Chapter 6

9pm and my mind was no difference from a rollercoaster. It's been working so much, so fast, taking away every form of sleep I could possibly think of getting. I held Mr Stones Company card in my hand, sitting quietly on my bed and staring at nothing in particular.

I was torn between prioritizing my father's health alongside my only means of livelihood and prioritizing myself. What could be so bad that Mr Gail said I might end up running after a month?

Was he violent? Was he into illegal stuff? Was he into drugs?

I didn't mind if he was picking up women though, I just wanted the money and nothing else. Besides, I'll be out of his hair after 6 months and everything will be back to normal.

My father would be healthy, my bakery will be fine, and I'll even have some money left to repay some debts and still have enough for our upkeep….my whole life would be in check.

The thought of settling all the weight on my shoulder brought this internal peace that I wanted to last forever—matter of fact, it will last forever.

I heard a slight knock on my door before it's pushed open, my mom sticking her head through it.

“Hi, honey.” She made her way in “you asked to see me. Is everything alright?”

I gave her a slight nod, trying my best to keep a positive expression on my face.

“Has Dad fallen asleep?”

She took a seat beside me “Yes, he has. Took a while but he's finally dozed off”

“Alright then. I want to talk to you about something”

She tilted her head a bit “go on”

Before saying anything else, I handed her the Company card of Stones Industry. She had a confused look on her face as she stared at the card in her hand.

“I want to get marriage to the CEO’s Son….a 6 months contract marriage”

Her head immediately snapped up at me. There was a mixture of shock and confusion, her eyes longing for answers to my sudden decision.

“He's offering 5 million dollars to whoever signs the contract” I began to explain “Dad’s surgery is almost 2 million dollars. Where on earth am I suppose to raise that money from?”

“Tori, you can't get married to a stranger from nowhere. Are you thinking straight?”

I shook my head vigorously “I'm not, Mom. I haven't been thinking straight for nearly a year now” my voice cracked “no one wants to help me, no one has helped in anyway. We keep incurring debt every week trying to sort out our bills. Light bills, rent bills, bakery bills, upkeep, medical bills….everything is too much to handle. I'm tired”

My stomach turned, a sudden wave of unexpected emotions hitting me way too hard. I felt my cheeks suddenly getting wet as i pulled my pillow up, pressing it to my face and trying to hide the tears falling down.

My Mom said nothing. I felt her gaze on me, but I was too teary to even look at her.

I somehow gathered the strength to hold the tears in. Pulling the pillow down, I turned to look at her.

“Tori, without any doubt, you've been doing your best….honestly, you've done more than your best and I really really love and appreciate you. I don't want anything to happen to your Dad, nothing at all, but, what kind of mother would I be if I let you get married to a strange man?”

I took in a deep breath, wiping underneath my eyes “Mom, it doesn't matter.” I gently grabbed on to her hands “I’m 24, it doesn't matter if I decide to get married to a man I just met or have never even had a conversation with. I'm old enough to make that decision. Everything will be over after 6 months and we'll both go our separate ways.”

“Tori, I really don't feel comfortable about this…”

“Mom, please” I lowered my tone “I'm begging you”

I noticed her eyes suddenly becoming glossy, but she tried her best to hide it behind a faint smile.

“I'll support you in whatever you choose to do” was all she said.

I knew she wasn't comfortable with it and neither was I, but, I was willing to do anything to save the man who would have done anything if I was in his shoes, even if it meant me signing away my freedom.