Chapter # 2

"We are here to ask for your hand in marriage for our Boss; Christian Elvis."

I blinked and said, "Come again?" Thinking I might have heard wrong. "We ask for your hand in marriage for our boss; Christian Elvis." I remained stoic. I just can't comprehend it.

"Christian Elvis? The Billionaire who divorced his wife a few years ago?" I choose my words cautiously not to anger them by talking bad about him. They just gave me a nod. And my whole being stopped when I heard that. My mind became hazy as the mystifying clouds filled my mind.

"Why?" That's the only question I can ask.

"He requires a beautiful and innocent girl. And we believe that you are perfect for him." Upon hearing this anger took over me as I stood up and glared at them.

"Well, I refuse this proposal. Now, Please kindly leave." I said trying to not sound rude despite the fact that I want to kick them out.

They stood up and gave me a card which I tore the moment they handed me. They smirked at my action as if they expected me to do that.

"Even if we are not as rich as him but we are happy in our little life," I stated, so these imbeciles would understand that I am not a sellout.

They were about to leave but they stopped at the doorstep.

"Think about it carefully. He'll afford all the expenses of your brother's treatment and in a better hospital as well as give your mother a separate home to spend her life peacefully." One of the men said as he put the card on the table.

"Think carefully. It's a chance of a lifetime." He smirked and left.

After they left, I grit my teeth in anger and take the card in my hands. I threw it away and was about to storm off to my room but mother held my arm.

I looked at her and narrowed my eyes at her. She opened her mouth to say something but decided to close it afterwards. 

Like she was trying to tell me something but couldn't. Very proficiently, she decided to change the sentence as she said, "I leave the decision to you." She said firmly and left.

I sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling. Being unable to sleep I just stare aimlessly. Immerse in thoughts and uncertainties, I closed my eyes.

Christian Elvis, A 29 years old billionaire. A divorcee, how can I marry someone who is too older than me and is already divorced. Why would he want to marry me in the first place? I have never seen him, even in the pictures. 

But, they will help to transfer Eugene to a better hospital and also give my mother a home- what I always want. But, If I marry him, I'll be known as a Gold-Digger that married him just for money, even though it's true still, I still don't want this. I can't marry the person I don't even know, love is a distant matter.

I just don't know what I should do.

Losing myself deep in the thoughts, I didn't realize that morning came and I haven't slept at all. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to go into a deep slumber for whatever time I have left.

Mother wakes me up, two hours before my work because the hotel is too far from here. I got ready and was about to leave but mother stopped me. I looked at her.

"Nothing. Go." She smiled and I tilt my head in confusion. Shrugging off my shoulders, I left for work.

At work, I just can't shake this thought off, even for a second.

"Sophie!" Candice called me as I looked at her in confusion.

"Eat, the tea-break will end soon." She said, shoving a cupcake in her mouth. I also took a cupcake and ate it too.

After a tiresome day, I went to see Eugene. I entered his room and smiled sadly, looking at him, covered in medical equipment. I took a seat and began to say,

"Eugene, some people came to ask for my hand in marriage to Christian Elvis. I know he is rich and all but I don't want to marry him. But, he will help me to treat you in a better hospital. I don't know what I should do.

This all will stop if you wake up. Please, my brother, wake up and save me.

I don't want it. If you wake up, everything will be normal and I don't have to marry him. Please Eugene save me. Please wake up..." I said as tears began to fall from my eyes uncontrollably. 

But no matter how many times I pleaded with him to wake up using different reasons, he didn't move an inch.

Feeling disheartened, I came home. Mother was waiting for me. I hugged her and freshened myself. We were having dinner in silence but mother asked,

"Have you thought about it?" I nodded and said, "I'll reply to them tomorrow." I said and left to my room. I couldn't sleep as I was lying on my bed. Mother knocked and entered. 

My gaze was fixed on the ceiling. I sensed my mother sitting beside me and putting her hand over my forehead and caressing it sweetly. I smiled and continued to look above.

"Sophie, What are you gonna say?" Mother asked. I turned and snuggled with my mother.

"I don't know what I should do. We definitely need money but this doesn't feel right."

"I am not forcing you but remember, A better treatment for Eugene. You know that there's no hope for him to wake up with the current treatment and we don't have money for better treatment."

"And you? A place for you to live, Mother?" I asked thinking she might be interested in it but no. She chuckled and said.

"I'm old, sweetie and have lived enough. I'll gladly spend my life here." I hid my face in her lap and said, "But I said that I'll give you a house on my own."

"It's alright... You can't fulfill all your dreams.." She advised me as I nodded and went to sleep in her arms.

The next day, since it's Sunday and my holiday, I took a deep breath and called them. But my egoistic part interrupted as I was about to cut the call but didn't. We need the money and maybe it's an escape for us from this.

"Hello." I heard a voice. Mentally preparing my mind, I answered, "Hello, I am Sophie Skye, I accept your proposal." I heard a chuckle as my being became outraged. 

"Very Well. We will talk about it further later." He said and cut the call. I scoffed and sat on the bed. Mother rubbed my back to calm my vex form down and I pulled my hair in frustration.

It's all right, I am doing this for all of us. We all can live a better life after it...

It's been a week and there's no reply from them and somewhere in my heart, I am happy about it. Just when I thought that it was all a realistic dream and we are back to normal the bell rang.

 I muttered something under my breath because my mother was cooking and I had to open the door. I opened the door and saw them again, this time smiling at me. I gave them a bewildered look but soon my face change as I forced a smile and welcomed them,

"What brings you here?" I asked politely.

"We would like you to have dinner with Sir Christian."