Chapter 2

A LIFE WITHOUT LOVE

Rose POV

The doorbell rang. I sighed and stood up immediately and rushed to open the door, still wondering who it could be. I unlocked the door and found out that it was Mabel. I could recognise the look on her face, she looked so sad.

Mabel, my childhood friend, with whom I share everything including my deepest secrets. Even though we don't have same preferences when it comes to boys, we can't keep anything from each other

"Hi, Mabel. How are you doing? What's wrong? I asked, worried about her facial expression.

She pushed past me, shutting the door behind her and walked speedily into the house. "I'm not alright!" She said weeping.

I stepped back in surprise. I've never seen her this sad before. "Mabel, can you talk to me please. What's wrong with you? Did anyone offended you? Why do you look so sad?" I asked, eagerly waiting for her response.

Then she started crying out in pain, her agony still clear in her words. "Love should be the main thing in a marriage, not just a transaction for profit.” She said sobbing.

At this point I became so confused. "Mabel I don't understand, please? What do you mean by love? Or did I just hear you say marriage? Hahahaha!" I laughed.

Then she froze. "This is not a laughing stock!! I can't believe my father agreed to such an evil plan." She said, still sobbing.

I sigh in frustration. "Mabel, what's wrong? I really don't understand what you're saying at this point."

Mabel turned to me and raised her eyebrows slightly. "My father's company is not going too well, he lost 5 billion dollars through an investment scheme, He was unable to pay his staff. With no help forthcoming, he went to meet Williams, Georgia well-known billionaire and he only agreed to help on the condition that I must marry him in exchange."

I pouted and placed my hands over her shoulders. "Ohh, I'm so sorry. I understand. But you can't put all the blame on your father, he was left with no other option."

She nodded and swallowed back another wave of tears. "Rose, I'm not happy about my father's decision to accept such a ridiculous offer without my consent. I tried my best not to accept the marriage, but my father insisted. He said Williams promised to call off the marriage once he'd be able to repay the loan of $5 billion."

I shook my head with empathy. I wrapped my hands around her shoulders to comfort her and pull her closer. "Mabel, you have to understand, the company is all your father's got. It's his and also your legacy, and also your future. You can't let it whither off like that." I said gently. 

"Imagine, my father threatened to make things right." She spat with animosity, as she jumped off the couch.

"Wow! That's some heavy crap. This is really serious, Mabel." I said,

She turned to me. "Not just that, he also said I and Williams must meet in less than a week."

"Please tell me you're not joking. Are you kidding me right now?" I crasped my hands together.

"I'm not....I tried to convince my father, but he is not willing to listen to me. I'm not sure how I'm going to save myself from that jerk." She said, sneering at me.

"Hmmm, so that's the issue… let me think about something," I said, rubbing her chin

"Please, yes!" She said, snapping her fingers. Her gaze was drawn to me.

"Listen, I know it's really hard on you. But if you accept this, it will not just get your father out of this debt. Life would be easier for you. Do you know what it means to get married to a well-known billionaire? That's a lot of fame. Mabel, your life would change for the better. You'll be free to do what you want, get what you wish for."

Mabel squinted her full amber eyes and surveyed me for a while. "A life without love, without choice, without passion? I'm just like a prisoner, trapped in a gilded cage. What else do you want me to do?" She asked, her tone laced with helplessness.

I simply nodded and gulped, crossing the room back to where she stood. "I suggest you call him, maybe you guys could talk a bit and get to know each other." I said nervously.

Her face fell once more.

A long silence…

She picked up her Gucci bag and reached for her phone.

"Hello. It's me, Mabel." She said,

"Yeahhh… Hi, Mabel. It's 7pm, I'd really love to sleep. So.."

"Ohh! Sorry I called so late. Maybe we could meet up on Friday, to talk and get to know each other." She asked nervously, moving from one place to another.

"You're not the one to decide for me. Anyways, 8am would be okay for me. I'll send you my address. Text me when you're there." He said, with a deep voice.

Mabel nodded eagerly. "Sure, Bye."

He didn't bother to say goodbye before he hung up.

"Can you actually believe this Rose? This jerk!... He... URGH!" 

"IMAGINE! HOW DARE THAT GUY??!! THAT JERKI!!" I yelled, trying to tease her.

Sitting in the bed having a bucket full of popcorn and ice-cream. I usually do this to relieve my stress. And right now I'm so damn stressed. 

"Rose, why the hell did you scream so loud? You're gonna damage my eardrums someday." She said, sitting on the couch while changing the TV channels.

Her blood boiling with anger. 

"This... this jerk, what the hell does he think of himself? Just because he is wealthy? What right does he have to be so rude even for the first time talking to him ??" She screamed as she stood up on the bed.

"Mabel, yeah, he has lots of money... like lots!." I tried teasing her.

"Oh please! Nothing gives him that right." She said, rolling her eyes at me.

"Oh no babes! You'll soon get married to this same guy.” I said, laughing under my breath. 

“Wait you traitor! What are you trying to say here?" She said pointing her finger towards mine.

"But you know I am just stating the facts here." I said, teasing her further. 

"Oh no! Please stop it.” She yelled angrily. "I came here for you to suggest some solutions to my problem, but you're not even listening to me." She grumbled, getting irritated by my behavior.

"Mabel. So, when do I get to be your bridesmaid? Umm?" I clapped my hands happily, totally ignoring what she said earlier, while enjoying her current mood. 

"You're enjoying my situation aren't you?" She questioned her with a sad face. She said as her eyes locked onto mine. 

"Sorry, don't be offended." I apologized.

"Rose, I need your help," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I can't marry him. I can't spend my life with someone who I barely know, our marriage will never work. I'm not sure how I'm going to save myself from that jerk," I explained.

"Okay fine, jokes apart, so tell me should I go and beat up your dad for not listening to you? And of course you're not getting it." I said.

"Wow, just perfect. You're annoying" She said as she angrily stood up, picked up her bag from the couch. "I've to go. You're not taking this seriously, Rose! You're not taking me seriously!" she spat, her voice low and venomous.

I sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "Mabel?"

But she wasn't having it. She turned on her heel, moving towards the door, her shoulders stiff with anger. "Forget it, Rose. It's fine."

"Wait, Mabel!" I called out again, but she didn't stop. She flung open the door leaving me feeling frustrated and worried.

As she left, I called out one last time. "Mabel, meet with Williams! It's the only way to—"

But she was already gone, and I was left standing there, wondering what I had just unleashed.