Chapter 2: Idea; contract marriage.
Arya sat in her car in the office park
She had to head up anytime soon, the news of yesterday was finally settling in
she was dying. Well everyone was, but hers was coming sooner than she had expected. Arya looked at herself from her side mirror. She had not bothered to style her, she let it fall down in its black waves.
This was the first step towards her slow unravelling.
She picked her bag and stepped out of the car, locking it after her. She entered the building, she waved at the security man and went straight for the elevator.
Arya dropped on her floor and went straight to her office, it was small, but it felt cozy. She set her things down and decided to go through her work for the day.
She quickly emailed the work that was due yesterday to her boss, then she made herself coffee
The door flew open and her friends trooped in.
"How are you feeling?" Paula asked
"I'm better." Arya responded
"What did the doctor say was wrong with you?" Alice asked
"That I just need to get some rest."
"That's good. Have you spoken to Mr. Marx?"
"Not yet, was he angry yesterday?"
"Well, seeing as it was your first time bailing like that he seemed to take it well, but he ended the meeting unusually early."
"I suggest you go and see him later today, I'll call you when it seems he's in a good mood." Paula added
"Thanks."
"We'll see you during break." Alice said
They both left the office.
Arya got to work, when she got tired she searched the possible costs of treating cancer. The amounts really surprised her. Maybe embracing death as not such a bad option.
Telling her friends was the next thing she had to do. Arya did not know how to raise the subject or how they would even react
They would want to help her with the financial implications but they were married with children already, allowing them to help would make her feel bad.
Arya made up her mind not to tell them. Not until she had a solution to her financial issues. She glanced at the clock, it was finally time for break. She picked her phone and purse and headed for the cafeteria.
Her friends waved at her as she entered, she walked to the table they had already ordered food for her. She sat down and dug into the hot fries
"I forgot to tell you, Jamie asked of you yesterday." Alice said smiling coyly
"That was nice of him."
"You can't pretend to not notice he likes you." Paula commented
"He has a girlfriend."
"So what?" Alice and Paula asked at the same time
"There's no point discussing this, I don't even like him that way."
"You're very boring." Alice said while biting into her sandwich
"I think Mr. Marx is looking for a wife." Paula said
"Why would you say that?" Alice asked
"I just heard this weird conversation about him bringing his fiancé home and then he started yelling about not having one something like that." Paula explained
"How weird." Arya commented
"Imagine if you were married to Marx."
"Its not even possible."
"But he is good looking."
"You're married!"
"Being married doesn't mean I can't see beauty in the world."
"Sure."
The idea had already rooted itself in Arya's head. What if she married Mr. Marx? It would solve a lot of her problems. He was financially capable of paying for her treatment without breaking a sweat.
But if it was even possible, she would have to approach the issue carefully. No one could find out he had cancer, least of all him
This was a crazy idea. Arya put the thought aside for the rest of lunch but found herself thinking about it for the rest of the day.
Arya, Alice and Paula left the building together. On getting to the parking lot, Arya noticed Mr. Marx's car was still in the lot. This was her time to approach him privately.
"I forgot something inside."
"We'll wait for you then." Paula said
"No need, you guys have to get home to your families, I'll text you when i get home."
"Sure, bye."
They waved as the watched her speed walk into the building.
Arya did not notice she was inside till she stood inches away from his office door, nearly everyone had gone home. Thankfully, imagine her bumping into someone
She tossed with the idea of knocking first, but then decided not to. She rehearsed her lines in her head, grabbed the handle and opened the door.
Marx looked up from his laptop to the woman who barged into his office. He knew her. Arya. She was not supposed to be there
"Welcome, I've been waiting for you." He said sarcastically
"Let us get married." She said quickly
"Excuse me?"
"I heard you needed a wife, let's get married."
"Where did you hear this?"
"From a very reliable source."
"Even if i needed a wife why would I choose you?"
"Because I am smart, reliable, dependable and at the end of this agreement I would divorce you in a heartbeat."
"Why do you want to get married? Parents?"
"I'm an orphan. And I would like to keep my reasons to myself."
"Why didn't you come to work yesterday?"
"I had an accident on my way to work."
"I see."
He stood up from where he sat and walked towards her.
"Why do you need a wife?"
"For love and companionship."
"I find that very hard to believe."
"The same way I don't believe your accident excuse."
He couldn't help himself, he was seriously considering the idea of marrying her. He could state the terms guiding the marriage and she wouldn't hound him for anything as she had something to gain from this. Plus he did not have much time or his parents will force their choices upon him.
"I want to think about it."
"I want a response now."
"It will be a contract marriage, I need to draft out the terms regarding this plan"
"That has nothing to do with you giving me a response."
"Fine, I accept."
"Good. May I have your phone?"
He pulled out his phone from his pocket and gave it to her. Arya saved her number and gave it back to him.
"Goodnight."
She left the office just as quickly as she had walked in. Arya waited till she got into the elevator before letting herself smile and jumping in the air in victory
She composed herself and headed home. Things were starting to look up for her. Now she could book and appointment with the oncologist.