Chapter 2 2.

While tidying up a few tables, I suddenly noticed that Troy was no longer seated at his usual table. "Oh he's left already?" I thought to myself.

Wasn't expecting him to wait for me anyway. I continue cleaning the tables when I hear someone walk through the doors. There was only two costumers left and the other waitresses were in the back room on their break. I walk over to the counter to take the person's order. I open my notepad and look up to meet with my ex's green eyes.

"Alicia what are you doing here?" Derek, my ex asks. "Do you work here?"

"No, I don't. I am just standing behind this counter with this uniform on because I want to play dress up. " I answer sarcastically.

"No need to be rude, Alice." Derek states.

"I have told you severally to stop calling me Alice. Only special people call me that, and you are no longer special to me. So what do you want? Is there something you want to order?" I ask as I raise an eyebrow waiting for his order.

"A talk with you." He answers.

"I do not think there is any item on the menu named "A talk with you". So what are you saying bro?" I responded coldly.

"C'mon Alicia, why are you being so mean" He said.

"Did you say I am being so mean? Also, Why would I even want to talk with the person who not only shattered my heart but also got me sacked? I have no interest in facing another dismissal, so please, just place your order, Otherwise, I might have to insist on you leaving," I retort, feeling my anger escalate with every word I say.

"Okay I want a medium coffee with three sugars." He replies and I write his order down.

I walk over to the coffee machine and start making the coffee when he starts talking again. "Alicia please can you just hear me out?."

"What part of NO, do you not understand." I answer.

Pouring coffee into a cup, I secure the lid before handing it over. I head to the table I'm tidying, grabbing a wet cloth before moving on to the next one.

"Alicia, please, just hear me out. I did not mean what I said last time. I... I am begging you, please give me a chance to explain," he implores. I turn around, sighing in defeat.

If that's the only way to silence him, then so be it.

"Fine, you've got one minute," I respond, continuing to clean the tables.

Pouring coffee into a cup, I carefully secure the lid before handing it over. Making my way to the table I was tidying, I grab a damp cloth before proceeding to another.

"First, let me express how deeply sorry I am for my previous actions. I acknowledge it was a mistake, but believe me, I love you – I always have," he confesses. I pivot, shooting him a 'are you serious right now' look.

"So, the blonde slut wasn't up to par, and you have decided to come back to me?" I question, crossing my arms.

"No, it's not that. I realized she doesn't hold a candle to you. Losing you isn't worth any fortune. I love you, Alicia," he insists.

"Derek, I've been better off without you in my life. Maybe those words would've meant something two months ago, but now, I don't want you in my life. You're just not what I desire anymore, You are dead to me" I assert, responding to his plea. "If there's nothing else you want to order, I need you to leave, because it is obvious you have nothing meaningful to say to me"

Returning to the counter, I hear the entrance door's bells chime as it swings closed. A sigh of relief escapes me, and I quickly wipe away a stray tear.

****************

Checked the time, saw it hit nine, and knew my shift was done. I Punched out and walked out of the diner. Shortly after I stepped out of the diner, I spotted a fancy Suv parked outside but shrugged it off. I Kept walking until I clocked that the sleek black Suv was tailing me. Started jogging, but it pulled up right behind me, trapping me between the car and a dead-end alley. Some shadowy figure stepped out, and walked towards me.

Fear surged through me at the thought of being kidnapped or worse. Hastily, I fumbled in my bag for the pepper spray, praying for a lifeline. My heart raced as the figure approached, and in a desperate attempt to ward them off, I discharged the spray.

"What the hell?! Jeez!!!" the figure exclaimed, hands instinctively reaching for their stinging eyes. As they moved closer into the light, I saw that it was Mr Rich.

"Oh, shit! Mr Troy I am so sorry. I thought you were some kind of assailant," I blurted out as I walked toward him. Troy, still recovering, rubbed his eyes until clarity returned.

"I am so sorry." I repeated once more.

"It's okay. I understand. I didn't mean to scare you. Sorry. Uhm, are you free to talk?" He asks and I think about it before shaking my head in response.

"Uhm I would have loved to, but I have somewhere I am rushing to" I Lie, and then I began to walk away hastily. Suddenly, I spotted this giant and muscular man hurry after me, I suspected him to be Mr Troy's bodyguard. Immediately he got to me, I tried to resist him but his strong arms pick me up and carried me into the Suv. Even i felt like a bride who was lifted by her groom, I was shocked but I wasn't scared. Every time I tried to wriggle out of his grip it tightened around me so I finally gave up once we where inside the Suv. Troy placed me in one of the seats and place the seatbelt on me.

"I tried to get you in calmly, but your lack of cooperation has left me with no choice, Alicia." he asserts while withdrawing an envelope.

"Are you kidding me right now? You think this is cool? What could you possibly have to say to me or want from me, that would require you to handle me like this? Uhn!??" I demand.

"I am really sorry for handling you like this. Trust me, I am not always like this. I just couldn't think of another way to get your undivided attention. The thing is, I want you to become my wife." He replies.

I cease my kicking and gaze at him in bewilderment; he wants me to what?! Is this guy on drugs?

"What in the world? Are you sick or something? I don't even know you. You're merely just a regular customer at the diner where I work," I retort.

"Wait. Let me explain. It's not a real marriage, it's just like an arranged marriage for a year." He answers.

"Why me?! I am just a waitress. There are other girls out there, that would kill for the opportunity. You can have any of your sluts do this for you. I mean, You are Troy Nulec for crying out loud!" I exclaim.

"Yes I know that. But I need someone who will make my parents believe that I have changed from my playboy ways. I need someone opposite from the girls I normally hang out with, and you look the part." He responds.

"And why do you want your parents to believe you changed?" I ask.

"Jeez! You ask too many questions." He said.

"I ask too much questions? Would you rather I press charges against you for assault?" I yelled.

"I need to get married to a responsible lady to inherit Troy Industries. Look if you do this you will get ten million dollars at the end. It's only for one year." He explains.

My mouth drops at the amount he is willing to give me. Does he even know what he is doing? How are you just going to give a total stranger ten million dollars because of marriage. "Well he does have the money" I thought to myself. Troy hands me the documents that the envelope contained. I scanned the documents thoroughly. I looked at the page once again and realized that my full name was on it. How the hell did he know my last name?!

Troy seemed to notice my confusion and answered, "I asked one of your friends and told her not to tell you."

It had to be Pete who told him my full name.

I take a few minutes to to think. "It's just a year. More so, look at yourself, you could use this to sort a lot of pending bills like your mom's hospital bills. Mehn, this is a tough one" My inner voice wouldn't stop reminding me of how miserable my life is. I thought so deeply for minutes and he was so patient with me. Of course, why won't he be, this is a big decision to be made. Ten million dollars will come in handy after the year is over. I can start my own company and make something out of my life.

I bite my lip before answering, " Just one year right? Nothing more" I asked

"Yes Just One year" he crossed his fingers.

"Do I get paid now or at the end?" I asked, scratching my head.

Troy smiled before showing me where to sign and I grabbed the pen before signing the document.

"Sign right here" He said.

I signed and sighed. I sold my life to a complete stranger.