Chapter 9: Chapter 9

“Oh my God Sana, I cannot thank you enough. You have no idea what you have done.” She was on the verge of crying. She had been so emotional considering everything that had happened in the past week. She was unable to find a job, and her mother needed to go to her monthly check-up. For that, she needed money. A piece of paper, without which, they would be kicked out of the apartment and her mother would not be able to continue her treatment.

Sana had done her a huge favor.

“Don’t be silly. And I’m sorry it took me so long. Dad was busy with his trip, so he could only help once he was back. Thankfully, he was able to secure a job. But, the job is not that high-paid like your previous one.” She could hear the hesitation in Sana’s voice. She chuckled.

“Right now, what I need the most is a job even if that is low-paid. I will try to do part-time job as well if the pay is not enough. Once again, thank you Sana. I love you!” She blew a kiss making Sana laugh.

“Enough with your ‘thank you’s’. I gotta go. You can join from tomorrow. Okay, bye Olive.” She smiled and then rolled her eyes at the nickname.

“Bye.” She ended the call and sighed. She quickly went to tell her mother about the job. He mother asked her why she was going to work, so she had to tell the truth—not the truth about why she was fired but just that she was fired. She told her that she had made a mistake that was why she was fired. Thankfully, her mother did not inquire further.

She went to her mother’s room and found her sitting on her bed.

“Mom, I got a new job.” She informed Amelia who was reading her magazine with glasses on the bridge of her nose. She smiled at the scene. She loved the sight when her mother was relaxed. After getting the disease, she could hardly observe such a peaceful scene.

“Oh that is a relief. Come here.” She called her to her bed spreading her arms. Olivia went to her and hugged her gently. Her arms were her safe heaven.

“Don’t tire yourself too much. If I am meant to live, I will live. If not, nobody could fight with fate. I don’t like how you go extra miles to earn money for me.” She removed her glasses and caressed Olivia’s face tenderly.

Olivia could feel wetness in the corners of her eyes.

“Why do you say that, mom? Nothing will happen to you. You are my only family. I will not let anything happen to you.” She said as her heart squeezed painfully just at the thought of losing her beloved mother.

Amelia sighed while continuing to caress her face.

“What I am saying is that you have to be strong. Anything could happen anytime. I want my daughter to be so strong that nothing could faze her. Just like how you have been taking care of me, I want you to take care of yourself the same way after me.” She said trying to sound firm. She was always worried about Olivia. She was afraid she would break after losing her. She never wanted her to be at the mercy of the cruel world.

“Leave all this nonsense talk, mom. I am gonna prepare your dinner.” She got up from the bed and quickly went to the kitchen before her mother noticed her tears.

Amelia could only shake her head in concern.

She went to the kitchen and shed a few tears. She knew her mother was right, but she could not make her heart understand the harsh reality. She was not ready to accept what fate had in the books for her and her mom.

She tried to busy herself in making the dinner when she a notification pop up on her phone. She grabbed it from the counter and read the text. It was from an unknown number.

‘My offer is still on.’

Love,

Thomas

She frowned. How did he get her number? But was she surprised? The answer was no. He knew her address, so it was not a far-fetched idea how he got her number. He truly seemed resourceful.

Had he still not given up? She thought he would leave her alone after she rejected his stupid offer. But no!

She thought for a moment before replying.

‘I have got a job. Even if I was jobless, I still would not have accepted you offer. Don’t bother me again, please.’ She sent the message with a sigh. Hopefully, now he would get the idea that she was not going to accept his silly plans.

She was still confused why he wanted to get married. She wanted to ask him the same day he had made that offer to her, but she thought it was unethical. She did not know him that well, but she could tell that he was concerned and serious about it.

Why her though? He barely knew her, and she barely knew him.

Just after one meeting, he decided to do it.

She shrugged and got busy with the dinner. Thankfully, she did not get any reply from him.

She fed Amelia her dinner despite her protesting that she could eat her dinner by herself. The thing was that she felt a sense of closeness by feeding her. She did not want her mother to feel lonely.

After having her won dinner, she went to her room to prepare for the first day of her job. She was having butterflies in her stomach thinking about a new place.

Would they like her? Would they ask about where she worked previously?

She could not lie, so she would have to tell them the truth. She hoped they did not care about all that. Sana had told her that it was a bar, and she would work as a bartender. It was not a completely foreign workplace. That made her relaxed a little.

She took a shower and got on her bed. She had to sleep early for her to wake up soon. Although she had to work at night mostly, she had to get there early in the morning to get done with the paperwork.

Thomas’s POV:

He could not believe she had rejected him again. He threw his phone on the couch. His head felt heavy with stress. He had been waiting to get a reply from her all the week. But she did not look back once. She was so persistent, and it was making him angry now.

She dared to reject his offer! The Thomas Walker--who could get any girl with the snap of his finger.

He could not understand why he was giving her the chance and importance who was just a stripper. He had not made any unethical offer. It was just a deal like any other business deal. He had no idea why she was reacting that way despite him offering a desired money in return.

It was frustrating the hell out of him. Half of the frustration was because of the fact that he had not gotten any chicks in the past weeks since he was so preoccupied with the drama created by his grandpa.

He had laid his head on the headrest with his eyes closed when he felt the rush of multiple feet. Even without opening his eyes, he could say that The Great James Walker had returned from work. The staff always rushed to him because who was unaware of his wrath?

He had no strength to go to his room, so he remained there unmoving. After a few minutes, he heard his strong voice.

“Did you find a bride?” Came his direct question. No greetings…nothing.

“No.” He replied opening his eyes and sitting properly. He was not in the mood for arguments. He thought he would not reply even if his grandpa gave him his infamous lecture like how he was useless and irresponsible.

“Don’t bother. I have already found you one.” He did not even react like Thomas had expected. Instead, he said it in a relaxed tone taking a seat beside him on the couch. What he said surprised him to no end. He looked at him with wide eyes.

“What? Who?” He could not help but ask. How did he find a bride for him so soon? He was nervous waiting for his answer.

“Oh. You know her very well. Jade Parker.” He dropped a bomb on him while removing his watch from his wrist, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“What the fuck?” He said unapologetically. The name incited something that he had buried deep inside him.

“Mind your language, Mr. Thomas. Know who you are talking to.” James told him furiously.

He kept pacing the floor. He looked so angry that he wanted to do something. How could he even think that he would agree to marry her when she ditched him for the hag billionaire? He was in a relationship with someone for the first time ever, and he got betrayal in return. She was responsible for his playboy behavior. He could not trust anyone after that. He passed time with different women and removed them instantly from his life.

“I am not going to marry her. I will marry who I select to be my wife.” He said in a calm tone when in fact, he wanted to break everything that was in front of him.

“You have three weeks to do that. If you still don’t find a wife, you will be responsible for the consequences.” James gave him a final warning before going to his room.

“Fuck it. Fuck everything!” He lashed out punching the wall behind him.

‘I have to make her accept my offer—by hook or by crook.’ He thought with frustration.