5

"You're Brian?" I ask.

I need a mental check.

"what can I get you? water or probably mud?" he asked and I felt weak all of a sudden. he flipped through some papers then stood up and slowly walked up to me.

Alright now I'm scared.

"don't worry, I won't hurt you" he said as if reading my thoughts. "I should be mad at you but I must confess that you're indeed very beautiful" he placed his hand on my cheeks but I yanked it away.

Now I know why that man asked if I was his side chick or girlfriend. it's crystal clear. Brian is a flirt. a huge one.

damn the nerves of this guy. who the fuck does he think he is to touch me in such manner?

I should really be feeling bad for what I did to him at dad's workshop but looking at him now, I don't regret anything. he deserves worse than that. I just hope he listens to what I have to say.

"So Ciara. nice name" he said and held my hand. he spun me round and I ended up on him. I quickly pushed him away once I regained my balance.

"please stop all this"

"what's that? you can actually talk politely. have you forgotten what you told me. I'll quote" my parents didn't teach me proper manners before letting a stray dog like me wander from home" so why are you talking to a stray dog?" he asked but I gulped and remained silent.

"please I'll be having a meeting very soon so... " he said glancing at his watch and back at me

"I need your help"

"that's a shocker" he mutters

"I was told to come here. my dad was involved in an accident and someone said that you can help me" I said but he rolled his eyes in an awkward manner.

"Sorry I can't help. tough luck" he said going back but to his chair but held his arm and said

"please. you're my last hope. I don't want to loose my father, he's all I've got" I said almost breaking down.

"you mean your father who ruined my car and had you insult me?" he said searching my eyes for an answer.

"it wasn't his fault. I said everything. he even scolded me because of it. please don't you have a little bit of conscience?" I asked and I immediately thought of what I just said.

"I could help but what do I get in return?" he asked

"I don't understand. they said you guys always help those who needs it. no one said anything about paying back" I tell him

"yours is a little different. cause you literally embarrassed me and I want to do the same to you as well" he tells me making my breath hitch

"but..." I started off

"you can leave once you're done." he tells me

"please. I'll do anything" I say making him stop on his tracks. he turned to face me

"Anything?" he asked. I noticed a smirk on his lips

"yes anything"

"Sex?" he said and my eyes flew open "no you're way to cultured for that. I need to enjoy the game and make you pay for everything you did to me that night" he said and I gasps

he walked up to me and slowly brought his face mine.

"let's play a little game" he said in a whisper and walked back to his chair. he opened his cabinet and brought out some papers and threw it on the table.

"you can read that" he said and I picked it up.

I went through the paper which said if I can't pay up the money in less than three weeks, I'll have to get married to him " I looked at him and he was smiling

"I think you're going insane. you're practically loosing it. you think marriage is, game? it's a sacred bond between two people who wants to spend the rest of their lives together. how dare you?" I yell

"calm down Ciara. I told you you would pay and it seems like the universe is in my favour. " he stood up and walked to me. he went behind my back and whispered "I have you where I want you Ciara. there's nothing you can do about it"

"Actually there is. I will never get married to the likes of you. you're insane to think that I would agree to this. you've lost it." I said in anger.

"Actually you've lost it. you'll loose it very soon and do you know what it is? your precious little father. I have it all but you have nothing" he tells me and I felt the tears build up.

"just sign the papers and I'll see to your father's surgery. nothing will happen if I just make one quick phone call" he said

"never. I will never marry you. you've met the wrong person" I said and was about to pull the door knob when he said

"Let's make a bet. in less than 24 hours. Ciara Smith would come walking right into my office to sign those papers" he said and I scoffed

"in your dreams" I said and rushed out.

I took a cab and went straight to the hospital.

I tried to fight back the tears already forming around the corner of my eyes but it failed me so I just let it pour.

How can I marry him? a guy who has no idea what marriage and love is all about.

I know he wants to punish me for what happened that day by locking me up with him for eternity but I can't let that happen. I have a lot of things I want to achieve.

I have a, lot of dreams as well and a married life with Brian is like a major set back to everything. yes he's rich and influential but I don't want a guy like him.

What would I do now?

I arrived at the hospital and quickly rushed in to meet mom. She was already crying when I got in.

"what's going on?" I ask

"We would loose dad any minute if we don't act fast." Ben told me

"just sign the papers and I'll see to your dad's surgery. nothing will happen to him if I just make one quick phone call" Brian's words kept playing over and over in my head.

"Ben can I talk to you?" i say and he nods. he stood up and we walked a bit further from mom.

"what's up Ciara"

"well... " I started off telling him about Brian and everything he said to me

"I don't know what to do. I'm so confused" I say crying more

"Ciara it's okay" he patted me lightly on my shoulders

"What?" mom yelled startling us.

"mom i.. "

"so you don't want to help your father Ciara. after everything he's done for you? it's just an harmless marriage and you can't take a risk to save your dad?"

"Mom there's more to it than that" I say trying to defend myself

"we took you in and gave you a place to call home and you don't want to help even when you have the chance to? you're just gonna let your dad die?"

"mom please hear Ciara out... "

"one more word from you and you're gonna loose it" she threatens

"I regret the day that I adopted you"

"mom" I said as the tears fell freely from my eyes.

"We should've left you to rot Ciara. I hate you so much" she said and walked away.

I fell to the floor crying my eyes out.

Ben was trying to console me but it wasn't working.

I felt betrayed by the person I called my mother.

I stood up and walked outside.

what will I do now?

I sat down close to a sign post. as the cool evening breeze blew across my face. my face was already wet and sticky.

I was lost in my thoughts thinking of the possibility of a marriage with Brian and my dreams I've set up for myself.

what would happen after I get married to Brian.

What would I do after that.

"Miss, are you okay?" someone said disrupting my thoughts. I ignored and stood up and made my way home.

once I arrived, I fell on my wooden bed. I sat down for hours thinking of what I've just gotten myself into.

on one hand is Brian and on the other hand my family. I have a duty and responsibility towards them.

I guess this was one of those times doing the things your heart may regret.

After all a marriage with Brian won't be as worst as anything I've ever felt in this house so far.

I quickly stood up and got into a cab to Brian's place.

I was quickly directed to meet him.

immediately I got in, he said "you're very desperate. it's not even up to five hours yet. looks like I won" he said but I didn't respond

I quickly walked up to his table and picked up the file and signed it.

"I accept your conditions. I will marry you. you have my word so please save my father"

"Excellent choice Ciara" he said and picked up his cell phone to make a call.

when he, was done, I quickly walked out of his office and went straight to the hospital...

once I arrived, I saw mom and Ben standing in an expectant manner. "what's going on?"

"the doctor is finally ready to start the operation on dad," Ben said and I shook my head "Great"

Ben rushed to hug me "I know it happened because of you. thanks a, lot Ciara" he tells me mom tried to get close but I raised my hand at her and she stopped on her tracks "You don't have to get all mushy on me because I saved dad." I said "thanks Ciara" she said but I ignored

we waited patiently for the doctor until they were done.

After some hours, he walked up to us.

"how is dad?"

"he's alright now and out of danger. we just have to wait till he wakes up" the doctor tells us "thanks a lot"

"you're welcome" he says and walks away

I looked through the glass and saw, dad. my eyes were already sweaty. So I think it's time for my misery to begin..

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