A Trade


    “So, you see, that family member that I have chosen is my son. Trust me, it’s much better than


    marrying me, is it not?” the boss said,ughing at his own sick joke.


    I stared at the document in shock as my hand shook. If I tear this paper apart, will that void the


    contract? I guess not…


    As I was deep in thought as to what I should do next, the boss’s mobile phone started to ring loudly,


    disturbing the tense atmosphere in the room.


    “What? I see…and? We’ll cover it…give her the best treatment,” the boss spoke through the phone.


    The conversation came to an end and the boss looked at me with a sad face and I wondered what that


    whole phone call was about.


    “The man that took your grandmother to the hospital just called,” the boss said solemnly.


    “How is she?” I asked with worry.


    “I think she already knew this but…I guess she never told you. Your grandmother has stage four lung


    cancer…” the boss said making a regrettable face.


    “What…?” I whispered so softly that I bet he couldn’t hear me as my shock took over.


    “The doctors are not sure how much longer she has left…” the boss continued.


    “That can’t be…she…” I mumbled under my breath.


    “I’ve told the hospital to give her the best treatment and of course, I’m willing to shoulder the


    expenses…” the boss suggested with a smile.


    “If only I would marry your son?” I quicklypleted his thought for him in anger. Was he seriously


    using my grandmother to negotiate with me right now?


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    “You’re smart. You’re catching on really fast. I could force you with the debt contract alone but…since I


    really like you, I’ll throw in a bonus and take care of your dear grandmother for you too. I mean, there’s


    no way you can afford her medical bills right now, right? She’s going to have to stay in the hospital for


    god knows how long…” the old man said with a sad face. I wasn’t sure if he was genuinely sad or


    feelingpletely lucky for having another thing to use against me.


    The other thing that had been bugging me since the very beginning was…


    “Why me? I’m sure there are plenty of other women for you to choose from. Why does it have to be


    me?” I asked with a mix of confusion and curiosity.


    “It has to be you,” the boss said slowly as he stressed every word.


    “Why?” I asked.


    “Because I’m sure that my son can fall in love…if it’s with you…” the boss replied with certainty.


    That’s it. This man ispletely out of his mind.


    I was sure that his son wouldn’t fall in love with me and vice versa. The other thing I was also sure of


    was that I couldn’t afford my grandmother’s hospital bills. I also can’t seem to leave this ce…alive. It


    didn’t seem like I had any other choice.


    “What if…your son doesn’t want me as his wife? What will you do? Will you…put an end to all this?” I


    asked, daring to hope just a little.


    “I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you…but how about a little trade?” the old man suggested with a


    grin.


    “A trade?” I asked, curiously.


    “I’ll forfeit your debt. I’ll pay for all your grandmother’s hospital bills and I’ll set you free. In exchange, all


    I want is for you to get my son to agree to take over the family’s business as my heir. Do we have a


    deal?” the boss said.


    That sounded too good to be true. Getting his son to agree to take over the gang didn’t seem difficult at


    all. I mean, he was born the heir so it was obvious that he would take over one day, right?


    At least, it was better than being married to him all my life.


    “O…k…” I said in a whisper.


    “Great! The wedding ceremony is tomorrow. I have everything prepared and ready to go. Your dress,


    the venue, the guests, and everything else has been prepared. All I needed was the bride and now I


    have her right here!” the boss shouted happily.


    “Wait a second…I thought if I could convince your son to take over the family business you would set


    me free,” I said confused.


    “Of course, that’s the deal. However, you haven’t achieved that yet so until you do, you will marry my


    son and live as his wife,” the boss said firmly, leaving no room for argument.


    “Wait! The wedding is tomorrow…already?!” I cried out in panic at the sudden realization.


    How did I get myself into this mess…again?


    …


    **Back to the Present**


    After changing out of the morous wedding dress into regr clothes, I rode in a ck limousine as it


    followed the ambnce that had my grandmother inside to the hospital where she was receiving


    treatment. As promised, the boss had ced my grandmother in the best medical facility in the capital


    and was paying for all her hospital bills, which must be massive.


    My grandmother wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital anymore. She spent her life in her private hospital


    room with her body hooked up the multiple machines. I didn’t have any medical knowledge, but I could


    tell that her condition wasn’t great. However, with the help of the doctors her condition has stabilized


    enough for her to livefortably in the hospital…for now.


    I watched silently from the side of the hospital bed as the nurses hooked multiple machines to my


    grandmother’s body after she had beenin down. She looks so frail and weak. After the nurses had


    left, I asked the men in ck, who were in charge of following me around, if I could have a private


    moment with my grandmother.


    When we were finally alone, I took her hand in mine and ced in on the side of my cheek as I felt


    warm tears sting my eyes. My grandmother had been so shocked when I told her that I have decided to


    marry the boss’s son. She was so selfless and worried only about my wellbeing like she had done


    since the first day I arrived at her doorstep. Now, however, it was my time to pay her back. I will protect


    her with everything that I have.


    I must be strong. However, now that the wedding ended in a disaster, I wasn’t sure what will happen


    now. It was clear that Hayden, just like me, was in love with someone else. However, I bet his love has


    a happy ending, unlike mine. I took out a heart-shaped locket ne and slowly opened it. I wiped


    the tears away from my eyes so that I could see the photo inside clearly.


    Inside the locket was a photograph of me and my boyfriend…well, ex-boyfriend now. I really miss you,


    Ethan...


    --To be continued…