Chapter 1 The Proposal I

* Andrea *

Working all day, I kept wondering when I'd be allowed to go home.

Finally, Mr. King called across the intercom to tell me to go home.

Tsk...He could at least offer to ride me home, that's what a gentleman would do.

After only three months of knowing him, I knew he would never do that.

Packing my belongings, I got a cab and headed home.

Ever since I started working for Mr King, I've become accustomed to returning home fatigued, burdened with his meetings and personal issues.

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

I was finally home after a long day at work and a lot of shouting from my Boss. Working for him over the past few months has been horrible.

"Momma, I'm back. Is dinner ready?" I called out, hoping for a reply but was met with silence.

After a few minutes of no reaction, I walked upstairs to her room and found her sleeping. She looked so frail.

I felt a pang of guilt as I realized how much she'd aged since papa's death.

I found Lisa and Laurel asleep when I went to their room as well.

I haven't been able to have a family dinner ever since I started this work.

Things had become too difficult when our father died in that tragic accident. Momma became ill and could no longer work.

I had to try various part-time jobs just to support myself and the family.

"Where are you papa? I missed you ...momma does and your little twins too." I mumbled silently with a cracking voice as I dragged my tired feet downstairs for food.

They say everything happens for a reason but what may be the reason for my papa's death?

"Grrh"

My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I needed to eat. Eating in my formal clothing has somehow become my habit.

After dishing my food from the pot, I sat down and began digging in.

"Mm..this is good. I didn't even get anything better to eat because I was busy. Goodness! This work will undoubtedly be the end of me."

Once I finished eating, I headed to my room, took a shower and fell asleep once my back hit the bed.

Tomorrow will be a long day.

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

"Andrea, wait for me here and I will get an ice cream for you and your sisters."

Papa ordered his voice sharp as usual. I requested an ice cream and wanted to get some for my sisters at home too.

"But papa, I want to go with you. I'd want to choose a very delicious flavor for Lisa and Laurel." I pleaded, eager to be part of it.

He frowned with cold eyes.

"Listen, little girl, I merely volunteered to buy the ice cream to make your mom happy. Do not assume I am doing this for you."

Tears threatened to fall, his voice stung as they always did.

"Don't be stubborn and wait here."

"But papa-" I could not finish the sentence as my father was already gone.

As a little girl, I was aware of traffic restrictions, and when my father decided to cross, it was safe.

I saw it- a speeding automobile, too fast to stop.

"Papa!!" I called to grab his attention but it was too late; the vehicle hit him and he fell with a thud, in a pool of blood.

"Papa!" I screamed, my voice breaking. The vehicle had already sped off leaving my father lying motionless on the ground.

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Waking up to the shrill sound of the alarm, I found myself drenched in sweat. The same nightmare every single night.

The experience was traumatic and even now, years later, I can't help but feel like I'm in a way responsible for my father's death.

We were all at home when 14-year-old me suddenly craved Ice cream one evening.

Momma had promised to buy it the next day but I stubbornly refused.

Dad asked mom to take care of my younger sisters while we stepped out a bit.

Growing up, dad never showed much affection towards me.

Whenever I asked mom why, she would always say, "he's busy making sure we can move to NYC, sweetheart."

Despite sensing Dad's coldness towards me, I continued to love him unconditionally.

But everything changed that day... 8 years ago.

I stood there, helpless, tears flowing uncontrollably as blood kept oozing from my father.

Thankfully, strangers rushed to assist in taking him to the hospital, but despite spending hours in surgery, he was pronounced dead. The joy of the family died with him that day.

Mother was shattered and felt helpless. The twins learned about the circumstances surrounding our father's death.

Lisa came to terms with it but Laurel.... She blamed me. She still does.

"You are the reason for his death." She'd say, her words cutting deeper like a knife.

I vowed to track the driver down.I don't have the money to do so but, one day, I will. And when I do, he will not be forgiven.

Shaking off the thoughts in my head, I got ready for the day.

After a quick shower, I dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Mom and the twins were already seated when I got there.

"Good Morning." I greeted, trying to sound cheerful. "Did you have a great sleep?" I inquired while walking towards them to grab some breakfast.

Out of the corner of my eye,I noticed Laurel rolling her eyes but Lisa simply smiled and nodded her head.

The tension between us was thick. What can I do to make things better with her? She used to be my favorite twin until she found out about dad's passing.

"Baby, are you okay?"

Momma's voice broke through my thought, her eyes full of concern.

I understood her intentions.

"I'm okay mom. What could be wrong?"

"You know what I mean young lady, don't avoid the question."

She was aware of the nightmares that plagued me after witnessing my dad's death.

Before I could speak, Laurel cut in, her voice sharp. "Why do you keep stressing about a murderer?"

"Laurel !" Mom exclaimed, caught off guard by her words.

"Everything is fine mom, I'm off to work. Take care of yourselves." I forced a smile, swallowing the pain.

Her words stung like fresh wounds that would never heal.

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

Arriving at the office early for the first time in months, I found it quiet with few people around, which made me relieved that Rosie was not there.

Feeling a bit off and wanting to avoid conflicts, I rested my head on the desk in an attempt to clear my mind.

Laurel's words kept echoing in my head. Maybe she was right, I am nothing but a murderer. If only I knew, I wouldn't have requested for an Ice cream.

If only I had listened to Mom, dad wouldn't have died. I'm a murderer...a murderer...

Tears continued to run down my face as I recounted everything once again.

A short while after, I heard someone call my name and turned to see Mr. King.

"Miss Andrea,"

"Good Morning Mr. King. " I greeted standing steadily.

"Were you hired to sleep, Miss Andrea?" He made sure to emphasize my name.

"Were you crying? Is anything the problem?" He asked again, seeing the tears running down my face.

"No, I wasn't. Something got into my eyes."

" If you say so. I need you to come with me to my office immediately." He stated, as he headed to his office.

Did I get myself into some kind of trouble again? I'm just not in the mood to receive another set of scolds. Why can't you avoid trouble for just one day?

His statement arriving at his office shocked me.

"Sit down, let's talk."

"Sit down?" I mumbled to myself silently. "Maybe, I wasn't in trouble after all."

"I want to believe you are not deaf Miss Andrea." He said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I apologize sir." I wouldn't want to get in trouble since I wasn't in one already.

"I have an offer for you-" He paused, his eyes locked into mine with an intensity I couldn't overlook.

"Marry me and I will pay you. A contract marriage." He finally dropped the bomb, causing my eyes to widen in surprise.

His words hit like a ton of bricks.

Marry him? How? Why? I have only just known him for about two to three months. What is he talking about?