PART 2

Carista stared at the payment receipt in her hand. She had just emptied her entire savings to pay for Angela's medical treatment so she could undergo surgery. The girl winced, realizing that the remaining money was now quite scarce, and she might have to borrow from a bank or campus cooperative for meals in the coming days. It was okay; the most important thing was that her mother could get better first.

"Miss Carista, there's a phone call for you," said a hospital staff member, pointing towards the cashier's desk.

Curious, Carista wondered why someone would call the hospital just to inquire about her.

"Hello," Carista greeted.

"How is your mother doing?" a voice on the other end asked.

Carista recognized the voice, the same one that had threatened her just a few hours ago and demanded her hand in marriage.

"Why do you care about my mother's condition? What's it to you, huh?"

"Hey, don't be angry with me. Your mother will become my mother, too, right?"

Carista took a deep breath, trying to contain her almost exploding emotions. "Stop talking nonsense; I hate hearing your voice."

Elgar laughed sardonically. "Go ahead and hate me, and see what will happen to you in a few minutes."

The call ended, and Carista hung up the receiver, then sat down wearily in the corridor. She didn't understand the meaning behind Elgar's words; the man seemed to have no boundaries when it came to his words.

Carista didn't want the past to repeat itself with her mother. Her father had passed away a year ago, leaving behind a massive debt. Unfortunately, the creditor was Elgar, a well-known ruthless man with no mercy for anyone. Elgar had forced Carista's father to repay the debt, chasing him until the man died.

"Miss Carista," a hospital staff member addressed her. "Your payment has been rejected."

Carista was taken aback. "What do you mean? Why has it been rejected?"

"I'm sorry, Miss, but we can't proceed with Mrs. Angela's treatment."

It made no sense since she had the payment receipt in her hand. "Explain to me what's really going on. Why are you stopping my mother's treatment?"

"Sorry, Miss, but this is an order."

"An order?" Carista's tears flowed, and she fell to her knees in front of the woman. "Please, don't stop my mother's treatment."

"I'm sorry, Miss—"

"Tell me, who gave you the order to do this?"

The hospital staff member hesitated to answer. "I'm sorry, Miss—"

"Tell me, please!"

"It's an order from Mr. Elgar."

***

Carista just learned that the hospital where her mother was being treated belonged to Elgar Gabriel. Knowing this, she went to confront the heartless man in his office.

BAM!

Elgar wasn't startled when his door suddenly swung open, unlike Carista, who was shocked to see Elgar passionately embracing a woman on his desk.

"Go away, my dear. I'll call you later," Elgar told the beautiful and elegant woman.

The woman complied, leaving with a displeased expression as she passed by Carista. Now, there were only the two of them in the room.

Elgar folded his hands in front of his chest, looking at Carista with a triumphant smile. "What can I do for you, my dear?"

Carista approached, took a deep breath, and said, "Marry me."

Elgar's smile grew wider. "Are you serious about that?"

"Of course. We have to get married so that my mother can continue her treatment."

Elgar clapped his hands, his laughter echoing in the room. He hugged Carista from behind, pushing aside her hair and starting to kiss her neck and nape.

Carista wanted to be angry, to cry, but she had to put her ego aside for now. Elgar's hands began to move erratically, touching different parts of the girl's body.

"In two days, our wedding will take place, and everything will be done discreetly. You don't need to worry; you just need to prepare yourself, and we will make our vows before the priest," Elgar said.

"Alright," Carista replied.

Elgar turned Carista around and picked up his phone to call the hospital. "Continue with Mrs. Angela's surgery and provide her with the best treatment."

Carista breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Elgar speak like that. Afterward, he pushed Carista onto the sofa, removed her upper clothing, and began to kiss her body gently.

"Act like a harlot; I will satisfy you, and you will satisfy me."

"Don't, Elgar!" Carista objected. "Why don't we do this after the wedding?"

"After the wedding? Ah, that can't guarantee that you will stay with me until then; you might run away after this."

Damn! It seemed like Elgar could read her mind. Carista had to submit this time when Elgar began kissing her lips and her body. Carista felt so degraded now; she never thought she would sell her body to such a despicable and cruel man like Elgar.

"You don't seem to enjoy this," Elgar said, deepening their kiss.

In an instant, all their clothes had been removed. Elgar enjoyed Carista's body while she pretended to enjoy it.

Truly, all Carista felt was pain. She didn't want to do this, except for the sake of her mother.

Carista's body was dominated as if it were not allowed to breathe at all. Elgar relished what he was doing, and his heavy sighs dominated the room.

"You are incredible," Elgar said while continuing to move his hips.

Carista didn't respond; she just forced a thin smile. Her heart rebelled, but her body didn't, as evidenced when a faint moan escaped her lips for the first time.

Elgar won. He placed both of Carista's hands behind her neck while continuing to deepen their union. The movements were gentle but very fast, causing Carista to moan uncontrollably. Her mind started to disconnect from her continuously resisting heart.

"You are my harlot, Carista. Keep going like this, even after we get married. I like your body," Elgar said.

A tear welled up in the corner of Carista's eye; she felt humiliated by Elgar's words, but she couldn't deny that she was behaving like a harlot now.

Almost an hour of their union, Elgar finally released Carista's body. Both of their bodies lay weak, with erratic breaths. Elgar gave Carista a long kiss, then rose from her body.

Still naked, Elgar made a phone call. "Come to my room now and take my future wife home."

Carista was surprised. "Elgar, who are you talking to? What are you saying?"

The man smiled sardonically, gently caressing Carista's breasts and saying, "Starting today, you will live in my house."

Carista shook her head in disagreement. "No, I still have a home—"

"I won't accept refusal, and I don't want to hear any objections. Just follow what I say, and your mother will be safe," Elgar stated firmly.

Elgar tossed Carista's clothes and instructed her to get ready. Shortly after, two men and a middle-aged woman appeared at the door.

"Mrs. Hana, take Carista with you. Provide her with the most comfortable accommodations, delicious food, fine clothing, and make sure her hair is well-groomed. Offer her the best service at our mansion," Elgar said.

The middle-aged woman with a cane in her hand nodded, smiling sweetly, kindly, and appearing very gracious towards Carista.

"Come with me," Hana invited.

Carista was initially hesitant, looking at the people with fear.

"Go, Carista," Elgar said.

"But... what about my mother? Who will be with her—"

"You don't need to talk much, Carista. Your mother is currently in surgery, and she will recover soon and see us getting married," Elgar said, his tone sounding intimidating.

"Let's go, Miss," Hana invited once more.

Carista walked slowly and held Hana's hand.

"Don't let her escape from the mansion; tighten security at home. In two days, I will marry her," Elgar instructed one of the guards.