1 SETTLE MY MOTHER'S HOSPITAL BILLS

My heart was shredding into pieces as the time tick faster and I don't know to whom I should beg for my mother's treatment.

"Aunt Elisa, Please help me. Mom's treatment needs to be continued," I kneeled in front of her but she turned her face away and had a disgusted look on her face.

How life has turned against me, once I was a princess and now I am nothing but a maid of my aunt. After my father died, I had to become a maid to save my mother. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I bit my bottom lips in pain as she stepped on my hand.

"Mother and daughter both are the misfortunes of our family. Because of you, my brother died and your whore mother is paying for her deeds," she kicked my stomach and clenched her jaw with hatred.

She hated me after her brother died. But she doesn't understand that I also have my father. Dad, why did you leave me with us in the darkness?

But calling my mother whore, I can't bear that insult from anyone.

"Aunt, don't call her that name again," I said with gritted teeth as my heart and stomach hurt.

She raised her eyebrows and lunged toward me with continuous punches. She was not like this earlier, she was my god fairy but now she has become a rude Wicked Aunt.

I have to be alive just for my mother or she will let her die. That I can't let her do as long as I am alive.

Since childhood, my mother cared for me but now it's my turn to give her care and save her life.

"Madam Elisa, The new guest has arrived," a maid interrupted her and stopped her from punching me.

Aunt gave me a death glare and stood back on her foot. She composed herself and plastered her fake smile and acted like a good and sweetest lady.

"Go and get ready fast. Today you will be sold to the person who will help you and me," she gnashed her teeth and turned off her heels.

I couldn't go against her, I am so weak and trash. And if she knows that I love someone else then she will make sure that he suffers as well as I am doing. I have to be her puppet for everyone's happiness.

The maid helped me to stand back on my feet, she sympathized with me. But she knows very well what I am designated for this fortune.

I got dressed up, just like Aunt Elisa wanted, and went to the living hall where she was sitting with my new master.

~~~

I stood before the handsome-looking man, who was in a black suit. My body was shivering like a chicken that had been beaten by the rain.

Even though the man before me was sitting on a couch with his legs crossed, his long legs still drew attention.

He was quite tall, with a muscular frame that ripples with strength whenever he moves. His short dark hair was perfectly combed. From his dressing, he looked like he was heading to his office, but I can't tell if he was.

He raised his deep blue eyes and stared at me in disgust.

I have a lovely body shape. With curves in the right proportion and fair skin, that looked soft to the touch, but I don't think he was pleased with these things. This isn't the first time he has seen ladies like this, I guess.

'The lady standing before me look desperate to get whatever she wanted from me, even though I can see the fear in her. She wasn't a great beauty compared to the ones that are always gallivant around me anytime I need them.'

Aidan thought inwardly.

"So you are my new puppet?" he asked as he studied my body from the top of my hair to my toe.

He signaled to Aunt Elisa to walk out of the room. And indeed she walked out hanging her head low without any questions.

His gaze averted back to me and frowned.

"My name is R-Ruby Michael." I stuttered in a whispering voice.

"Go straight to the point and stop beating around the bush, woman," he yelled at me and I winced inwardly, thinking he was about to slap me.

Even though he was just watching me from his position on the couch, fear still overtook me.

"Yes, master." I quickly said.

However, I stopped talking when I saw the way his blue eyes were staring at me.

'What have I done? He asked me to go straight to the point, which I did. Why is he staring at me like that?'

I wondered.

"I'm listening. What's the reason that you agreed to be my puppet?" he finally broke the silence.

Aunt Elisa tried to give me a threatening look that I should not tell him the truth. She was peeping from the window. I quietly gulped my heaviness of guilt.

"Sir, my aunt has told me that you will help her and…"

Before I could complete my statement, Aidan cut in and said, "I am not here to listen to your shit."

Yes, Aidan was his name. I saw that on his name tag.

"Do I look like someone who likes stories? Huh? See, young woman, I have a lot to do. Tell me what you want and let's end the discussion." Aidan added.

" Sir, help me to clear my mother's hospital bills and I will serve you until you recover your money with my service. I wouldn't mind if you don't give me food when I start working."

Aidan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

" Wait…wait…wait. So…" he was about to utter a word, instead, another heavy laughter sneaked out of his mouth.

'Why is he laughing?'Ruby wondered.

Aidan took a few minutes to calm himself down.

"You want to work for me after paying your mother's hospital bills?" He asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, sir." I sheepishly responded as I fixed my gaze on the ground, unable to look him in the eye.

"But why will a decent girl like you come to work for a cruel person like me? Aren't you afraid that one day I might do something bad to you?"

Fear gripped me upon hearing that statement. Well, I wasn't surprised that much. People have said a lot of bad things about him.

"Hello, are you scared?" He called for my attention when he saw the fear written all over my face.

"No, Sir, " I managed to answer.

"Why can't you just be a whore and earn a lot of money from men? Instead of coming here to work as a slave?" He suggested, biting his lower lips.

"I was raised in a good home. It's an abomination to involve myself in such a thing. I would rather end up begging in the street, than becoming a prostitute." I said, raising my head in pride.

"Ohh, I see. What a good girl." Aidan sneered at me.

Silence rules for a few minutes.

My eyes were still fixed on the ground. But after waiting for what seemed like ages for Aidan to speak, I slowly raised my head and what I met were his blue eyes.

Not again! Those eyes were annoying. Why can't he just tell me that he can't render any help, and then I will leave?

'Oh, heaven, what have I put myself into? I was seriously warned not to come close to Aunt Elisa, yet, I still find myself seeking her help. Here is the result.

I thought to myself as anger replaced my calm face.

"Ruby, don't say I didn't warn you. Aunt Elisa is not someone that you can run to when it comes to help, and you know that." That was Clara's statement before I finally hardened my heart not to listen to any of their advice.

" I don't care!" I could remember how I responded to everyone who stopped me from seeking her help.

But here am I, standing before this stranger. The way he speaks with power truly shows that he was someone whom people don't joke with.

It was honestly shocking to even see him laugh because Aidan doesn't seem like the type to respond to jokes. Moreover, his laughter was sarcastic and made me feel embarrassed.

"Do you care for a drink?" Aidan finally called my attention.

Raising my head again, I saw him lightening an Indian hemp. At that moment, I felt like leaving, but I still patiently waited for him to reply to my request.

Beggars never have choices.

He inhaled the smoke of the Indian hemp and then let it out. Aidan repeated it almost ten times, as he ignored my presence. Aunt Elisa wasn't helping matters either.

I endured, I didn't utter a word so as not to get myself in trouble.

Time passed and the smoke was too much to bear. I started coughing and sniffing. I used two of my fingers and pressed my nose against the smoke.

I wasn't comfortable with it.

"Back to what you were saying earlier," Aidan went ahead to say while I was busy coughing.

My heart soured.

"Y-yes, sir. I'm ready to do anything, sir." I croaked

"Did you just say anything?" Aidan asked as he lowered his gaze to me.

Why does he always study my body like that?

"No, sir. I mean, to work as a housemaid or any other responsible work. I'm ready to do it. My mother is dying in the hospital. I can be your puppet for her sake as long as her bills will be settled."

Aidan bit his lower lip again and stared at me from head to toe. "You aren't that bad." He said.

I lifted a brow. 'What does he mean by that?' It was unsettling.

"Thank you, sir," I said instead, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. But then, I couldn't set him off.

"Now, this is our deal. All you need to do is…" he paused intentionally to cause tension.

Why is he delaying? I was curious to hear what he would say. My ears were itching to hear the next statement.

" Marry me!" He announced nonchalantly as if it wasn't a big deal.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

I blinked at him, there must be some confusion somewhere.

"Sir, I don't understand." I shook my head.

"I just told you what to do. Do you want me to repeat myself?"

This should be a joke or a prank.

I took it as a joke and playfully said,

"I will marry you."

Aidan was also stunned to hear my response. He wasn't expecting me to easily accept it.

"Tell me you aren't kidding. Because you seem to take it as a joke. I want to marry you, and only that can make me help your mom."

His tone was serious and that was when it dawned on me. Aidan was not joking. He was serious.

I shivered, and I stood dumbfounded in front of him.

"Sir, I only ask for a job and that's all," I responded with fear. My heart was beginning to pound against my chest.

" That's my final say. Take it or leave it."

My eyes widened as I could feel my eyes filled with tears.

" But, sir, I have someone that I love." I pitifully announced.