FLASHBACK
Three years ago, Donald(Martin's father) was fed up with Martin's reckless lifestyle; he squandered the company's funds on his girlfriend, Helen and parties; though he never met Helen, he knew Martin had a girlfriend. So, he came up with a plan.
Donald invited Martin to the house for lunch. After the meal, in the living room, Donald and Martin were sitting opposite each other, Donald was looking into Martin's eyes, Martin felt uncomfortable and said reluctantly;
" Dad, it's just fifty thousand dollars, I didn't spend much this time."
" So you know you spend more daily?" Donald asked
" Dad, I did nothing wrong; I work in that company, and I have every right to spend from the company's funds," Martin said not feeling remorseful.
" Who told you, you have every right to spend from the company's funds?" Donald asked angrily.
" I said so, Dad; I'm the CEO of that company; the company belongs to me, Dad," Martin said firmly.
" Well, I'll relieve you of that because if I had squandered money the way you're squandering money now, I wouldn't be where I am today," Donald said.
" Dad, what do you mean you'll relieve me of my job? Dad, do you want to sack me?" Martin asked, looking surprised.
" Yes and no, yes because I'll be relieving you of your job and no because it isn't permanent; it depends on you, though," Donald said as he crossed his legs.
" Dad, what do you mean?" Martin asked calmly.
" You will go out there, find yourself a decent girl to settle down with if you like to bring any girl to me pretending to be a decent girl or your fiance, I'll know, you know you can't deceive me; I'm always ahead of you," Donald said, looking away.
" What!" Martin exclaimed.
" And you have just six months to do this else I'll hand the company over to the managing director and the rest of your inheritance to charity. You know me, son, you know I don't give empty threats, but if you think I'm bluffing,g, then dare this old man." Donald said firmly.
"Dad!" Martin exclaimed.
" Son!" Donald responded.
" Really? Is this what we're doing now? Do you want me to settle down within six months? Dad, I'm not ready for marriage; think of another option, please." Martin said.
" Ok then, be ready to lose the company and the rest of your inheritance," Donald said and left the living room.
" No, Dad, you can't do that. Dad! Dad!! Dad!!!" Martin called after him but he ignored.
" No, this can't be happening. How am I going to survive for six months without money, Helen will dump my ass. No! I can't lose that girl, I love her so much to let her slip off my hands...… I need to call her right now, maybe this is the universe telling us to settle down." Martin said to himself aloud.
He picked up his phone, called Helen and asked her to meet him at their usual spot.
An hour later, he arrived at the lounge, Helen was already there waiting for him.
" I'm so sorry baby." He said as he kissed her and took his seat.
" What kept you so long? I've been here for over twenty minutes, why would you keep a pretty lady waiting like that?" Helen asked with a frown face.
" I'm so sorry, I passed by the company to confirm something," Martin said, holding her hands.
" It's fine! As long as it was about money, you're forgiven." Helen said with a broad smile.
" That..... have you made orders?" Martin asked.
" How can I make orders when you're not here? You know you're the one paying, so you should be around when I'm making orders." Helen replied.
" Ok... Helen, there's a problem." Martin said, looking into her eyes.
" A problem? Please don't tell me you're about to cancel our vacation, oh no, you are not going to buy me the Birkin bag you promised me anymore. Oh wait, you changed your mind on the all-expense paid trip you promised me to Monaco or you… … … … …"
" Enough! It's none of what you just listed." Martin said, looking pissed.
" You're even raising your voice at me," Helen said and began to fake a cry
" Helen, enough with the fake tears; let's be serious, please," Martin said, rolling his eyes.
" You're still yelling," Helen said with a tiny voice.
" I'm not yelling. OK, I'm sorry if I raised my voice at you." Martin apologised.
" Yes, you raised your voice," Helen said, looking away.
" And I said I'm sorry," Martin said, shaking his head; at that point, he was tired already.
" You're forgiven, so what did you say the problem was again?" Helen asked.
" My dad wants me to get married within six months; else he'll hand the company over to the M.D. and the rest of my inheritance to charity," Martin said calmly.
" Why would your dad come up with such a threat? Has he forgotten that you're his only child? And why didn't you tell him that you ain't ready for marriage?" Helen asked, looking pissed.
" I told him, I told him I'm not ready for marriage, but he insisted I get married or else I'll lose all my inheritance, and I know my dad, he doesn't give empty threats, he meant everything he said, that I'm sure of. I was at the company earlier; the security men didn't let me in because my dad instructed them not to let me into the premises. After all, I've been relieved of work temporarily." Martin said, looking frustrated.
" What! Did he go that far? I thought it was just a threat." Helen said, looking astonished.
" Yes, he did; it's not just a threat; he meant it," Martin said as he scratched his hair.
" So what are you going to do about it? Because I don't want anything to jeopardize the plans you have for me already." Helen said, rolling her eyes.
" Let's get married," Martin said, looking at her.
" What! You're kidding, right?" Helen asked, looking at him with her eyes wide open.
" I'm serious; that's the only way I can fulfil all my promises to you," Martin said.
" There's no way I'm doing that with you. I'm not ready for marriage yet, I'm too young to get married." Helen said, looking away.
" Helen, you're twenty-seven for God's sake," Martin said
" And so? I'm not ready for marriage, don't you get it? I'm not ready for that stress!" Helen yelled.
" How's marriage stress? You won't be doing house chores, we'll get a maid, you won't even be cooking because I know you suck at it, we'll hire a chef, or we eat out every day." Martin said calmly.
" No! I'm not ready for marriage." Helen said firmly.
" So, what would you have me do?" Martin asked, looking unhappy.
" I don't know, hire a girl to act as your fiancee or something," Helen suggested.
" Really? Didn't you hear the part where I said I'd be getting married? How do you expect me to marry a stranger, someone I don't love?" Martin asked, looking surprised.
" C'mon Martin, people do it a lot; you'll hire a lady, offer her money, you pay her half payment upfront, then you pay the rest after completion of the task and don't forget to sign an agreement so that she doesn't mess things up at the end. You know poor people are so greedy." Helen explained.
" So what's going to happen to us?" Martin said.
" Nothing, we'll still be together, she's just someone you hired to act as your wife, remember?" Helen said.
" And you think this is the best idea? What if feelings get involved along the line?" Martin asked.
" You wouldn't dare, are you trying to say that you will choose a pauper over me?" Helen asked angrily.
" You know I'll never choose anyone over you, I'm just saying," Martin said calmly.
" Then erase the thought from your head; you wouldn't even dare; you know me too well to mess with me," Helen said and looked away.
" So, how and where will I find a lady to hire? We need a very smart lady because my dad is very smart and observant, he can smell a lie when he sees one. Believe me, that old man is a physiologist." Martin said, looking unhappy.
" We can do this." She assured him
Suddenly, Helen felt a sharp pain in her stomach, initially she endured to herself, but suddenly it became unbearable, she groaned in pain;
" Ahhh! My stomach. Martin! My stomach.