C2 Marriage for two months

Liz Terry went to Alej hegde fund first thing the next morning. She couldn't even sleep at night, for she was very anxious about why a strange man would suddenly buy all of her dad's debts. What did he want from her family? That was the question she repeated in her mind and she couldn't wait to meet him to ask him.

She went as early as eight in the morning so she was made to wait for him for more than two hours. It pissed her to her bones but she reminded herself continuously that she was doing all these for her family. And by the way, it was only a hugely successful man who was capable of buying all her dad's debts like that. A hugely successful man who was very busy and also the owner of a huge company like this one. She'd have to wait if she wanted answers.

In approximately thirty minutes later, she was called in by the secretary and he led her to Mr Gonzalez's office.

She was made to wait for like twenty minutes again because the man in question; Mr Gonzalez was presently making a phone call. An important phone call; as his secretary described.

She nibbled on her lower lip to distract herself as she waited ever so patiently for him. She'd already made up her mind to dislike him even though they hadn't met. First reason was for targeting her family by arrogantly buying her dad's debts and secondly was for keeping her waiting like a heartless...

The door to his office swung open and Liz was led in by the secretary who left afterwards, leaving Liz alone with the so called Mr Alejandro Gonzalez.

Alejandro turned to face her and she expelled a small breath in awe.

Damn, he was gorgeous. He wore a neatly cut suit which accentuated his biceps and broad chest.

His appearance screamed money and power.

The corners of his beautiful mouth lifted up in a smile. "I've been expecting you, miss Elizabeth Terry" he said

Wow even the way he talked screamed elegance and sophistication. She had to stop herself from drooling over him because she wasn't here to do that! She was here to make things easier for her family.

"You don't keep people you expect to visit waiting for more than three hours" she chided. "I know you're a hotshot but you lack manners"

She watched his eyes narrow as if he was trying to suppress his annoyance.

"Forgive me, Mrs Elizabeth, for putting you through that. I assure you it wasn't my intention" he said although she couldn't trace a hint of apology in his eyes.

"Of course it wasn't" she retorted as she wasn't ready to believe him. Like she said earlier, she'd already made up her mind to dislike him even though she hadn't met him.

"And by the way... How do you know my name? We haven't met before, no?" She asked

Alejandro chuckled. A soft sound that would have enchanted her if they were in different circumstances.

"Give me some credit, Liz. Of course I'd know everything about a family that I'm going to save" he said as all trace of humour vanished from his eyes.

She gaped. So he'd done a background check on her. Because there was only one way to explain the fact that he knew her name and he also knew that people called her Liz instead of her full name? But what for? How was he going to save her family?

Her eyes hardened. "I don't know what twisted game you're playing, Mr Alejandro Gonzalez but please leave my family out of it"

"Oh why, Liz? I'm simply using your family to get to you" he smiled

"What?" She exclaimed in confusion.

"You know what Liz, why don't you have a seat. I'll explain better after you do"

Liz feasted cold eyes on him as she sat down.

"Now tell me your reason for all these. Tell me why you made my family your target" she demanded sternly.

"Target is a strong word to use, miss Liz" he said. "if you must know, I bought your dad's debts because of you"

"Because of me?" She gasped. "I don't understand. We've never met before"

"Oh Liz but I have seen you" Alejandro lied. "And since then, I couldn't get you off my mind"

Liz scoffed at him hoping to hear 'that's a joke' from him but he didn't utter a word. Then she started laughing at the absurdity of his statement. How could he have her this anxious and still play silly games with her?

"I'm serious, Mr Gonzalez! I really didn't come here to waste my time or yours. Tell me the reason why you bought my dad's debts and what you plan to do with us"

"I'm being serious!" He ground out. "I bought your dad's debts so I can have a leverage over you"

"Me?" She asked incredulously. "why do you want to have leverage over me?"

"So I can get you to do my bidding" he replied simply

She expelled a nervous breath. "Why me?" Surely he knew that she wasn't any where near his league so why did he chose her to play these games with?

"Because I like you" he said.

"That's bullshit and you know it" she yelled.

She expected an impassioned yell from him in return but he just maintained his calm which infuriated and drove her crazy.

"Let's get married for two months and I'll take care of your dad's treatment and cancel his debts" he finally

Liz's mouth fell open and so did her purse from her lap. She stared at him in shock, without uttering a word as she waited for him to take back with he said or say 'that's a joke' but once again, he didn't.

Furious, she stood up from her seat. "what games are you playing with me, Mr Alejandro Gonzalez?"

He also stood up from his seat and walked up to her, closing the distance between them.

"I saw you that day and since then, I couldn't get you off my mind. It infuriated me so much that I had to send my secretary to run a background check on you" he breathed as he looked down at her. "It was unorthodox but I had no choice. I knew that if I didn't buy your dad's debts you wouldn't even know me, talk more if getting married to me"

"Why marriage for only two months then? Am I a specimen for some kind of experiment?" She asked acridly

"Forgive me, if my ways are bizarre, miss Liz but I intend to know what you're like within these two months. If we are incompatible and not fit to live together forever then you're free to go your way"

"And if we are compatible?" She whispered

Alejandro traced an index finger down her face and she shivered. "Then I'm afraid you'll be tied to me forever"

"Why not just date me for two months? Must it be marriage?"

"Yes it must. I want to marry you Liz"

The last sentence made her shudder. She knew this man was just playing games with her and she couldn't trust him but why did the way he said it sound so real?

She backed away from him.

"I don't know..." She began to say but he interrupted her

"Think about it Elizabeth, just two months of marriage with me can pay your dad's treatment and clear your debts. From where I stand, you have nothing to lose here" he said smugly. "call the number on the business card I left with your family once you've made up your mind"

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

Liz got home and met her mom trying to feed her dad. It was a sad sight to behold.

"I bought these drugs for him because his fever just went up all of a sudden. But he's refusing to eat" her mother said

Liz took the drugs and surveyed them. "these are cheap drugs mum? Why would you get them?" She wailed

"I can't let him die because of the fact that we're poor" her mother wailed as tears ran down her cheeks

"Throw the drugs away. I've found a way mom, dad will get admitted for the surgery tomorrow" Liz said

Her mum stood up. "what do you mean Liz?"

"You heard me. I've found a helper. Dad's surgery would soon be done"

"Really?" Her mum gasped "how did you find this person?"

"I'll explain everything later. Just prepare dad for the surgery" she said as she left her shell shocked mum and went to her room.

Immediately she got to her room, she grabbed the business card from her bag and called the number on it

Alejandro picked the call on the first ring. "Have you made your decision, miss Liz?"

"Yes I have. I will marry you, Alejandro"

As an only child, her family's welfare was her prior responsibility. She would do anything for her family even if it meant marrying a man she just met.