Chapter 2

After leaving Sean's office, I headed straight for the hospital. Earlier when I left there mom wasn't in a good condition but I had to leave because of my appointment with Sean. I'm relieved that I'm done with that part, before going in, I was nervous as I was fearing what was to come. What his reaction might be or what he would say regarding showing up in his office and asking for help out of the blue.

It didn't go exactly the way I had pictured. I imagine him to blow up and mock me for crawling back to him not thinking of what I did to him. I imagine him laughing at my face and calling me out on my stupid. I imagined that I would cry out of his office and regret ever going in but things didn't go the way I had pictured it in my head.

Earlier when he was quiet I thought he wasn't going to help or perhaps might give an excuse not to help.

I dip my right hand right hand into my jacket and reach for the box housing the ring he had given me earlier.

"Of course, it's going to be fake. The company shareholders want me to get married to keep my inheritance, something about a will my late father left before he passed on. So, I'll agree to help you if you can pose as my fiancé"

His words from earlier made a resounding echo in my brain. He needs help in keeping his inheritance and I need money to pay my mom's bill. We're both getting something out of the union. I could have agreed easily, I mean right on that spot as long as he's willing to help me.  I would do anything and everything he could ever ask.

I looked over at where my mom was lying down, sleeping peacefully and sighed. I have made up my mind already, I'm going to do whatever it takes to take care of her even if it involves pretending to be my ex boyfriend's finance.

~~~~~

"What? You're pretending to be his fiancee!" My best friend, Kayla, exclaimed after I explained the outcome of my meeting with Sean two days ago. Kayla was surprised, she wasn't expecting that outcome, I wasn't also. It was her idea to meet Sean for help, at first I thought it was a lame idea but I eventually gave in to it when I had weighed my other options. It's the least obscure out of three that I had.

"Man that's insane" she lamented and I nodded.

"How long does he say you're going to be together?" She asked and took a sip of her coffee.

"We haven't concluded, he only proposed it to me"

Kayla was there when I dared Sean so he knows about the nasty break up and what led to it. Though Sean knew nothing other than I dumped his ass. I haven't gotten over him ever since. I tried dating other guys but it didn't work. My longest ever relationship after him wasn't up to three months and eventually I gave up.

"Do you think he has other motives behind it?"

"I don't think so. He probably had problem and I'm the most available person for the job, he talked about how easily convincing it will be to say he got back with his ex girlfriend and proposed to her"

"Oh, that's true. "

"Are you going to do it?" She asked, looking worried. I know her fears, letting someone you love go is hard more or less being with them under a pretense a few years later while you haven't gotten over them.

"I don't know yet, I'm undecided. I never really think much about it" I sighed.

"It's going to be okay," she assured.

Kayla and I discussed some minutes more, catching up on each other's life before she left. After that, I went back home. Since I don't have a job, I get to sleep at my own time and get up anytime I like.

I ripped my dress off alongside my underwear and panties before getting into the hut tub. This week has been quite hectic, taking rounds in the hospital, visiting the dog house where I volunteer and trying to make a living.

I close myself and let myself feel the warmth of the water on my body. I know what I need to do, what needs to be done. I need to give Sean his reply soonest. I already made up my mind the minute he offered.

I'm not going to miss a chance to get my mom treated or being by his side. I know things won't be the same between us but I'll appreciate whatever he's willing to give, no matter how little it might be.

I lean upwards and reach for my phone. I scroll on the screen until I reach his name. Hesitating for some seconds before clicking on it, bringing it to the messenger.

With trembling hands I tested

"What other ways can I say yes?" I clicked on send before I changed my mind. I waited for a few minutes and finally gave up on him replying when I heard my phone chimed. I rushed to check and see that Sean had replied. I mentally jumped up.

"Make your first appearance at a ball party tomorrow. I'll send your dress earlier and then pick you up by 7"

Wow.