CARMEN'S POV
"What?! What did you say happened to you?" Chloe asked me as I sipped on the juice she had poured me.
"I said that I was offered a proposal. This man wants to get married to me!" I said.
I still can't believe the luck that I had today. But seriously, is this even luck?
I don't know who this man is at all and I don't know what problems he has that he will have to ask someone to be his wife for a year.
I mean, he's actually very good looking so I'm sure that it won't be hard for him to date and get married right?
Why does he need someone to do this for him for a fee?
"Wow I can't....I can't believe this. What's going on in your life Carmen? This is like a scene out of a movie! How can you meet someone who just offered to marry you? It doesn't make sense at all" Chloe said.
I nodded my head, knowing that she's right. It doesn't make sense at all.
"I don't know....I don't understand what happened either. Today, I left the house, hoping to display my art in a gallery and making some sales. It'd be fine if I only sold one, at least I won't have to live on the streets. My mom has given me almost all of her money and I feel really bad. I don't want to give up on art Chloe. You know that it's my dream. Anyway, I arrived there today and instead of getting a chance to display my art, he told me that he wants to get married to me. He's going to pay me one million dollars as long as I can put on this charade of being married to him for a year!" I said to Chloe.
Chloe spat out the water in her mouth immediately I said this.
"One million....one million dollars?! Carmen, who is this man that you met?! How can he just offer one million dollars like that?" Chloe asked me.
I realized that I really knew nothing about him at all. And yet, I had agreed to his proposal just like that. What was I thinking?
I know…. the fact that I am going to be homeless soon if I don't find a way to come up with money contributed to that impulsive decision.
"I know...it's a lot. I don't think that I'd ever make that much even if I got a chance to sell all of my art" I said.
"I think that you should take it Carmen. You should get married to him" Chloe told me.
"What? You really think so? But we don't even know who this man is! What if he turns out to be a horrible person?" I asked her.
"Oh please I really don't think so Carmen. I mean, you said that he looks rich. Besides, I feel like all rich people have skeleton in thier cupboards. There's no way that they get so much money without stepping on some toes and doing some bad things right? But it should not really matter to you. What you should care about is how you're going to survive. We need to face the facts here Carmen. You may have to give up your dreams of being an artist and take up a regular job if this continues" Chloe said to me.
I frowned. This is what I feared the most. Giving up my dreams. After working so hard to get to this point.
But I know that that is probably what is waiting for me if I don't find do something quick.
"I don't want to give up art Chloe. I don't care if I'm being unrealistic or not. I've always wanted to do art and I managed to put myself through art school. I don't want to give up now.... especially since I have made so many sacrifices to get here" I said to Chloe.
"And now, you don't have to give up! Why should you give up your dreams? Especially like what you said, you've put in a lot of effort into it and gone through so much just to see yourself through art school. Carmen, you are a really good artist. I know you are a good artist. Heck, I'm sure that you know deep down that you're a good artist. What you need is just one lucky break. And I think that it may just have appeared in front of you right now. Without worrying about your rent and other bills you need to pay, I'm sure that you will be able to focus more on your art and you can create even better art" Chloe said to me.
I found myself nodding as she said this. This really does make a lot of sense now that I think about it. Without having to worry about how I'll survive the next day or about the fact that I may just become homeless, I can focus more on my art and create even better art that will catch people's attentions.
"And also, you said that you met him at the art gallery right? Which means that he is very well connected to the art world. All that you need Carmen, is a lucky break to get your work out there. I am sure that he can help you with this. So I think that in a year, you'd be walking away with not just one million dollars, you'd also be walking away as a successful artist who's set up for life. Is there anything better than this?" Chloe asked me..
I shook my head. It sounds good....this does sound good....but I can't shake off the feeling that I may be using him.
"Do you think that I'd be using him if I do this?" I asked Chloe.
"Oh, come on Carmen. He's asking you to get married to him for some reason that you don't know. You need to take as much benefits as you can!" Chloe said to me.
I nodded my head. "Yes. You are right"
"So what did you tell him when he asked you to get married to him?"
"I told him yes. Then I ran away"
"What?!"
"I said I ran away!"
"Wait, let me get this straight, you told him that you agreed to his proposal and then you just what? Got up and ran away?! Who the heck does that?" Chloe asked me.
I frowned. "Don't blame me! I had no idea what I was thinking! I was just sitting there with him and he told me that I had to get married to him. I don't know....the only thing that I could think of was the fact that I'll get thrown out of my house very soon if I don't come up with the money for my rent. And also there are other bills that I'm supposed to pay. I had no other choice than to blurt out yes!" I said to Chloe.
"Since you already agreed to it, why did you see the need to run? He must think that you're crazy right now! What if he doesn't want you and he actually goes to find someone else?! You would have lost your chance then!" Chloe said to me.
I was really starting to panic now. After Chloe explained things to me, I was starting to see that it's a good idea for me to get married to him
I don't have to care about why he wants to get married to me or anything that he does. I just need to take his money and do a good job.
But at that moment, immediately I agreed to it, I panicked and I didn't see a better option than to run away.
I just agreed to give a year of my life to a man that I barely know. It was so unlike me. The thought of that really unsettled me and I could only make a run for it.
"I just panicked Chloe. I don't know him! I felt as if I had just made a very horrible decision! I think he's going to call me back though ...he said something about how he thinks that I fit the image of the wife that he's looking for ...so I am sure that he's going to call. He's definitely going to call" I said.
I felt as if I was trying to convince myself more than I was trying to convince Chloe that he'll call back.
"Oh please Carmen. You said that he's a really rich man. There can't be a shortage of women in this city like you who will be willing to get married to him to earn a quick one million dollars in just a year's time! Just hope that he does call you back or else you're going to lose such a good opportunity!" Chloe said to me.
My heart was beating fast against my chest. He should please call back....I won't blow off such a good opportunity again.
A few seconds later, my phone rang. I looked at it. It was an unknown number.
I picked it up with high expectations.
"Hello, who's this?" I asked
CARMEN'S POV"It is Andres" "Andres?!" I called out in shock. "Yes. It's me. I was wondering why you left without saying a word?" He asked me. I turned to Chloe and mouthed to her. "It's him!""Yeah...I had something that I needed to do, that is why I decided to leave. ..I am sorry" I said to him. He sighed. The way he did that made me feel as if he was scolding me even though he did not say a word. He made me feel unsettled when he did this. "I thought that you regretted agreeing to my offer and that is why you left," he said. I laughed guiltily. "Of course not! I didn't regret it! It's a very.... attractive offer and I'd be more than willing to get married to you. I just had something to do. Do you think that we can meet up and talk about the details more clearly?" I asked him I decided to make the first move and ask him since I didn't want to make the mistake that I made earlier. "Sure. Would you like to meet me tomorrow at the Rhys Restaurant? Let's say at 2 pm perhaps?" H
ANDRESI frowned. Mainly because Derek is right. Saying that I did not notice how hot she is is just a big lie. She's very pretty and I noticed her. All parts of her.Even though she wore clothes that were aimed at covering her up completely. I actually would not mind getting to know more "personally" but that will only complicate things for me. And I hate complications more than anything. I just need her to play the role of my fake wife perfectly for a year. If she does a good job that satisfies me, I might just set her up for life. "I don't know what you are talking about Derek! Stop cooking up scenarios in your head" I said to Derek. "So you're telling me that you don't think that she's hot at all? You don't think that? Does this mean that it's okay for me to go after her since I find her extremely pretty?" Derek asked me. I know that he was saying this just to rile me up but I still fell for it. I glared at him. "Don't even think about it Derek or else you're just going to r
CARMEN"It is really important to me and I have to appear there this year. I can't let this chance pass me by. That is where you come in. I need you to pose as my wife so that I can get it. I don't want to deal with the hassle of getting married. Truthfully, marriage isn't for me at all. Just do a good job and you'll walk away with a guaranteed one million dollars and if you do a good job, I might just give you other benefits" Andres told me. I wanted to ask him what he wants to be on the list for. I mean, he doesn't need some yearly list that's published as a sign of his wealth right? I mean, he's really rich and I am sure that he knows. He doesn't look like someone who's that vain...I have a lot of other questions that's on my mind but the look on his face told me that he won't be entertaining any more topics on the reason why he needs a wife. I decided to just drop it there. Since he's not doing anything illegal or going to use me for illegal purposes, then I don't think that I
CARMEN"Wow!" I gasped. We haven't entered the boutique yet but I could already tell that I won't even be able to afford a handkerchief from this place. I turned to Andres. "What are we doing here?""What do you think we are here for? Of course, it's to shop for clothes for you! We need to change your entire outlook but we'll be doing that lately. I think that I'll get a personal stylist for you but for now, I think that we should get a few stuff and give the media something to talk about don't you think?" He asked and winked at me. He turned and gestured to a car packed a few feet away from us. It seems that the reporters and paparazzi who were at the restaurant with us had followed us here too. So is he doing this to give them a show? To announce that he's going to get married to me? "Don't look like that Carmen. We need to change the clothes that you are wearing for now" he told me. I looked down at the clothes that I wore and I could not help but feel extra poor today. "Hey
CARMENI looked over at the woman who had snatched the earring from me. I didn't want to cause a scene but I didn't appreciate the way she was looking at me as if I am some kind of dirt beneath her feet. It annoyed me to no end. "Excuse me Miss, but I am the one who got that first. You are being rude right now!" I said to her. I don't go looking around for trouble but that doesn't mean that I'll let someone look down on me and bully me. She looked at me and scoffed. "And who do you think you are to stop me from getting it? So what if you have it first? I said that I want it and I am going to get it. There's nothing that you can do about it. Besides, look at the way you are dressed. You clearly won't be able to afford anything in this boutique! Stop making a fool of yourself and just get lost!" She said to me. I had never been so insulted in my life. I've had a lot of people look down on me, especially in art school because of my background, but this is the first time that someone
CARMEN "Andres! What are you doing here? Do you know her?" Nadia said as she looked at me. I waited for Andres's reaction. Where does he know this woman from? She said that she's a senator's daughter so I guess that he knows her from their circle right? I was waiting for Andres to acknowledge her but he just glanced at her and looked away from her as if he could not be bothered with her at all. I had to admit, after the way she treated me, I felt happy to see Andres ignore her. "I said who wants to throw my girlfriend out?! Who'd dare to do that? It seems that your manager is tired of working and wants to retire at an early age?" Andres asked the salesperson. She was already shaking in fear immediately she saw Andres. Something told me that Andres wasn't just threatening her. He'd close down this place. "Mr. Blackwood, I am sorry.....I have no idea that she's your...." The salesperson immediately started to apologize but Nadia interrupted her. "What do you mean Andres? Ar
ANDRES"You'll beg? And what do you think that you begging is going to solve? You've insulted my girlfriend publicly and even told her that you're going to kick her out of this place just to please some body else. If this gets out, people are just going to look down on me. Do you think that I, Andres Blackwood can stand to be looked down on by others?" I asked her. I was doing this as a statement, letting everyone know that I care about Carmen a lot. This will make our relationship a lot more real. There was also another reason.... however, I don't want to think about that for now. "I am so sorry....I had no idea who she is....I am really sorry....I know I have a bad attitude but I am going to fix it. I will be nice to every customer from now on. I won't ignore anyone who comes here so please just forgive me this one last time " she continued to beg me. But I did not feel sorry for her. I know for a fact she won't have said all of these things if she wasn't in trouble right now. T
CARMEN"None of them are good people anyway so you should not feel guilty about getting a bit of benefits from them. It's not as if they are saints " Chloe told me. "I know that she's just saying this because she wants to look out for me but I really don't know if I'd be able to take advantage of someone the way she said. I think that I just don't have it in me to do something like that. "What did you say you were doing in that boutique anyway. I know that place and the way they treated you isn't really suspicious at all. All of them have always been like that. They look down on customers who they think is not up to their standards and they think they can get away with it. I think they target the very rich in the society so they don't have to be polite to people whom they consider poor" Chloe said. I bit my lips. "He bought me some clothes. He said that he didn't want be embarrasing him if we had to appear out together. Take a look at today. I was humiliated and it reflected on him