The Rules

* Andrea *

Agreeing to his proposal was daring but I need the money to save my mother. 

I had to convince my sisters to leave the hospital with me. As usual, Laurel did not listen to me so Lisa had to come through. 

I made sure they ate well before they slept. I could not get a good sleep as I was worried about my mother and the situation I was putting myself in. 

I am currently on my way to the office after I made sure everything was set. Laurel and Lisa wanted to be at the hospital so they skipped school. 

I remember clearly how Lisa questioned me about where I was going to get the money. 

  

~Few moments ago~

“Can I speak to you, Andrea?”

“I'm so sorry Lisa, but I have to leave immediately.”

“I know how much it hurts you whenever Laurel blames you, and I also know you did do anything to save mom.”

“What are you driving at Lisa?”

“Andrea, be honest with me. Where are you getting the money from?”

“That doesn't matter, the good thing is that mom will be saved.”

I said with a wide smile trying to convince the girl in front of me,but I knew Lisa could see right through me. I had no other choice than to give in. 

“Ok..fine. I'm getting it from my boss.” I said with a sigh. 

“From your boss? Giving you $2.5? Just like that? Tell me, what does he stand to gain?”

“No.. Nothing, he..um..is helping for free.” I said, looking everywhere but her face. 

“I know that's a lie. Tell me the truth Andrea.”

I had to do anything to get away from this girl. Sometimes, I wonder if she is the older one here. She never talks her age. 

“Oh goodness…I'm late! Just look at the time. Let's talk after I come back. I love you!” 

I said as I pretended to look at the time. 

“You don't even have a watch on Andrea!”

Lisa shouted and I remembered my watch was in my bag.

This girl is too smart and I know this conversation will still continue when I'm back. 

********

I am finally in front of my office building. For the first time in months, I was afraid to enter the building. 

What at all awaited me there? 

What if his rules are something I can't go by? 

Making up my mind, I entered and went straight to Mr. King's office. 

I gave a light knock on his door waiting silently for a response as I kept trying to assure myself that everything was going to be fine. 

After minutes of waiting, I was finally asked to come inside. 

There he was once again, dressed neatly as ever with a serious look as he concentrated on his work. He is not bad looking at all, never had the chance to check him out. 

“Did you come here just to look at me?”

I heard him ask and realized he had been looking at me. 

“If you don't have anything to say, sit down and let's talk.”

Dragging my feet, I got closer to him and sat as he said earlier. 

“Good morning Sir.”

“You stood for minutes before you finally decided to greet me?”

“I am sorry Sir.”

“Oh..you don't have to. It's the money you came for after all.”

He said scornfully. I do not know what is going on in his mind, but he has no right to speak so disrespectfully to me. 

“Mr. King, I might need the money but that does not mean you can speak that way. ”

“ You think I am speaking hatefully to you?” He gave out a loud laugh and I kept wondering what was wrong with him. 

“Listen to me Andrea, we all know you are doing this for the money, and that makes you nothing but a gold digger.”

That made me angrier as I hurriedly stood to leave. He can't just insult me because I'm in need of money. 

I will look for other ways to get the money other than staying with his arrogant self. 

“Did that anger you? I guess it did..you need the money after all. The decision is all yours, you step out of that door, and this deal is off. No deal, no money. Think about it clearly.”

He was right. If I leave I lose the money, but I can do other things for the money right? 

That will take too much time too. I will have to give in to him. Just stick with him until this is all over. 

After coming to this conclusion, I had no choice than to agree. 

Turning around, I walked slowly to the chair once again and sat. 

“You came back? I see you made a good choice. Now let's go straight to the point.”

“ It's not like you are not desperate yourself.” I mumbled silently to myself. 

“What did you say Andrea?”

“Nothing Sir, let's go ahead.”

“So I had my lawyer prepare these papers. Go through it and sign it.”

Taking the paper, I went through it and the rules were ridiculous. 

“These rules are just too much Mr. King. How do you expect me to not get close to any man while there are thousands of them in this world?”

“If you are to pretend to be my wife, you have to refrain from getting seen with any guy. You will be seen as a public figure once I announce you as my wife to the world.”

“But this is still too much. I have rules to bind me and you don't? That's not fair.”

“ I'm paying the money here Andrea, so you go by my rules.”

“And I am also saving your ass.”

“Read through, Andrea, and stop talking. By the way, the CEO of the year awards program is in two days, I will be introducing you as my fiance there.”

“Is that not too sudden? I mean, I'm just going through the contract and I've not signed yet.”

“Well..we all know you will still sign it. I will meet you tomorrow so we get to know each other. I'm sure my father will want to meet you after that announcement.”

This man is so full of himself, he wouldn't even allow me to talk and just keep blurbing. This is so annoying. 

Skimming through the contract,I came across the most ridiculous of them all. 

“Goodness! You want me to stay in your house until the contract expires in a year?”

“Yes?? What is so surprising about that?”

“You don't find anything wrong with this? I can't leave my family to stay with you!! What do you want me to tell them as an excuse?”

“That is for you, my dear Andrea, to think about. If you are okay with everything on that paper, sign it and let's finalize this.”

“I am complaining here and you are still talking about finalizing this?”

I said as I waved the paper in front of him. I was just so angry, how does he expect me to convince my family? Especially Lisa…aaah, I really regret this.