CHAPTER 6

Derek was astonished at her words, he laughed almost hysterically, he guessed she had hit her head so hard and it was affecting her thinking, "hold on, I have no intention of getting married anytime soon"

She rose from her bed and looked at him desperately, " you have to, please, you've got to save me"

"Calm down, you don't even know me, you can't just get married to a stranger".

"I bet you are better than the devil I am fleeing from, it would be just for a while"

He looked at her as if considering it, "what do you stand to gain from this?"

"The protection of a husband" she answered frantically

"And what do I stand to gain? She considered his question for a while, "I'll be forever indebted to you. you'll have my gratitude"

Derek considered her statement, in reality, he needed a wife, his mother had been on his neck and had even gone ahead to arrange a marriage for him with Cassandra, he was supposed to get married immediately he got home and all he knew about his supposed wife was her name and as he was told, the lady his mother had arranged for him was from a very wealthy family, although, he didn't like the idea of the arranged marriage and has had it in mind that once he gets home, he would dissuade his mother from it, his mother has always made decisions for him since he was young and he has always defiled her decisions, as long as she keeps interfering into his life, he will keep putting her off, he is who he is. if he accepted what this lady was offering him, there would be no need for too much argument with his mother and he also would have no problem carrying on his father's legacy until he would return from the hospital, no one would dare to challenge him that he was single so had no idea about responsibility, he would marry this stranger and part ways with her after everything had been settled.

Kathleen observed him as he thought about her offer, she was nervous but at this point, she wasn't thinking, she had no idea who she was getting married to but how he live his life after marriage was none of her business, he can live the way he wants, she only have to answer his name. she had no choice, she had run away from home without a penny on her and no place to go, she knew Dave would not be able to do anything when he knew she was married, it was ironic that she was fleeing from one marriage and begging a total stranger to get married to her. He looked at her and nodded, "I'll get married to you on one condition"

Kathleen's heart skipped a bit and she heard her breathe as she wait to hear his condition, she hoped she could grant it, " what condition"?

"That we'll be married in every aspect and live as married couples" he replied staring at her.

Kath frowned considering his condition but nodded accepting his terms.

"Alright, let's get married then" I'll be back after I've cleared your hospital bills, he stood up and smiled at her, flashing dimples and pure white teeth, Kathleen's breathe caught as she suddenly remembered where she had seen him, he was the same man who had offered her handkerchief when she ran away from home and was crying. He wouldn't be that bad after all but order than offering her handkerchief, what else did she know about him? He could be the devil himself but she was willing to take that risk.

"By the way, I am Derek" he brought forth his hand for a handshake. Kath gazed at his hand for a moment before taking it and responding, " Kathleen".