Chapter 5 — I Agree

Alma froze, was this man offering her the money for her mother's surgery in exchange for posing as his girlfriend for a few days and pretending to marry him?

That seemed very low to her, but, on the other hand, she wanted to help her mother, she wanted to get that money somehow, and she had spent the whole afternoon praying and asking to find some way to be able to do that operation.

Perhaps, this would be his miracle?

“Then? What do you say? Is it a deal? Edan repeated again.

She hesitated, still confused, when, a moment later, Mateo, the doctor who was treating her mother, appeared in the cafeteria, calling Miss Alma Contreras, Luz Rivas's relative.

When Edan saw the doctor walking toward them, Mateo noticed the scene between Alma and his companion, whom he looked at with some suspicion.

“Soul. Mateo approached the young woman. "Do you have a minute?"

“... Of course. She turned to Edan for a second, but didn't say anything, she walked away accompanied by Mateo. "Is something wrong, Doctor?" Did something happen to my mom? She asked nervously.

“Oh, no... Listen to me. He took her by the shoulders. "I've been moving some contacts and I have great news for you.

“What? She answered, stunned.

"I have a donor for your mom. Matthew announced proudly.

She stared at him, that was good, possibly, but it didn't change his situation. In fact, for the donation, there was no problem, because she could do it herself, the real problem was the money.

“... Thank you. That was all Alma could say. He let her go, somewhat disappointed with her reaction.

"I think it will be of great use to you, if you had donated, you would not be able to take care of your mother, taking care of her..." Mateo explained to him again, to make him understand the benefit. “ And there's something else...

“What?

“I managed to get the hospital to approve the surgery by waiving my fees, that is, you would only have to pay for the material and the use of the equipment.

"Oh, fence. Alma was really grateful, but how did she explain to the doctor that she didn't have the money to pay for any of that? "Thank you, Doctor. She tried to smile at him.

"You can call me Matthew." He replied, smiling in response.

Mateo expected a different reaction from Alma, he had spent the whole afternoon talking to different people, making contacts, pleading for her and deep down he was telling himself that he was doing it as a work of charity, to help those people.

But in reality, deep down, he knew he was doing it, because he had fallen in love with that young woman. She was very pretty, sweet, innocent, and Mateo hadn't been able to get her out of his head all day.

He was drawn to her as soon as he saw her in that hallway when they collided.

"Well, thank you, Matthew. Alma answered, trying to be kind and at the same time, feeling trapped in a hole, in which there was only one way out.

She must have felt lucky, even though she knew it wasn't the right thing to do, life offered her an opportunity. Yes, her mother had suddenly fallen ill, however, there were two people in that hospital who offered her a hand and helped her.

Was she going to let go of that opportunity out of a moral sense?

No!

Alma began to feel optimistic, her situation was improving and she should be grateful, she should help her mother, so, with much more enthusiasm, she thanked the doctor again and turned around, to go directly to Edan, who was looking at them from a distance, very serious.

"Did something happen?" He asked, seeing her arrive with a different attitude.

"It's only for a few days, isn't it?" Do you promise that there will be no physical contact, that it will not be necessary, and that you will not overdo it? And the whole marriage thing will be fake, right? She asked, quickly. He expanded a smile as he realized her intention.

“Yes. Edan replied, rising from his seat excitedly, greatly relieved by Alma's new attitude.

"Will you pay for my mother's surgery?" She asked, finally, and that was the most important question.

"Of course, for everything, you don't have to worry. He nodded solemnly. Alma stretched out her hand to him.

"Well, I do.

And as if it were any business, Edan stretched out his hand, taking hers, giving himself a squeeze.

Now, there were certain details that needed to be worked out in a very short time, so Edan asked Alma to take a seat, they were to talk about what they would do and what they would say.

Everything had to look as real as possible, his parents couldn't suspect it. So, they both sat down, again, across from each other.

Edan, meanwhile, watched with some satisfaction as the doctor who had just spoken to Alma walked away, looking at them with an expression of rage.

*

"Well, Alma. Edan began to speak, taking his phone from his ear. "I've already talked to my lawyer, he'll write a document, something simple, where the points of the deal we made are specified, so you'll be calmer. She nodded. "Besides, he's already locating an actor, who will come tomorrow and pretend to be a notary, that's already settled.

“Not bad. She murmured.

"As for your mother, first thing tomorrow, you ask the administration to issue you the invoice, with all expenses included, and once you give it to me, I'll take care of it."

“Perfect.

"Well, I think it's time.

“It's time? Alma repeated, feeling butterflies in her stomach, trembling with nerves.

"Let's introduce you to my parents.

She had never felt so nervous in her life, Alma felt like she would collapse at any moment, but she had to be strong, for her mother's sake.

She stood up and stepped forward, when again, Edan stopped her.

He looked her up and down. "Don't you have extra clothes in that backpack?" Or some makeup? He asked, remembering what he looked like. She raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

“What? No! I've been here all day and I came straight from the university...

“Well. He interrupted her. "I'll come up with something, but we should at least find some toilets so you can wash your face and brush your hair."

Alma stared at him with her mouth open, this man might be dressed like a gentleman, in the finest clothes, but he had no tact at all.

However, this was a job and supposedly, he was paying her, so generally speaking, he was her boss, so she just nodded.

"And another thing..." She waited with a grim face. "We have to figure out what to do with that bag, I can't take you with my parents, with that hanging around."

"And what am I supposed to do?" Here are all my books. She replied a little angrily.

He pondered the situation for a moment. "There's no choice, we'll keep it in my car."

They went to the parking lot and Alma almost fell backwards when she saw that luxurious car, there she realized that she was not with any man, she must have a lot of money.

While Edan couldn't stop thinking about the young girl's clothes, she was pretty, but in today's world, that wasn't enough. He would have liked to take her to some store and buy her some fashionable outfit, but it would be impossible at that hour.

He'd have to make a good excuse for his mother because his father wouldn't notice.

They went back into the hospital, got on the elevator, and when they reached the third floor, they held hands to start the show.