Death wish

Rachel

"Sara, you will not believe what happened last night."

I stood right next to Collins' bed. He had left to go meet with some investors. Collins has been the man I dream about ever since his mom introduced us. This man does not know how to stop working. He has no time for himself, and definitely no time for women.

"Did you see the videos and pictures I sent?"

"I was walking right next to the man I want to marry."

I switched the call to video so we could see each other's faces.

I had on a pink nightgown. Then I sat down at the edge of Collins' bed.

"Guess where I am right now?"

"At Collins' place?" Sara said.

"Not just at his place. I am sitting on his bed."

"Wow. He already trusts you that much."

"Yes, he does. Mr Collins is a very busy man. Remember the launch event yesterday? Girl, did you watch the live stream of his antivirus software launch?"

"I saw the pictures of you two on the red carpet."

"He held me so close to him. I almost got wet. When I say almost got wet, I mean it for real. I was basically his wife at that event. There was so much drama about who owned the software. Mr Collins is a genius. He wrote special codes to unlock the software."

"I saw the news online this morning."

"I am on his bed right now." I smiled at my phone screen.

"Did you two sleep together?" She asked right away.

"That is what I wanted to happen. But I think he was too tired. He finally sees me as his fiancee."

"Rachel, since he is the one who invited you over, why do you not ask him for a job at his company? That is another way to stay close to him. The closer you are to him, the better your chance of marrying him."

"Great idea." I nodded. "I did not even think about that. He told me he has been so busy with the antivirus software, that is why he had no time for his office work or for me. But now, he is free."

"Rachel, I have a fun secret for you." She dropped her voice.

"What... what is it?" I asked, moving my phone closer to my face.

"Always wear sexy clothes. Let your nipples be visible through the fabric. This is your chance. If you mess this up, it will be very hard to get another one. When I say sexy clothes, I am not talking about what you have on right now."

"What do you mean?" I stood up so she could see how short the nightgown was. I pointed the phone camera at my body.

"You need to wear a bra and shorts when you cook."

"Hmmm." I hummed. "That is a great idea. If that is the case, get online. Let us shop for underwear together."

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Collins

I could not believe I got my software back. Luke and that maid of his who stole it could not win. I am so glad I hid a security wall that showed up when they did not expect it.

Right now, I am in a meeting with the investors Luke had contacted. I am going to sue Mr Luke for stealing my software. He planned the whole thing.

The meeting was set for ten in the morning and I got here early. As I got out of my car, a message came from Rachel.

"Honey. What should I cook for you? I forgot to ask before you left. You should have eaten something before you went out."

I looked at the message while I walked toward the building.

"I do not think I will be home early. Cooking anything would be a waste. I guess you are leaving this morning. Make something for yourself."

I sent the message and waited to see if she would reply. Nothing came.

The glass door opened and I went straight to the receptionist.

"I am here to see Mr Francis Dean."

"Good morning, sir. Mr Collins?" She smiled and led me to Mr Francis' office.

The door opened and I saw Mr Francis typing on his computer.

"Mr Collins." He stood up right away. He was much older, almost sixty.

"I am so happy you came to this meeting." He turned to his receptionist. "Bring us some wine." Then he sat down and spoke to me.

"Mr Collins, the event yesterday proved you are the real owner of that software. I have told my legal team to stop all communication with Mr Luke." He paused and looked at me to see if I would say something. I did not.

"What do you want? My company wants the software."

"I am not ready to sell that software yet. There is still a lot to do."

"Like what? Do you have someone else to sell it to?"

"No. When I am ready, I will contact you. I came here to tell you that the software belongs to me."

Right when I was about to stand up, my phone started ringing. On the screen, I saw my mom's number.

"Mom." I said, and she cut me off.

"Come to my house. I just got back from the hospital. We need to talk right now. You better hurry before it is too late."

"Okay. Give me a few minutes." The call ended. I looked at Mr Francis and stood up.

"I need to go. I have something very important to deal with."

"Please, think about my offer and call me back." He stood up and we shook hands.

I left his office fast and rushed out. What was going on with my mom that she needed me so quickly?

I got in my car and drove away. Inside the car, my heart started pounding. Nothing mattered to me as much as my mom.

I remembered what my dad said before he died.

"I am giving you my wife. Give her whatever she needs to stay strong. It is not your job to take care of her."

I shook my head, fighting not to cry.

When I stopped in front of my mom's house, I saw someone at her window, moving the curtains to see who had arrived. Mr Amos, my mom's male friend.

Every time I saw him, I felt like he was trying to take my dad's place.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him the moment I opened the door.

"Is that how you say thank you to someone who saved me?" My mom said, turning her eyes at me.

"Why did you not call me first?"

"This is not about who got here first. It is about your mom's life." Amos said, sounding angry.

I walked straight to my mom. She looked weak.

"If you are not okay, let us go back to the hospital. You should not have come home."

"Collins, I have been hiding something from you." Tears fell from her eyes.

"What is it?" I asked right away.

"I have been fighting stage three cancer. I am dying."

"What? And you did not tell me this whole time?" My voice got loud.

"I am sorry. The person you are angry with encouraged me to tell you. Collins, I need a grandchild. That means I want you to get married. Now. Before I die."

“And have you kept aside for me to married? I haven’t found the my love of my life….”

“Rachel. I want you to settle down with her, even it is a contract marriage. I need a grandchild. This is my wish before I die.”