/ Myrtle's Point of View /
"You don't have to pay for anything. Just be my wife."
And there he goes again. Every time he says that, it makes me mad but flustered at the same time.
I punched his chest and went away. I can't believe him. I'm in a middle of a dilemma, and he still has the guts to tell me that.
I was about to march away when he suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Please, Myrtle," he begged like a puppy.
I pulled my hand from him and glared nonchalantly. "I don't want to talk about it, Sean. I have a lot of dreams and ambitions. Marriage is not part of it. I'm sorry," I said and ran away.
All of a sudden, tears started to flow from my eyes. I don't know why my heart feels heavy and tight. I don't know if what I am feeling is regret.
Why would I be regretful? I wouldn't say I like Sean.
My eyes were blurry because of the tears covering my eyes. Then, I bumped into someone. He held my shoulders, and I looked at him.
It's Yohan.
"Myrtle, why are you crying?" Yohan spoke in concern.
My tears flowed even more aggressively when he asked me. I felt awkward.
"I don't know, Yohan. I mean, should I marry a man I barely even know just for money? Ridiculous, right? Why am I even asking you this? I'm sorry," I spoke hysterically.
He looked and smiled at me like a lost kitten looking for its mom.
"Who are you going to marry? Aren't you nineteen?" he asked.
"How did you know?"
"Just a hunch. You're the only one who could answer your question. If you love that man, then it's no big deal to marry him. But, I will not recommend you to marry anyone just yet."
Definitely, I don't love Sean. He is a kind person, and I can see his care towards people. He is also very hardworking, but I need more time to know him.
That's when I can decide whether or not to marry him.
But my mom's life is on the line.
"Thanks, Yohan. I finally come to my senses." I wiped my tears away and forced myself to smile at Yohan.
He tucked my hair behind my ears and whispered, "If you need me, I'll always be at the cafe." After he said that, he walked away.
I need to talk to Sean.
...
After walking along the busy streets to refresh my mind, I went back to Sean's condo. I saw him reading a book with his glasses on.
He looked handsome.
"You're here," he said and glanced at me with a smile.
"Obviously?" I said.
He stood up and grabbed Rudolph in his arms. He rubbed Rudolph's head, and the cat snuggled itself on Sean's lap.
I took all my strength and clenched my fist. I knelt down on the floor in front of Sean.
"Please lend me fifty billion dollars," I begged.
I know I was pathetic, but I had no other choices left. All the jobs here don't fit me, and the money I will get will never be enough even if it does.
Sean, just, please.
This time, if he asks me to be his wife.
I will marry him.
This is just a bargain.
"Let's have a deal, miss Myrtle. Be my wife, and I'll give you the money you need," he told me in a calm tone.
I glanced at him with my eyes still flowing with tears. I can't believe this would happen to me.
"I can't marry you! I barely even know you!" I screamed, expecting that he could probably change his mind about marrying me.
But I was wrong.
He held my shoulders and lowered his body to mine. My face is just one inch apart from him.
"Will you risk the death of your mom and your college? Or will you marry me, and I'll assure you and your family a comfortable life?" he muttered and smirked at me.
Myrtle, this is just a deal. A clear bargain! So, there's definitely nothing to worry about.
Once I get the money I need and send my mom to Switzerland, I'll immediately divorce Sean.
"Fine, mister Sean, I'll marry you. But remember, this is just a deal."
He stood up and smiled at me. His eyes seemed like he was the happiest person alive.
I wonder if he has other ulterior motives in marrying me, I hope he doesn't.
I sat on the couch and fidgeted my fingers. I don't know what to feel. My emotions are getting tangled up with each other.
"Should we get the wedding started tomorrow?" he asked and sat down beside me.
I widened my eyes at what he said. "What? Are you crazy?" I said.
"Just kidding. I know this marriage is just a bargain. So, we need to sign a contract."
A contract, that's great.
...
The next day, we fixed the contract and signed it together.
There were several rules that both of us must observe.
First, this marriage will last until my mom finally gets healed.
Second, I will act as a business partner to Sean.
That's why he wanted to marry me. He needed a partner because his parents were forcing him.
I don't mind since he said I don't have to worry about anything. Furthermore, this is a win-win situation for both of us.
He gets his business partner, and I get the money. Ta-da!
Third, even if we're married, we shouldn't sleep together in the same room or even touch each other.
Fourth, we will still act casual when we're alone, but we must act like a sweet couple when we're with his family.
Ugh, I hate that.
And last, nobody must fall in love.
Piece of cake.
I looked at Sean sitting beside me with his blue eyes staring directly at my soul.
That's when I wondered these past days, does he like me?
Since the day we first met, he has been giving me mixed signals, but I think all of these are a part of his plan.
"I can't believe I'll be marrying you," he spoke and moved closer to me.
"Stop. You can't kiss me. It's part of the rules," I said and looked away because I was blushing.
His proximity is making me nervous!
"Alright. Thank you, Myrtle," he said.
"No, thank you. Once everything is settled and great, we can marry already," I replied.
"Uhm, by the way, I haven't told my family yet," I added and looked back at him.
"Do you want us to go to your province?"
I felt a burst of excitement and joy in my blood. I had never felt this sensation in a while.
"Are you sure?" I asked him.
He nodded. "Anything for my betrothed."
...
Days passed like just any other typical day. I still work at the cafe, and Sean goes to his company almost every day. I barely even see him at his condo since he got busier also because of the wedding. I feel pretty guilty because I couldn't do anything to help him with OUR marriage. Our fake marriage.
Also, I see Yohan there every time at the cafe. We talked to each other more often.
"Myrtle, have you already thought of marrying the guy you just met?" Yohan asked while we leaned on the cafe wall, watching the cars pass through the road.
Should I tell him that I will marry that guy I just met?
Well, there's nothing wrong with telling him about it anyway.
"Yeah," I replied.
At first, he was shocked as expected, but he morphed a smile.
"I want to meet your future husband, Myrtle," he said.
I imagined Sean and Yohan meeting each other. They're both handsome and rich. I don't think I could take too many visuals simultaneously.
"Sure. If he's not busy with his work, I could bring him here. Well, he also fetches me up here sometimes."
"That's great. I'll meet the lucky guy." Yohan returned back inside the cafe, and I sighed.
Tomorrow, Sean and I will be going to my province and talking to my parents. I'm nervous because my dad will surely get mad at me.
He's probably going to think that I am apathetic and a filthy wench while my mom is fighting for her life.
Oh, papa, I hope you understand.
"Myrtle! Shift time!"
Right, I need to work.
...
The day has passed with me only thinking about my family's possible reaction to my sudden marriage announcement with a handsome, rich guy.
While I was mopping the cafe floor, Sean walked inside the cafe like the owner.
"What are you doing here?" I stopped mopping and wiped my hands.
"I am here to fetch my wife," he said and looked at his watch.
"I am not yet your wife, just to remind you."
"My wife-to-be in a few days."
"Oh, so this is the lucky guy?" Yohan went back to the cafeteria while holding a big sketch pad on his right arm. He looked at Sean with a gaze I couldn't explain.
"Nice to meet you." Yohan handed his hand, and Sean confusedly looked at Yohan's hand.
"Who are you?" Sean said.
"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Yohan Alexandre, Myrtle's friend. Actually, we're really great friends right now," Yohan replied in a bit haughty tone.
What's with the tension between the both of them? I thought they would get well together?
And I never knew Yohan's last name was Alexandre.
"Hi, Yohan. I am happy that my wife has a friend in this city. However, Myrtle, don't you have other friends? I mean, girl-friends?" Sean looked at me.
"Of course I do. Yohan is also my friend. Are you jealous of him?" I teased Sean.
"No. You are already my wife-to-be. You are mine, and nobody says otherwise. Why would I get jealous of something I already have?"
Oh, great heavens! Please take this man away from me.
"Anyway, nice to meet you, Mr. Alexandre. It's a pleasure to know that my wife is in great company."
Send grabbed my waist and pulled me to him while still staring at Yohan.
"Let's go, darling."
What the heck?