Married off to the crippled Billionaire.

PATRICIA.

I sat on my giant bed, waiting for my dad to return home as soon as possible. I couldn't wrap my head around what was going on.

How could there be a letter requesting for marriage with me? From someone I do not know? It was totally impossible.

There was only one person who could clarify things and that was my dad. The sound of the car horn jolted me out of my thoughts and I quickly stood up, rushing to the door.

"How was your day?" Dad asked with a smile on his face but I frowned instead. He seemed to be unaware of the letter on his desk.

"I saw a letter on your desk. It said I would be getting married soon. Is that true?" I asked, worriness about setting in. I earnestly hoped it was a prank.

My Dad searched for the said letter on his table. He opened it, and studied the content of the letter. He breathed out, and looked up.

"Yes my daughter, you will be getting married to the multi billionaire, Ignatius." He replied.

This was surprising. How can my Dad hide this god forsaken news from me? I had to go through the letter before I found out myself.

"I had to find the right time to tell you knowing fully well that you won't buy the idea. Don't worry everything will be fine." He said.

My Dad stood up from his Chair, and came to hold my shoulders. He looked into my prying eyes. "How could you do this to me?" I asked him.

"What I am doing is for us to be okay, and for you most especially to have a better life. My company is in debt." He said with a pitiful look.

So since Ignatius is interested in you, and owing to the fact he has a striving company, I agreed to his request of marrying you. I scoffed at what he said.

It was as if I'm in a dreamland. Why are all these happening now? What will I do? I have plans for myself, and my Dad wants to destroy everything for me because of a wealthy man?

I moved backwards from my father, feigning with annoyance. A sob escaped my lips, and I felt hot tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"You never had my interest at heart. Why will you concede to this without confiding in me. I'm human for crying out loud." I said, almost raising my voice.

He was speechless for a while, his eyes staring into space. The beep of his phone brought him back to reality.

"Excuse me, let me take this call." He said with pleading eyes as he raised the phone to his ears.

If anyone had told me I would be getting married soon, I would have given the person a slap on the face. Right now, I'm not even ready for this thing for marriage.

Where should I even start from? I don't know who Williams is nor what he looks like. How can you develop feelings for someone you barely know? This is really hard to take in.

My father's footsteps alerted me, and I stared at him with a straight face. "Who was that?" I asked inquisitively.

"Your husband called to inform me that he will be coming to the house in two days time. So prepare yourself to receive him." He said reluctantly, not minding the fact that I am hurting.

Arrgghh... My screams could turn down the whole building. "I'm not getting married to him, and that's on period." I confidently blurted.

My legs carried me to my room, and tears rolled freely from my eyes.

***

"Babe, why will your dad ask you to marry someone you barely know? He can't be serious." Lila said as she raised her eyebrow, her voice laced with skepticism.

"My dear, he is serious about this. I was shocked when I read the letter, and had to wait for my dad to come back home." I replied as I heaved a sigh.

"So what are you gonna do about it?" Lila asked. She emptied the fruity juice into a glass cup, and handed it over to me.

The coldness of the juice calmed my nerves, and I emptied another one into the glass cup. I had to find my way to Lila's place to cool my head.

I'm not really interested in marriage or being in any sort of relationship for now. Why can't my father understand that? I can actually work hard, give some money to him so that he could pay for the depth his company owe.

I gazed into space, imagining myself with a family. The kids running around the house. How will I cope with all of these?

"What about Kelson, ain't you guys a thing?" Lila asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"He's my lover, and best friend. We ain't in any form of relationship." I said while I felt a blush rising up on my cheeks.

Lila turned my shoulders to face her, and looked into my eyes searching for answers, "Are you sure of what you are saying? What stopped you guys from dating?"

"I'm telling the truth. You know I won't lie to you. Actually, he asked me to be his girlfriend but I refused." I said intertwining my fingers.

"Why refuse him when you love him?" Lila asked inquisitively.

"I'm still watching him though. I don't want a situation where I will be dating, and breaking up unnecessarily. I want to date once, and marry once too." I said, already feeling pity for Kelson.

"You know, you can't find the right person if you don't give people a chance." Lila said, holding my hands. "You see, life is a roller coaster. You need to be in a relationship, and find out if that person is actually worth it.

"And if you find out something silly in the course of such a relationship, you quit and it goes on like that. Although individuals differ. Lila advised, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you so much for your advice, and for being a good friend." I said. My heart was filled with gratitude.

"You are welcome. I wonder how he'll react when he finds out you are getting married, considering you have insisted on staying single for now." Lila reasoned, standing up from the sofa.

"Oh, you mean Kelson. I'm not getting married yet, and I refuse to go through with that marriage arrangement." I blurted, getting annoyed just when I remembered that I was arranged to be with a lunatic.

"Okay, if you say so. What are you up..." Lila was interrupted by a caller tone from my phone.

"Hello, who is on the line?" I asked with curiosity written all over my face.

"What!!!"

PATRICIA.

Why would this be happening to me right now? My life is messed up. I said as tears trickled down my face.

"What's up girl?" Lila asked inquisitively, as she came face to face with me.

I received the shocking news that my Dad was involved in a ghastly motor accident, and that he was rushed to the hospital. Why me? I answered.

"Everything will be fine dear. You just need to pray and hope in God." Lila advised, taking me by hand to sit on the cushion.

"What will I do now?" I asked sniffling. My Dad's company is crumbling and has no money because they are in debt. Where will I get money from to take care of his bills?"

"You need to go to the hospital to see your Dad first before you talk about bills." Lila admonished, holding my shoulders.

"But you know that money for his medications will be needed?" I asked, cleaning my teary face with the hem of my clothes.

"I know dear, but first thing first. You need to see your Dad, and then know how he is doing. You really need to spend some time with him too."

"This is not the time for shedding tears. You need to be strong for him." Lila said.

"Alright, I will be on my way." I said.

"Hold on, I'm coming with you." Lila said as she told up to get her purse from her room.

I thought of how life would be. My Dad will be needing some rest as soon as he is discharged from the hospital, and I will be left to fend for us.

Sometimes, the way you plan your life, is not the way it would come out at the end. Unforeseen circumstances would tend to spoil it.

My friend's voice cut me off from my thoughts, "Let's get going girl. Stop crying, okay, everything will be fine."

I was lost in thought, and didn't know when my phone started to ring.

Ding Ding....

"Patricia can't you hear your phone ringing? Pick the damn call." Lila admonished as we stepped out so she could lock her door.

"I'm not in a good mood right now to pick any call till I'm sure that my Dad is okay." I said.

"Someone might be calling you to lend some help to you. Can't you see that. Just take a look at the screen to know who the caller is. Lila blurted.

***

We met the receptionist at the front desk when we got to the hospital, "Good day miss. We are here to say Mr Macaulay, the man who got admitted today." I snapped.

"Good day to you too. Give me a minute." The lady at the desk said, as she brought a long note. She scrolled the pages of a book with her pen in search of heaven knows what.

"Alright, check Room 305." She said

"Thank you." I thanked her, and went to the said room.

Getting to the room, I couldn't recognise my father. The accident dealt with him, leaving him in the worst conditions. Life is so unfair for real.

He was sleeping and I didn't want to disturb him. Lila, seeing that I was about to tear up, patted my shoulders, "All will be well my friend."

I nodded my head in the hope that everything was going to be alright. I sat down beside my Dad, taking his hands into mine. I bent down to kiss them.

As I was about to stand from where I was sitting to go and plant a kiss on my Dad's forehead, I heard my name.

"My child, you are here." He said barely above a whisper. I took in my Fad in a tight embrace. Our clothes were soaked with the tears pouring down from our wet eyes.

"Dad, I'm so sorry about the accident. I got a call that you were rushed to the hospital, and I came running over here to see you." I said

"It's fine my child. So have you gotten the bills from the doctor?" Mr Macaulay asked, curiorisity written all over his face.

"I haven't seen the doctor yet, not to talk of asking him for the bills." I answered.

"Well, he said I will be operated on." My Dad said. Immediately he said that, I noticed that my father's legs were covered in bandages.

"Where are we going to get that huge amount of money from? By the way, we ain't financially stable right now. I said with a lot of concern in my voice.

"The only option available is to sell the house." My father blurted with a hardened expression on his face.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You heard me right child." He replied

"So after selling the house, where are we gonna stay huh?" I asked, not liking the idea.

"I don't really know for now. My health is important to me right now, and it should be the same for you.". My Dad snapped.

"I will go see the doctor, and enquire about the amount that we are to pay. At least we will know where to start from." I said hesitantly.

***

"Doctor, how much are our bills?" I asked hoping he wouldn't call the amount that would surpass me.

"Your Father's bill is forty thousand dollars." The doctor stated, looking up to me with his glasses at the ridge of his nose.

"Sir, the bills are much. Can you please reduce it for the sake of my ailing father?" I pleaded with him.

"Hello ma'am, this hospital is not a charity organisation. We offer top notch services, and if you don't mind, you can as well take your father elsewhere." The doctor said, without batting an eyelid.

"What will I do now?" I thought to myself as I exited the Doctor's office.

Entering inside my Dad's wards I saw two men standing beside him. I clutched to Lila who stayed behind when I went to see the doctor.

"Who are these men and why are they here? Do you have any idea?" I asked Lila, my stern face on the men. I just hope it's not what I'm thinking.

PATRICIA.

I was checking my account balance to know if the money there will be enough for my Dad's medical bills. Why would my Dad's company venture into debts? That was uncalled for.

Mr. Macaulay had given me a cheque earlier at the hospital to withdraw some money from his bank. On getting there, I was told that the bank had closed for the day.

Why will they close this early? I wondered. It is not upto 4pm and they are already closed. What's really happening? I muttered to myself.

I dialled my Dad's digits to tell him about the current situation of things, but his phone was switched off.

Something is utterly wrong somewhere. I had a second thought about the arranged marriage that would take place if I had accepted, so I waved it aside.

That marriage won't hold whether the universe likes it or not. What sort of problem is this? Maybe it's the will of the Almighty that I should end up with someone I barely know.

I'm yet to see him and he hasn't given me a call or made an attempt to see me. At least if not for any other thing, then it will be for us to get to know ourselves.

Such a clown. Who does he think he is...huh? I huffed.

I tried checking on other branches because we don't have just one branch over here. Guess what. I discovered that they are closed for the day.

It's funny but not funny. What are they even celebrating today? I raised my head trying to think of one. Today is not even a public holiday.

I thought of telling my Dad to borrow money from one of his relatives or probably the supposed man he had arranged for me.

My Dad won't even hear of that. For Mr. Macaulay, it's better I agree to the arranged marriage. Which I know won't be happening anytime soon.

I must do whatever it takes to get this money withdrawn even if it means travelling out of this place to get it.

As soon as this thought came to me, I ventured on a journey immediately. Not upto two hours, I arrived at my destination.

While I was scrolling through my phone, the new headlines caught my attention. I clicked on it and it read,

"The Century Bank in the continents had gone on a three day break due to a reason best known to them."

What should I do now? I asked myself oblivious of what was happening around me.

I made up my mind to give it another try. But before I will do that, I will have to do my research. I wouldn't want to go there and end up disappointed.

"Thank God." I said while I raised my hands in total surrender. It was shown that the bank to the place I want to embark on was on a seat.

Upon getting there, I wanted to tear up. Why are all these happening to me right now?

Are journalists now giving out false information on the internet or what?

Tears were indeed pooling from my eyes. My Dad's surgery is in two days. I wished for a miracle.

I made up my mind to accept the invitation of marrying the multi billionaire. I took the next train to the city, from there, I took a cab to the hospital.

When I got to my Dad's ward, I saw him with his phone on. What tricks could he be playing with me? I thought. Maybe there was a power outage.

That aside, I went over to my Dad's bed to tell him about my decision to marry Ignatius. He was so excited at the news.

He gave me a peggy hug and the next minute we disentangled from the hug due to my phone ringing.

"Hello wh..." I was interrupted by the strange caller.

"We would be coming to the house to pick you up. Get ready and do not bring any used clothes." The mysterious caller said.

"Who was on the call with you?" My Dad asked, tilting his head to look at me.

"I don't really know." I replied. I told him everything the caller said.

"That should be from your husband to be." He said.

***

The next day, some men that looked like bodyguards came with their Hillux to pick me up. One of the men opened the right door for me and I entered.

We drove off. I arrived at a big mansion and I was greeted by the maids who were running helter-skelter to attend to their duties.

I'm yet to see the man I was getting married to. And the wedding day was fixed to be tomorrow. That's the day my Dad will be operated on.

Supposedly, I will see my husband tomorrow. Absurd right?

The D-day had finally come and I was attended to by the maids. Each and everyone of them had different skills.

They made me up and dressed me for my wedding. Everything was screaming Luxury or nothing.

I looked at the mirror and couldn't believe the beauty that I exuded. I wish my Dad was here to see his princess.

I stepped down from the car and sighted my Dad. He was here after all, but how come? I thought.

Wasn't he supposed to be getting some rest after the surgery. And the surgery was too fast. Well that's a question for another day.

What matters most was that the surgery went well and that Mr. Macaulay was here to walk me down the aisle.

I rushed to hug him and at the same time careful not to awaken his wounds.

We were set at the church door. He held my hands as we were fully ready to hand me ive to the man arranged for me.

Immediately, the two doors made of iron bars opened, ushering us inside the church. When I looked up, my heart shattered into pieces at what I saw.