Offer
The air between them was thick with tension. Lucas leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but cutting.
"Miss Raymond, I won't force you," he said, his eyes glinting with quiet power. "I'm only trying to do you a favor. You can either accept or reject but remember, you've only bought yourself eighteen hours. Think about it."
Hazel's heart pounded. Her hands trembled, but her voice came out strong.
"You can keep your useless offer to yourself," she spat. "I will never become your slave. You wait and see I'll get the money and save my father."
Her phone suddenly rang, slicing through the silence like a blade.
She snatched it up. "Hello? … Yes, I'll be there as soon as possible. Thank you."
When she turned back, Lucas was watching her, that unreadable half-smile still on his lips.
"Can I leave now?" Hazel asked, clutching her bag. "I'm off duty."
"Yes, go," he replied smoothly. "But don't forget my offer."
She didn't answer. She just turned away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she walked out each step echoing her fear and defiance.
Hospital....
"Doctor, you said it was urgent?" Hazel asked, rushing into his office, her voice shaking.
The doctor sighed, removing his glasses. "Yes, Miss Raymond. I'm afraid if your father doesn't receive treatment within the next six hours…" He paused, searching for gentler words. "…he might not make it."
Hazel's breath hitched. "But you said he had three months," she whispered, her throat tightening.
"I did," the doctor admitted. "But his second kidney has failed. You'll need to make the deposit immediately. I'm sorry, Hazel. I truly am."
And then he turned away, leaving her frozen in the hallway, tears burning down her cheeks as the world blurred around her.
The Call
Her fingers shook as she dialed.
"Hello, Mr. Lucas," she said, voice breaking. "I'm ready to sign the contract. Please it's urgent. Can I sign it now? My father… he can't wait." C&M got it tnks she said hurriedly.
C&M Café
Lucas didn't even look surprised. "Miss Raymond," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips, "that was quicker than I expected less than an hour."
Hazel clenched her jaw. "I don't have time for your games, Mr. Lucas. Please, let me sign the contract so you can pay my dad's bills."
He arched a brow. "Aren't you going to read it carefully first?"
"I already did," she said, voice tight. "It's fine."
"If you say so." He leaned back, studying her face. For the first time, his smirk softened just a little. "The car will pick you up tomorrow," he said finally, before walking away.
Moments later, his car sped off, leaving Hazel standing there, her eyes glistening in the café lights.
Lucas's Paradise
"You got married sooner than I expected," his aunt said teasingly, raising a glass.
Lucas gave a humorless smile. "It's not what you think. It's just a contract. Six months, that's all. I'm only doing this because of Summer. Hopefully, Sandra will return before then."
"Hopefully," his aunt murmured, her gaze heavy with unspoken concern.
The Next Morning
Car horns pierced the early morning silence.
"Oh, gosh…" Hazel groaned, rubbing her eyes. "It's just six a.m. Why would anyone make that much noise this early?"
A loud knock, knock followed.
"Now what?" she muttered, dragging herself to the door. "I hope it's not the landlord."
"Mrs. Lucas?" a man in black asked politely. "Your husband sent me to fetch you. He also asked me to give you this note."
Hazel blinked, startled. "Oh, jeez… right. Thanks." She sighed, taking the folded paper from his hand. "You're just doing your job."
The man nodded and stepped back.
Hazel unfolded the note with trembling fingers.
Mrs. Lucas, did you forget our contract? I'm sure you remember now. Hurry up you're probably reading this by 6:05 a.m. I'll be leaving for work by 7:00. Get here before then. We have important matters to discuss. And remember every action has its consequence. See you soon, Mrs. Hazel Lucas.
Her grip tightened around the letter. For a long moment, she stood still, the words burning into her mind. Then, slowly, she whispered to herself
"So it begins."