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ELSIE

"What?" A nervous laugh broke through my lips as I stared at the man sitting in front of me.

"I want you to marry me." He repeated the words again like it was a regular conversation between friends about a normal topic.

The word marriage echoed in my head and I tried to think of any way that, that would make sense.

"What do you mean marry you?" I asked stunned. His face stayed stoic like every time I saw him.

The silence all around us was killing me. The man that was here earlier must have left as well because it was only me and Fenix.

He brought his hand to his hair and ran his fingers through the silky-looking dark strands. He seemed relaxed. Maybe a bit too relaxed given the sentence he just voiced.

"I want you to marry me, Elsie. What do you think that means?" The lines between my eyes deepened and now I was even more confused.

Who would expect to get a proposal from a stranger in a restaurant where they worked?

"Let me be more specific. I want you to be my wife on paper for couple of months. I know you need money and I can help you if you are willing to marry me."

"A fake wife?" I swear there must be hidden cameras somewhere here. Some kind of prank I assume.

"Yes." He nodded once.

"I'm doing just fine with my work here. I don't think that would be necessary. You can find another girl." I said slowly. I was still very much befuddled by the conversation we were having.

"You have no guarantee that you can keep this job. Taking care of a child is not easy. You don't want a better future for your nephew?" Of course he knew about Ian. He must have got all of the informations about me.

"Look, Elsie. This marriage I want, will last for couple of months after that, you won't see me. You'll do whatever you want alone and I'll do whatever I want alone. Clear?" He lifted his eyebrows. His voice even deeper.

I don't know if he always brought up things like he did now. All of a sudden and out of nowhere. How can he just walk in here and propose this kind of deal?

"I know what kind of work you do. I don't want getting entangled in that and I don't want that for my nephew as well." What will happen if I actually say yes and then we separate as he said? I can't risk putting Ian in that situation.

"As my wife and then ex wife you will have all the protection needed. You'll have a secure life with enough money for as long as you are alive. How does that sound?" That sounded magical but this was real world and this was a stranger who happened to be here every day for the past two weeks.

How could I trust him?

"And why did you choose me? You can marry any rich woman you want?" The question floated in my mind.

"Because I know you need help as much as I do."

"Why do you need a wife?" What if this was some kind of twisted thing and he needed a wife for some evil outcomes?

"For me to inherit my grandmother's house, I need to be married. That's where you will come into play. We'll be married for several months until I can completely take the house and then we'll divorce." I wasn't expecting that...

The house must mean a lot to him to actually really get married even if he didn't want that. I assume he doesn't because if he did, he probably would have found himself a real wife.

Or maybe he still hasn't met the one yet and he has to hurry up for the inheritance.

Sadness filled my chest. Why was I all of a sudden getting sad for this man? There must be something wrong with me. I was having all kinds of mixed emotions and my mind was playing tricks with me.

"I have to think about this."

"I really need you to do this. I can easily tell Nino to fire you. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"You are literally giving me no choice here."

"Of course you have a choice."

"But if I say no to you then I can lose my job."

"That's kind of your problem." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah problem that you can inflict on me."

"That's why it would be best for you to marry me. You'll live comfortably and after we separate you have all the money you want for you and for your nephew." I slumped my body back on the chair and crossed my hands in front of me. He sure is not just joking. I know very well that he has that power.

If he said that to Nino, I'm sure he'll do it in a second.

Why was this happening to me? Why of all people it was me who had to get head deep into problems?

There is no way I can afford to lose this job. It was at least enough for now. The salary was paid on time and let's not forget about Michael. He has threatened me couple of times about kicking me and Ian out.

"How am I supposed to fake a marriage with Ian in my life? I can't just say this is my fake husband and you are not supposed to tell anyone. He's a kid, he won't understand."

"It's simple, we'll play along in front of him as well." He added like I said something stupid.

"To inform you, I can't fake being your wife twenty four seven."

"I'm barely home. You won't have to." Hmm.

"So I'll have to live with you?" His eyes stayed on me and I know my question was stupid. But who knows what these rich folks are doing? They can live separately. It's not like they would not be able to afford that.

"Yes, Elsie. You and Ian would be living in my house. As I said, I'm rarely home." I couldn't just make the decision right now. It was not just me, I had to think about Ian as well.

I don't even know how he would react with me having a partner. Would he be okay with having another person in his life? Someone he doesn't know?

It would feel wrong to lie to him.

He was still a kid but it was still something that can affect his life.

"I really have to think about this. I'm sure you can understand."

"Sure, but I need your answer till tomorrow." Of course he needed it as soon as possible. He reached for the inside pocket of his suit a card. He slid the white paper over the table.

"This is my number. I'm expecting your call tomorrow morning." I took the card and glanced at the name and the numbers.

I slid it into the pocket of my apron.

"Okay, I will." The food stayed untouched but I had already lost my appetite. There was no way I was able to eat now. My stomach clenched in nervousness.

What was I supposed to do now?

⋆˚✿˖°

I closed the door after me and Ian. The apartment was warm. The sun was slowly starting to set. The orange and pink colours painted our home and I was finally able to breathe.

This was our tiny home. No matter how small it was, we felt safe. It was where we have our best memories.

Ian quickly dropped his bag in his room and ran to the kitchen. He placed the small chair next to the sink and started washing his hands.

After he was done with that, he pushed the chair back on its place and grinned at me while lifting his clean palms.

"Now that you washed your hands, we'll eat. Right?"

"I'm not hungry. We ate pizza with Arian." Arian was Travis' son who was three years older than Ian.

"Okay then. You want a snack maybe?"

"Yes." I kissed his hair and I placed my bag on the floor close to the sofa. I grabbed my favourite royal blue set of hoodie and sweats and walked to the bathroom. I changed my clothes and redid my hair. I let it down and tucked the front pieces behind my ears.

When I walked back to the living room, Ian has turned the tv on already and he was watching a cartoon.

I cut some apples for him and took the plate to where he was sitting.

Lowering my body close to his, I circled his shoulder and brought him to my side. He leaned his head on me and grabbed a piece of apple in his tiny hands.

My heart rammed against my chest. I had to make the decision tonight.

The proposal sounded like a dream come true. Endure the acting for couple of months and then me and Ian can live peacefully on our own. As much as I was thinking of saying no, Ian's future came to my mind.

He deserved more than this.

He deserved to live a comfortable life. Life where I didn't have to worry if I was going to be kicked out or losing my job that would cost me so much.

I bit my lip and tilted my head back.

"Ian?"

"What?" He looked up at me with a smile. He was always happy, no matter what. It was probably where I was getting all of my energy from. Seeing him like this always melted my heart and brought me peace.

"Umm,... what would you think if I...." My mouth fought with my mind on how to say the words.

"What would you think if I had a boyfriend?" I almost cringed. Since Ian has been living with me, I haven't gone on a single date. I didn't have time for that and also didn't want Ian to be uncomfortable.

There wasn't even any particular man that I was interested in.

"Wait you have a boyfriend? Can he play with me with the cars. You never do." My lips parted and I gasped dramatically.

"Yes I do." Ian giggled at my reaction.

"Yeah but you don't like cars as much as I do. Maybe he will." I couldn't deny that I didn't have a boyfriend because what was I going to say? I don't have a boyfriend and then tomorrow say I'm getting married?

"So you would be okay with that?"

"Yes, yes Eli." I hugged him closer to me and closed my eyes while I felt his tiny body press to mine.

He continued to eat the apple while thousands upon thousands of thoughts raced in my head.

I guess tomorrow is the day.

For me and for Ian, I'll have to take the decision and let myself say yes. It was very risky getting into a marriage with a stranger but it was my only choice.

Thoughts??

🤍🤍