Golden Ashes

Bella.

My throat was sore, and my chest ached badly because I cried all night. I got up to get ready for another chance in my life before Valerie called again.

“I'm ready,” she uttered. It's been a while, but I never thought I would keep such a thing away from my best friend.

Considering what she was going through, I bid my issues goodbye. I promised to keep everything to myself without letting her find out.

“You can come pick me up from the house. " I had to clear all the bills and I couldn't sleep on time,” I uttered icily, giving her a reason to come get me.

“Why do you sound so sad? I'm going to settle the loans for the time we've lost. " I just can't bring myself to be with Alex,” she assured with a sharp tone.

“It's okay. " I understand, and I won't get in the way of your decision,” I assured, also making me promise myself that I wouldn't stop her.

I panicked about myself, but I was very sure I didn't want to abort my child. I was so unlucky to not have a sibling and the universe sent me a baby? And I wanted to take it out? No.

I didn't know how I was going to do so, but I believed there was going to be a way out of it.

Some minutes later, Bella came to pick me up. I masked my face with a wide grin, as she walked towards me.

“Are you feeling better?” I asked softly, placing my hands on her shoulder.

She quickly tossed my hands off her shoulders.

“I'm not going to feel better till I end all of this,” she angrily replied and walked briskly into the car.

I felt a bit embarrassed by her actions, but I also had to know it was not the perfect time for such.

We drove down to a magnificent mansion that made me so curious, “Is this his house?”

I asked, with my mouth wide open.

“Yeah, I'm tired. Who wouldn't fight to steal this from me?” She retorted angrily.

I walked behind her as we entered the mansion, and the aura I got from staring at each side of the mansion made me curious to know more about who this person was.

“I knew you'd come!” His voice raided my head, and I stopped at that moment.

“Alex, if you're not ready to be committed, why did you pin me down with a ring?” Valerie gnawed.

“A diamond ring?” He retorted, defending himself boldly.

“You are seeing a lot of women, and you want me to remain loyal to you?” She sighed while looking away. I stood silently as I buried my head while facing the ground.

There was so much familiarity in his voice that I could only hear his voice and not Valerie’s.

I was there, but my attention was stolen by my thoughts.

“I'm done with you. You don't love me as you said,” Valerie angrily threw the ring at Alex.

I raised my hand quickly to stop my best friend, but I got a clear glance of Alex and I froze.

The first thing I saw was the same tattoo.

“AB.” I muttered silently as I squinted my eyes to have a good look.

Alex scoffed, and picked up the ring. I stared at his chiseled jawline, his perfectly trimmed beards and broad chest.

“You are her best friend, yeah?” He leaned forward and I was weak in the knees.

Alex, my best friend’s ex-fiance, was the man I was with that night? I blinked a couple of times to have some clarity, to be sure it was no dream.

“Y-yes, yes…” I stammered, as I trembled within.

I shook my head repeatedly as we stood facing each other, yet I couldn't say a word.

“Are you okay?” He asked, and touched my arm. My lips were tightened to a line as my heart fell into my stomach.

“I came to return the cheque and other monetary value as the event planner?” I looked away as my frustration began to wander with fear.

I dropped everything on the gold-plated table beside him, in preparation to leave.

My hands shook as I grabbed my handbag, preparing to walk away from the one thing that made me happy, but as a mistake.

“...and the loans?” he asked, with so much concern.

I stopped and turned, giving him a straight gaze.

“Don't worry about them,” I replied coldly. I was disappointed and at that point, I understood Valerie. He slept with me that night, yet he couldn't remember who I was. This must have happened with other women as well.

“My reputation is at stake here. My business would be greatly affected. I can't risk it,” he uttered, as his throat tightened.

“So?” I asked icily.

“Pretend to be my wife,” his eyes flicked as he stared at me.

“What?” I mouthed silently as I saw him stretch out the same ring Valerie threw at him.

“Yes, I'm serious. I know about you already. You are struggling with your business, and you are trying so hard to pay off huge amounts of loans,” he confessed and I felt like my problems were already known to many.

“I will never cause you to lack and all you have to agree with me is to be my wife. You will pay your loans, and your business will be back on track,” he added.

It felt like I was given a white paper to write down my wishes, but I didn't have a pen.

“I won't do that,” I replied shabbily, and I attempted to walk out.

“Bella, be my contract wife!” He roared, and I froze as the words were repeated in my head.

I turned and faxed at him with tears in my eyes as fear gnawed on me. I couldn't leave without making a decision.

At that point, I realized the love I had for my best friend was tested perfectly. However, I hated the feeling and the struggle I had with my father's demise, my business failures, and paying off loans with my horrible finances.

My pregnancy and future slurred at me. Alex walked towards me and went on his knees with the ring in his hands. His eyes glowed as he stared at me.

He grabbed me gently, and his Adam's apple bobbed, “Bella Anderson, please be my contract wife.”