Chapter 3

Hazel's POV

It's been two weeks now since I received the wedding invitation from my ex-fiancee and my so-called best friend. After two horrible weeks, my life had to just get worse.

In these two weeks, I lost the complete zeal to write, especially the upcoming novel I was supposed to submit to my publisher. I didn't and I was fired because of my inability to do so because according to them, they don't accept lazy writers or heartbroken ones. I didn't even get a paycheck because I didn't deserve it and I spent my last payment on my wedding which was supposed to happen. And now I am the definition of broke. Am expecting my landlord at my very expensive apartment to kick me out anytime soon due to my prolonged unpaid rent. Well, just two weeks and I lost everything.

I wriggled out of my bed, the only place I spent my life for the past weeks. I hadn't been outdoors in a long while which was unlike me because I never missed an opportunity outside. I walked towards the bathroom to take a quick shower after staying up in my bed throughout the day when a bag of chips fell.

" Oh here you are", I smiled as I picked it up and began to munch on the chips suspending my shower time.

I sighed as I remembered if I don't save this bag of chips now, I won't have breakfast tomorrow.

I tossed the bag of chips back on my bed and lazily dragged myself to the shower.

I slipped out of my pajamas and walked into my bathtub setting in it as I turned it on.

I closed my eyes as the water flowed through my body and that was it, I began to reminisce about my life again.

And that did the trick again, I began to sob first quietly before eventually, it turned to piercing loud sobs.

After an hour of crying to myself while having my bath, I put on my bathrobe and walked to the mirror to take a look at myself, to look at the person he had left.

I stared at my reflection woman with ginger-colored hair and hazel brown eyes. I turned away from the mirror refusing to analyze myself further. Well maybe it was because of my normal features he left, maybe I didn't have the type of hair color or eyes and the body figure he had liked in my best friend, Miranda who was completely gorgeous.

I dried my body while slipping into some clothes and curled myself back underneath my sheets.

My momentary comfort was cut short by the ring from the doorbell.

I sighed, my doorbell rings were no longer a good sign in my life and I guess I was right.

I opened the door and lo and behold was my landlord.

"You have to vacate this flat by tomorrow Hazel"

The jerk didn't even wait for me to beg him or something, he just walked off.

I suddenly felt weak in the knees and I did my hobby for the past few days of my life, I

broke into tears.

How could one incident ruin my life, the life I worked hard to build?

And at that moment, I felt a tornado of emotions break into my head, I felt like I had no purpose.

I don't know what entered my head but I decided that today was the day I end my life. Yes, I was going to commit suicide. Besides I had no one, Bryan was the only one I had before after my mom died.

I changed into a plain T-shirt and sweatpants. I grabbed my jacket because the outside felt cold.

I gave one last look at my apartment and my eye quickly landed on my bag of chips. I couldn't leave it behind.

I grabbed the bag of chips and wore my shoes before giving one last look before walking out.

"Well life it was nice knowing you"

I sighed, I had to do something before I committed my final demise which was going to be in my favorite place.

***

I looked around to make sure I was alone, I didn't want to be spewing my life out while someone was here.

When I was sure nobody was around, I walked towards the fountain, it looked more beautiful at night. I missed coming here. It had been ages since I last came here, that was before I met Bryan and when my mother was alive.

I grabbed a couple of pebbles from the

ground and began to throw each in the fountain while I began to talk to the inanimate fountain about my life and the current situation.

Soon, I erupted in muffled tears.

"Am a coward but am sorry for being too weak to fight"

That was the final statement I made before I wiped the tears off my back of my and began to walk away to my death.

"Hey, Miss!!".

I froze not sure whether it was my ear deceiving me because I was sure I was alone but I turned around to face the man.

" I have a proposal for you that could help us both".

I couldn't help but let out a surprised laugh. I know this wasn't the time to laugh but his statement was funny, now this guy was a rival publisher that heard about me being fired but either way, I had lost the zeal to write so he might just as well give up.

I turned around and began to walk.

" I heard everything you said, am sorry it was wrong of me but I have a way we could both get what we want out of our messed up situation"

My cheeks reddened, how much had he heard? But at that moment, I felt curious about his offer.

" And how do you intend to do that?"

That was when he walked closer to the light making me see his face more clearly. I gaped, this was Ivan Xander, the richest man in this city and may this country.

" With a marriage contract", he finally replied politely making me step out of my 2 seconds trance.

"I am so lost Mr. Xander, can you explain?"

" So you recognize me miss…"

" Hazel, just Hazel", I quickly added avoiding his question.

" Ok Hazel, you see if you be my contract wife for at least a year you can benefit from this".

This guy must be joking, I just finished suffering from a failed almost marriage relationship and he was offering me a marriage relationship.

" Am sure you heard me when I was pouring my heart out, and am not going to step into a marriage relationship or what so ever you call it"

He sighed and said, " Hazel look at the bright side, you could pay off your debts, start a new life and even get back on your ex for putting you through all this. Besides if you take your own life, you would be seen as a loser for the rest of your life, especially by him".

At that moment I did smile a bit, he had a point. I did deserve more including revenge on Bryann. I can't be a loser, my mum would be so disappointed in me wherever she is. It's just for a year, it wouldn't be so bad.

" So how much are we talking about here?"

He smiled professionally, "Over a million dollars, just name your price whenever you're ready"

Ok, this was more than I expected. Why was he desperate for this deal anyway

" So what do you gain from this Mr. Xander?"

"Please call me Ivan", he said. "The custody of my sister as a married man".

Okay, I was shocked. He had a sister he hid from the world. It was so cute of him to sacrifice this much for her. I guess agreeing to this deal could help not only benefit both of us but an innocent child.

I offered my hand, " It's a deal then"