PROLOGUE

Danielle can’t believe what she heard, she sat there staring at John with disbelief. “I can’t agree to your terms.” She said sternly. “My parent treated you as their own son ever since your parent’s death, how could you do this to us?” She’s in disbelief, she thought that John will help them as they treated him as family but it turns out that the man has something on his sleeves.

Danielle grew up in a family of three, she has all the love in the world. She may be born with a silver spoon in the mouth but she never did abuse her parent’s wealth. She knows the what is enough and she enjoys the contentment she had. So, just what went wrong? Just a week ago, her father was involved in a car accident and is now in a coma.

The following day, their family’s lawyer told them about the loses in the company and the possibility of declaring its bankruptcy. She and her mother were devastated by the news, they didn’t know that there’s trouble in the company, her father didn’t tell them about it. It has been a week and her father haven’t woken up.

“It’s up to you, Danielle, marry me or you and your family will suffer the consequences.” John said as he took a sip on his wine. “Your father’s company is doomed, Danielle, how can you pay off the hospitals bills? And you’re still studying. Unless, you sell your body…” He looked at her maliciously which made her uncomfortable.

“Isn’t that the same?” She hissed. “Selling my body is the same as marrying you.” John frowned and irritated.

“What I’m asking you is easy, Danielle. I will shoulder your father’s hospital bills and I will also help your father’s company.” He said in irritation. “And all you have to do is to marry me!”

“No!” She strongly said. “That may be easy as you say but that’s not the case with me! And my mother strongly disagreed with this!”

“Well, if it’s like that then there would be no deal.” He said, she wanted to smack John’s head for a second as he is calmly leaning on the couch and enjoying his wine.

“I guess, coming here is just a waste of time.” She felt disappointed, to her John is like a brother, but all those good memories with him vanished in an instant. She always thought that the man they considered family will help them but that was all a wishful thinking. If only there is someone she can ran to. “I will take my leave now.” She stood up with a heavy heart.

“Wait.” John stopped her; she looks at him with a confused face. “I will help you.” He suddenly blurted. “I will shoulder uncle’s hospital bills, and I will also find a way to help the company, you just—”

“I told you, I’m not going to marry you!” She cut him off. She firmly believes that marriage is sacred union between two people who loves each other. She wanted to marry someone she loves and not for something else—even if it’s for money.

“Let me finish talking before you react, Danielle.” He said in a serious tone. “You don’t have to marry me, just consider it as a debt that you will pay.” He added that made her frown, she knows that there’s something behind it.

“What’s the catch?” She asked in suspicion.

“Just pay it all within a year.” He answered that made her shocked. Danielle is weighing all the cost, she knew that it would be impossible to pay it all within a year, unless the company will be back to its shape there would be a chance that they could pay it off.

“And we fail?”

“Then you should prepare yourself to marry me.” He answered with a smirk on his face. “But I guess, that will not happen because you would surely do everything to pay it.”

“Then why are you saying this?”

“Just consider it as my help, you said it yourself that you considered me a family. So maybe, I should start playing family.” He answered, she senses that he is just being sarcastic.

“You jerk!” She gritted her teeth. But she doesn’t have no choice but to agree, she’s still in her last year of university, and she doesn’t know if the amount in her bank account is enough.

“I will prepare a contract just in case, I’ll send it to you later.” He smirked, she knew that he is planning something but she will do something about it later, for now, she should focus on her father.

With mixed emotions, Danielle, went straight to the hospital. Before she opened the room, she silently prayed that the machines connected to his father is gone and that his father is awake. She left out a sigh as she opened the door, it was just a wishful thinking.

“Danielle?” Her mother, Violet called out; she left another sigh as she closed the door. Her mother who is all smiles and full of colour is now pale, exhaustion is visible on her face.

“I’m back, mom.” She smiled and kissed her mother’s cheek. She placed her bag on the couch and took a seat next to her mother.

“How did it go?” Her mother asked worriedly. “Did he insist on your hand in marriage?” Her mother asked, Violet is aware of John’s intention, she is the first one who talk to him but John wanted Danielle’s hand on marriage in exchange. She can’t hardly believe that the young man she took in and cared for will act that way.

“At first he insisted that marriage is the way out, but later on eh changed his mind.” Danielle told her mother the whole story.

“That’s nice of him to do that, but...” Her mother held her hands. “I still think that he has ulterior motives. I’m worried about you, Danielle.”

“I know, mom. I’m actually in doubts but that’s the best choice we have for now. I will find a way to pay our debts within a year, you don’t have to worry, mom.” She tried to reassure her mother.

“But—”

“It’s okay, mom, we will pull it through.” She smiled. “You should go home and take a rest. I will stay here and look after dad.”

“But you still have an exam tomorrow.” Her mother worriedly said.

“It’s okay, mom, I brought my reviewers with me.” She assured her mother. “I am more worried about you, mom. You’re not getting plenty of sleep. You are becoming paler and paler.”

“But—”

“No, buts, mom. What will I do if you will get sick?” She asked making her mother sigh.

“Okay then.” Her mom gives up. “You stay here and look after your father. I will go home for a while and take a rest.”

“Yes, mom. I’ll call you if something came up.” Her mother nodded and fixed her things. “I’ll leave you here then, sweetie, call me if there’s a problem.” She gave her a peck on the cheek.

Danielle is now all alone in the room, all you can hear is the ticking of the clock and the noise coming from the machine, she quietly looked at her father lying on the bed. She’s not used seeing her father in that condition, her father is an active and cheerful person. He also loves to joke around. She stood up from the couch and approach her beloved father.

“Dad, wake up, please.” She said as if he can hear her while caressing his forehead. “Don’t leave us, dad. Mom may not handle it.” A tear falls from her eyes. “Please wake up, dad. We will wait no matter how long it takes.”

Danielle was sleeping when she felt a hand touching her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes and was blinded by the light. She quickly blocked the light by using her hand.

“I’m sorry if I woke you up.” It was her mother’s voice. She slowly opened her eyes again. “Manang Rosing cooked you breakfast.” Her mother informed, Manang Rosing is their helper ever since she was a child, she really adored her. “I also bought you changed of clothes.”

“Thank you, mom.” She said as she gets up from the bed, they admitted her father in a private room that is why there is another room for the watcher to sleep and they have their own comfort room to use. “What time is it now?” She asked and reached her phone, it’s already six thirty, her exam will be at eight thirty.

“Your father is still not making any progress.” Her mother said. She looked at her, she secretly sighed in relief, at least her mother rested.

“Let’s not lose hope, mom.” She hugged her mother.

“We will pass this challenge!” Her mother slightly smiled.

“You should eat first before taking a bath. I already ate at the house.”

After eating, she took a bath and went to school, still hoping and praying that his father will wake up.