004

April's pov.

I must have heard wrong. Rowan Robinson did not just ask me to marry him. It sounded like a terrible joke made at my expense, to make me feel worse than I already did. 

“You're joking.” I tried to confirm, but he was not one to carelessly throw jokes around especially in a situation like this one. 

“What the hell do you mean by that?” I added, eyebrows furrowed, and he stepped closer, towering above me like he was trying to intimidate me. 

“Getting married is the only way to get out of this mess. They'll think we're in love, the media will back off and my reputation will be saved.” He read out without emotion, caring about himself as usual.

“What about me?” I questioned.

“If you don't marry me, the board will ask for your suspension. You'll lose your job and your image will be tarnished for good.” He answered, something in his tone sounding like he was looking forward to getting my life ruined. 

“I'll pay you handsomely..” he added. 

I didn't trust him. Nothing was making sense, all I could think about was running away from here.

“I.. I can't.” I shook my head, backing away slowly until I reached the door. 

“Don't be stupid right now, Miss O'Reilly. Be logical for once and think about this.” 

I shook my head, unable to grasp whatever point he was trying to make. How could I throw my life away by getting married to my boss who had done nothing but torture me? I wanted to marry for love, not to cover up some scandal. I couldn't do it, I had to find another way. 

I ran out of the office before he could stop me, tears streaming down my face. Many of my coworkers were outside, their gazes burning into my skin as I walked by. I could hear their whispered insults and abuses, but I didn't stop to defend myself. I kept going, deciding to use the back exit. 

Some of the reporters caught me trying to escape, but I got into a taxi before they could reach me and went back home. 

Inside the taxi, I checked my phone only to find my social media flooded with hate comments and death threats from the various women who admired Rowan. They called me a slut, and accused me of sleeping my way to the top. Hot tears ran down my face as I shoved the phone back into my purse. 

The moment the taxi stopped in front of the building, my heart fell into my stomach at the sight of the paparazzi and the media team that had also gathered outside. My fingers gripped the door handle as I contemplated getting out.

What were they doing here? How did they find out where I lived? 

My eyes welled up with tears. I watched my landlord attack them with a group of armed men before he was finally able to drive them away. I got out of the taxi as soon as the coast was clear and ran into the building, meeting the landlord in front of my apartment.

“April,” he sighed, his hands on his waist. “What is going on? I have been dealing with the media since the morning and it's all because of you. They're destroying my property in search of you and it's gonna cost a lot to fix.” 

I sniffed back my tears. “I'm so sorry, I just don't know what to do.” 

“Well I know exactly what to do.” He cleared his throat, his eyes darkening as they stared at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, waiting for him to speak.

“I can't have you here with all your baggage. The public hates you, and they'll tear down my property to get to you, so you'll have to leave.”

I staggered back, shaking my head and holding my chest like my heart was going to drop. 

“No, Roger, you can't do this to me. I have nowhere to go.” His face was blurred by my tears. 

“You can't stay here, and that's it.” He sighed.

“No, no! Where will I go? My mother is sick, she can't sleep on the streets.” I shivered, and I saw his eyes widen.

“Oh shit, how could I forget!? Your mother was rushed to the hospital, she passed out after hearing what happened on the news.” 

“What!?” 

I ran towards the exit without thinking twice, my life flashing right in front of me. I would die if anything happened to my mother. The thought of it broke me to pieces as I made my way to the hospital. 

****

“Mom..” I fell on her chest and sobbed desperately. She was unconscious, and I was just returning from the doctor's office where I was told that my mother didn't have much time left. 

“Mom please, don't leave me. I don't know what to do now. We've been evicted from the house and I might lose my job too. How do I raise money for your surgery now?” 

I sobbed harder, my tears drenching the blankets. I had forgotten how to breathe, it was like my whole world had crashed in a single night. 

“Marry me..” 

Rowan's words echoed in my head, and no matter how much I tried to deny it, I knew this was my only way out of this. I needed the money for my mother, and I couldn't stand the bullying anymore. 

“I can't believe I'm doing this.” I sniffed, getting off the bed. “I'll be right back mom. I'm so sorry for doing this to you.” I mumbled before walking out of the hospital ward.

I left for RW Enterprise, knowing that I would find Rowan there. It had only been two hours since I left, and even though the media had dispersed, there were still a few of them hanging around and waiting for Rowan's testimony. 

Sneaking in through the back, I made my way back to his office and found him smoking a cigar with his eyes fixed on the screen of his computer. He didn't bother lifting his eyes, and the silence between us stretched on for two excruciating minutes. 

“Mr Robinson.” I cleared my throat. “I am ready to marry you.” 

He finally looked up with a smug grin on his face. “Wise decision, Miss O'Reilly.”