Nina.

As I paced to and fro the hospital room, the loud beep of machines whirring around me was a stark contrast to the loud music and laughter I had escaped minutes ago.

I stared at all the pipes connected to her, and the realization that I could lose my mom became stronger. “Mom! Don't do this to me, please…” My sobs grew louder by the minute. Melinda tried to console me but I wouldn't just have it. I stared at my mom, she still looked pretty as always. They had wrapped a big bandage repeatedly all over her legs.

“The police haven’t been able to trace the person who hit her.” Melinda broke the silence. The tears in my eyes poured out more, how could someone be so cold-blooded to leave an aged woman almost dead on the street?

Just then a young man dressed in blue scrubs came in.

“I’m Dr. Carl, I suppose you are related to her,” he said, pointing to my mom.

“She’s my mom,” I replied softly.

“I would love to speak to you privately,” the doctor said.

“You can say whatever you need to here, she is family,” I fired, referring to Melinda.

He adjusted his glasses and walked a few steps closer to where Melinda and I were standing. “Your mom is in a critical state. If she ever gets to walk again, it would be a miracle.” He paused, scanning my wet face to be sure he could go on.

“She sustained internal injuries and we would need surgery for her, then another surgery to remove the metal that entered her legs. This accident was really brutal.” I tried to process all he had said but the only thing that kept running in my head was; what if I lose my mom and how was I going to pay for all this?! I just lost my job! I cleared my savings to pay for rent two weeks ago.

“How soon does she need this surgery?” I asked, wiping away the tears that didn't stop flowing.

“Every minute we delay is dangerous. You can meet the accountant to collect the current bill. I'm afraid we can't continue holding her up unless you clear the bill.”

I turned to Melinda. “But she just got here in less than an hour,” I yelled.

Melinda cracked her throat softly, holding my right hand. “We will handle it, but please do your best to save her life.” The doctor nodded with a soft smile.

“We will give our all, and try to get the money on time. There is little we can do right now.” He concluded before leaving us. It felt like I was suffocating as different horrible thoughts ran through my mind.

*****

Melinda had stayed with me throughout the night. I barely slept. All I wanted to do was see my mom smile again but she didn’t even move an inch.

“How are you feeling?” My best friend held my right hand, rubbing the back of my palm gently.

“Blank,” I muttered.

“She will be fine, I have cleared the current bill and…”

“But… you didn’t have to do that.” I protested.

“Shhhh!!” She placed her index finger on my lips. “You are not just my best friend, you are my sister. Do you remember how you missed your exam because of me? You had to re-sit the next year.” I nodded softly.

“Whatever it takes to make Mom fine again, we will do it. Okay?” She assured me, lifting me for a hug.

I buried myself in Melinda’s arms while she patted my back gently. I needed that hug.

“I think you need to eat now.” She released me from the hug and walked to take my purse.

She brought out some cash and a card dropped to the floor.

Melinda bent down to pick up the card, on bended knees, and her eyes popped out. “Lucian Ryders?!” At the mention of his name, my heart seemed to stop beating for a while. I ran to get my phone from my purse.

“What are you doing with that dangerous man?” Melinda asked but I couldn’t pay attention to her right now. I had forgotten I had an appointment with the Mafia Don.

“I need to run, I’ll explain later.” I dashed out before she could say more.

As I stepped out of the hospital, I noticed awkward stares and murmuring from people as I walked. Flashlights from cameras from different angles followed me. I stopped a taxi and slipped into the car hurriedly before two journalists who were running in my direction could get to me. What did I do?

Lucian.

8:26 AM.

Swinging from left to right in my luxurious leather chair, I glared at my watch for the umpteenth time. The lady from the other night was late. I don't tolerate tardiness, and yet, here I was, waiting for her. I wondered if she would show up, not after the embarrassment she caused me the other night. I already had Maximus; my right-hand man run some background checks on her. I was sure she would take my offer.

My phone buzzed and I knew better than to check. It was my grandmother. Her incessant nagging about settling down after my messy divorce had driven me to desperate measures.

“You stood her up,” I remembered her scolding me on the phone the previous day after I didn’t show up for the blind date she set up for me.

“Grandma, I already told you. I’ll find my lady myself. My type and in my time.”

“But Emilia needs a mother figure in her life.” She had complained. She always used the fact that my little daughter needed a mother. She was right but I don’t mess with just any lady.

I needed an escape, and that accident with the strange lady from the other night had presented an unexpected opportunity in my favor.

She was one of the most beautiful women I’ve met in a long while. The way her body swayed gently when she walked carried an aura I loved my lady to have. I found her perfect for this task. Just that, now she was beginning to piss me off.

Maximus already told me her mother was hospitalized the other night. I was going to build on this, I knew she needed money badly.

Switching on the TV in my office, I decided to keep myself busy till she got here. The first image I saw on the TV was a gorgeous picture of the same lady I was waiting for.

Nina Barners has been accused of siphoning funds to Jake Correl who doubles as her boyfriend and crime partner, the…

I switched the TV off.

Nina Barners. What the hell! Was this the woman I wanted to get involved with?

I was still deep in thought when a knock sounded on my door.

“Come in.”

Nina rushed in, almost out of breath. "I'm so sorry I'm late," she apologized. She didn’t look so happy.

I raised an eyebrow. "You're 30 minutes late, Nina. Not exactly the best start for someone who has offended me already."

She winced, her cheeks flushing. "I know. I had an emergency at the hospital."

I waved her over, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk. "Sit. We need to talk."

She hesitated, her eyes scanning the room briefly before finally sitting, her hands clasped together in her lap.

“Did you do it?” I asked.

"Do what?” She questioned.

I leaned back in my chair. “I guess you’ve not seen the news,” I replied. I took my iPad and showed her an article about her trending on one of the blogs. Her jaw dropped, tears forming at the back of her eyes.

“So this was why…” her voice trailed off.

"I have a proposal for you, Nina. One that could benefit us both."

Her eyes narrowed, a hint of wariness creeping into her worried expression. "What kind of proposal?"

I smiled, a calculated glint in my eye. "A contract marriage. Pretend to be my girlfriend, and I'll make sure your mother's medical bills are taken care of and also take care of this mess.” I proposed, waving my iPad slightly above my shoulder.

Nina's face turned pale, suspicion written clearly on her face. "And why would you do that?"

I shrugged. "Let's just say we need each others’ help.”

Her gaze dropped, her voice low. "But I have a boyfriend..."

Nina.

I didn’t give Lucian an answer. His offer was so enticing but I couldn’t just jump on it. I didn’t commit the forgery I’m being dragged in the mud about. Secondly, what was I going to tell Jake? That I’m leaving him for another man just for money?

The last time we communicated was when I texted him about my mom’s accident. He didn’t reply to my text or call me. It was so strange.

I stood outside Jake's apartment, my heart racing with every passing second. The headline on the news didn’t add up one bit, the only reason I was at Jake’s was to ask him why he hadn’t called even after seeing the allegations pressed on us.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The sound of laughter and music drifted from inside, Jake was the quiet type and he never had the time to blast music.

The door swung open, and Jake's smile faltered when he saw me. "Nina, hey..."

"Hey?" I repeated, my voice trembling. He hardly called me by my name. "After ignoring me for days, all you can say is 'hey'?"

Jake's eyes darted behind me, and I shifted to see a blonde-haired lady with a pink towel wrapped around her chest. That was my spare towel!

She had a guilty expression on her face, hastily gathering her clothes.

My world crumbled around me. "You are cheating on me," I said, stating the obvious.

Jake's face turned red, but he didn't deny it. "Nina, I..."

I raised my hand, silencing him. "Never mind.” I was here for an important reason.

I dumped my phone in his palm. “What does this mean?”

“Oh. This! I thought you were smart to cover this up.” Jake answered but I was lost for a moment.

“Cover this… what are you talking about Jake?!” I yelled.

“The loan from your boss, I told you how badly I needed that money.” Jake’s voice floated in the air, almost driving me crazy.

Panic set in, causing my fingers to shake. “You forged my signature and d… did thi..s?” I stuttered.

“Glad you’ve figured it out, you don’t have any proof against me. The whole world will believe that you did this. Get lost! And never come back here.” He ordered before slamming the door in my face. I stood there, speechless. What did I get myself into?

I turned and walked a step further, leaving Jake and his lover behind. Tears streamed down my face.

My phone rang, shrill in the silence. Melinda's name flashed on the screen.

“What’s that rubbish on the news?”

"Jake cheated on me and framed me up for that." I blurted.

Melinda's gasp was audible. "I'm so sorry, Nina."

I took a deep breath, I finally figured out what to do. "I'm done with him. And I've made my decision."

"What is it?" Melinda asked attentively.

"I'm going to marry Lucian Ryder."

The silence between us lasted for a few seconds before Melinda spoke up. "Nina, are you sure? We still need to figure out how to pay mom's hospital bills..."

"I know," I said firmly. "This is the only way I can get out of this mess. Lucian also offered to take care of the bills if I marry him. I have no choice.”

Melinda sighed. "Okay, girl. If you're sure..."

"I am," I said resolutely.

As I hung up the phone, I took out the business card Lucian gave me the other night. I dialed the number on it and within a few seconds, I heard his baritone charming voice on the other line.

“I will be your pretend wife.”