"Miss. Miss". I woke up to someone tapping my shoulder. "Miss, you have to get up" she said. The woman wore a blue gown, different from the one the nurses wear. So I discern she's the cleaning woman. Apparently, I slept off by my mum's side.

"Sorry, I slept off". She smiled. I dusted my butt and checked on my mum. She's still asleep. I guess the sleeping pill she was given has not wear off. I need to freshen up and get some things she'll need. The drive home was a blur. I called Collins, my best friend as soon as I got inside. I filled him in on what happened and he promised to be at my house in a couple of minutes. A quick shower relaxed my muscles just a little bit. I heard Collins shouting my name and I rolled my eyes. Typical of him to shout when he could just come look for me.

"I'm in my room, genius" I called out. I heard him enter my room before he spoke.

"Where are you, J"

"My room, was that not what I said?" I mused.

"I'm here and you're still not in sight"

"Of course i'm in the bathroom. Don't come in." I said as an after thought. He chuckled.

"Do you have apples in the fridge?" He asked

"Yes, I bought some yesterday" I replied and grabbed a blue jean and my favourite white top with tinkerbell picture in front of it. Collins is still not back, so I went to meet him. He was by the table holding a note.

"Hey" I called out and he turned. He draw me into a hug.

"I'm sorry about your mum, I really am"

"Thanks"

"How is she now?"

"She's okay for now, but the doctor said she'll need a transplant soon".

"That bad"

"Yeah, it is. But that's not the problem Collins. I don't have the money for transplant"

"How much is it"

"One million dollars, Collins. One million dollars! How am I supposed to get that?" He gasped.

"One million dollars!" He shook his head.

"I don't have one quarter of that amount in my account".

"But you have this" he said, holding up the paper he was reading earlier.

"Please don't joke around. What is that?"

"Your marriage form"

"What marriage are you talking about? Let me see that?" I grabbed the note out of his graps and read. My jaw dropped. My brain went into over-drive. It was the agreement I refused to take from Austin yesterday.

"How did this even get here?" I asked

"Are you asking me? I found it in your grocery bag" he replied sceptical.

"Austin must have put it there while I wasn't aware"

"Hold up, who is Austin?". He asked and I sighed.

"A guy i met at the grocery store"

"Go on" he said, urging me to continue.

"I went to get grocery yesterday and he said he has an offer for me. He insisted on paying for my grocery, the least I could do was grant him audience." I paused

"And?"

"And he offered to pay me to marry Charles Reeds. I have no idea how I ended up with this" I said, holding up the agreement paper. I was relieved he didn't squeal as I've seen girls do at the mention of Charles Reed.

"Hmmm. What was your reply, J?"

"Of course I said No". He was quiet for a while and I wondered what he was scheming.

"You have to say 'Yes'" he said with all seriousness

"What? How could i possibly marry Charles Reeds?" I asked dumbfounded. This must be another joke.

"Don't you see, J? You get to name any price and your mum needs a million dollars to get her heart transplant. If you have forgotten, then let me refresh your memory. You, my dear do not have enough to pay for her treatment. But this marriage can offer enough for that and much more". I know he's right. I could save my mum with this deal, but I don't want to sell my life just for money. As if he knew what I was thinking, Collins spoke again. "its not your life you're selling, J. You're doing this for your mum". I know he's right, but I can't see myself marrying the hottest bachelor in town. The most sought after bachelor in town. How?

"How could I possibly marry Charles Reeds".

"Think about it like this J, he has what you need. We can always find a way out of it later".

"Why does he even needs to hire a wife? I mean, he has virtually all ladies at his beck and call" Collins shrugged

"Beats me. Besides, I don't care. All I care about is that he needs a wife and you were chosen, case closed".

"I can't do this"

"Yes, you can and you will". He brought out his phone and dialled Austin's number from a card. Apparently dropped by him together with the agreement form, in case I changed my mind. It was thoughtful of him. I bit on my fingers as Collins pressed the phone to his ear. All of a sudden, he thrust the phone into my hand.

"J, someone's on the line".

"I am going to kill you" I mouthed

"You'll have all the time in the world for that" he mouthed back and pointed at the phone.

"H.hi" I stammered

"Hi, who's this, please?"

"Jane" I said shakily

"Ha! Miss Jane, it's so good you called. Are you ready to accept my offer?"

"Yes" I said in resignation. What could I do? Mum needs me and this seems to be the only way out.

"That's good. I'll meet you at the cafe beside the hospital in the evening. And i'm sorry about your mum."

"You know about my mum? How?" I was confused and surprised at the same time.

"You think I won't put a watch on you?" He chuckled

"You shouldn't have done that" I snapped.

"Sorry Miss, Charles's orders".

"Charles ordered to have me followed?" I asked. Should I jump for joy or should I cry?

"He wanted to make sure you are alright." He defended.

"She'll be at the cafe" Collins butt in before I could form a retort. He snatched the phone from my hand and disconnected.

"Why did you that?" I shouted at him.

"You were going to pick a fight with the guy" He said

"I have every right to pick a fight with him. I've not even agreed to his damn proposal and he has me watched already." I was so angry, I could snap his neck if he was here right now.

"Calm down J. The person you should be snapping at is Charles. Since he is not here, you have to exercise patience". He tried to make light of the situation.

"Oh, shut up". I snapped. I shouldn't be mad at him. He's merely trying to help, but I want to be mad at someone for being in this situation. For mum being at the hospital. For dad being dead. It was just too much to handle and I burst into tears.

"Oh J, poor child" Collins said as he embraced me. I cried against his chest. "Its going to be alright".

Collins is the only friend I have. We met in grade one and have stuck together ever since. Some thought we were dating but, we know that's never going to happen. He has a girlfriend that I know, and I've never thought of him as anything other than a friend. When I was calm enough. I wriggled out of his embrace.

"Thank you" I mumbled rubbing my eyes.

"Anything for you, J"

"Thanks" I said again. Am not ashamed of him seeing me cry. He's witnessed me cry before, and can handle my tears and mood swings.

"Let's go see your mum" he said.

"Yes".