BE MY WIFE

Diane was surprised by the man's questions but what happened next made her heart skip a beat. "Resign from that cafe and be my wife." Her jaw dropped. Seriously? Is he on drugs? Who will marry someone they just met a couple of minutes ago? She's shocked! No, that's not the right term, she's a bit disturbed. Is she still safe? "I said, be my wife." Diane hasn't recovered yet when the man asked her again.? "I will pay you five thousand dollars. Don't worry. No strings attached," the man continued explaining when he saw her reaction. "We can make a written agreement. I won't control you. After 2 years, we can have a divorce and we will both have our freedom back." Again, is he serious? He'll pay her just to be his wife? Well, a trophy wife. Nah, not a trophy one but something like that. A wife he can show to his friends and family. Diane is baffled. They just met. She doesn't know if this is her lucky day or she'll go crazy with how the events are happening. She calmed herself down and looked at the man intently. Now that he is talking, he looks decent. Apart from proposing something weird, it looks like he's trustworthy—no wait a minute, she shouldn't be this latent. She still doesn't know him well!? She's like in a scene in a TV series. A man offering a woman for a marriage; God! Does that really happen in real life? Going back, she's wondering why such a hunky man is offering a stranger marriage all of a sudden. Well, she needs money and she doesn't know if this is luck or misfortune. She can't find the right words to say.? "Okay, listen, woman. No, should I call you, Miss Dianne?" His voice sounded like he is losing his patience because she isn't answering him. Well, what should he expect? For her to clap and say yes to an indecent wedding proposal, from someone she doesn't know? Literally, she doesn't know him. She doesn't even know his name! Goodness, gracious! No matter how hunk he looks, she's still a decent woman. "God! How many times do I have to repeat this?" The man can't hold his temper any longer.? "I need a wife I can introduce to my family. Since you said you aren't married or in a relationship, I guess you are a perfect fit. There's no conflict." The man smiled at her.? Oh, now it seems he is trying to lure her with his charm. She shook her head and smirked. She isn't a cheap woman that can easily fall. "Look, you just need to marry me and be my wife. That's for 2 years to be clear. You just need to stay home, be with me at any party I need to attend, and travel with me. In short, just be a submissive wife. Also, don't worry, I am harmless. We can sleep in a separate bedroom," the man explained to her patiently, hoping she'll understand and he'll get her yes on his proposal to her.? "It's only for 2 years. But I forgot to mention, even if we don't control each other, you are not allowed to be in a relationship, neither are you allowed to have any suitors. You need to be a faithful wife to me." He looked at her directly in the eyes. "Money isn't a problem here; I can pay you every month directly to your bank account. On top of that, I'll provide all your needs and then after two years, I'll give you more money for compensation." This is so good to be true. Diane said as she started to pinch herself to wake herself up. She might just be dreaming.? God, is this your answer to my prayers? Her mind is trying to process everything. As for now, all she heard was the discussion about money. Oh, well! She's so broke that she is tempted to accept this offer if not for her rationale. She felt a sting in her arm. God, this is real. She felt the pain when she pinched herself. If only she can slap herself but of course, she wouldn't like to look stupid and the man might withdraw his proposal. "It's a win-win situation. I know you need money. That's why you are here for a part-time job, and I need someone to be my wife for two years."? After that, he fished out his wallet in his pocket and took out some money. He gives the money to Diane. ?"Here, take these one hundred dollars. I need your answer tomorrow at seven in the morning. No need to finish cleaning the house. You may go, take a rest and think about the deal I offered you." Diane took the money and stepped out of the house.? She doesn't know what to think of. She can't believe what's happening—what's going on.? As soon as she reached the end of the corridor, she pressed the elevator button down to the ground floor. She first dropped by the convenience store. She is so hungry. That conversation just made her stomach empty. All her brain cells were not functioning because of too much thinking. Her throat felt dry.? Well, she isn't surprised with the man in front of her, she'll really get thirsty. Gosh, she didn't do anything but she felt so tired. Yesterday, she asked her friend, Jenny, if she knows a part-time job she can do. Jenny then recommended this one to her. The job is to clean the apartment and iron some clothes. But hell, she didn't do anything yet she felt drained; physically and mentally. She let out a deep sigh. Whose mind won't get tired if someone offers you marriage in exchange of money which she desperately needs? She dreamed that one day a man would ask her to marry him. Funny, she should have been very specific with her wish.? Someone proposed to her but in a very unpleasant way. Well, she doesn't even know him or what he does in his life. She finished her food so she walked her way to the bus to get home. When she arrived home, it's already seven o' clock in the evening.? She needed to cook dinner while waiting for her friend, Margie.? She is on an afternoon shift.? For sure, she'll be home by ten. She met Margie at the airport when she first set her feet in this place.? She came here to find work to support her family back home. They applied at the same cafe and got hired as well. Diane is on the morning shift while Margie does the afternoon shift. The morning shift is from seven in the morning until three o' clock while the afternoon shift is from one o' clock to nine in the evening. ? Diane and Margie shared almost everything from rent to food. Diane took out the chicken from the freezer.? It was marinated last night.? She will fry the chicken and prepare some vegetables for soup.? Her mom taught her how to cook. She let out a deep sigh. She misses her mom so much.? She felt the corner of her eyes getting warm and a tiny liquid fell down. She cannot control her tears. "I miss you, Mommy." I don't have anyone else to blame but my daddy. I wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for him. "This is entirely his fault." She took a deep breath. "Gosh, stop crying Diane, this isn't a perfect time for you to get emotional," she uttered to herself. She grabbed her phone and dialed Jenny's number. The other line rings for a couple of times until finally connected. "Hi, Jenny!"? "Oh, Diane, how are you?" "Uh, I'm fine. I just want to ask something. What's the name of the man that lives in the apartment I cleaned?" "Oh, that's Sir Alejandro Smith. He's from Italy." "What does he do in life?" "My friend told me he's a businessman." The other line stopped and was somewhat confused with all her questions. "Wait, why are you asking? I don't know much about him. Has something happened?" Jenny sounded worried. "No, nothing, I'm just asking." "Did you clean his apartment?" "Yes, I went there." "So how is it? Is it messy? Did you do a lot of work?" "No, actually, the house is clean. It was not a lot of work. Have you been to that place?" Jenny is also a part-time cleaner. "No, I don't know him. When you asked for a part-time job, I asked my boyfriend if he can recommend any jobs for you." "Oh, by the way, Jenny, thank you so much. I really appreciate the recommendation."? "Don't mention it. What are friends for?" "Don't worry, if we have time, I'll treat you to a meal," "How about on Friday night? I should be okay to come late, Saturday will be my day off," Jenny replied. "Okay, it's a deal then." Exactly the clock struck ten in the evening, she's done cooking and the table is set. This is how her life goes here. She isn't used to eating alone so no matter how late it is, she will wait for her friend so they can eat together.