Chapter 2 Handover Day

Lisa's POV

"Thank you so much! You won't regret employing me, I promise!"

I say to the manager while leaving her office.

She's a great woman, I can tell by her demeanor. I'm to resume at the diner at 88 am tomorrow. I've explained that I can only work morning shifts. I'm walking down the street now to my apartment when my almost-damaged Android phone rings. I look and see who's calling. 'sweet pooh'. It's my mother.

"Guess what mum? I've just got a job at Tracy's Delights and it's a morning shift. It comes with good pay too! I told you we were going to sort everything out. I only need to save for 3 months."

I hear my last statement and resume devastation. I don't think my dad should wait that long for his surgery. I forget that I'm on a phone call with Mum until I hear her gloomy voice.

"Lisa..?"

"Yes, mum?" I hear her sob and I become alarmed. I wonder whether my father has given up the ghost.

"Mum! What is it?? You don't sound... you're crying! Is it Dad Is he okay??"

I'm rambling on not giving my mother a chance to talk.

"Are you home? The hospital? Should I come over??"

My mum is still sobbing and it makes me more uncomfortable.

"Mum, where are you?!"

It seems my tone jerks her up so she responds.

"I'm..uh ...I'm home.."

"Okay then! I'll be with you shortly."

I say, hurrying up the stairs to our apartment. I get to the door. D13. That's the label of our apartment.

I take in a deep breath and brace myself before bending the door knob. I walk in to see my mother spread on the long sofa, weeping her eyes out. I hurry to her.

"Mum? Mum.. what is it? Why are you crying?"

She sits up...

Mrs Young's POV

I'm sad all day realizing I've practically sold my daughter for money. I feel awful and I cannot stop crying.

As I sit up to look at my worried daughter's face, guilt drowns my conscience. Her innocence is glaring and I cannot help but blame myself for apparently ruining it.

"Lisa.."

I sniff ..." Lisa, I'm... I'm ok. It's.."

Her eyes are glistening and ready to listen. But she doesn't know the complication I've put her in.

"Honey.. honey.."

I sit right and motion for her to sit beside me. I take her hands in mine and break the grievous news.

"You're getting..married."

I say, waiting for a response from her but I get nothing.

"You're getting married, my love to...to my boss.."

I can tell Lisa's dumbfounded.

Lisa's POV

My mother's words are like bees buzzing in my ears. My brain is unable to comprehend her words.

"What do... Mother, what do you expect me to make of this? What do you mean?"

I retort in disbelief.

"He threatened you to do this?? Why, are you owing him money?? That Mr Trevor is an absolute scum of the earth. He deserves to-" I blast on before my mum interrupts me.

"Not him. His son. His son is my boss. He's the one I've always complained about."

I can't believe my mother right now and I am furious at her.

"Boy, are you just opening a can of worms today.So if he's the slimy slug that treats everyone like they're worthless, how come you're readily giving me to him?! "

I say, raising my voice.

My mother explains to me how she went to him for help and he asked for something in return. She explains how she doesn't know he found out she has a daughter but that's just it. He wants me to marry him. I keep calm, knowing my mum has done this for my father's sake.

"It's a life of sacrifice. I'll do it. But what I don't understand is how long I'm to be married for."

"He said, just until after your father fully recovers from the surgery. So basically, after I've used the money to pay for his surgery."

I glare at my mum, running a few thoughts through my head.

"This is fishy. So he'll marry me for a week or two and annul the wedding?"

I see my mum realizing that she hadn't thought it all through.

"Oh, my dearest. What have I done? What is this man up to?!"

I comfort my mum.

"It's fine, mum. Really. Whatever happens, I'll be okay. Trust me. Besides we're doing this for Dad..so... it's a family sacrifice."

"But why do you have to be the one to carry all of our burdens??"

I comfort my mum again and reassure her. She tells me I have to follow her to work the next day. She says I should try not to look pretty so he's discouraged. But I laugh and remind her that her husband's safety rides on this. I think of my new job at Tracy's Delights and regret how I have to disappoint this lovely woman. I sigh in disbelief... wondering what would become of me.

* * * * *

The following day...

Lucian's POV

I feel satisfied with myself and my scheme. I know there's no way the wretch would reject my offer so I'm confident she'll be coming along with her pretty petite daughter. I seem a little excited that I'm even thrown aback. I try to keep myself in check and my feelings at bay.

"Come on in."

I say after I hear a knock at the door. When my assistant steps in, I'm disappointed and upset.

"Since when do you knock before coming into my office?"

"Well, I have to start doing that because I don't want to keep coming in on you having a blast with female employees."

I feel his impatient sting and ignore it.

"Because you're good looking, and an efficient worker, I'll let this slide."

I say, throwing my face away from his direction.

"Is everything ready?"

"At your command sir."

"Enough of that. Is, everything ready? Have you got the money in your account?" I ask impatiently.

"Yes. But I don't understand why you want me to send it from my account. Besides, it's a silly game you're playing. How do you want to be married for two weeks?"

In my thoughts, I feel my assistant knows way too much for his own good.

"You should learn to keep your mouth shut sometimes and just do as you are told."

A knock is heard on the door again.

"Just open the door."

The graceful black-haired beauty steps first into my office and I'm in heaven. I forget the world around me feeling engulfed by her presence. I don't know when I begin to smile.

"This is my daughter, Lisa Young."

I don't realize I'm being spoken to.

"Lisa, this is Mr Lucian Trevor. Current CEO of Trevor Enterprises and my boss."

I'm still lost in my gaze at her daughter till my assistant taps my shoulder. I'm embarrassed.

"Oh of course. Hello, pleasure to meet you. Sure your mum has filled you in. Let's not dilly-dally. Scott, make the transfer immediately."

My gaze hasn't left Lisa. I'm also wondering why she's having this effect on me.

"My word! It's a million dollars! But I asked for..."

"Just..go, Mrs Young. Scott, you too."

"Please don't talk to my mother like that."

The little firecracker barks at me, and I'm amused.

As they leave the office, I return my gaze to Lisa.

"I see you have fangs, pretty little Lisa. I wonder how deeply they bite."

I say and smirk in amusement.. my gaze leaves her horrified and I'm elated.

"Oh I'm going to enjoy you...so much.."