Chapter 4: Phone calls

Daniel 's POV:

"What? Your mother picked a bride for you? Wow, another contractual marriage in the family!"

I rolled my eyes before bringing the bottle of beer to my mouth. We were currently inside the bar with my assistant and friend, Andrew.

"You already know the reason, so I don't have to explain it to you. We need this investment as soon as possible."

"Tsk.Tsk. I really don't know why these European investors don't trust a bachelor and a young man, and wanted a married man! What's the difference with that? I mean, you can also do the same things a married man can do, right?"

"Of course! But they believe a married man has a lot of experience and more responsible than a bachelor."

"That's why you end up faking your marriage?"

"It's not fake, it's legal. Do you think they wouldn't find out if it's fake or not? They were businessmen Andrew, cunning and devious."

"Yeah, I know that. Anyway, have you met the girl yet?"

"Yeah."

"When did you meet her and what does she looks like? Was she beautiful, sexy, or walking like a model like your ex?"

"I met her last week. And no, she's nothing special. Yeah, she's good looking, but to me she's just an ordinary girl, who would do anything for the sake of money." I slammed the bottle on the counter.

"Whoah! Chill dude! Don't you think you're being too judgemental? And how did you know she's just an ordinary girl? Because knowing your mother, she knows how to choose well. Maybe there's something about that girl that's why she easily got your Mom's attention."

"I don't care, Andrew! Whether she's special or not, it doesn't change the fact that she easily agreed to this deal! And whatever her reason is, I know she's just after my money!"

I can't believe a woman like her can easily fall for money.

"So what do you want... find a new woman?"

"I wish I still had enough time to find another bride, but no. So, I have no choice but to accept her."

"You can't blame a desperate person, Daniel."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I glanced at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you can't blame her for accepting the deal without knowing her real reason. What if she just needed the money for her father's surgery because has cancer? Or maybe for her brother who has a heart condition. Or we just don't know if it's for her own surgery, because she's dying --- aww!"

I punched his arm. "What are you talking about? Do you want me to lose a wife so soon?" I don't know but I can't stand hearing that word for her. Well, nobody wants to hear that actually.

"I'm just giving you some possible reasons why she took the deal. Or what if she's pregnant?"

"What the fuck, man?" I asked narrowing my eyes at him. "If she's pregnant, I'm sure my Mom would tell me and of course she wouldn't choose her for me!"

"Fine! Chill, dude." he chuckled. " Anyway, maybe it's better if you just accept that girl. As you know, mother knows best."

I didn't say anything, I just drank my beer again.

"So, what are your plans after your wedding?"

"What do you mean my plans?"

"Well, you know... mating process." he shrugged.

A snicker came out from my lips. "Dude, she's not that attractive and I don't think I can find myself being attracted or aroused for her."

"Whew!" he laughed at me. "Dude, don't put a period on your sentence. What if she's the one who fall in love with you in the middle of your fake marriage?"

"It's not fake!"

"Fine! But it's just the same. You're not in a relationship or anything, you're just pretending. So answer me, what if she falls in love with you?"

"She shouldn't. I'll make it clear once I saw her again. And once the investors sighed the contract in KIC, I will immediately file a divorce."

"Ohh.. what's her name?"

"Sophia."

"Hmm... nice name."

"What's so nice about her name?"

"Tsk.Tsk. Dude, her name was derived from the Greek, which means wisdom and skill. Pure, feminine and intelligent."

"And where did you get that from ?"

"G****e. My best friend." he grinned.

"Tss!" I just shook my head.

When I was already i the car, I suddenly remembered my sister. It's funny every time I think about how the table turns, and how I ended up in a situation like this, which was my sister's situation before.

"Hi, Dani?" I heard her voice on the other end of the line. She sounded so excited. I sighed as I realized how much I missed my little sister.

"Hello, little sis."

"Are you drunk?"

I chuckled by her question. How did she find out so easily? "I've been drinking, but I'm not drunk."

"Oh God! Yeah, you're not drunk. I can hear it clearly from your voice!" she paused for a few seconds. "Is there any problem? Are you okay?" her voice was laced with concern.

"Why do you ask such a silly question? Of course, I'm okay!

"Because Dani, I know you so well! You will never call me in this damn midnight if everything's okay! Did something happen to you.. to mom and dad?"

"No! Stop thinking about that horrible idea!"

"So why are you calling me?"

"Wow! Can't I call my favorite sister whenever I want? I missed you, you know."

"Oh God, Dani! At this God damn hour? And excuse me... I am your only sister and sibling, so don't be so assuming! Spill it out right now!"

I sighed. I don't know how to tell her.

"I'm getting married."

"And so, what if you're --- what?" she suddenly screamed.

"It's a long story." I chuckled.

"Then make it short!"

Tsk.Tsk. My one and only sister... as demanding as ever.

"I'll tell you everything, but not now. It's already late. I just missed you, and actually I didn't expect that you would answer my call at this hour."

She didn't speak for a few seconds and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

"Ahmm.. Dani, I'm just going to call you --- ahhhyy!"

"Rian, what happened? What's going on there?"

I started to feel panicked when I heard her scream on the other line. I also heard a man's voice with her.

"Rian, answer me! What's going on there? Where are you?"

But the line suddenly went dead.

"What the f*ck is happening to her?" I cursed as tossed my phone on the dashboard. I put on my bluetooth headphones and started the engine.

Twenty minutes later, my phone rang and I saw Alex's number flashed on the screen.

"Fucking sake, Alex! I don't know what happened to Rian! Damn it! I was just ---"

"Hey.. hey, Dani! It's me!" I was cut off by my sister's voice.

"Rian? Is that you?" relief instantly washed over me.

"Yes. It's me, Dani. I'm okay."

"What happened to you? I heard your scream, for God's sake! What the f*ck happened Rian? Tell me, are you okay?"

"Come down, Dani. I'm okay and don't worry. Nothing happened."

"And what do you mean nothing happened, Arriana Angela?"

"Ouch! My full name!"

I know how much she also hates when I always call her full name.

"I told you, I'm fine. I just called to inform you that I'm safe here, so don't worry about me, okay? I'm going to tell you what happened, but not now."

"Make sure of that, Rian!"

"Yeah, I promise."

Then I remember what number she's using right now.

"Wait a minute! Why are you using Alex's phone? Where is your phone? Where are you right now? Are you with him?"

She suddenly turned quiet.

"Rian! I'm waiting. Where are you and Alex right now?"

"Hi, bro."

My eyebrows crunched when I heard Alex's voice.

"Alex? Where are you and why did my sister use your phone?"

"Why, what's wrong with that? I'm her husband."

"That's not what I meant! I swear Alex I'm gonna f*cking kill you if anything happens to Rian!"

"Hey, relax Daniel." he chuckled. "She's fine now and don't worry I'm here for her."

"Wait! What do you mean she's fine now? So, what exactly happened earlier?"

"Ahmm.. she just tripped on the small rock while walking, so she fell to the ground and accidentally threw her phone."

"Okay, but why do I hear the noise of police vehicles?"

"They were across the street and were in an operation."

"Hmm... so what's the current situation between you and my sister right now because you suddenly called her your wife?" I smirked.

"Why, isn't she really my wife?"

"In words Alex, yes, she's your wife, but in reality, she's not."

Then I heard him sigh. "I'm sorry, bro."

"What do you mean your sorry? And by the way, apologize to me because I'm not your wife. Tell her that you are."

"I know, and I will."

"And Alex, take care of her. I know you loved my sister, so don't wait until it's too late."

"I'll do everything this time."

I smiled when I heard the determination in his voice.

"Okay, I'll wait for that. Thanks, just tell my sister goodnight.. I mean goodmor-night."

"Okay bro, copy!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sophia's POV:

"Okay guys, one last practice and you're good to go." I said to all my afternoon students as I pressed the play button of our radio speaker.

"Yehey! Thanks, Ms. Sophia!" They all shouted in unison while exchanging high fives.

I just smiled at them. "Are you ready for your competition next week?"

"Yes, Ms. Sophia. We're actually excited for that event."

"Okay, good luck guys."

They were my last students for today, and they were in a thorough practice for their modern dance competition next week. And next month, maybe after the wedding, Craig and I will also be very busy with our international dance competition.

I was already in the middle of the dance floor and ready to start the steps, when I heard Craig's voice.

"Sophia, you have a phone call."

I turned around to see him waving my cellphone and standing in my office door.

"Who's that?" I asked a little bit louder because of the blaring music coming from the speaker.

"Mrs. Kelley."