Chapter three: A Cry For Help

I stood before Bertram Corporation. I felt small and insignificant. The building was like one big robot that could easily lift a leg and crush me.

I gulped. What was I doing? I viewed my clean but rumpled clothes before the glass door of the empire. I was here. I was really here.

The complimentary card was with me. I stared at the gold written letters that spelled the name of the man who owned all of this. I straightened my wrinkled skirt, took a deep breath and walked in. I was doing this for Lexie.

He had given it to me the day I had turned down his proposal, I had almost rejected this too. But I had just accepted it and hightailed it out of there, with an annoyed Lexie following behind. Lexie.

She was currently battling for her life and if care was not taken, she would die. No, I would not let that happen. Lexie had gone out of her way to help me. I was still living in her house and barely contributing, yet she had not complained.

I could do this. I took another deep breath as people were scattered strategically everywhere as though they had been placed there for some reasons.

I spotted the receptionist desk and forced my jelly legs to walk up to the young lady manning the desk. "Good morning."

A professional yet warm voice greeted me. "Good morning ma'am. How may I help you?" She was not minding my rough appearance.

I had almost thought she would call security to chase me out of the building. But she was doing none of that. Her smile was still in place and her cool eyes assessed me professionally.

And even when she had taken note of my dressing that screamed 'I don't belong here', she did not scrunch her face in disgust.

"I need to see Mr. Bertram." I said

"Do you have an appointment?" She inquired.

I shook my head. "No."

"Then I'm sorry, you can not see him without an appointment." She stated, not with malice but with the tone of someone who was just doing their job.

"Please, it's urgent." I pleaded. I could not leave without seeing him.

"I'm sorry miss. That is the ru..."

"Riana Tanning, we meet again." Same stormy grey eyes that I found myself remembering for no reason coolly assessed me.

I felt quite ashamed of what I wore and the way his eyes traveled over my frame, I wanted to run out of there and not come back. But I was here for Lexie. I needed to remember that.

"Good morning, Mr. Bertram." I greeted despite my shame.

"To my office." He commanded and not bothering to see if I was following, he turned and walked back to an elevator I presumed be had just left.

I followed sheepishly and entered the elevator with him. Being in an enclosed space with him felt very uncomfortable. I could not look at his face. And he was silent all through the ride up.

The elevator dinged its destination and opened when it got to the last floor.

"I do not want to be disturbed." His tone was stern.

The lady working at a desk, — could be his secretary — nodded. "Alright sir."

I walked into office with him. I was greeted with a cold air that was refreshing as it was a bit chilling.

"Sit." He ordered. His face no longer held the humor or amusement it had held few days ago at thrift store where I used to work.

I immediately obeyed, gingerly seating on one of the chairs opposite him.

He opened his drawer and brought out a file. He slid it across the desk. "Here. You can sign it now or take it home with you. When you're satisfied with the terms, you can sign and send across to me."

I frowned. "What am I signing, Mr. Bertram?"

He eyed me in slight annoyance. "What are you here for, Riana? If not for the contract marriage agreement signing."

"No. Of course not. I'm here for something else entirely." Was he still on this marriage stuff?

"What are you here for then?" He frowned, staring intently at me.

My eyes filled then because for some reason, I knew he might not help. "Uhm...I need your help, Mr. Bertram." He kept mute, still watching me. "You see, my friend is sick. Really sick. And she could lose her life if she does not get treatment. Please, Mr. Bertram, I...I need your help." The tears ran down my cheeks uncontrollably now.

I quickly wiped them away and composed myself seeing as he was still watching me as a suspicious mother hen would a hawk that was hovering around her chicks.

"If you're not here to sign the contract marriage agreement, then you can leave, Miss Tanning." His expression was blank, his tone dismissive.

"N-no, I can not leave. Please help me." I pleaded. I had no one else to turn to. Lex had been so kind to me, because of her, I was not out on the streets, sleeping on benches and begging for food.

"You can only have access to my money when you become my wife. Other than that, I have nothing to give to you." His jaw was set, his eyes were hard and unsmiling. He was dead serious.

"You have this money, why won't you help me? I don't want to get married. I don't even know you and you don't know me as well. Okay, I promise to repay the debt. Please." I tried one last time. I was desperate and frustrated.

"Have a good day, Miss Tanning." It was no longer Riana, but Miss Tanning.

I could not marry him. No, I would not marry him. I picked myself and whatever shred of dignity I had left and walked on shaky legs to the door. My head filled with thoughts on how to go about this certain problem in my life.

My hand on the doorknob, I turned. "Please, Mr. Bertram. Save my friend's life. Please!"

"The agreement is here on the table. That's the only way you will have access to my wealth." He deadpanned.