I tried to reply to his message and ask him how he got my number, but I couldn't; my hands were fixed on my phone, but I couldn't type a word. All I did was continuously stare at the message.

I got into my apartment, threw my bag on the wooden chair and sat.

I was torn between confusion and disbelief.

Hector is a stranger whose smile kept on displaying in my mind, and Alejandro is the most ruthless and dangerous man in the city. Both of them strangers, one seeking for attention while the other seeking for payback.

"Why did Hector insist on helping me with the bill?" I whispered. "And how did he get my number?"

I murmured a lot of questions to myself about the two strangers.

I was hoping the answers would come from above, but they didn't.

Later I walk towards the broken wooden bed and sit on the edge, with my eyes still fixed on the screen, only to discover that Hector was still typing; I became anxious, wondering what he was typing this time.

1 New Message

"Let's go out on a date. Azul's café. 4 p.m."

"What?" I whispered urgently with my heart beating fast like it would burst out of my chest.

I summoned the courage and responded to the very last message that he sent, My working place... I have a lot to do tomorrow.

Then I noticed he wasn't done typing. I could wait to see the next message. I turned the phone off and threw it on the bed...

While I was at work, my stomach was aching badly. Now I felt like I had just eaten so much food that I couldn't carry it.

I was shocked that Hector wanted to see me, and on the other hand, Alejandro paid my boss for me to be his personal waitress."

Without further thinking, I took my bath and ate the two loaves of bread that I had kept in the kitchen and to kissed the night goodbye.

****

The sound of the alarm ringing made me sit up on the bed. It was 7:42 in the morning. Normally my time for work is always around 9am. I dragged myself into the bathroom and took my bath, then got dressed for work.

I arrived at the café at around nine minutes past nine. There was a lot of traffic on the street this morning, causing me to come late.

Immediately after I entered the cafe, I noticed the absence of my boss, so I quickly tied the apron and stepped behind the counter, then began repeating the steps that I had become familiar with.

Smile, take orders, deliver drinks quickly, don't trip, don't stare, and don't drop anything. I attended to all of the customers, while my eyes were fixed on the door, waiting patiently for Alejandro to batch in as usual, but he didn't.

The bell made a sound, and the door was pushed open. I felt the breath I've been nervously holding in my throat whoosh out.

A huge muscular man stood at the entrance in an ash suit, then walked out from the shadow, only to discover he wasn't Alejandro; it was someone else. It was Hector.

His eyes scanned the room-

And landed on me.

My breath hitched as I let my mind wander aimlessly, like it has been waiting to do since the moment he walked in.

A smile sat on his face as he slowly approached me. His hands were continuously running through his hair; the look on his face wasn't readable.

"Coffee girl, we met again," he said softly, "and I guess your name is Isabella Ramirez?" He said

I nodded slightly. As my mouth fell open in surprise. How did he know my full name? I remember vividly that I haven't told anyone my full name, not even my boss, so how come he knew that my surname was "Ramirez"?

You said you have a lot of work to do, so I decided to come over to the café." He said.

"Yeah, I do really have a lot to do," I answered.

He continued. "But it seems that you aren't busy as you said." He mumbled...

We have a lot to talk about. "Get me a glass of whisky." He requested as he walked back to the table that was empty.

I quickly brought his drink because I had rumours saying, "He is more dangerous than Alejandro.

"Sit," he ordered, like he controlled every single breath that I breathe.

He took up the whisky glass and took a sip before returning it back to the table.

"You are really a pretty lady. I love the way your eyes and everything are."

"Thanks," I responded.

He continued.

"I've watched you for some time because you're important for my life."

"His life? What is he talking about?" I whispered in a voice that only I could hear.

He pushed the table that was between us and sat very close to me; the hot smell of his perfume was strong. Choking. I couldn't breathe.

After a long conversation, he brought out a huge envelope with a receipt of payment.

He placed the envelope in my hands, and as his hands brushed against mine, for some moment, he didn't let go of my hands, despite the fact that I was struggling to pull out my hands from his.

His touches were too light, and I wasn't comfortable.

"That is a huge amount of money. I brought it for you; use it and take care of yourself," he said with his voice above whispering.

"Thanks, but no, I don't need the money." I whispered out with my eyes blown wide and my heart pounding wildly against my ribs.

Deep down I really need the money, but I can't accept his offer, because I remember the voice of my colleague saying it always comes with a debt.

Just as this was happening, the entrance door to the café was swung opened.

Only to raise my head and discover it was Alejandro.

Alejandro stood at the entrance and observed Hector for some moments before he took some gentle and dangerous steps toward him with his eyes fixed on me.

I noticed the insecurity.

The annoyance.

The confusion in his face.

And the jealousy he couldn't explain in his movement.

He felt like Hector was trespassing on his property the moment he saw Hector touching my hands.

He approached the table, saying, "Get your dirty hands off hers." Alejandro's voice sounded in an angry tone. Like a predator protecting his last meal.

When Alejandro reached the table, he forcefully pulled my hand from Hector's hands and dragged Hector by the tip of his suit.

Everyone. Everything fell into silence; the sound of spoons, laughter, and whispering faded immediately, and all eyes, including that of my manager, were fixed on Alejandro and Hector, carefully watching the scene they were about to display.

"Hector, how many times have I warned you to stay away from anything that concerns me?"

Alejandro continued.

"I swear with every little drop of blood running in my veins, the next time you cross paths with her, I will make sure you pay back the debt she's owing me." "Stay away from Isabella; she has a lot to pay me back."

"Pay him back," I mumbled to myself. "Was it the suit that I ruined with coffee that Alejandro is talking about?"

I was stuck in confusion; I didn't know what was really happening. All their conversation was like misery to me.

Hector smirked and snorted, like he expected something like this to happen.

"Ok, but first get your hands off me," Hector murmured while Alejandro released his hands from Hector's suit.

Alejandro turned toward me, with his expression dangerous. Didn't your boss tell you that you will only attend to me?

I nod my head slightly.

"Then you decide to do what you want."

Alejandro continued. "The next time you attend to someone else, you won't just lose your job; you will have your mother's body.

"Whatever you are doing, stay away from Hector," he whispered angrily.

I nodded slightly.

I was still hurt and confused, and out of curiosity I asked Alejandro, "Mr De La Vega, why are doing this to me? Why are you adding to my pain?"

Alejandro paused. No answer. Just silence.

Hector whispered, "You are nothing but his pawn." Someone who is willing to make you pay for ruining his million-dollar suit.

And that's why he has no response to your question.

I noticed Alejandro's jaw tightened. He continued clenching his jaw, like Hector was pushing him hard off his limit. All this while, Alejandro kept silent. Not even a single word came from his mouth.

Hector walked out of the café after he had caused more harm than good.

But he didn't just leave; he took the envelope along with him.

****

Back home.

My phone rang immediately. I got home; it was the doctor that was calling.

"We discovered what happened to your mother, it is her heart and she needs a transplanting, which requires two million dollars deposit.

Within the next 12 hours, or you might lose her.

"What! 2 million what?!"

He answered. "Yes, a 2 million dollar deposit just to cover only the first stage that will be ministered to her."

The doctor ended the call without giving room to talk. Or even give me an opportunity to appeal on my mother's behalf.

"12 hours to decide whether my mother lives or dies."

My world collapsed. I wanted to shout. To scream, as to ask, "Why is life treating me this way?"

I fall on my knees with my hands covering my face, as tears drop down endlessly.

The doctor knew very well that I had no support and nowhere to get such a huge amount of money from. Or the guarantor.

My clothes became wet with my tears and sweat; suddenly I came to a conclusion: I will not and never watch my mother die, never. "Even if I have to sell my womb just for the money, I will do it."

*****

Outside the street of Mexico, I walked past a black SUV parked at the side of the road, not knowing it was Alejandro's SUV.

A voice called me from behind it was a Alejandro voice, he steps out of the SUV in the cold. Confidence. And in an intensive manner.

He said, "Isabella, we need to talk."

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't talk. The words of the doctor are still echoing continuously in my mind: "2 million dollars deposit for her heart transplant."

I had no idea what he wanted to talk about; to me it was an opportunity to tell him about my mother's situation.

The way his eyes were staring at me felt like a weight passed beneath my shoulder that I couldn't lift up. I felt that he was the only person that could see through the wall I had built around myself.

I entered his SUV, and he drove to a safe location.

I know about your mother's situation. He mumbled, and I was shocked. How? Or did he know, or did the doctor inform him? I asked myself.

And that's why I am offering you this.

Surprisingly, he brought out a huge envelope.

I had no intention of collecting the envelope, but my hands went before me. The envelope was heavier than expected; at first I thought it was a huge amount of money that I could use to pay my mother's hospital bills, but it wasn't anything made of money. I stared at it, hesitant to remove the stamp on it, afraid of what the content might be.

Alejandro's gaze never left me, steady and unyielding, as if he could read every thought racing through my head.

Finally, with a trembling hand, I tore it open. Inside was a lot of paper-crisp, official-looking, and impossible to ignore. My eyes scanned the words, each one sending a jolt and overwhelming feeling through my chest: my eyes and head couldn't and weren't able to comprehend what it was saying.

The only words that struck my brain were.

A Contract Marriage Agreement.

A contract marriage? Like, am I dreaming?

I went through it to be sure I read it well. After I had read it for the second time, I blinked, my mind spinning. He was really proposing... marriage? A contract marriage? My first instinct was disbelief, then anger.

How dare a stranger come into my life at this moment and offer me such a thing? But as I read further, my pulse quickened.

Because he made mention of the things I needed the most, which are Mother's hospital bills, protection, status, and leverage-all the things I had lost in the wake of Alex's betrayal were suddenly within reach.

Are you kidding? I asked, "What is the meaning of this? Are you making a mockery of me or what?" I murmured.

You're thinking it's absurd," Alejandro said, his voice calm, almost teasing. "And yes, on paper, it is. But think about it carefully.

He continued.

"Yes, a contract marriage. You're looking for someone to take care of your mother's hospital bill. I am willing to be the person for one year; all I ask in exchange is that you'll be my wife by contract for a complete year.

I swallowed hard, my thoughts tumbling over themselves. Could I really trust him? Could I allow myself to accept help from a man I barely knew? But deep down, beneath the fear and disbelief, a small spark of hope flickered. This was my only chance to save my mother's life.

"And, I hope you're not doing this to cage me and make me pay for ruining our million-dollar suit? What do you want in return?" I asked, suspicion lacing my voice.

The smile on his face said it all. He smiled in a faint manner, a glimmer of something I couldn't quite place in his eyes. As he whispered,

"I have forgiven you. I noticed you didn't do it intentionally."

My mind raced. The idea was dangerous, unpredictable, and thrilling. I could feel my pulse in my throat, in my fists, and in every nerve. The choice before me was terrifying-and yet, for the first time after I lost my job, I felt alive. I had someone willing to stand by me.

I looked up at him, searching his face for deception, for lies, for something that would make me turn away. But all I saw was... opportunity. A chance to reclaim my mother's health.

My phone buzzed, and we both stared at it. It was a message from my doctor; your mother just lost consciousness. She is now in a coma.

Miss Isabella, you have six hours left for her life span to expire.

Immediately my blood ran cold; I felt like it was all the doctor's doing. Is he God? How will he be telling me the time my mother has to live?

Tears gathered in my eyes, and I whispered in my mind, "I'm doing this because of you, Mommy."

My eyes met Alejandro's gaze, and my lips trembled as I whispered, "Fine. I'll be your wife."

Alejandro's smile widened, sharp and knowing, and in that moment, I realised there was no turning back.

Let's not waste more time. Alejandro murmured, "Let's head straight to the court, and let's sign the contract once and for all."

I nodded instantly. Giving him the response he wanted.

We drove to the court; to my greatest surprise, he had everything planned. The judge, the lawyer, the witnesses, the crowd, and his business partners were all sitting in the courtroom. And waiting elegantly.

The look on their face made my heart sink deep into my stomach; I was shocked. Surprised. Speechless.

He knew I had no choice but to concur because of my present condition.

*****

I signed all the necessary documents I was meant to sign. With the help of the lawyer.

Finally the judge concludes, "Miss Isabella Ramirez and Alejandro De La Vega, you both are hereby joined in marriage by contract for one complete year. And Alejandro will be María Ramirez's guarantor for the next year.

The judge hammered his desk, and the crowd stood and gave a lot of clapping; their clapping felt like a knife tearing deep into my skin, and I couldn't stand the sound of their clapping, so I rushed out.

Outside the courtyard I wait for Alejandro to come out; when he comes out, I beg him.

"Please let us head to the hospital so that my mother will be attended to, please."

He nodded slightly, and we entered the car and drove to the hospital.

In the hospital I wasn't allowed to see my mother, because she was in a coma.

We went to the doctor's office and did the necessary signing, and Alejandro paid the two million dollars they requested, and immediately they began the treatment.

"And where are you going?" Alejandro asked.

"To my mother's apartment, of course," I replied, looking at him.

"No need for you to go back to your apartment; now that you are my wife, you must live with me in my apartment," Alejandro whispered as he opened the door to his SUV.

"Ok fine, but first let me get a few things from my mother's apartment," I said.

Back home.

I was completely exhausted, and I lay on the bed, my arms and legs spread wide over the bed.

Then suddenly my phone buzzed again.

1 New Message.

From Hector: 'I gave you money, but you refused, yet you accepted Alejandro's offer.'

Then my phone buzzed again; another message, still from Hector: 'I guess you have answers to my question because I'm outside your house.'

My heart jumped the moment I read the message. I gently walked towards the window to see if it was true, only to see Hector standing outside my mother's apartment.