Chapter 2

Lena’s Point of View

(I need you and you need me)

“This joke isn't funny. How can you walk into my house and tell me that I'm getting married to you?” I felt disgusted at the moment, how could such a hot man be this crazy.

It was just coffee I spilled on him so why was he here?

“Lena, please come and have a seat, listen to what he has to say.” Mom walked up to me and took my hand, she tried to lead me to the couch but I protested.

“Mom, what is going on?” I pulled my hand and looked at my mother’s petite figure, her black hair was wrapped in a low bond and she looked so weak.

“Lena, this man will save us. This man is the only way out. He will help us get your father back to health.” her voice was low. I looked at the man as he sat on the chair not budging.

“Mom, what is going on with you?” I looked perplexed

“What did you do to my mother?” I raised my voice at the man.

“I only gave her an option to save her husband, except you want to see your father die, Helena” he was so calm with his tone but the words were hectic.

“ Are you insane?” I questioned.

“Have a seat, we have a lot to talk about '' he pointed at a seat and I looked at my mom.

“What is wrong?”

“Please sit.” Mom grabbed my hand looking at me with plea in her eyes.

“Mom, I will be late for work, you know that I have to work mom, I have already been given a strike, I cannot afford to be late today.” I tried to explain.

“I will compensate you and besides I do not see my future wife working in a cafe,” he said and I looked at Mom, she nudged me to come to sit with her.

I walked sluggishly and I clenched my fist.

I sat beside Mom and stared at this stranger. The man was in a suit and he looked hot and muscular. He gave me the same glare he gave me yesterday but I was more tense and the atmosphere worse.

“I am Dante Roma, I am here to help your father.” his voice didn't crack, his voice was thick.

“How did you know about my father, the first time we met was yesterday when I by bumped into you, so how then did you know about him?

“Would you let me speak?” He didn't raise his voice at me, his tone alone was harsh. When I gulped hard and said nothing he nodded. “ More like it.”

“I have told your mother about it, I will fly your father out of the country and get him treated, I will make sure I get your mother looked after, I will repay the loan you guys owe the bank and I will get your house back from the bank. All I need in return is you for the next 365 days. You will marry me, and in return, I will help your family.”

“This is crazy, is this a game or a prank? C’mon, it's not funny.”

“It is not a game.” he fired back

“I am not doing this, you can look for someone else, I will take care of my family myself.”

“It's you I want Lena. You need me as much as I need you.” his thick voice rang in my ears, and I watched him sit very comfortably on the chair.”

“I don’t need you.” I sprang up to my feet.

“I need a positive response before I leave this place, Mrs Theresa. I have just a few minutes left, talk some sense into your daughter.”

“Who the hell do you think you are to walk up to me and say all of this.”

“The clock is ticking, he sat still on the couch and stared at us after a while, he looked at the environment.

“You need me in your life Lena.”

I was about to say something to him when Mom took my hand, making me stand from the chair, she pulled me to the kitchen, now I had the time to talk to her.

“Mom, what has come over you?” I stared at my mother who suddenly lost her voice.

“Are we so desperate for money that you want to sell me out to someone? Do you see me as a burden mom ?” I asked and watched her sniff in, she let the tears fall from her eyes.

“No Lena, I love you so much my dear. You are and will never be a burden to me, you are my strength Lena. You are all that I have and I would not want to lose you, but I don’t want to lose your father either. I don’t want you to suffer all your life because you want to get your father treated. You are a good daughter and I love you but your father needs our help. It’s just for a year and after a year you will get your work done, you father will be better by then and we will come back together, you will live a comfortable life Lena.”

“Mom..” I tried to speak but she cut me short.

“The bank staff came today and they had warned us, we have just a week to clear the debts; doctor Fred says that we have just a few weeks to save your father my love. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity. Please Lena.”

“We will find another way out mom.” I cried, I hated to see my mother crying, I hated that I could not do anything about the pain she was facing. She looked at me like she always did but this time it was more.

“ You are my only hope Lena, please save your father.” She cried, mother held my cheeks and looked at me in the eyes.

“Please Lena. Please.”

“Mother, this is not going to work.”

“It will, you will make it work like you always do. Go out there and tell the man that you will get married to him, make him understand that you are doing it because you love your father. Please.” She cried and I joined her. My heart was so heavy and I was slowly sinking.

How can I get married to someone that I barely know?

“Please. If not for my sake, then for your father’s sake, this opportunity doesn't just happen, do not let us miss it.”

“Lena, please.” I held her tight as she said that.

“ Am I really going to do this? Am I good to save my father in this way?” I nodded softly to myself.

This is the way out Lena, the miracle you had prayed for, you should be happy that you will be able to take care of your family now. I tried to comfort myself .

Mom wiped my eyes and we shared a little quiet moment.

“It is the miracle that we had asked for.” Mom was crying a lot and I hated it.

“You will be fine and it is only for a year.” I followed after her nodding my head and sniffing in.

“It is only for a year. I will be fine.” Mom pulled me into a hug and we both cried together. I cried both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Father was going to get the treatment he deserved, he would get better and I will be getting married to a man I barely knew in return. It was all going haywire but there was a ray of hope for me.

“I have no much time left Helena, have you made up your mind?” I heard the stern voice of the stranger and I got scared, tears flowed more but mom looked at me and gave me a smile.

“You are not alone in this situation Lena.” She kissed me on my forehead and held my hand.

“I am with you.” We walked out of the kitchen to meet Dante standing in front of dad’s portrait in the living room. His back was against us but he knew we walked in because he said those his terrorizing words again.

“Have you come to a decision Lena?” His voice was very powerful, I watched him as he stood and i trembled.

Mom looked at me and urged me to say something to him but I didn’t, so she did.

“Yes she has. She will get married to you Mr Dante.”

Everywhere was quiet until his harsh voice spoke up.

“I want to hear you speak to me, Lena. What decision have you made?” He slowly turned and he faced me?

“Talk to me.” I wanted to tell him to get the fuck out of my house but I couldn’t. Mom gave my hand a light squeeze and urged me to speak.

“I will get married to you.”

“Call my name.” he demanded.

“I WILL GET MARRIED TO YOU DANTE.”