Chapter 5. A Deal Impossible to Ignore
I hadn’t slept all night. When the first rays of sun slipped through the window, I got out of bed with a knot in my stomach and the envelope still in my hands. I had read it over and over so many times the words no longer made sense, but the figure remained lodged in my mind like an impossible promise.
That morning, Mom seemed more tired than usual. As she made breakfast, her dry cough echoed in the small kitchen space. It hurt to see her like that, but I didn’t have the resources to do more. It was like being trapped in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.
Eric, on the other hand, was in a good mood, probably because he had managed to convince someone to lend him money or because he had a new plan to go out partying. I didn’t pay him any attention, although I knew he would ask me for something sooner or later. He always did.
After breakfast, I grabbed my purse and headed to work, looking for any excuse to get away from the tension hanging in the air. As I walked toward the restaurant, my mind remained divided between David’s tempting offer and the fear of what accepting it would imply.
The shift started like any other: rushed customers, orders coming out late, and a manager who did nothing but complain. I tried to focus on my tasks, but everything changed when I saw David walk through the front door.
He wore another expensive suit, perfectly tailored, and looked completely out of place in such a modest spot. My heart skipped a beat for a moment, but I tried to ignore it. Maybe he was just there for dinner.
However, our eyes met, and in that instant I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. He had come looking for me.
–Sarai, you’ve got a customer at table four –one of the girls told me, giving me a teasing smile.
I walked toward the table with unsure steps, and there he was, looking at me with a calmness that drove me crazy.
–What are you doing here? –I asked, crossing my arms.
–I came to eat, of course –he replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes–. But also to know if you’ve made a decision.
–I can’t talk about that here. I’m working.
–Then I’ll talk. –He leaned forward, lowering his voice–. I need an answer, Sarai.
I looked at him in disbelief.
–Don’t you get it? This isn’t the place for this. Besides, I still don’t know what to think.
He nodded, as if he had expected that response.
–Alright. But I’ll be direct: I want you to accept my offer. I think it’s the best for both of us, and I won’t leave until you do.
My hands trembled slightly upon hearing his words, but something in me made a decision without thinking anymore. The need to change things, to do something for Mom, overwhelmed me.
–Alright. I accept –I said softly, not thinking further.
David didn’t look surprised, as if he had already expected it. He gave me a subtle smile.
–Perfect. –He pulled an envelope from his briefcase and slid it toward me–. Here’s the original contract. You just have to sign it, and everything I promised will be yours.
I took the contract, my hands steadier than before. I looked at the figure written on it, and although my mind struggled to understand all it implied, something inside me felt it was the only way out.
–Let’s sign it now –I said, surprised at how quickly I had made such an important decision.
David smiled again, saying nothing more. I handed him the pen and signed the contract without looking back. I knew there was no turning back.
Once I did, he put the contract away and got up from his chair.
–You did well, Sarai. What comes next is doing everything possible to fulfill what we agreed.
I walked away from the table with him, my mind still racing. At the end of the day, what I had done didn’t feel like a victory, but like the beginning of something I couldn’t predict, something that would change my life forever.
Before I could leave, David stopped me once more.
–Tomorrow morning –he said softly, almost like a whisper–, you must be ready to sign the marriage at the notary. There will be no turning back.
I looked at him confused, fear taking hold of my body.
–Tomorrow?
–Yes, tomorrow –he replied, his voice serious and direct–. I don’t want you to think about it anymore. You already made a decision, and we’re going to make it official.
Seeing my face overflowing with doubts, he looked at me with a calm smile.
–Trust me, Sarai. This is the best for you, for your family. I promise.
Without another word, he left, leaving me at the restaurant door, completely bewildered, while my heart pounded with the idea of what was about to happen.
The shift finally ended. My coworkers were already saying goodbye, but I could barely react. The idea of what I had signed still hadn’t fully settled in my mind. My body moved on autopilot, looking for the exit of the restaurant, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.
I stepped into the cold night, the sharp air hitting my face, but I felt nothing. Only the weight of what I had just done. I couldn’t believe I had signed a contract, a marriage contract, with a man like David Donovan. But beyond my disbelief, something told me I had no other choice.
I walked through the deserted city streets, feeling the emptiness taking over me. I didn’t know what to expect from the next day, I only knew there was no going back.
When I got home, I felt like I was entering a world that didn’t belong to me. Mom was still resting, but Eric didn’t take long to appear, looking at me with disdain, as always. He barely said a word to me. In the distance, I could hear his nervous laughter, the echo of his most selfish thoughts.
I collapsed onto the bed without saying a word. I barely felt the exhaustion, just the feeling of having made a decision that would change my life forever. And the worst part was, I didn’t even know if I was making the right one.