Chapter 4

Earlier before their meeting.

"Hell no! Evelyn ma'am, how can you ask me to do such a thing?" Angel asked, It was unbelievable to her. Before the customers left, Evelyn made Patience give her his contact, promising to provide a lady that would fit in for a replacement bride and here she was with her plan.

"Angel dear..." Evelyn started, patting her back

"No, I'm not going to do that. That's ridiculous" she cuts in.

"Think about your mother. She needs huge money for her surgery and there's no way to realize such amount you know that". 

Angel started sobbing softly. Evelyn continued

"I know it's a very though decision dear, but you have to do this for your mother"

Angel looked at the older woman and sighed. This woman in front of her has stood solidly behind herself and her sister when their mother went into coma due to an ugly incident that happened when she was younger. She has been a good friend of her mum and was so heartbroken when her best friend got hospitalized. In order to help in the little way that she can, she offered Angel a job at her small restaurant not too far from her home. One good turn, deserves another, as Angel with her diligence has brought so much fame and prosperity to the restaurant. To say No to Evelyn, Angel thought, would be a show of ingratitude and the older woman would be disappointed. Evelyn's voice broke her thoughts 

"... It's only to get enough money for your mother and then you'll be out of the marriage for good". She then broke into tears and it was Angel's turn to comfort her. "I'm sorry for putting you through so much Angel. I'm just scared that I might never see your mother again. I really want her to live. She's a good woman who has suffered all her life and it hurts that I could do nothing"

Evelyn shed tears as she spoke. Genuine tears that Angel herself saw through the genuineness. 

The following day, after Angel had thought about it and when Evelyn had lost hope of Angel agreeing to the contract marriage, Angel walked up to her and declared "I will do it".

The cups Evelyn was carrying fell and flew in different directions.

"Oh my poor dear, you don't have to do this. We'll look for a better way to take care of your mother" she said amidst sobs.

Smiling, Angel pulled her closed snd gave her a warm hug. "It's okay Evelyn ma'am. If this is the fastest way to guarantee mum's recovery, I'll gladly do it. I want to see her live just as much as you do, huh"

"Oh my poor girl, Evelyn hugged her tightly. Will you be fine?"she asked with a great concern. Angel smiled again and nodded. "Sure. I will".

Evelyn put a call through to patience and told him to rely to Fred that a lady is ready for the contract marriage. She then swore that she'll ruthlessly tear to pieces, anyone who maltreat the lady in question.

Angel closed earlier than usual. To get Cynthia consent to this would be a though one so she put a call to her best friend so that could all meet.

***** *****

"Baby girl, what's with the urgent call?" Angel's friend entered, drawing the curtain after her as she entered. "I had to sneak out of work when I heard the urgency in your voice. Hope all is well?" She sat down opposite her friend, and waved at Cynthia in greeting.

Angel smiled. She looked from her friend to Cynthia and smiled again at their eagerness.

"Calm down ladies. It's not much of a news but...." she sighs. "... I'm probably getting married next two week". 

Her friend laughed so hard at her, while Cynthia frowned and stood up to leave.

"I was busy mending my clothes when you summoned me here. I thought it was important" she stamped her feet at Angel, making to leave the sitting room.

Angel looked at them both and smiles sadly. She knew they both wouldn't believe her. "I'm serious" she blurted. Cynthia hardly let her land before chipping in, with a deep frown "you can't be serious. What the hell are you talking about Angel?!"

"Now, this isn't funny anymore" her friend added. Angel told Cynthia to sit down but the latter refused and urged her to continue with her explanation. She narrated everything to the both of them and by the time she was done, the three of them were already crying. Cynthia rolled on the floor in sadness "Oh my poor Angel! Why has it been you always saving the family? Why?" She cried the more and begged her sister to allow her to do it instead.

"Never!" Angel shaked her head vehemently.

"I'll do this okay?" She said, framing a smile.

"I don't want that smile. It hurts" Cynthia shouted and ran out of the sitting room. She locked herself up in her, shedding tears and refusing to allow Angel take up the contract marriage. It took several hours before Angel and her friend were able to calm her down.

**** ****

"What did you just say Fred?" Johnson demanded. 

"Sir, there's this girl who works in a restaurant. She has a sister and a hospitalized mother to look after so she'll gladly take up the deal sir" Fred answered in quick succession.

"That's beautiful" Johnson remarked and thought the girl to be the perfect one he seek. She wouldn't want to do anything stupid, owing to the fact that she has a sick mother. The news got him delighted and he ordered "I need to meet with her as soon as possible. Put a call to Collins and tell him to leave the office and come home straight away. The meeting will hold 7:00pm tomorrow evening, inform my wife"

"Yes boss" fred replied and left to carry out the order.

**** ****

"You mean to say you overhead the chairman's son on phone?" Angel asked , widening her eyes at her friend Helen. Helen works in Collins' department at the company and she was sure she heard him clearly earlier at work.

"You're getting married into a billionaire family girl" Helen said and added "However, you have to be careful dear. All of them in that family are stern people. One mistake and you're in for trouble. Collins especially has an inherited bad mouth that can make one commit suicide".

Angel gasped. So this is where she's going into? She heaved with uncertainty. Cynthia who had been silent all along took her sister's hand and assured "You know me too well Angel, whoever they are in that family, they have a stern sister-in-law to contend with as well. I won't ever allow anyone hurt you"

Angel smiled and relaxed. She knew what Cynthia is capable of truly.

By six pm the following evening, Angel was all set for the Johnson's house. She got out of her house with Cynthia hugging her tightly. 

 When they both got out, Fred bowed out opened the back seat of the car for her and they made their way to the estate where she is to meet her contracted husband and in-laws.

Somewhere in the distance. A man's voice.

"Ma'am, I've found the girl. She just got into an unknown car"

"Unknown car?" A female voice at the other end of the phone call inquired. 

"Yes ma'am" he replied in the affirmative.

"Check out where she's going and every other thing I need to know about her"

"Alright ma'am" He looked right and left before starting the car, trailing Fred and Angel.