The card

I was still on the spot, holding the card tightly with my trembling hand. My co-workers had already gathered, whispering like they always did. Some even praised me for collecting a card from a billionaire, but none of them knew what the deal was about.

They were very curious and started asking different questions.

“Isabella, do you know him before?”

More questions followed, but I couldn’t answer any of them because I was totally confused.

Aria, one of my good friends at the restaurant, approached me professionally and started a conversation.

“Did you know him?”

I didn’t answer. She continued.

“What did he want? Why did he give you his card?”

I kept mute, not knowing how to explain myself. My heart was seriously racing.

Everyone was quiet, like the whole restaurant was waiting for me to speak.

Suddenly, a cruel and unusual laugh broke out loudly. Lura and Earnshaw were mocking me. They didn’t really believe a billionaire would speak to me or give me his card, despite seeing the card in my hand.

Some of my co-workers became jealous silently, while others thought I was lucky.

Casually, Lura came near me, facing Earnshaw.

“Isabella, you are just dreaming. What did you think? The billionaire was just being polite, and that doesn’t mean anything.”

She paused and laughed mockingly before continuing.

“Do you think he can admire someone like you?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t even answer because of the tension in my body.

I was speechless, just staring at the card as if it were a symbol of life. The manager looked very curious and concerned. She intervened and called me privately.

“Isabella, what did Alexander Lucas ask from you?” she asked eagerly.

“Ma’am, he was…”

Immediately, she interrupted me, her tone becoming more serious and harsh.

“Do you know who that man is?”

A heavy silence followed.

She continued, “He is powerful and very influential, and he comes from a dangerous family. Isabella, I’m warning you — do not have anything to do with him, because any move he makes is final.”

“Yes, no problem. I will keep my distance from him,” I replied respectfully.

I returned to work, but my mind was still on the card. I kept staring at it secretly. I couldn’t focus on work. I tried my best not to make it obvious, but my hands kept shaking endlessly, and I couldn’t stop it.

My racing thoughts began to imagine impossible things.

Going into a contract marriage… not because of love, but because of money. No, I couldn’t accept the offer. Immediately, I remembered the hospital setting, Amelia’s worsening condition, and the doctor’s pressure. But if I could get the five million dollars, I would surely save her, because she was my first and foremost priority.

I continued to struggle emotionally.

Again, my phone rang. It was the hospital emergency section calling. As I was about to pick up the call, a customer approached me and asked for my service. Before I could finish, the call ended. Immediately, a text message arrived.

“Hello, Miss Isabella, Amelia’s condition is getting worse because of the funds you could not provide. We now need urgent payment.”

The message was short and emotional. I read it over again. The main purpose of the message was the urgent need for payment.

I couldn’t get money anywhere unless I accepted the contract marriage offer. Today was only the 12th of the month, and my salary was nowhere near. I was getting closer to accepting the offer, but it wasn’t a good option — to sell my life entirely for one year.

I continued thinking about how I could get money. The tension inside me was becoming more obvious. Trying to stay away from mocking, I asked to use the restroom. I went there and started crying silently.

I couldn’t withstand all the pressure anymore. Staring at the card in my hand, I continued crying, hoping the tears would wash away the tension and ease my body.

It was already getting to 6 p.m. I would be closing soon, but today I was working a double shift. Once I closed by 6 p.m., I would resume the night shift by 10 p.m.

I had no option but to work long hours to earn extra money. But even earning more didn’t save me. It was never enough to pay all the bills and sustain myself.

It was 6 p.m. on the dot. I had finished work, and the restaurant was preparing to close and reopen by 10 p.m. for night service.

I couldn’t go home to refresh myself, because of the transport fare, so I stayed behind waiting for the night shift. The leftover chicken at the restaurant, I quickly ate them when hunger was almost cutting off my breathing.

I sat outside the restaurant when another debt collector called me. She began threatening me, but I pleaded, trying to explain my situation. She didn’t want to listen. Angrily, she promised to sue me if I refused to pay within the next three days.

Everything was getting too close.

I was still at the restaurant premises, walking around and waiting for the night shift.

Alexander Lucas’s business card was still in my hand as I contemplated my next move.

Still waiting for the restaurant to reopen, the night was so silent, like I was the only one left in the world. The streetlights and cars speeding on the highway were the only things I could see and feel.

It was almost time for the restaurant to reopen. Working overnight again, I was so tired. I started considering calling Alexander Lucas to discuss the offer, because right now, I was left with no option.

Now I could clearly see that working both day and night could not solve my problems. It only made me tired and used.

I made up my mind to call him and discuss. But the main reason I was getting myself into this was solely because of my sister and the need to find shelter for myself.

Slowly, I brought out the card from my bag…