The Contracted Bride

*(Diego Ella's POV)*

*How it all began...*

I worked in a restaurant to make a living. As an orphan with no other extended family members, I struggled to make ends meet and survive on my own. I had no one to take care of or anyone to take care of me. I had been doing this since I was fifteen and at twenty-five, I was better at this. I could survive without the help of any person in the world. My survival instinct could be rated at a hundred percent.

On that fateful day, I was working as a waiter in the restaurant as usual. The day was unusually slow but I managed. It was also hectic but I still managed.

Before this event, a rich guy had come to request that I date him. His name was Meghan Ryan and he was the son of one of the richest men in town. According to what I heard about him, his father was a billionaire and as the only male child, Ryan would probably take over his father's company and properties shortly.

Normally, one would think I would accept his proposal without thinking because of his affluent background. This was true since I had absolutely nothing. However, I had pride. I still had my self-esteem and self-respect intact. I wasn't going to compromise all these for anything in the world including a luxurious and extravagant life in the future.

While thinking about this, I remembered fully how he approached me. I wasn't going to forget that incident. It was evergreen in my mind.

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

I was walking down the road when a car parked right in front of me. This was a dangerous move but I didn't talk about it. Instead, I continued to move, bypassing the car in the process. Quick enough, a man came out of the front seat of the car and opened the back door for another young man to come out. I already knew the first man who opened the back door was either a secretary or bodyguard to the other young man.

I checked the first man's outfit and concluded that he was a bodyguard. A black suit, black glasses, and black shoes. It was obvious.

But the real deal was with the man whom the door was opened for. He looked quite young and I concluded that he was a rich and spoilt young master from an affluent home. All his movements could let me confirm this detail.

But I didn't want them to think I was being inquisitive. I continued to go my way only for the young master to call me back.

"Hey, young lady!" The young master had said. "Come over here. I have something to tell you."

I turned back to confirm if the young master was addressing me. I confirmed I was the one and I gently began to move towards him.

Truth be told, I didn't know why I did that at all. I was angry that he didn't use the word "please" when addressing me but I didn't mind.

"What is it?" I asked clearly after getting to him. I noticed that his two bodyguards were standing close to him. I didn't comment on that.

"That's rude, babe," The young master said slowly. "Listen, darling, I noticed you and I saw you were sexy. I want you to come and spend a night with Daddy."

This was irritating in my ears. I couldn't keep my anger in now.

"What is this?" I asked after glancing at him angrily. "First of all, why would you use pet names when addressing me? I don't know why you'd use darling, babe, and sweetie, to address a total stranger."

"I didn't use sweetie, babe…" The young master said again, this time with a smile on his face. "But do you want me to call you sweetie?"

"Stop it!" I shouted angrily. "You disgust me."

"Oh, do I? I am sorry, babe," the young master continued to tease me.

"There you go again…" I told him now. "Nothing is funny here. I would only tolerate a serious conversation. If you don't have one, I would like to take my leave."

"My bad!" The young master said now. The smile was slowly disappearing from his face.

"Yeah, you bad!" I repeated. I didn't feel bad about doing this.

The young master scoffed and began to jeer at me. I didn't talk. I simply watched him irritatedly.

"It should be your bad!" The young man finally said.

"No, it's your own bad. You are the one harassing me here…" I told him. I wanted to leave at that moment. "Give me one reason why I am at fault here."

"Really?" He noted. He was glancing solely at my boobs now. I caught his glance and began to feel nervous.

"Yeah!" I replied courageously.

"Well, my name is Meghan Ryan and I am the one and only son of Mr. Meghan, the billionaire and the C.E.O of…" Ryan was saying before I cut him short.

"Was that supposed to be a showoff? Come on! All these accolades are for your father. I am done here!" I told Ryan to his face and began to leave.

Ryan ran and blocked me.

"Hey! I apologize. Can you go in the car? I want to see what you look like when undressed?" Ryan said to me. This got me angry.

"Do I look like a call girl, Mr. Ryan?" I asked angrily.

"Thirty thousand dollars!" Ryan offered.

"I don't want your damn money!" I cried.

"Fifty thousand dollars!" Ryan said again.

"No!" I cried again. "I am not doing this even for a billion dollars. Don't waste your breath."

I began to leave instantly. Ryan didn't follow me.

"You've just embarrassed me, young lady!" Ryan shouted at me as I left. "Be rest assured that I'll get you by all means. I will make you have no choice but myself."

I turned back and hissed at him then I left.

I took that only as a threat.

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

After a long day at work, the manager summoned all of us to his office. Upon getting there, it was announced that money was missing from the restaurant.

He ordered all of our belongings to be checked and I willingly submitted my bag as I didn't keep any money in there. My bag was the first to be checked and it was a thing of shock for me when the money was found in a corner in my bag.

"What!" I shouted.

"You're fired!" The manager shouted back at me. I wasn't given any chance to explain myself. The manager chased me out while hurling insults at me. My outstanding three month's salary wasn't paid before my dismissal. According to the manager, I had to leave immediately or he would call the cops to arrest me.

This was a painful encounter for me.

I cried on my way home and consoled myself. I went to withdraw my last cash to survive. However, I was stopped by some strangers who collected all of my money from me. This was even more painful for me. I didn't know why luck was so against me.

After getting away from the thugs, I ran all the way home with tears welling up in my eyes. I let the tears out and continued the process.

On getting home, I got to see all my properties scattered at the front of the house. This was shocking and I almost had a heart attack.

Then I got a call.

"How was your day?" The caller asked me.

I knew the voice. It was Ryan.