3

Sure enough, just as I slip my shoes on, the doorbell rings with a big balding man standing there.

‘’I’m here to take you to dinner,’’ he says. His voice matching his appearance.

When I get to the fancy, upscale restaurant, Asher isn’t that hard to miss as he sits by himself at a table by himself, typing away on his phone and oblivious to the stares of the surrounding women.

As I walk over to him, he stands and the first thing I notice is the small black box on the table. He follows my eyes, then gestures for me to take a seat. When I do, a waitress comes over with a brilliant smile on her face.

‘’Are you ready to order?’’ she asks.

Asher motions for me to go first, but with me never been to a restaurant like this before. I say, ‘’why don’t you order for me?’’

A look I can’t place my finger on flashes across his face, but he still orders for the two of us.

‘’So, why am I here?’’

‘’Straight to the point, then,'' he says.

Asher opens the box and gazes down at the ring inside.

“Think of it as a business deal,” he whispers, more to himself. “It won’t be anything more than that.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded.

''I can't do that.''

‘’You need my help, Millie.’’

‘’What? I don’t even know you and I don’t remember asking for any help either.’’

‘’If you agree, you can get time to know me.’’

I still can’t believe this man and the words coming out of his mouth

 He pulls the rose-gold tear-shaped ring out of the box to show me how spectacular it is, and even in the dim light, the ring sparkles. Showing off its grandeur.

‘’This ring has been in my family for two generations, given to me by my grandmother on her deathbed.’’

‘’And you’re giving it to me? A stranger, why not save it for someone you actually know and love?’’

‘’Yes, I see nothing wrong with that, and as for now. There is no female in my life that interest me in that way.’’

‘’You are insane!” I say a little too loudly. ‘’Why are you doing this?’’

‘’I just want to help you. It’s just that simple.’’

‘’No, it’s not. What do you want in exchange?’’

‘’Nothing, this is strictly a business deal. That’s all.’’

‘’I-’

He cuts me off. ‘’I think you want to. Just say yes.’’

‘’You are truly serious about this?’’

‘’I am. We get married only for a year. You get your citizenship and I’ll be on my way.’’

‘’And what is in it for you?’’ I ask, again.

‘’Nothing, this is just a simple favor.’’

‘’Isn’t this illegal?’’ I ask.

‘’No, but wouldn’t you rather do this than continue to be an undocumented person in this country? You run the risk of being found if you continue going around seeking a job. Just think. If it was so easy for me to find out, then who else knows or can find out?’’

‘’Ok, but if we do this, no one will believe that this is a real marriage.’’

‘’No one will know but us, unless you tell them.’’ Asher nods.

‘’And I’m only doing this for a year, with you getting nothing in return?’’

‘’That’s correct.’’ Asher nods once more. ‘’I’ll also give you a sum of money to help get you on your feet.’’

I lean my head to the side, not understanding why he is doing all of this. I know there is more to him ‘just doing a favor’ but he is giving nothing away and maintains a perfect poker face.

‘’Ok, I’ll do it. But just know that I have a meeting with an immigration officer and that man hates me.’’

‘’I see. And when is this meeting?’’

‘’Tomorrow,’’ I tell him.

‘’Ok, I’ll be there, and don’t worry, just leave it to me.’’

‘’I don’t know.’’

Asher reaches across the table and takes my hand. ‘’Just relax, there is nothing to worry about or be afraid of. And to prove my words, I’ll offer you five million dollars. Two point five now and the rest later down the line.’’

I know my eyes must be bulging out of my head because this is just absurd.

‘’Why are you offering me money?’’

‘’It is to make sure that neither of us backs out of this deal.’’

Now I know that this man has an ulterior motive. ‘’I wouldn’t have a reason to back out of this. Only you would. So that again leaves me to think that there is more to this.’’

‘’What makes you think that?’’

‘’Shouldn’t I be the one offering you money?’’

"Do you have this kind of money to offer?'' he asks.

His question has me stumped.

"Exactly.''

‘’So you’re paying me to help me in a pretend marriage?’’

‘’But we won’t be pretending and I’m not worried about anything. A prenup can easily be drafted, so after the one year you will be entitled to a certain amount.’’

I nod my head, not believing that I’m about to do this, but I nod my head. Mainly because I can’t afford to leave this country, and the sum of money he is offering will be more than enough to pay off my debt.

Asher slips the ring on my finger. ‘’Good, I’ll get my lawyers to draft up your contract. After that, it should be smooth sailing.’’

I don’t know if I should be excited or not and even when the food comes I can hardly eat because I just have a feeling that this will fail.

***

The next morning, a car comes to pick me up and bring me to the office of the number one pain in my ass. When I get inside, there Asher is sitting, looking comfortable and at ease, unlike me who is freaking out.

‘’Are you ready for this?’’ he asks.

I shake my head. ‘’No.’’

He gives me a look but says nothing, but he doesn’t have to.

When we arrive at the place, I take a deep breath to calm my nerve but that doesn’t help.

‘’Millie Boswell, I see you made it. Are you ready to be deported?’’ Vincent asks with a smile that shows off his one gold tooth.

“And why would she be deported?’’ Asher asks, stepping before me.

‘’Mr Thomas,’’ Vincent says. His eyes widen, as if he never expects to see such a man in his place. ‘’Well, that’s because miss Boswell is an illegal immigrant who came here to Thermopolis on a work permit which expired six months ago and hasn’t left back to her own country of Queensbury since.’’

“Well, I would like to inform you that Millie won’t need to leave the country because she is now my fiancee and we will be married in the next coming days.’’

Vincent looks back and forth between us. ‘’What? Getting married?’’

‘’Yes, we will be tying the knot this weekend,’’ I tell him, holding up my hand to show off the ring.

Vincent looks at Asher. ‘’But you can’t marry her. She’s a fucking immigrant.’’

Asher steps forward. ‘’I suggest you watch how you speak when it comes to my fiancee. I won’t tolerate any disrespect on her name.’’

‘’When did all this happen?’’ Vincent's voice goes softer.

‘’We have known each other for over two years now and I popped the question three days ago. She never wanted to say anything to you until the meeting today.’’ Asher lies smoothly.

Vincent nods. ‘’Well, this changes everything then.’’ He then hurries around his office, opening several draws before coming back to where we are with some papers. ‘’This is just for both of you to sign about your legal arrangements. And after the wedding, which I must attend. You come back here with your marriage certificate for me to approve and that’s it.’’

I glance at Asher, not believing that this is happening and that it’s all because of him. I give his hand a squeeze to show my gratitude.