The morning sun shone brightly in the sky. And just like always, Laylah was at her workplace tending to customers coming in and out of the coffee shop. She reached out to a desk to collect their used cup when the door flung open, diverting her attention to it.
"Welcome to…" She trailed off as soon as she saw the beautiful lady who had just marched inside. At a glance, she didn't recognize her, but she followed her with her gaze until she was closer.
"Your expression, it's like you have seen a ghost." The lady responded, her face adorned with a smile, her hands outstretched for a hug. Laylah snapped back to reality and quickly pulled her into a hug. She released the hug and patted her cheeks.
"Get me a cup of cappuccino, please." The lady said, offering herself a seat while she waited for her return, still smiling. A few minutes later, Laylah returned and placed the coffee on the table, still in disbelief.
She excused herself and strode back to the counter to meet her colleague.
"Hey, can you attend to the customers while I spend some time with her?" She pleaded, and the figure nodded.
"Sure, you seem happy, you must have missed her." The brunette responded, and Laylah didn't deny it. It had been a while since she had seen her and couldn't help but wonder if everything was okay.
She strode back to the desk and pulled a seat for herself.
"I'm delighted to see you, you stopped coming to the coffee shop." The lady dropped her cup of coffee and rested her hands on her thigh, her legs crossed.
"I would have called, but I never had your contact. I have been busy and had to travel out to take care of some business." She responded, and continued. "I should have gotten your contact." She added.
"I didn't have your contact either. I can't believe we have known each other but never exchanged contacts." Laylah felt embarrassed and cast her gaze down.
"We will today! I should get your number. But before then, there's something I want to ask you. I will need a response from you." She sounded stern, making Laylah ponder what it could be about. They had never had anything vital to discuss. Each time she come over for coffee, they chatted randomly, and that was all.
"Mrs. Rose, what is it you want? Your tone sounds serious. Is it something I can do?" Laylah couldn't wait to hear what it was. Since she had moved to Los Angeles, no one had ever approached her for favors.
"Yes. I have known you for four months now. You have been a wonderful person, and I have come to like you. That's why I want you to do me the favor of marrying my son."
Laylah froze, staring intensely at the lady seated in front of her. She has been missing for weeks, and today she showed up to ask her to marry her son, the president of Sung Group company, whose uncle is the Mayor. The number one top influential family in Los Angeles.
She gulped and tried to adjust herself as she became uncomfortable, a sudden sweat forming in her underarm, her legs getting shaky.
"You want me to marry your son? He is the president. I have no reason to marry him, we haven't met before or been in any such relationship."
Rose let out a small laugh, and crawled her hands to Laylah's.
"Do you need one to marry him? Come on, I have grown fond of you. You are the perfect wife for my son, I'm his mother and know what's good for him." Laylah wasn't expecting all of this. She couldn't just get married to someone she didn't like or have feelings for. But then again, she thought, if this was an opportunity for her.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rose, I can't do that. I will get back to work, you don't have to pay for the coffee." Laylah rose to leave, but before she took a step, Rose stopped her.
Rose was stunned she declined such an offer from her. This was her chance to change her life, but she declined. But unbeknownst to Rose, there was more to why she had to turn down the offer.
"I will pay you." She heard, and paused. Laylah quietly spun around to look in her direction.
"Name your price, millions. I'm ready to pay you." This was how desperate and anxious she was to get her son married. And Laylah was the only person fit to be her daughter-in-law.
Laylah took her seat back.
"Did you say you will pay me? I should name my price?" she queried, worried about ruining her reputation. She might have been poor all her life, but she has survived slowly on her pride. The poor and the rich don't mingle, she wasn't sure if they would work out.
"I don't have much time, as you can see, my driver is outside waiting for me. Yes, you heard me, just name your price, and I will wire it to your account today. But this has to stay between us two."
"Why? Why are you going to such lengths? Just because you want me to marry your son?"
"I have grown fond of you. That's why I want you to be my daughter-in-law." She responded and pulled a card out of her bag.
"This is an invitation to a small banquet later today. Give me a call when you make up your mind. I will send someone to pick you up." Rose stood up and picked up her bag from the desk.
"Thank you for the coffee. Please keep in mind, you have before the end of today to get back to me." She added before walking out.
Laylah gazed at her until she was out of the door. She looked down at the card and pushed it into her pocket pants. Laylah got back to work without thinking about the offer she just got, she was still in doubt.
It was time for her to get off work, she got changed and hailed a cab back home. Upon arriving at her studio apartment, she fell deep into thought. Laylah couldn't stop thinking if this was an opportunity for her to live in luxury and uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of her parents. If she could get into power, she would be able to dig into the past. She thought about her current predicament and couldn't turn down the offer. She needed the money, her monthly stipend wasn't enough to pay her bills. If she acquiesced to the request, it's because she required the money. She reached into her bag, pulled out her cellphone and the card. Everything about it screamed luxury. Laylah dialed the contact and waited for her to pick up.
"Hello! Are my on to Mrs. Rose?" She queried, hearing her sigh.
"Yes, Laylah, is that you? Thank goodness, I have been expecting your call. I believe you won't turn me down."
'What does she mean? Is there something about her son she isn't telling me?'
"Text me your address, I will instruct my driver on what to do. Please don't hesitate to follow him."
"Okay, I will be waiting." They hung up, and she made a little dance of excitement, she will be getting in a fancy car.