Chapter 4: Rule of Engagement

Roselyn Moore POV

“Is...he going to be okay?" I asked, my lips trembling as I sought reassurance from her.

"He needs to undergo surgery right away," she said, and my pulse picked up a race, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. I rushed out of the office, hailing a cab to take me to the hospital.

As the driver drove through the road, I felt my heart accelerate with every passing second. I couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to my dad. I clutched my phone tightly, asking the lady on the other end of the phone to give me some surety.

"Please, how is he?" I asked, my voice quivering.

"He's stable for now, but we need to get him into surgery as soon as possible," she replied. My heartbeat thundered in my chest and my breathing became more rapid, I felt my eyes glisten with tears. 

  

"We'll do everything we can, Miss Moore. Just get here as quickly as you can," I nodded, then I realised she couldn't see me.

"I'm on my way. Thank you." I said.

The driver sped through the streets, weaving in and out of traffic. I held on tight, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Finally, we screeched to a halt in front of the hospital entrance. I ran out of the cab and sprinted through the sliding glass doors, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Where is he?" I asked, rushing up to the reception desk.

"ICU, third floor. But, Miss Moore, you need to prepare yourself—"

I didn't wait to hear the rest of what she had to say, as I took off in a sprint, my feet pounding the stairs as I raced towards the ICU room.

I burst through the ICU doors, out of breath, and rushed to the room. 

"How is he?" I asked. 

"Miss Moore. Your father is...stable, but he needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible." Doctor Richard said, his expression grave.

"But I'm afraid we can't proceed with the surgery until the required deposit for his treatment has been paid."

"What? No, that can't be right! I was told I had until this weekend to pay!" I exclaimed, my eyes widened in horror at his words.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Moore."

"Doctor, please, I'm begging you, perform the surgery. I promise I'll find a way to get the money as soon as I can," I pleaded to the doctor, clutching onto his coat.

"I'm sorry, you know I can't, you've got to pay before we can proceed with the surgery. It's the hospital's policy."

I felt devastated, tears welling up in my eyes and streaming down my face. I ran out of the ICU, my phone in hand, frantically searching for a solution to this nightmare. I tried calling Sophia, but her number went straight to voicemail, and with no other options left, I thought about the proposal Mr. Harrison had made earlier. I pulled up his number, my finger hovering over the dial button as I hesitated for a moment , but when I thought about my dad, I didn't think twice before dialling.

"I agree to do it," I sobbed immediately he answered, my heart pounding against my chest, it's rhythmic thumps echoing through my body as I breathed heavily, my chest heaving up and down. 

"You agree to do what, Miss Moore?" he asked, I could hear the confusion in his tone.

"I ag-gree to be your w-wife." I stuttered, my voice trembling as I sniffed, wiping away the tears, confirming the words he thought he'd heard.

"Very well, then. I'll send Jeffrey with the contract. Once you've signed it, he'll proceed with taking care of your father's medical expenses."

"Please, can he get here quickly? My dad needs to be in surgery, but the doctor won't proceed until I pay the required deposit for his treatment."

"Send me your location," he said, and I quickly shared my location with him.

"He'll be there in 10 minutes," he confirmed, before ending the call.

I sat in the hospital lobby waiting for Jeffrey to arrive, my feet tapping on the floor, each tap of my foot echoing like the steady, ominous drumbeat, the moment felt like a teasing eternity just out of reach. 

 Immediately I saw Jeffrey walking in, I quickly stood up and rushed over to him.

"Are you with it?" I asked nervously, my voice shaking slightly.

"Uh, yes," he said, and he brought out the contract from his briefcase.

"You know you don't have to agree to this, I can help you figure out another way to save your dad." He said, his voice filled with empathy, and I guessed he had already gone through it and knew what was going on.

"I've already made up my mind," I said, avoiding his gaze as I took the weighty pages that would alter the course of my life.

"Besides, I have no other choice , I'm doing this to save my dad."

He sighed, then handed me a pen, his eyes locked on mine as if searching for any hint of hesitation. With the pen in my hand, my heart beating fast with anxiety, I hesitated for a moment, my hand lingering over the blank signature line. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself, knowing this was for the best. With a sense of resolve, I quickly signed the contract, the stroke of the pen sealing my fate and forever changing the course of my life.

After I was done signing it, I quickly handed over the contract to Jeffery, scared I would change my mind as I was already having a second thought. 

“I'll take care of the bills now, Mr. Harrison wants to see you in his office when you're done,” he said. I nodded, looking away from him, avoiding the pity look he was giving me. 

I returned to the ICU room, and a nurse informed me that they had already begun operating on my dad, as they had received notification that the bills had been settled. I took a seat in the corridor, staring at the door with the surgery light on, praying to God that my dad would make it through the surgery.

After what felt like an eternity, the light finally went off, and my dad was wheeled out. I approached Doctor Richard, eager to hear the outcome.

“How is he?“ I asked, staring at the doctor nervously. 

“Fortunately, we operated on him just in time, avoiding potential complications. Now, we just need to wait for him to regain consciousness," Doctor Richard said, and I heaved a breath of relief. My dad was going to be okay. 

**********

"You asked to see me, sir," I said, stepping into the CEO office. 

"Take a seat," he gestured to the leather couch, and he stood up to sit on the couch across from me.

Once we were both seated on the couch, he held my gaze for a moment, my eyes locked on his. And I shifted uncomfortably under his intense stare, my eyes dropping down as I began fidgeting with my fingers.

“How's your father?" He asked, and I lifted my head, surprised that he was inquiring about my dad's well-being. From what I've come to know about him, he doesn't care about anyone but himself. Even when I was sick, he didn't ask how I was feeling or offer me a day off instead, he gave me more workload. 

"He's...fine, the surgery went well," I said hesitantly, avoiding his eyes."

"I want us to discuss the rules stated in the contract," he said, and I gazed at him.

"Did you go through the contract before signing it?" He asked, How would I have thought of going through it at that moment when I felt disoriented?" My only thought was to save my dad. 

"Um..I didn't"

"Jeffery will hand you your own copy of the contract before you go home. You can take a look at it then, but for now, I want to discuss the most important rule stated in the contract." I nod my head slowly, waiting for him to continue.

"I hope you understand that this marriage is based solely on a contract, under no circumstances should you fall in love with me or develop any emotional attachment during the contract's duration. Our arrangement is strictly business, and I expect you to maintain a professional distance." His tone was harsh and stern, showing the gravity of his words. He must think highly of himself, that I would fall for a cold hearted asshole like him. 

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him, he must be dreaming to even think I would fall in love with him or develop any emotional attachment to him. 

He is nothing but a cruel jerk, a devil who pry on someone's weakness. 

I clenched my fist at the side to calm the raging storm building inside me. 

"Your father will be transferred to a more comprehensive hospital where he will receive close monitoring and exceptional care, but if you fail to comply with any of the rules stated in the contract, I will withdraw my support for his treatment," he stated, staring intensely into my eyes.

"Once the one year contract is over, you will receive $2,000,000, a house and car of your choice," I frowned, meeting his piercing hazel eyes. 

"I don't need the money nor the house and car, all I want is for my dad to get better," I scorned, looking at him with disgust. Does he think I'm a gold digger who is after his wealth? 

"Are you certain, Miss Moore?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in skepticism. 

"The money is enough to secure your financial future forever, and yet you're willing to turn it down?" He asked, his voice dripping with incredulity and a hint of disdain, as if my decision were utterly foolish and selfish.

"Yes, sir, I don't need the money or the material possessions, but I wish to keep my job after our...marriage," I said, gritting my teeth as I felt insulted by his tone. However, I stumbled over the word "marriage," unsure how to say it aloud. 

"Very well, you may return to work." he said, and I nodded my head hesitantly, my eyes darting up to meet his for a brief moment before I stood up to leave. 

"God, what've I gotten myself into?" I sobbed, crumbling to the floor the moment I stepped out of his office, the weight of reality crushed me.