"Yes". The word slipped off of my tongue before I could even stop it.
He glanced at me for a second before sighing. I watched him cautiously.
"Okay then, if you really want to do this, I'll see you next week to discuss more on the contract". He said, his attention still fixed on the blank TV.
"Doesn't that mean I'll need your number or something?" I asked, a bit nervous to hear what he had to say.
"Why would you need my number? When you'll be my wife".
...
I walked over to the table a young lady sat and took her order before heading back to the kitchen. My mind still racing on what I was getting myself into by agreeing to sign this contract. Though I'll be helping grandma, I'm still going to have to live with him and act as if we're actually a married couple. What was I thinking when I said yes?
"Laila". Someone said which brought me out of my thoughts. I turned back to see who it was. A tall, slim girl with blonde hair and brown eyes stood behind me, Natasha, the barista of the small cafe I worked in, smiled at me when she saw how shocked I was.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked, her smile faded a bit. She must be thinking I'm stressing out about my grandma's health and I appreciated that.
Though Natasha was a few years older than me, she still found every way to cheer me up whenever I was feeling low, one thing I actually liked about my job.
"Nothing. Just the bills I have lined up, and how I don't have the money to pay them". I said looking down at the tiles. Though I wasn't looking at her, I could tell her smile had turned into a frown.
"Well don't think about that now. Hurry up, the customer is waiting ". She said as she lifted my chin before handing me the cappuccino the lady I met earlier ordered. "And turn that from into a smile". She said as she gestured for me to smile before going back to her work.
I smiled at her attempts before heading out to meet the customer before being met with a shocking surprise...
I stood there frozen in my spot staring at the tall figure standing just a few feet Infront of me . He was dressed in a suit with his hair styled perfectly. And dare I say ....he looked hot.
I immediately snapped back to reality, remembering that a customer was waiting for me. I quickly rushed over to her table.
"I'm sorry for the wait". I whispered to her as I carefully placed her order on the table. I glanced at the man standing just a few feet away from the table and sure enough, he was real.
I checked the time just to make sure my shift ended soon and fortunately, it did. I quietly approached him until we were just a few inches away from each other.
He glanced at me for a second before saying the words, " meet me outside". Before walking out of the building. My shift must have been over so I just walked out of the building.
I saw him already seated at one of the tables outside so I just took the seat Infront of him. That got his attention so he glanced at me for a moment, before returning his attention back to the documents he was looking through.
That must be the contract I have to sign. He must be really desperate to already have the documents ready in just a week.
"What are your conditions?" He suddenly asked, breaking the silence between us.
"Well...my grandma fell down the stairs and broke her hip. My sister took her to the hospital and the doctors said they'd operate on her but only if we pay them and the bill is 8 million dollars". His head looked up from the documents immediately at the mention of the bill.
He sighed before leaning back on his chair. "Here, sign these papers and for the next 365 days, you'd be my legal wife". He said in a stern yet sharp tone as he handed me the documents.
I slowly collected the file from him and began looking through it. 'Did I really want to be his wife?' I asked myself once more before shaking the thought away. 'You know why you're doing this', I said to myself before picking up the pen on the table. "I'm sure you still know why I'm doing this". I said, my eyes still fixated on the file as I built up the courage to sign it.
"And I'm sure you know why I'm doing this". He said, I looked up to meet his intense gaze before returning my attention to the contract.
I read through it once again. My heart beat quickened at the thought of me living with this man for a year just to get my grandma's surgery done.
I looked up to meet his gaze again before saying, "promise me you'll pay for her medical bills as soon as you're done with all the legal formalities". I said in a more stern tone than I expected.
He took his gaze off from me and sighed before saying a soft "I promise". A small smile formed on my face at the thought of my grandma being well again. But then again, would she be happy if she finds out that I got married just to pay for her surgery? Knowing my grandma, she'd probably get angry with me and refuse to talk to me.
"Where do you live?" I suddenly heard him ask. I looked up to see him, but he was just scrolling through his phone.
"Not too far from here. My apartment is just down the lane". I said as I tightened my grip on the pen.
He looked up at me . "Pack all your bags and get ready. You're moving in with me next week Saturday". He said as he watched me carefully , probably expecting me to give him the documents but I just stared back at him.
"Oh". I said before I quickly signed the papers and handed it to him. He snatched it from me and without saying a word, began walking off to his car. I watched him carefully as he got into the car and watched as the car slowly drove away until I couldn't see it anymore.
What have I done? What have I gotten myself into? Next week? I'm going to be moving into his house next week? I really need to inform Layan about this.