Chapter 4 No Other Choice

Seraphina's Point of View

We are in a risky situation, both of us. These words echoed continuously in my mind, resembling loud sounds from a church while Adrian returned the documented agreement into the storage folder. The feeling of holding the valuable writing tool still made my hand vibrate.

"Precisely, what sort of dangerous situation? " I inquired.

"The kind that can devastatingly alter life. " Adrian securely fastened the case with a clear snapping sound. "Although, let's remain optimistic that it doesn't escalate to such a degree. "

I had the urge to seek further clarification, but he was already rising to his feet. Like tossing away insignificant funds, he placed another one hundred dollar note onto the surface.

"I will come and get you at 6:00 PM tomorrow," he stated. "Gather all of your possessions. "

"Every single thing? However, I had thought this was merely a staged act."

"It is an act. However, it is vital for it to seem genuine. " A tinge of apprehension mixed with seriousness was noticeable in his grey eyes. "We cannot afford to take chances, Seraphina. "

He headed towards the exit point, paused briefly, and turned back. "Just one further thing. Avoid mentioning any aspect of this to others. Not your circle of friends, not those you work with. Absolutely no one."

"What is my mother included in? "

"Especially, refrain from telling your mother. "

Following his departure, I was now alone among messy coffee vessels and the aroma of stale oil. For a prolonged duration, I sat inside the seating area, intensely staring at the currency equivalent to one hundred dollars. I was merely an exhausted service employee the previous day. I am about to become the spouse of someone with extreme wealth this evening.

The prospect makes me experience a rising sensation of vomit.

I completed my workday as if in an unconscious state. Each patron gave me strange looks, seemingly able to discern that I had just consented to participate in something outrageous. As Tony bid farewell for the night, I was nearly about to inform him that I would not be returning for work tomorrow. But the statement remained unsaid.

Arriving at the medical center around 7:00 AM, the atmosphere was serene. I entered the lift, heading up to the fourth level where my mother had been staying for the duration of three weeks. An odor of cleaning agents and grief lingered in the area.

"Sera? " Mom's pronunciation was faint and raspy. "You're arriving before the usual time. "

"I had trouble getting to sleep. " I sat on the furniture next to her resting place. She seemed noticeably fragile with each passing day, similar to gradually vanishing. "How is your condition currently? "

"As if I've been impacted severely by a transport truck. " She attempted a grin, but it failed to reach the vision. "The medical professional desires to engage in dialogue with both of us during the current day."

A feeling of unease immediately hits my stomach. "In reference to which matter? "

"Concerning the process of operative intervention, my beloved. We must make some significant choices. "

An hour later, Dr. Peterson entered the room with a collection of unfavourable details. He is a caring person with comforting vision, however, on the current day, he seemed weary and saddened.

"The state of your kidneys is declining," the doctor stated, seated in front of us. "We are required to perform the surgery within the next two weeks; otherwise. . . "

His statement was left unfinished, though it was unnecessary for him to complete it.

"What will the cost be? " I questioned, despite my awareness of my inability to afford it.

"Accounting for all expenses, it will be approximately three hundred thousand dollars. "

The color drained from Mom's face. "Three hundred thousand dollars? "

"The insurance coverage will offset a portion of it, but not the full amount. " We were met with a sympathetic gaze from Dr. Peterson. "I realize the sum is substantial. "

"That's practically three million," Mom said softly. "We simply don't possess that amount. "

My thoughts drifted towards the agreement contained within Adrian's briefcase, an agreement amounting to two million dollars – sufficient not only to fund Mom's medical treatment but also to provide for our future financial needs.

"We will figure out a solution," I assured her, grasping her hand. "I give you my word, Mom. We will find a way."

Following Dr. Peterson's departure, Mom's eyes welled up with tears. These silent tears pierced my heart, causing me immense pain.

"I am so sorry, Sera. I feel terrible for being such a burden on you."

"Please don't talk like that! " I tightened my grip on her hand. "You are far from a burden. You are my mother. "

"But concerning the funds. . . We will never acquire that much money. "

"Actually, we will. " The words came out instinctively. "I have identified a means to acquire the necessary funds. "

Mom's eyes reflected a mix of anticipation and apprehension as she gazed at me. "How so? "

The urge to disclose the truth was strong. I wanted to explain about Adrian, the contract, and the fictitious marriage. However, his warning echoed in my thoughts. Do not reveal this to anyone, especially not your mother.

"I accepted a new position," I said, telling a lie. "It's a very lucrative job with excellent compensation. "

"What kind of employment offers such a high salary? "

"I will be the personal assistant to a wealthy businessman. " The fabrication came more easily as I continued. "He is a frequent traveler and needs someone to assist him. The salary is exceptionally high. "

Mom adjusted her position in the hospital bed. "Sera, dear, that sounds too unrealistic to be true. "

"It is genuine, Mom. I assure you, it's real. "

She scrutinized me for a prolonged moment. I observed her internal struggle as she attempted to determine whether to believe me.

"When will you begin? "

"Tomorrow. "

"Tomorrow? " Mom's voice conveyed concern. "That's incredibly soon. "

"He requires immediate assistance. And Mom, there may be times when I have to accompany him on his travels for work. "

"Travel where? "

"I'm uncertain at this point. Potentially everywhere. " I told another lie, but what other choice did I have? "The significant aspect is that we will have the necessary funds for your operation. "

Mom raised her frail hand and gently touched my face. "Are you certain about this, sweetheart? It sounds frightening. "

Scary was an understatement. Terrifying would be a more accurate description. However, as I observed my mother lying in the hospital bed, growing weaker with each passing day, I understood that I had no other recourse.

"I am certain," I reassured her. "Everything is going to be alright from now on."

I'm with Mom until visiting hours conclude for the day. We talk mostly about her surgery and her future dreams after she heals up. She says she wants to grow a garden and try learning how to paint things. These simple dreams don't need much money to come true.

Leaving the hospital, my phone buzzes from a text from Adrian.

The car will be at your place by 5:30 sharp. Make sure you're ready to go then. - Adrian

I see the time. It's already four in the afternoon, like a switch flipped. I have ninety minutes to pack and get ready to act like someone else.

My place, while small and old, strangely feels just like where I belong. I see the cheap furniture and the pictures all over the walls. Most were me and Mom when I was young and she was still very healthy then.

I stuff my clothes into a couple of bags. Everything I own fits really easily. This fact makes me feel inexplicably sad deep inside.

Right at 5:30, a black car stops outside my building out front. The driver gets out and comes towards my door.

"Are you Miss Wells by chance? Mr. Kane sent it to me just now."

He grabs my bags and opens up the car door wide. I've never had someone open a car door like that before. The seats are probably more than I pay for rent each month.

The city looks different from inside such a fancy car. It seems brighter, like the windows are made of magic and not regular glass at all.

We drive through parts of Manhattan that I've only seen in movies shown on screen. Giant buildings that look like they are trying to touch the sky up above. Stores with fancy names in gold letters shining bright. People wearing expensive clothes walk around like they own everything here.

The auto stops short facing the hugest place I have ever set eyes on. The chauffeur does the deed of popping my door open once more.

"Mr. Kane is sitting tight for you up top," he tells me now. "Go up to the tippy top using the lift."

I go into the entry room lugging my two small bags. All around are rocks, shiny gold stuff, and see-through lights. The guards stare at me like I don't fit in here.

"I'm here to see Adrian Kane now," I let him know then.

He checks his tech thing and says yes with his head. "Top floor. Take the lift over on the right side."

The lift ride feels quite long now. I watch the numbers tick higher and higher up. 20... 30... 40... 45.

When the doors split, I walk into a new world now. The top flat is bigger than houses. Big glass shows the city down below. Things like you'd find in a fancy house show.

"You made it here." Adrian shows up from a hidey spot in the flat now. He's not in a suit today, just pants and a white top that costs more than I make in a month still.

"Do you live in this spot?" I ask, while I look all around now.

"We live in this spot now." He grabs my bags like they weigh nada. "Come here, let me take you to your room now."

We walk down a long path, past rooms I can't even think of using. Adrian stops at a door way far at the end.

"This is your spot," he says, when he starts to push it open then.