Tanar looked up as Layla walked into the house. How was the date? She asked casually.
"It was fine," Layla replied, her tone dry and uninterested.
She called her parents. They picked up on the first ring , as they always did.
"Hi, dear", her mom greeted warmly.
Layla's voice trembled as she began , she felt hurt. " So your house is about to be demolished and I just heard about it , I heard it from a random guy on a blind date.
If I hadn't gone, I wouldn't have known. You kept such big news from me.
Tears welled in her eyes as she choked on her words. I know you love me and would always protect me but there are certain things I need to be aware of.
I am not a child anymore, mom.
Her mom's voice softened with regret.
" We're sorry, Layla. We planned to tell you after the date . It happened suddenly.
We thought we could plead with the officials again like before, but they refused this time..
"When is it going to happen?"
In two weeks. By then , we hoped you'd be engaged to Wesley.
She now understood why Wesley said he was going to get her parents a new apartment in town as soon as they are engaged.
The weight of their words hit her hard and her chest ached.
She cried as she clutched her phone in her hands.
Later that night , Layla couldn't sleep she kept thinking about Carlen's marriage proposal.
Could she really do this ? Could she marry a man she barely knew for money?
She remembered her parents' precarious situation and also her heart condition which was not improving
At least , I would have died before the year ends, she thought bitterly.
Layla opened her email and began typing the contract .
Her terms were simple
-The marriage will last for a year only
- There will be no sexual intimacy during this period
- She will continue working as a florist with no interference or restrictions from Carlen.
She will for no reason become a housewife.
-They would maintain separate personal lives outside of public appearances as a married couple
- He would fulfill his words of paying her a million dollars every month as agreed.
Layla reread the document twice. She felt upset. She knew it was her who was going to benefit the most from the marriage.
She wondered if he would agree to it
Nevertheless she hit the send button.
Moments later, her phone buzzed again. It was Carlen. His voice was calm, almost amused.
"I've read your contract," he said.
"And?" Layla asked, her voice cracking slightly.
"I agree to all your terms," he replied without hesitation.
She was stunned. "No amendments?"
"None. But…" he trailed off.
"But what?" she snapped, already regretting her decision.
"I only have one condition: Be a good wife. That's all I ask."
His words hung in the air, leaving Layla unsure of what he meant. Before she could respond, he added, "I'll pick you up at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Bring your household register.
Layla did not know if it was a good decision or a bad one, she just went along with it .
She consoled herself with the thoughts that she was dying soon and it will all be over.
Whatever money he gives to her , she would use it to build a house for her parents and repay them for all they have done for her .
Layla refused to tell Tanar or her parents of her decision to get married to Carlen. She knew they would dissuade her.
—--------
On Monday morning, Layla left the house earlier than usually,without waiting for Tanar to drop her off at the shop which was their usual routine every morning.
"Bye Tanar," she called out.
Tanar, who was in the bathroom, wondered why Layla was leaving very early in the morning.
Layla went to the hospital for a full body check up.
"Good morning, Doc". Hi there Layla, "Good morning, he replied".
She showed him the test results given to her by the lab scientist.
Doc adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. Well , there's been no change since your last visit
The disease is still eating your heart up. Just keep taking your meds to manage it, he said .
After the meeting with the Doctor. Layla went into a cafe for coffee, she sat there with the test report and her Household register waiting for Carlen. It was past 10 am already and she began to wonder if he had changed his mind.
Unknown to her , he had left several missed calls on her phone but she had placed it on silent when she went to see the doctor.
As she brought out her phone, she met several missed calls from an unknown number and decided to call back.
"Hello?" Good morning. it's Carlen where are you, his voice rang out.
"I'm at Blue cafe", she replied
Minutes later, he arrived in a sleek Mercedes Benz
Good morning Layla greeted him as she entered the car.
"Are you nervous?"he asked looking at her. "No", she lied
—-
They got to the registry. It all happened in a blur ,she was married. They were asked to sign . They took a photo of them together. After that ,they were given a marriage certificate.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Adams",Carlen said
Layla stood outside the building, her eyes still gazed on the certificate.
Carlen got to the parking lot before he remembered that he had a wife now, he looked behind him and noticed she was not there, he wondered where she went to or had she run away he thought.
He walked over and gently pulled her towards the car. "You can keep staring at it on the way back,".
Once in the car , Carlen voice rang out, I will be leaving for a business trip today and would return tomorrow.
I would come pick you up the day after to my house ,so prepare yourself".
My name is Carlen Adams,he smirked and zoomed off.
Layla stood outside her shop still shocked at her change of status.
She was now a married woman, Mrs Adams.