Chapter 6

Hanna felt like a turtle as she exited the Mythical Marketing Solutions building.

Fausto was certainly waiting for her. Marriage or prison—those were her two choices.

Hanna didn't even bother taking a shuttle bus. If only she could stop time, she would.

She heard a honk behind her. It was the CEO's fancy Bentley, Ethan's car!

She hurried over to the car window and knocked hard. "Mr. Miller, I desperately need 20,000 dollars."

"Hey, if you scratch my favorite car, you'll be in big trouble."

"Mr. Miller, please. I need 20,000 dollars, or I'll be forced to marry someone I don't love."

Ethan smirked. "You're delusional. What do you think you are, the heroine of a soap opera? You just want to go shopping. I saw how you blew through the 5,000 dollars I gave you. Shopping and salon. Look at you, all in new clothes."

How could she tell him that her new clothes were sponsored by his mother? He mustn't find out.

"Mr. Miller, you're mistaken. If I don't marry or pay up, my father and I will end up in prison."

"Change jobs already. You should be a writer, not a cleaner. You're good at making up stories." Ethan shook his head and rolled up the window.

In desperation, she chased after his car, getting splashed by water from the street. Her pants and shoes were soaked, but the car didn't stop.

There was no more hope. She held back her tears and looked up at the sky. It seemed her fate was to marry Fausto. As bad as it was to think it, she prayed he wouldn't live long.

Hanna passed by the long bridge of Sanise, tempted to jump and end all her problems. But she thought of her mother and siblings. They needed her. She couldn't die.

Her only choice was to marry Fausto. His many children from his first and second marriages hated her because he was courting her.

Hanna ate fish and chips and had some drinks at the park. She was still dazed as she walked.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into Lyn Sanchez, her best friend.

"Hanna, hurry up. You have a visitor." Lyn seemed excited and almost pushed her into their alley.

Hanna knew Fausto wouldn't waste any time. At least he didn't bring the police.

She saw a familiar car—the CEO's car from Mythical Marketing Solutions—parked in their narrow street. Why was Ethan there?

Hanna hurried inside and saw Ethan talking to Fausto and Edgar. The three were happily drinking. She looked at them, confused and stressed.

"Hanna, your boyfriend has been waiting for you." Edgar beamed, grinning ear to ear.

She sighed deeply. She didn't want her family, especially Edgar, to know about her employer. If Ethan didn't have money, he would've been beaten up upon entering their alley.

Hanna sat in front of them.

"Hanna, forgive what I said to you yesterday. I was just emotional. I support your relationship with Ethan Charles Miller."

Edgar even knew Ethan's full name. Money really did wonders.

Fausto, known for his bad temper, was like an angel in front of Ethan.

"Davis, how much did my girlfriend borrow from you?" Ethan asked Fausto.

"We can discuss it once the land I'm selling you is settled."

"I don't want my girlfriend to worry about anything. Let's settle it now." Ethan put his arm around Hanna.

Their nosy neighbors cheered from the window.

Hanna covered her face, feeling like they were filming a movie. She was the headline in their neighborhood again.

Fausto seemed embarrassed to answer. "20,000 dollars, including Edgar's gambling debts. But I'm not in a rush to collect. Whenever they have the money."

Ethan called Terry, who wrote a check and signed it. "40,000 dollars. I don't want to hear you bothering the woman I love and her family."

Fausto smiled widely. "You can count on me to protect Hanna's family."

Hanna choked upon hearing that. She wanted to tie up Edgar and Fausto.

"Let's eat, the food is ready," Valerie said.

Hanna's siblings rushed to the table.

"No, Mom. Ethan is leaving." Hanna pulled him out of the house.

"No. Ma'am, I'll eat what you cooked. It looks delicious." Ethan went to the table.

Hanna felt helpless. It wasn't that she was ashamed of their simple life, but given Ethan's status, she knew he must be picky. She worried he might get a stomachache and blame them.

Hanna looked at the table, which was now set with new plates, glasses, spoons, and forks. They had hidden away their decent utensils, replacing the plastic plates and food containers.

Valerie was a good cook, but where did she get the ingredients?

There were two dishes: tilapia marinated in sour-sweet sauce and stir-fried vegetables with broccoli. And the potatoes, why were they Yukon Gold instead of the usual Russets?

Hanna shook her head. They must have borrowed money, assuming Ethan was her wealthy boyfriend.

Hanna couldn't swallow the food. She was still in a daze. Her problem with Fausto was solved, but how would she explain her relationship with Ethan to her family?

Ethan noticed her silence and fed her some food. She had no choice but to accept the fork he offered.

The neighbors outside cheered again. The filming wasn't over.

This must be Hanna's longest dinner ever.

"Ethan is leaving." She pushed him toward the door.

Edgar intervened, "It's still early. Let's have a shot."

"Dad, Ethan is busy. He has work tomorrow."

"Sunday, sweetheart. No work. I'll indulge Mr. Smith."

Edgar's ears almost rang with excitement at Ethan's words.

Sweetheart? Why did that word feel so wrong coming from her boss? Yet, it made her heart flutter.

"Yes, indeed. It's good to talk to Ethan so I can get to know him better."

"Mr. Smith, I bought some imported whiskey. I'd like you to try it. Invite your friends too."

"Ethan, my dad has a lot of friends. Just go home already. Your place is far."

But Ethan ignored Hanna.

Whiskey and food piled up in front of their small apartment.

Ethan even ordered BBQ ribs.

Hanna hoped he wouldn't deduct today's expenses from her pay.

She saw Ethan happily talking to Edgar and his friends. His life was so different from theirs. She could see how Ethan stood out. He was more handsome than any celebrity. His clothes and demeanor exuded class. She enjoyed looking at him. If only their relationship were real.

Ethan could drink a lot, keeping up with the local drinkers.

Later, Hanna walked him to his car. Ethan was kind and humble. She couldn't believe what he had done to help her.

"Thank you," she said, feeling giddy.

"For what?"

"For coming and saving my dad and me. I owe you a lot. I'll make it up to you."

"And you think I did all this for you?"

She frowned, her sweet smile fading.

"What do you mean, Mr. Miller?"

"Hanna, I came here because we need to make our relationship look real. My grandma, Rosa Miller, is coming back from Rodern. I talked to her, and she wants to meet you. She will surely investigate. So your neighbors should know about us."

Her heart ached. Why did it hurt? She had assumed Ethan had come and helped for her sake.

"Wait, don't get excited about my visit to your hot and cramped place. I'm doing this for my own benefit. I don't care about you or your family. I need to convince my grandma our relationship is real. You're perfect for this. My grandma grew up poor, so she'll relate to you. And you can't back out of our agreement. 40,000 dollars have already been deducted from your payment."

Hanna nodded.

Why did it feel like her heart was bleeding? Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She was becoming sensitive.

"Okay, I remember our agreement." Hanna blinked to push back the tears.

Why would she cry? She was indeed Ethan's paid girlfriend.

"What agreement?" Edgar suddenly appeared behind her.