Chapter Three

ANNA

Tears welled up in my eyes immediately, my hands shook uncontrollably from fear. I put my phone in my bag, wiped my face and hastened my steps towards the bus stop. I had just two weeks to come up with fifty thousand dollars, I felt devastated. 

I opened the door to my house with full alertness in case I was being traced to where I lived, I locked the door behind me immediately after I entered. I took a sit, unlocked my phone and searched for who I could call for help, the only contact that stared at me was Cassie's. I couldn't bring myself to call her to lend me money, after all, it wasn't like the regular two hundred dollars she would lend me. 

I met Cassie in high school, she was transferred because her parents relocated to our town, Aurora. We clicked pretty well and we have been friends, she often came through for me whenever I needed help. I was able to get my current job through her, I could say she was the only person who truly cared about me and I couldn't ruin everything by asking her for this. 

I dropped the phone, I went to bed to fold myself in it and wondered how I'd get myself out of this mess. Would I die this way? With a heavy mind, I fell into a deep sleep. 

……….. 

It surprised me how I was able to get a sound sleep despite all that weighed my mind down yesterday. I looked at the wall clock at work, it was half past 2 p.m., and time was running fast now that j have a debt to clear up. 

A young woman walked in, she was dressed in jean trousers, a teal green crop top, matching sandals and a channel bag. I could tell from her rich appearance. Surprisingly, she had almost the same body structure as me. Her friend waved at her and she walked towards her table, I left the order desk with my notepad to request her order. 

"Good afternoon ma'am, what would you like to have?" I asked her as I held on to my own tightly to note her order. 

"Can't you see we're trying to have a conversation here?" She slammed the words at me and finished me off with scornful eyes. I felt embarrassed because all eyes turned in our direction. 

"She will have what I ordered" Her friend answered with a smiling face. 

I went back to relay the order, I wasn't surprised at the attitude, it was a usual spring the rich pull whenever they were angry. 

I wondered how Pamela coped with her attitude but didn't behave like her despite being rich as well. She made me her best attendant after I filled in Cassie's empty slot. 

Cassie used to work in Urban Grind cafe, she left when she got a better offer and she was kind enough to put in good words for me which made the employment smooth. She used to be Pamela's favourite until I switched with Cassie and she made me her favourite too. 

Pamela would often come to the cafe and also gave me tips most of the time. I did not understand what her friend was going through,  but I could see she had been trying to pacify her after I left their table. 

About an hour later, Pamela came to pay the bills and also rolled a note with the tip she gave me. 

"Thank you" I said excitedly as I watched her wave goodbye. 

I unrolled the paper when she was out of the building with her friend. She had written, "I'm sorry this is impromptu, let's meet after your closing hour at the car park. Thanks Anna". 

I folded the paper and dipped it in my pocket. Why would she want to see me, I have been on my best behaviour and I hope her friend wasn't trying to do too much. I have a lot on my table already. 

…….. 

I rounded up and I went to the car park, I didn't see Pamela so I just paced up and down to clear my head. I heard a car honk, she wound the glass down and waved at me. 

I entered the car and we said our hellos. Pamela looked a bit worried which was unusual, she held my left hand, cleared her throat and started to talk. 

Apparently, her friend who snapped at me earlier was Daisy Lewis and her father wanted her to marry a total stranger in exchange to prevent her father's company from folding up due to debts. 

She kept on going on and on about how Daisy was shocked about the sudden marriage from her father, how she couldn't refuse it because her hands were tied and she had no choice. 

I cut her short when I said, "I feel sorry for your friend Pamela, but why are you telling me all of this?" 

"Because we need your help and I need you to understand the reason behind it", she answered in a low tone. 

"What do you need my help with?" I questioned her. 

She looked at me with uncertainty, took a deep breath and answered, "We need you to be a fake bride”. I released my hand from her grip but she continued, "It's less than two weeks away from now, I promise we're going to annul it. The only thing we need is your presence as the bride". 

I chuckled forcefully, "I have a lot on my plate and I do not have time to on a charade". 

I tried to open the car door but she held on to me tightly and started pleading. I wasn't ready to be caught in between the rich folks but she kept on emphasizing how I'd fit the role perfectly because I have almost the same body frame as Daisy. 

"I understand your plight, Pamela, I also have my problems. At least she isn't in a financial situation" I said firmly. 

She looked relieved instantly, I thought it was weird till she replied happily, "I'm not asking you to do this for free, you'll be paid sixty thousand dollars". 

My head went into a trance, that was more than enough to pay the loan sharks!