Chapter 5 The year that changes everything…

Lila

After I left Daniel’s office, I went straight home. I sent a text to Jenna to tell her it was done and I slept right off. I didn’t want to think about the decision I made so it was better to just sleep it off instead.

The next time I woke up, it was the sound of the doorbell that woke me. I didn’t even need to check to know who it was.

I got out of bed and opening the door, Jenna was standing there with a big smile on her face. She was still smelling like fries and coffee, her hair pulled into a messy bun, and her eyes beaming with smiles.

She pushed past me and then hurried inside while I shut the door behind her.

“So? Tell me everything right now” she let out the second I was back with her. she shut the door behind her.

I sat on the edge of the couch, fingers twisting together. Saying it out loud made it feel unreal, like if I spoke too much, the whole thing would collapse.

“He wants to marry me.” I finally found my voice while she blinked once and then twice.

“As in legally marry you?” She quizzed.

“Yes, but it’s just for a year. Sort of like a contract with no feelings or intimacy, just business.” I said quietly.

“And I know you’re dying to ask already, the pay is a million dollars.” I chimed in and for a moment, she stared at me like I’d grown a second head before she suddenly screamed.

“Oh my God!!!” She shouted as she jumped up and rushed toward me.

“Lila, this is insane. This is perfect. One million f*cking dollars!!!” She yelled again while I just watched her display.

“It’s terrifying, he’s terrifying.” I said.

“Yeah, and so is poverty,” she shot back without missing a beat.

“One of them sucks. One of them saves your sister.” She added and that shut me up instantly because she was damn right.

She sat beside me, suddenly calmer, more serious.

“Listen to me Lila. I understand how you feel but trust me, this is not you selling yourself. This is you surviving. You’re smart, you’re strong, and it’s just a year, right. You’ve survived worse and this money… it’s everything. You never have to struggle another day in your life if you use this opportunity well.” She let out and once more, I thought about Mia’s breathing machine. The way her fingers curled weakly around mine earlier the other day.

“A year,” I whispered while Jenna squeezed my hand.

“A year that changes everything.” She whispered.

“I’m not going to the club tonight. I’m staying with my new millionaire best friend.” She teased me while I smiled.

“Ohh please, stop with that…” I replied.

“You know, you’re the expert now and I think I better start getting tips from you. Who knows, I might meet my billionaire client too who would pay me to marry him. Trust me, I’m saying yes in a split second!” She let out and we both burst into laughter.

She stayed the night like she promised but we barely slept anyway. We talked all through especially how our boss from the diner had to work so hard after I left.

“Serves him right,” I muttered and Jenna nodded.

“I know right,” she chimed in.

She later slept off but I didn’t. I had so many thoughts in my head and every time I closed my eyes, I saw Daniel’s cold face and I remembered how he talked about marriage like a business merger.

Morning came too fast and I was so excited because Jenna was up too and I didn’t have to deal with pictures of Daniel conjuring in my head.

We were still in bed when the doorbell went off. We both shared a knowing glance then since it was just after eight.

We ignored at first but when ut rang the second and third time, Jenna sat bolt upright.

“Oh. I better go check who it is.” She let out and then left the room.

“Lila! Come out here!” She called out about a minute later.

Before I could even process what was happening, my tiny apartment was filled with people. A woman with sleek hair and sharp eyes introduced herself as the makeup artist. Another rolled in garment bags like she was preparing for a red carpet. Two other men also followed behind them, already assessing the whole place.

“They’re movers, I told you this man was serious.” Jenna whispered excitedly.

“I didn’t agree to this,” I said weakly while she turned to me slowly.

“Yes, you did. You just don’t know it yet.” She muttered and I still really tried to protest. But every time I opened my mouth, someone was already doing something like laying makeup brushes on my table, holding up dresses, taping boxes shut.

When they guided me into the bathroom chair and started working on my face, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. They didn’t overdo it though. They only softened me, and polished the rough edges life had carved into me.

The dress they chose was simple and elegant. It was made of a soft fabric that hugged my whole body without screaming and made my curves come out so nice. I looked in the mirror and I saw someone else which made my throat tighten.

“This isn’t me,” I murmured while Jenna leaned against the doorframe.

“It is now.” She whispered with a sweet smile.

By the time they were done with the finishing touches, a black car pulled up outside for me. My room was almost empty as my things had been packed into boxes. The only thing left were the furniture and I just asked Jenna to have the useful and discard others. She would also be moving my sister’s things into her place for the meantime till she’s all well.

I stood there in the room for a moment, staring at the whole place with my heart pounding heavily.

“What if I mess this up?” I asked while Jenna stepped forward and hugged me tight.

“You won and And even if you do, you’ve already done the hardest thing… choosing her over fear.” She said while I nodded, blinking fast.

“Now you have to leave, your car is waiting outside.” She added and then led me out.

The driver opened the door and as I slid into the backseat, he circled in too and zoomed off.

I kept looking back at Jenna till she was out of sight. My phone buzzed just then with a message from an unknown number.

“Are you on your way? We’re on schedule here.” It was from Daniel.

I didn’t reply the text. I just stared out the window, my reflection staring back at me. I was calm on the outside but shaking really badly underneath.

I was about to become Mrs. Sterling and I have no idea what that would cost me…