Chapter 5_ "How Dare You?"

Vanessa struggled to break the kiss but he seemed to hold her with an iron fist. After he was done, he finally let go. Manuel wanted to speak, only to receive a slap from Vanessa. "How dare you kiss me?" She yelled at him.

She wanted to slap him again and he held her. A nurse suddenly appeared in the scene. "The patient in ward 6" she said briefly. She knew who Vanessa was so she had to inform her about the health of her grandma.

By the time Vanessa got there, she met her grandma in a critical state.

Vanessa broke down instantly, crying. She couldn't stand seeing Nanay suffer so much because of her incompetence.

"Granny, please stay with me. I promise to get the money today. I'll make sure you don't die, please hang on" she pleaded.

Vanessa couldn't control the tears that poured down her eyes.

While she was inside the ward lamenting her pains, Manuel was outside watching her. Adrian soon arrived.

"Have you done what I asked?" He asked Adrian and he responded.

"Yes, boss. Here are the reports" he extended the files to him. Manuel briefly went through the documents he was given. "She's owing $250,000?" He asked rhetorically.

That isn't a large amount and he could cover for it.

"Have you contacted doctor smith?"

"We'll be transferring her grandmother from this hospital tonight" he declared.

Adrian was about leaving to carry out the transfer when he called him back. "Do not forget to make sure that this hospital never opens again." He added.

Manuel soon left the hospital. Vanessa was in the ward when some medical personnel came In to take her grandma away. "What's going on? Who are you people?" She questioned them but they ignored her.

Before she could fight and try to stop them, two men from nowhere came and dragged her away. She fought hard with them.

"Please, don't take her away. I will pay back the money." She begged. Vanessa thought that it was doctor George who ordered that her grandma should be taken away because she owed him. Vanessa was forced into a car and was taken away by the men. She couldn't help but cry her heart out, frightened, that she has lost her chance of saving her grandmother.

As they arrived at the mansion, Vanessa was confused. Why was she brought back to Manuel's villa?

They took her inside until they reached the living room where Manuel was sitting on a couch.

She was asked to take her seat facing him.

"What's going on Manuel, why do you have to do with all of these? what do you gain from it" She questioned him angrily. Her tone increased as she spoke. Vanessa was so frustrated. Manuel loved seeing her boil in anger. It pleases him to know that his actions have an effect on her.

A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he watched her react to it. With one hand gesture, he ordered one of the bodyguards to take the documents to her. Vanessa collected it hesitantly and she read only the heading and it stated, boldly, marriage agreement. She frowned her face at him. "I told you already, I'll never get married to you again, no matter what!" She declared. Manuel wasn't convinced that she meant it.

Since he had so many advantages over her, "Your grandma is in my custody, right now. In one of my hospitals, she needs urgent surgery to be performed on her which costs about a million. I already cleared your previous debt, which means that you're indebted to me, Vanessa." He explained.

Vanessa Was shocked, she didn't expect him to find out about her sick grandmother. it was her biggest secret.

"What!" She exclaimed in shock as she frowned at him. "You took my grandma? How dare you?" She flared up at him. Vanessa tried to attack him but the guards held her back. "Let her" Manuel ordered briefly and they did. She came at him and he grabbed her and forced her to sit on his thighs. Vanessa realized what he did and she tried to slap him.

Manuel was more powerful than her, he made her lay on the couch with one swift movement and he was on top of her. Vanessa felt irritated. His whole weight was on her and she felt crushed beneath him. Manuel gestured for the guards to excuse them which they did with immediate effect.

"Let go!" She demanded.

"No, I won't. Until you give me a response. Will you marry me?" He asked.

"No, never!" she Declared, struggling under him. "Then say goodbye to your grandmother " he threatened.

She was forced to stare into his cold dark eyes. He furrowed his thick eyebrows, staring at her. Vanessa could see the anger in his eyes.

"Let me go!" She made a demand, pushing him away with all of her strength and when he finally let her leave, she jerked up from the couch.

"I want to see my grandma. Now!"

"You have to pay me $250,000 if you wish to see her. That's my condition. Or you marry me" He stated.

"You do not have to worry about any expenses after that. I will cover up for her treatments too. Remember, you only have tonight to decide." He explained and paused.

"I'll send a wedding dress and the documents to you. If you're interested, meet me tomorrow at the marriage registry. 8 a.m, do not be late" he declared before leaving.

Vanessa was lost in thoughts as she stared at the documents laying on the stool in front of her. What decision should she make? Marrying the same man who betrayed her In the past and made her go through so much pain? She was devastated, trying to figure herself out.

She couldn't bare the thoughts of being married to Manuel and being a Mrs. Howells again. With quivering hands, she picked up.the documents from the stool and she read through them carefully. Her grandma needs this, she also does.