Chapter Three

Subtitle: My Contract Marriage

Written by: Marvy Hyacinth

I flipped and flipped, his diary was more of his life laments, mistakes and sufferings. I continued flipping until I got to the page two pages away from the last day he wrote.

What he wrote was shocking...

" I found the boss's secret hideout

and begged for a loan. He agreed

to give it to me and he made me

promise to pay it back after a

month. I agreed. Well, I'd do anything to repair my son's failing heart."

That was it.

Wait!

Boss's secret hideout?

What does that mean?

My dad was a driver for this rich man I never met before.

I didn't even know anything about him, but why would a rich man have a secret hideout? From what I heard, he earned his money legally.

I flipped to the next page. I checked the date. Weird, my dad wrote this the following month.

" He sent his men after me. It must

be because of the money."

"By HE, did he mean his boss?" I thought before burying my eyes in the diary in my hands and continuing reading once more.

" I don't know what to do. I don't

have any money to pay him

back. Jace isn't even healed yet.

I'm so worried and this weight is

crushing me so bad. I can't tell

Lucy though. She's keeping up

with a bad heart. I better find a

way to pay back the money."

So my dad's ex-boss sent his men after my dad huh?

Who is THIS man?

He's the person my dad borrowed Jace's surgery fee from.

This page points towards that.

Curious, I flipped to the next page, which was unfortunately the last page too. This one was written 5 days later than the one I just finished reading.

" He sent me a letter today... I mean

My boss. It was an invitation to the

Hideout. My debt deadline expired

Four days ago, and with an invite

to come over being sent to me,

I don't think I'm safe.

I don't want to go.

Today's making it three days since

I started hiding from him. Due to

this, I have no way of earning money

for our upkeep. Dear diary, tell me what to do... "

I paused.

I checked the date and traced it back to the three days ago he was talking about. Then the realization hit me.

That was the day my dad started avoiding work! And when my mom would ask him, he'd always say he was off for that day.

I found it strange though, even though my mom never suspected anything. My dad was on LEAVE for a whole three days. Who on earth would give his driver three days' leave?

I glued my eye back on the diary and continued anyway.

" Anyway, what choice do I have?

I have to honor his invite, at least

To see if I can buy more time. I

can't just stay at home and watch

My family dies of hunger. I'm going

To honor his invitation. I know its

Risky, but I'm putting my lucky

Charm on you dear Diary. You

know so much about me, things

That I can't tell Lucy because of

Her heart condition. I love my wife

And kids so much, I'm going out

To get a future for them.

Till I write to you again...

My dearest Diary."

When I read the last part of the diary, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. My dad sacrificed so much, a lot that he even risked his life for us.

Worse is that he didn't even have anyone to talk with, my mom's condition made it a bad idea to tell her anything sad, she'd have high blood pressure and die immediately.

"Poor dad, he suffered a lot"

Remembering these, I felt my eyelid burn with tears as I stared down at Jace.

"Alexa?"

Someone called gently.

She looked at the person she's been staring at since.

It was Jace... He was awake now. Alexa quickly wiped her tears away and placed a smile on her face.

"Hey boy... How was your nap?"

Alexa asked softly.

"It was very great, I feel so rejuvenated and energized"

Jace answered, sat up, and stretched his body.

"I'm happy you feel good after your sleep Hunny"

Alexa said with a smile, held Jace's face, scooted over, and kissed his hair, then his forehead.

Jace smiled genuinely in response. Alexa melted on seeing his angelic smile. That smile meant everything to her, though it was not as often as before he was told to quit school and when their parents died, it was still there and it warmed Alexa's insides every single time he lit up.

"You were crying"

Jace pointed out gently while staring deep into Alexa's brown eyes with his own.

As siblings, they didn't look alike, but three things were sure... They had the same light brown pair of eyes, Had the same silky brown hair, and Shared the same oval, heart-shaped lip.

"Ugh... No."

Alexa replied.

"I saw tears in your eyes, when you touched my hair, I woke up. I know you didn't notice, but I saw pearly tears drop from your eye. You were staring hard at my chest and tears slid down your eye"

Jace said.

"Jace..."

Alexa started, but Jace interrupted her.

"Don't lie to me, Alexa. We're siblings, since mom and dad died, you became the only part of my life left. Am I a burden too much for you?"

Jace asked Alexa.

"Nooo! How could you even think that? How could you be a burden to me? As you rightfully pointed out, we're family!"

Alexa said.

"But you only started crying when you stared at my chest. Wait... Am I gonna die?"

"No Jace! No. You're not gonna die. You're gonna stay alive, be alive, watch me make money, pay for your surgery and turn our lives around"

Alexa said and smiled warmly at him.

"Awww..." Jace awed. "Then why were you crying?"

"I was just thinking about stuff," Alexa said.

"I resigned from work today" She sighed.

"What?! You resigned?"

Jace gasped.

"Yes, I did"

Alexa reconfirmed.

"Why?"

"I wasn't just feeling it anymore. I've worked there since mom and dad died. I want to experience something new"

Alexa lied.

Wait, she wasn't lying. That was also part of the reasons, it's not like she could tell Jace that Judy had harassed her several times.

"Oh... So where are you gonna work now?"

Jace asked concerned.

"To be honest, I don't know. I resigned without having any other thing in mind"

"It's gonna be tough to get another job... Considering this is where we live"

Jace spoke.

"Yes. I know, but I'm gonna do something quick about getting a new job."

"It's OK. I'm just happy you're gonna stay with me at home for a few days. I've missed playing board games with you Lexie"

Jace said excitedly.

"I'm looking forward to another of our great moments together too, Jace"

Alexa said and pulled her little brother into a warm hug.