” Lucas protested. “It won’t be a problem if it is just temporary. The favor I am asking won’t last forever. You are the only solution I have. I know you can help me.”

Rhea frowned. “You keep asking for marriage, but you are not even explaining why. What is this temporary thing? What problem are you trying to solve through marriage anyway? Since when was marriage part of problem-solving?”

Lucas sighed and pulled her gently to sit down. “Grandpa won’t hand over the company to me unless I get married to a woman specifically. You are the only woman I know who seems trustworthy, even if just barely. Once Grandpa passes the company to me, we can file for annulment immediately. It is just temporary.”

Before Rhea could respond, her mother’s body suddenly trembled. She gasped, her strength draining instantly. “W-what... what is happening?” She trembled in panic.

She looked back at Lucas, now visibly anxious. “Call the doctor, please. Hurry, I am begging you!” She pleaded desperately.

Lucas rushed outside to find a doctor while Rhea’s tears began to fall freely.

Moments later, Dr. Mike arrived with nurses, and Lucas returned, pulling Rhea into a comforting embrace. She was surprised by his sudden gesture but did not push him away. She needed someone to lean on.

She buried her face in his chest, sobbing. “B-Baks... Mama is struggling. I can’t lose her. She can’t leave me.”

“Shhh... everything will be alright,” Lucas whispered, gently patting her back.

“Rhea,” Dr. Mike called softly. She wiped her tears and faced him.

“It is her second attack today. I am very sorry to say this, but her condition is worsening. Her body is starting to give up. Right now, all I can ask from you is patience and constant prayers. Talk to her. Maybe hearing your voice will give her the courage to fight. Stay strong.”

The doctor gave her shoulder a light squeeze before leaving.