003

"Remember this is a contract marriage. You're not to fall in love with George or do anything extra out of the ordinary!" 

"You're to make his meal. Make his bed and make sure he is comfortable.” Lucy was also well aware that she was being made into a second hand maid, since the arrogance and bitterness of the disabled CEO have chased almost all the workers away.

“You must never let him find out that Arizona is your daughter! Make some explanation in your head!"

Lucy had been memorizing these rules in her head ever since. Her mind clustered with thoughts as she moved around like a living ghost.

Before moving into the house of George, they needed to get a few things. 

Even though she was going to be given off to a cripple that everyone had eventually ruled out and had named worthless, being a member of the Berger family, one of the most prominent families still held a strong weight around his head.

And if there was anything about the Lincolns, it was having a good name.

"I wonder why she can't just get some of my used clothes instead of wasting money on two pigs!" Her stabbing words shot at Lucy.

Though they stuck like a venomous bite, Lucy ignored them.

"Hon, you know your clothes don't fit into her. And we don't have much time for her. Don't worry, after this, you're going to get all the designers that you want!" Mrs. Lincoln assured.

"As for you. Lucy Loose, don't dare to keep us waiting." Her words switched to dagger drawn immediately they were directed towards Lucy.

*****

For the first time, Lucy and Arizona were going shopping together. She hooped with excitement before Lucy sang merry songs.

Seeing her daughter so happy caused a cloud of emotions to form on the face of Lucy. She wished that she could give her daughter such a life where she would always be happy.

And would not have to be bullied by more privileged children.

"I promise that I will make sure that you have the best of life!" Lucy's words fell below a whisper.

However, she could easily tell that there was more to this excitement apart from going shopping.

After the incident that happened the previous day, Arizona has been all moody and to herself. However, she seemed to have suddenly spring back to life at the wake of dawn. Becoming the normal cheerful Arizona.

There was no way that it was all a coincidence. There had to be more to it.

"I believe that there is something that you wish to tell me, Arizona?" 

She paused with her wide sparkling eyes suddenly pushed to the fore and her lips widened into a broad smile that threatened to break off from her face.

"I'm just happy that my Mommy would not be living with those cruel people that mistreat her anymore.

But we are going to be moving somewhere else. I doubt that it's going to be worse than living with those bunch of bad people!"

Lucy drew closer, brushing her hands through Arizona's hair as she tried her best to push forward a forced smile.

"Always looking out for mommy aren't you!" Her smile looked awkward, casting a gloomy look on her face. However, it was accepted by Arizona who kept on moving.

A deep sigh escaped from Lucy as her heart raced with possibilities. That was what had always raced through her mind.

Just what if where she was heading to was even worse than where she was at the most? At least the Lincolns hardly resort to violence.

A deep breath came rushing into her lungs as all the stories that she had been told about the high and mighty Billionaire suddenly came crashing right into her mind. 

She might be stepping into something even more dangerous than where she was coming from.

Arizona was a happy horse through the mall, making her way through different sections with an ice cream in her hand.

Her legs pacing, making it difficult for Lucy to keep an eye on her. A second, Lucy was checking out outfits to maximize the money that she had been given and the next minute, Arizona was gone.

Lucy thought that it was one of those brief moments that she would be off and return. But after a few minutes without Arizona in sight, Lucy panicked.

Sweat dripped off from her face as her guts had been snapped off the air in it that she was barely able to breathe.

With a racing heart, Lucy searched through the hall, cold chills running down her spine as she asked around.

An old lady directed her towards the men in the suit section. And Lucy quickly zoned there. Her face ran over with rising urgency.

From afar, she sighted her. A deep cold bucket of relief poured on her right from her head to her toe as she made her way towards Arizona.

But then she paused. Arizona was trying to help a man on the wheelchair pick up something from the shelf, tip-toeing in the process.

It was a funny sight to watch as she struggled. Lucy's heart gladdened that she had raised such an angle.

However, a growl from the man sent Arizona stumbling backward in her steps, and her face suddenly washed off of any form of color.

Instantly, Lucy knew that something was wrong seeing the tears that gathered in the eyes of her daughter.

Quickly, she paced towards the sight, her blood boiling over with the urgency that coursed through her body.

"What sort of funny joke is this? Sending a little kid after me? Is this what you all will stoop to just to make me feel less of myself?" His growl filled that particular section that was almost empty.

Lucy's teeth gashed into each other and a wave of emotions gushed through her body seeing strands of tears escaping from the eyes of the little child as the earth shook under her weight quivering with fright.

She could take any insult that was directed towards her but certainly not to the one that she acknowledges as her heart.

"I thought I had seen it all. All the bad side this world could have until I met you!" Growled Lucy even before she got to them.