CHAPTER 4 MARRY ME SOPHIE

SOPHIE'S POV

The stranger and I both turned to face Selene, and astounded by her outburst, I scowled and warned her not to say it again.

"Do not talk like that!" I grimaced as I gazed at her. Dhaken by what Jade had just said, I attempted to defuse the tension by giggling to make sure the stranger did not interpret her remarks as intended.

"I apologise for her outburst; kids can be difficult to deal with, and I am sure she has no idea what she is saying," I mouthed, attempting to grin. Selene still in my embrace.

"Tha.......nk.....you." I muttered afterwards and was suddenly interrupted by Lois laughter. I was completely unaware of her presence the entire time.

We turned to look at her, and while she laughed hysterically, I wondered what was funny about the whole thing.

" What gives you the impression that this man would desire her since your mother's attitude prevented her from keeping a man?" Lois waved her palm at Selene, who was in my hands, making fun of me since she had come out of her house when I came, but no one noticed her presence. Disgusted, I asked Selene to wait for me inside while I dismissed the stranger.

"Go to your room!" I instructed Selene as I lowered her, my eyes welling up with tears, as I attempted to hide my feelings. She was partially to blame for this; had she not invited anyone, Lois would not have had the opportunity to tease me but I was not prepared to deal with all of that at the moment. All I wanted to do was express my gratitude to the stranger so that everyone could return home.

"Mommy, I do not want to leave." Selene replied with a chic smile, attempting to intimidate me into letting her remain. However, I refused to give in to her demands, at least not this time.

" Go into your room!!!!!" This time, she scowled making a grimace as she walked to her room, sensing that I would not give in to her demands.

My eyes filled with tears, and I struggled to suppress my feelings as I attempted to close the door, but his voice interrupted me.

"Is that all you can say? You should do better as a mother." The stranger words hurt me, but I could not respond since I owed him my appreciation for bringing my daughter home, so I could not be insensitive. I tried to compose myself as I spoke to him staring plainly.

"Thank you again for bringing my daughter home. I am grateful for the wonderful gesture." I stared at him the whole time, reflecting on the events of many nights before. To avoid causing any trouble, I had to remain composed not allowing my emotions get the best of me.

"Well, it is not acceptable; you must pay." He stated without emotion after a while. I could have hurt your daughter, but instead I brought her home. As he talked, I scowled, wondering what a suphicated guy would want with the paltry coin that was hardly enough for my daughter and myself.

"If you want money, I do not have any to give you, and who extorts money from someone for doing them a favour? I replied, maintaining my grimace.

"How much could you possibly offer me?" he joked, laughing hysterically. He seemed to be enjoying what he was doing.

"I have a proposition for you instead!!" He added after being able to compose himself after laughing. I listening intently I wondered what his proposal was. Although he had been a great help to me, it seemed ludicrous that he would want anything in return.

"Marry me!!!!!" His voice snapped me back into reality, and I gazed at myself, shocked.

I laughed heartily and stopped suddenly on realizing he was serious as his contenance was firm.

"How could I be your wife when we had only just met?" I mumbled to myself.This was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. I had no idea who he was or what is name was.

"Marriage!!!!" I blurted out as I glanced at him, looking for answers. With no response, I abruptly informed him that I would not marry him and ordered him out of my property.

" I would not do that, I barely know you" I replied as I motioned for him to leave.

"It is a job Sophie, I hope you didn't think I would marry you for real?" He added as he laughed again mockingly when I insisted that I could not possibly marry a stranger. I felt so pained at his utterance and didn't hide my displeasure.

" You owe me, but because I see you need help I would pay half million dollars monthly till the deal is done, that is more than enough money for you and your daughter. You have five hours to decide." He turned as he made to leave the porch and I stared at him wondering why he would propose such arrangement to me.

" Half a million dollars monthly would secure Selene's future." I thought to myself still puzzled about what had just happened. I shut the door and returned to the kitchen, where I continued my preparations. I had to decide soon or the deal was off. I didn't even know his name. I guess I would have to wait till he contacted me somehow to know who he truly was.

Selene observed that I was upset about what had happened and attempting to hide my tears. She reached out to me as she clasped my hands.

"Do not be angry about what Miss Lois said, she is just jealous you have a beautiful daughter like me. I love you, mom, and soon you would have your own prince charming." She said as she embraced me.

Who would have guessed that she was just ten years old? What else could a mother possibly want?" I pondered in my mind and gazed at her when she let go, wondering how such a little girl could talk with so much maturity. She seemed to detect my uneasiness and swiftly added as she played around the room.

"Uncle Karl said he would be your prince charming if you would let him." I stared at Selene as I did not understand what she just said.

" Who is Uncle Karl Selene?" I asked seemingly agigated as I was not sure who had been talking to my daughter about a relationship with me.

" Uncle Karl mummy, he brought me home today." A sudden realization hit me, the stranger name was Karl and he had told my daughter of his intentions to marry me. I was pissed about the whole situation as Selene was already excited as she jumped around the room that I had found a husband when I clearly decline his request but I tried to hide my emotions trying not to ruin Selene's happy moment.

" How could he? who did he think he was ? I whispered to myself as I walked away from Selene to pick my phone wanting to call him to question why he would do that to my daughter when I suddenly remembered I did not have his number. I made up my mind to refute his request. He was not going to succeed in blackmailing me into marry him using my daughter.

"Go take a bath" I said motioning for her to leave the kitchen, I needed some moments alone to reflect on the events that had transpired moments ago.

Selene was already so excited about him being my husband and I was not sure I was ready to ruin all of that and he was offering a huge sum of money too. I needed to come up with a plan so as not to ruin my daughter's happiness if I was going to refuse his offer.

I heard the doorbell ring and knowing I was not expecting anyone. I hoped he wasn't at the door as I had not come up with a plan yet.

"Was it time? I pondered as I answered the door.