Danger not pressure anymore

My mind spun desperately as I stared closely at the anonymous message blinking on my phone screen.

You have twelve hours left.

My hands trembled. My breath stalled.

Who sent this?


Xavier? The hospital? Someone else?

The number was unknown, nothing familiar, not even look like the one I had ever seen before. For the first time since the struggle, what I felt now wasn’t pressure again. It was a total danger. My chest tightened as confusion swallowed me whole.

Before I could process anything or reply the message, a deep black jeep with tinted windows rolled gently to a stop beside me and parked.

“Hello, miss Lura.”

I froze.

Who knows me here?

“Get in inside the car. It’s me Xavier.”

His voice made me freeze completely, like a fish trapped in snow. I stood on a point for several seconds like a lifeless man, breathing unevenly, on the edge of collapse.

“Why are you sweating like a Christmas goat?” he asked, his tone unexpectedly soft and cut me off.

“Lura, what’s wrong with you? Are you okay? You look mentally unstable.”

“No… I’m okay thanks,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m okay.”

Deeply down I wasn’t okay. I was barely holding myself together. But I didn’t want him to see that weakness in me.

“Alright, if you say so,” he replied bluntly, though his eyes still scanned my face with concern.

“But did you see the message my assistant just sent you?”

“What message?” I asked.

“The quick reminder of twelve hours left before the contract expires.”

I didn’t respond. I just stared out the window, as if he wasn’t speaking to me.

I was totally lost thought. My mind was trapped in one tormenting thought.

How do I save Catherine? How?

As he drove, he noticed my lips moving silently.

“What happened, Lura?” he kindly asked again, louder this time. “Talk to me.”

But I didn’t answer.

That’s when he knew something was seriously wrong.

“Hey, Lura talk, what’s the problem?” he said. “I can actually sort it out with money.”

The word money snapped me back to reality immediately.


But at what cost?

“Xavier, where are you driving me to?” I suddenly shouted. “Let me out of your car right now! I need to see Catherine!”

“Who is Catherine?” he asked. “Tell me.”

“No. It’s not your business. Just drop me here please.”

He sighed softly. “Lura, I’m not trying to harm you with this contract in anyway. It’s very straightforward. Marry me for the agreed months and walk away with three million dollars. Richer.”

“Fine,” I said tightly. “Before the twelve hours are up, I’ll surely give you my answer. But right now, I’m not interested.”

“Okay, Would you like to enjoy yourself?” he asked.

“No,” I replied.

But he still stubbornly drove me to the most expensive bar in the city.

I couldn’t eat anything there. I didn’t even want a snack. I asked only for a bottle of water. My mind was fixed entirely and mainly on Catherine, on keeping her alive.

I didn’t belong there. My worn-out gown made me feel invisible among well polished and wealthy people who looked like they owned the world.

Meanwhile, Xavier was initially full with Alcohol. Too much.

His eyes narrowed into unfocused slits. Minutes later, he was completely intoxicated drunk, loudly telling the waitress to put everyone’s bills on him.

“Wow,” I murmured, stunned.

Soon, I realized he was completely gone.

“Xavier, I’m leaving now,” I said calmly.

“Wow… you didn’t eat or take anything?” he slurred, staring at the empty water bottle In my hand. “Before you go take this.”

He shoved twenty dollars into my hand without counting.

“Wow…”

“Meet me early tomorrow morning at my office,” he added drunkenly. “We’ll continue our business.”

What Business? I thought bitterly. He wasn’t even in his senses anymore.

I didn’t waste time. I left through the staircase because the elevator was crowded with elegant men and women, and I felt too small to stand among them.

outside, cold night air slapped my cheeks.

Will I really marry a heavy drinker who loses control the moment he drinks?


No. Never.

Hurriedly, I walked straight to the hospital, clutching the twenty dollars in my pocket.

I just wanted to deposit something for Catherine’s treatment.

But the doctor’s reaction shattered me.

“Why would you bring twenty dollars here?” he shouted. “Do you think this is a joke? Or you think we are playing here?

Catherine’s condition has worsened. We need at least nine hundred dollars now or she may give up! We already tried our best.”

I walked back in shame to my cramped apartment with hot tears streaming down my face. I collapsed on the edge of my bed, staring at myself in the mirror.

“Lura… you have no option but to sign the contract,” I whispered.

Then louder, “I know what to do.”

I wiped my tears, forcing strength into my shaking hands.

Immediately a nice suggestion came into my mind

“I’ll ask Xavier for an advance payment one point five million dollars. Typically Half of the contract. If he agrees to pay immediately, I’ll sign.”

I wasn’t desperate by anything. I wasn’t doing this for luxury. I wasn’t tempted by his world.

I was only doing this for Catherine.

“That’s the only reason,” I whispered.

“First, I need to tell Xavier. If he agrees, I’ll sign immediately. But he’s not here now… and I have less than four hours before the contract expires.”

Darkness had swallowed the city. And is very cold outside it was around 2am

“I can’t move again. It’s too late. And dangerous for me”

How will I reach Xavier before the contract expires?

Then I remembered the business card he gave me the day we first meet.

I dialed his number.

No answer.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

I called repeatedly, panic squeezing my chest.

“What do I do now?”

Remembering the unknown for his assistant I tried the number.

Unreachable.

I sent a message.

No reply.

“My time is running out,” I whispered, staring at the ceiling. “The contract will expire before morning.”

My voice cracked.

“Will this life-changing contract slip through my fingers… just like that?”