Arielle

  I slept off that night with a heavy heart. What I did to Tiffany's car kept replaying in my mind, how I ruined it, all because I wanted to attend a stupid party.

 And that man. The one who demanded I buy him a new car. I didn't know if I'd ever see him again. I hoped I never would.

  Tiffany had already left before I woke up. When I pulled the curtains open, the silence felt odd, like the neighborhood had already emptied into their various workplaces. Her car was gone too.

  One glance at the clock made my heart drop. Past 10 a.m.

  I jerked to my feet, threw on clothes, and rushed out.

 Mrs. Cynthia didn't joke with her classes. She was strict enough to make half a department carry her course over, and that was why other departments stopped borrowing it. But despite all that, she was good to me. She even granted twenty minutes extra for latecomers because we begged her.

  The twenty minutes I was already exceeding.

  By the time I reached the lecture hall, breathless, sweaty, heart pounding, it was 10:21. Mrs. Cynthia was just about to lock the door. "Mrs. Cynthia, please. I'm sorry for coming late." My voice came out in broken gasps.

  She turned, eyebrows raised. "Arielle, you've never been late to my class. What happened?"

 I had no answer. I just begged again.

 Her face then softened slightly. She sighed and pushed the door open. "I won't condone this next time". 

 "It won't happen again. I promise." I slipped in, and the room's eyes instantly landed on me.

 Dozens of stares. Like my lateness was a crime.

 I never had friends, only course mates, so moments like this always felt like walking naked across the room. 

 I kept my eyes down until I found an empty seat. Once I sat, everyone looked away, returning to their lives.

 The lecture, thankfully, was short and engaging. Mrs. Cynthia dismissed us after an hour, and I headed straight back to Tiffany's apartment. 

 Hostels were too expensive for me to get. Tiffany offered her place. I was grateful for her. 

 She had never complained about me staying with her for once. Not since my first year.

 Once it was 12:30, I grabbed my work clothes and headed for Sunny's Diner. And that was when my heart dropped again.

 Because I saw him, the same man from last night, sitting with my boss, Miss Sylvia. Laughing with her. Comfortable. Like he owned the place.

 I froze. My body turned cold. I turned back slowly, praying they hadn't seen me. But..

 "Arielle!" Miss Sylvia's excited voice cut through my wish. I forced a smile and walked over. "I believe you've heard of this man. Darius Rothwell. Make sure you treat him well whenever he comes." She introduced proudly.

 I nodded. 

 Our eyes met. He smiled like fate was playing a game with me. "Wow, we meet again. What a small world."

 Small world, my foot. I wasn't buying that.

 Miss Sylvia laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Where on earth did you two meet? Because Arielle doesn't visit places you visit!" She cackled, and he joined her.

 My cheeks burned with shame. What did that even mean?

 "So?" she asked eagerly. "Where did you meet?" She faced me. 

 "Uhh... it was-"

 "Why don't you give us some time alone?" His voice cut clean, directed at her.

 Her amusement vanished instantly. She obeyed and left like he had snapped invisible fingers. I stood there awkwardly until he gestured. "Have a seat. Sylvia talks to you like that?" 

 I sat across from him. "No, sir. She was just joking." I lied. 

 His eyes were sharp as he studied me between bites of his fries. "The way you reacted told me everything. She's been mean to you. What did you do?"

 I stiffened. "Nothing."

 "Nothing?" he echoed.

 "Yes." My body was surprisingly calm. 

 He paused, took a slow sip. "It's good to see you again."

 I scoffed quietly. "I know you came because of me. To confirm where I work." 

 He laughed. "You're smart, just a little. But I came to see Sylvia, actually. We knew each other in college. I used to pay her to do my assignments."

 I blinked. So she was once like me. "Why are you telling me this?" I asked. 

 "Because I don't want you ending up like her. Taking peanuts from your mates."

 "I'm nothing like her." A lie rolled easily off my tongue.

 "Oh, you are." He smirked. "And I haven't forgotten about what you did to my car. But don't worry, I won't tell your boss. I gave that car away and got a new one today anyway."

 Was that a show-off?

 "Wow. Congratulations," I muttered.

 He wiped his mouth. "But you still owe me."

 My heart jumped. "Sir, I don't have–"

 "I'm not asking for money," he cut in. "I just need a little favor. I need someone to help me with something. I've been trying to get my hands on a deal worth billions, and I need someone who can work it with me. One person. A female. And I know you're the right one."

 "What is it?" My voice thinned. I became interested. 

 He leaned back casually. Too casually.

 "I need you to be my wife."

 "WHAT?!" My hand slammed against the table louder than my own scream. Customers turned to look. I ignored them. 

 Tessa, another staff member, signaled from behind the counter for me to calm down.

 He didn't even flinch. He kept eating like I hadn't just short-circuited in public. I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, but his calm voice froze me.

 "I'm not done talking. Get back here."

 I stopped. Something in his tone held power and threat. Was he trying to set me up? "I don't want anything to do with you. You can try someone else". I snapped.

 "Take one more step and I'll make sure you never graduate again. I'll call the cops. I'll tell them everything. And you know what that means." He winked. "Dare me."

 My stomach twisted. My feet betrayed me. I returned to the seat, forced a shaky smile.

 "Okay. I'm listening."

 He smirked. "Good. I need you to be my wife for a business purpose. I already explained it to you. We'll sign a contract. After three months, you'll be free."

 Three months? As his wife?

 "What if my parents find out?" I asked quietly. Even though I didn't care about my parents. 

 He chuckled. "Okay, come on". He seemed not to be surprised. I wondered why. "I did a little research on you. I went to your school. You don't have parents. They died when you were ten. You lived with your grandma ever since. Sylvia also confirmed it." He brought out a document from nowhere. 

 It had all my information. "Why the hell would you do that?" I felt very uncomfortable. It was almost like I had a stalker. 

 But at the same time, I did what I had to. He didn't know I fed the school with lies. My parents weren't dead. But they were dead to me. And I'd told the school they were.

 "So?" he extended his hand. "Deal?"

 I stared at it. At him. At everything that made no sense. "No," I replied sharply. I stood to leave.

 "You might want to think it over," he said. "It's a big offer. You have no one, nothing to lose, and you promised me you'd do anything I wanted."

 I just ignored him. Just because I was a nobody didn't mean I was stupid. I wasn't going to fall into his trap or let him use me for reasons he refused to explain. 

Never. 

At least, that was what I thought when my life hadn't flipped over in a swift. 

Arielle

I kept replaying his words in my mind, his deal, his conditions, his threat. 

My thoughts screamed no. Which I had told him. 

People like him didn't care about anyone's well-being. They only cared about themselves. Just like my mother.

Miss Sylvia walked him out minutes after I escaped his presence. She kept staring at me from across the diner, the way she always did, sharp, judgmental, and mean. I ignored her. I tied my apron and forced my shaking hands to steady as I attended to customers.

Tessa leaned in behind me. "Looks like you're in trouble."

"I've always been in trouble," I muttered and walked away before she asked questions I didn't want to answer.

A new customer came in, so I plastered on the smile Miss Sylvia insisted we use. "Good day, sir. Welcome to Sunny's Diner. What would you like to order?" 

"Two mid-sized cheeseburgers for me and my girl. And two milkshakes with chicken nuggets."

I didn't recognize him at first under the face cap until he looked up. It was Blake Huston. Tiffany's boyfriend. With a girl who definitely wasn't Tiffany. 

Blonde hair, red nails, and the bracelet Tiffany had given him just weeks ago. 

He pretended like he didn't know me.

My throat ran dry. The girl smiled at him. Like he belonged to her. "I'm sorry... what was your order again?" I asked him because I genuinely forgot what he said.

He frowned. "Didn't you hear me the first time? Come on, babe, let's go somewhere else."

I turned slightly, only to see my boss still watching. I forced myself to apologize. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." I bowed. 

"Babe, she apologized," the girl said in a soft tone. "Let's just order. I'm starving." And then I heard them kiss.

I froze, and then I looked up. I wasn't sure if I heard disgust or betrayal.

They returned to their seats. Miss Sylvia had finally looked away, so I tried again. "I apologize again for my bad manners. What would you like to order?"

"I'm not saying it again," Blake snapped.

The girl rolled her eyes. "Two cheeseburgers, mid-sized. Two milkshakes. Chicken nuggets. Now hurry."

I nodded, turned quickly, and walked to the kitchen before my anger exploded. "Tessa, two mid-sized cheeseburgers and nuggets. I'll do the milkshakes," I said.

She glanced at me. "Isn't that Tiffany's boyfriend?"

My chest tightened. "Where? How do you know him?"

"Oh,  please. I've seen them together. Countless times. Tiffany and I are coursemates. That's Blake." She scoffed. "Poor Tiffany. I always knew he was a playboy."

I forced a smile and pretended I didn't know anything. "I'll go handle the milkshakes." I hurriedly left.

In the corner, I focused on the machine. Anything to stop my thoughts. I filled two cups, topped them with whipped cream and cherries, then took them to the table.

"Your cheeseburgers will be ready soon." My voice barely came out.

When I returned to the kitchen, my phone rang. Mrs. Lilith. Grandma's nanny. I rushed to the storage room to pick up the call. "Hello? Mrs. Lilith, is everything okay?" She hadn't called in a while. 

"Arielle, Grandma is sick. She almost fell last night. She's been complaining of back and leg pain. But I have already taken her to a hospital."

My heart constricted. "A-hospital?"

"The doctor says she also has abdominal pain."

"Abdominal pain?" My hand flew to my chest. "Since when?"

"It's been a while. She mentioned it once, but I thought it was because she hadn't eaten. Don't worry, I'll stay with her. You focus on school and work. I'll call if anything changes." Mrs. Lilith said.

I swallowed hard. "O-Okay. Thank you... I'll try to send some money soon." I lied. I didn't have money.

When the call ended, something inside me cracked. I walked back to the kitchen in silence, lost in thought. "Ari, here's your order," Tessa said softly.

I took the tray to Blake's table. I dropped it and turned away immediately, but Blake grabbed my wrist.

My eyes shot up. "What the fuck are you doing?"

The girl wasn't there anymore.

"You can't tell Tiffany about this," he said, low and threatening. 

I leaned closer, letting him hear the calm in my anger. "And what if I do?"

"You wouldn't." He smirked. "My mom and Sylvia, who is your boss, are sisters."

I froze. "So?" I asked with disgust. 

"So... you might lose your job. But if you keep quiet, we won't have a problem. Choose wisely."

He tapped my shoulder. I jerked away immediately. "You're such a dick," I hissed and walked away.

Truthfully, a part of me believed him. His eyes weren't joking. 

Everyone needed to stop thinking that they could control me.

By 6 p.m., I signed out and went home. Tiffany wasn't home yet, but her car was fixed and parked outside. I checked it. 

I wanted to tell her about Blake, but she wasn't home. I didn't care what Blake said. Tiffany helped me with everything, food, clothes and most of my school bills. She deserved the truth.

After a quick shower, I laid on my bed. But instead of resting, the day flooded my mind. Darius. Blake. Grandma. 

It felt like the world was collapsing inward.

Whenever I got overwhelmed, I forced myself to sleep. It was the only escape I had. So I closed my eyes and prayed that the next morning wouldn't hurt as much.

The next day came too fast. I got up at 7 a.m., shoved myself through class, then went straight to work.

At 6 p.m., I signed out. I stepped out of the kitchen after, holding my bag. And there he was again. Sitting like he owned the place. Tessa walked towards me. "He's here for you. Isn't he the man from yesterday?"

"Yes, that's him. Why is he here?"

She shrugged. "You tell me." She laughed and left me to drown alone.

I inhaled, gathered what little courage I had left, and approached him. My arms folded. My face stiff.

"Hey, Arielle. Have a seat," he said casually.

"I'm busy, sir. I'm attending to customers."I lied. 

"I'm also a customer. Sit."

"I can't. I'm afraid I won't be able to sit because of my boss-"

"Your boss?" He chuckled. "Is that a joke?"

I said nothing.

"So you're not going to sit, huh? Fine." He leaned back. "Let's talk about what we discussed."

"I'm not changing my mind," I said, while looking down. 

"That's how you want it?" His voice flattened. "Then pay for what you did to my car. Or should I tell your boss?"

My breath caught. He hit the nerve he knew would hurt. "You're trying to force me into something I don't want," I said quietly. "I won't."

He stared at me long enough to read every fear on my face. Then he laughed, folding his arms.

He pulled out a business card and placed it on the table. "Here's my card. In case you change your mind, which you will."

He stood and left without looking back. I stared at the card, my mind in knots. 

Should I pick it up for the sake of my job? Or leave it for the sake of my dignity?

I didn't know anymore.