April 24, 2017
One week later...
"Ms. dela Cruz, I'm really sorry for your loss. I know it must be a hard time for you right now but I need to tell you this," Atty. Raul Samonte, an immigration lawyer, told her. "As much as we wanted this to process, it will be a very hard case since your petitioner has passed away before it got approved."
Nikka's tears trickled down her cheeks and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. Atty. Samonte offered her a box of tissues and she took one from it. He placed it in front of her on his desk.
"You see, your immigrant visa is being processed but since the petitioner died before then, your case might not be able to process at all."
"O-okay," she nodded, crying uncontrollably.
Her parents sudden passing had cut a hole in her heart. After finishing an important project, her parents decided a trip to Washington, DC. would help them unwind.
Since it was a holiday and the long weekend would be the perfect time to do this trip. They asked her to come with them but she refused because she was very tired during that week from work and all she ever wanted was to sleep all weekend.
"Are you sure you're going to be fine here, hija?" her mom asked, concerned. Ever since her brother passed away, they have been more protective of her.
"Yes, Mom. I'll be fine," she assured them.
"Just don't forget to lock the doors at night and never let anyone in, okay?" her father reminded her.
She smiled and said, "Yes, dad."
She hugged both of them.
"Always take care, my princess. I love you," her dad said, affectionately and kissed her on her forehead.
"I love you, too, dad," she said, smiling.
"I love you, my dear Nikka," her mom said.
"I love you, too, mom."
And they bid her goodbye as they went into their car. She had no idea that's the last time she would ever see them alive.
They were sending her pictures of their trip, looking so happy. But when they were driving back home, a drunk truck driver hit their car, killing them both in an instant. She felt her world shattered right then and she never felt more alone than ever before.
She tried to compose herself as she asked Atty. Raul what to do next.
"D-Do I have any other options?" Nikka asked.
As much as she liked to go back to the Philippines, it would be harder since she already lived in New York long enough to build her life. Now that her family was gone, she did not even know if sh would ever make it there alone.
"Well, there is. But... I would suggest a much quicker route," revealed Attorney Raul.
The hopeful Nikka looked at him.
"What is it, Attorney?" she asked.
"Through marriage."
"Marriage?"
"Yes, marrying a U.S. Citizen will definitely give you the green card in a few months and I could help you with that."
"But, Attorney, I don't want to pay someone just to get a green card." Its against her morales.
"Of course not. I'm sure Mr. Marcus don't need any of that."
"M-Marcus?! How-"
"He called me yesterday and asked me about the status of your application. He would like to help. I know you might have some issues in the past, and I am not meddling, but as your attorney and a good friend of your family and the Joneses, I suggest you try to consider him."
She nodded and Attorney Raul smiled. "Think about it," as he led her out of her office.
She felt trapped.
How could she consider it when the man that he suggested was the same guy who broke her heart? What if she get hurt again?
He said he wanted for them to start over. To be friends.. like they used to but how can she trust Marcus again when he didn't even consider their friendship when he made a decision years ago?
When he chose to break her heart and left her alone with the guy she thought she could trust....
Last week when they met, it was still painful for her that even if she agreed to start over she could still feel the pain.. the anger. She blamed him for all the things that happened to her.. She could not bear to stay with him for awhile that day and so he brought her back to her apartment. He asked when he could call and catch up. She didn't answer and just said goodbye to him and vowed not to talk to him again.
But here she was in a very tight situation. She thought she can get rid of him again but she was totally wrong.
Fate was bringing them back together and she did not like it. But then, she thought, she could still gain out of this. She could make him suffer.... Make him want her but he could never have her..... Make him fall in love then drop him... just like what he did to her... three years ago...
She took her phone out of her purse and dialed his number. It took three rings before he picked up.
"Hello, Nikka. I'm glad you called. How are you?" asked Marcus.
"I'm fine. Let's just skip the chitchat. Can you pick me up?" she said, coldly.
"S-Sure. Where are you?"
"At Attorney Raul's office."
"Okay. I'll be there. Just give me-" and she hung up.
It left Marcus feeling confused.
About fifteen minutes later, Nikka was inside Marcus' car.
He looked at her closely.
Nikka had that cold look on her face and he wondered what happened last week. He missed her smile but he felt like this would be her new look every time they meet.
He cleared his throat before saying, "S-So, where do we go?"
"Anywhere. You're the driver," she replied without looking at him.
He sighed. It was pretty obvious that even after they had that talk last week, she still could not get past what happened between them.
"Okay. There is a coffee shop nearby. We can go there. They have your favorite Mocha Frappe and you're going to love it," he said trying to be exciting. "I remember I used to buy one all the time whenever I picked you up from school."
Nikka just stared out the window with no reaction and response. She did mot want to remember the good memories they had and it made her angrier because her brain would not let her forget.
Marcus took his right hand away from the steering wheel and reached for her hand. He tried to hold it but she moved it quickly away from him and put it on her lap.
"Nikka-"
"Let's stop this nonsense and just go down to business shall we?" she snapped.
"I don't understand."
"You know exactly why I called you."
He stopped the car and parked it in front of a coffee shop.
"What business?" he asked, confused.
"Oh come on, Marcus! Don't tell me you're going to deny it," she spat out. "You called Attorney Raul to check up on the status of my immigration application and gave him the idea."
His eyebrows furrowed. "I am confused. What idea?"
Nikka rolled her eyes and she angrily told him, "That I need you to marry me to change my status."
He was surprised.
"I didn't tell Attorney Raul that. Yes, I checked on your application since your parents passed away recently and was about to offer you some help but not the idea of marrying you."
"So you're denying it?!"
"I'm not denying anything. I said I will try to help. He might have thought the best way for you to be here legally is for me to marry you."
"Liar?! You're trying to manipulate me. You knew I will be desperate."
"No, Nikka. I never thought that about you. I wanted to help you in anyway but if Attorney Raul said it's the best way then..."
"Then what?"
"I will marry you. I don't want to lose you again. If that's the only way we can start over, for you to forgive me, I will do it just to gain your trust again."
Nikka didn't say anything. He sounded sincere and her heart melted. She almost wanted to hug him but she stopped herself. She shouldn't let herself give in.
"Okay," she said. "But I have my conditions."
"Conditions?"
"We need to make an agreement."
"Okay."
"On paper."
He nodded and asked, "Do you want me to take you to my apartment so we can discuss more?"
His apartment brought memories but she knew she needed to focus on the task at hand.
"Okay," she replied, as Marcus started the car once again and drove to his apartment, hoping it would all go well according to her plan.