Days flew by and before I knew it, one week will be over tomorrow. Thinking about it over and over again, I've got no choice but to comply. For mother's and Eugene's sake, I have to...

Still, to clear some uncertainties, I decided to talk to Mother, I knocked and entered her room. She smiled and I laid on her laps,

"Mother..." I called her name softly. She hummed and I said, "Tomorrow, I have to tell whether I want to marry him or not..."

"Wasn't he supposed to decide that?" She asked.

"He.. gave me a week to think.." I took a deep breath and began to say,

"He will give me everything I desire in return for two things..." I took a pause and spoke up again, "Loyalty and Satisfaction... No affection, No love..." I sat up and asked,

"What should I do mother?"

Mother hugged me and looked at me, her eyes show a glint of desperation to tell me something but it vanish the instant I notice it as she began to say,

"Listen, Sophie, I leave the decision to you but remember dear, Instead of having an illicit relation, he is willing to give you his name and a respectable relation of husband and wife rather than a plaything which he can throw anytime. He will give you what you want and there's nothing wrong to be in an intercourse relationship with your husband... The rest is up to you whether you want to spark the flares of love in his heart or not.."

I blinked and remained motionless. After coming back to my senses I gave her a nod and left for my room.

Love? Him? Like hell, I would. But I was left with no choice, I have to marry him, no matter how much I don't want to.

The next day, My heart began to pulsate rapidly as I was being lost in the midst of dread and anxiety. By each second, I felt my heart being stopped. My hands and feet are cold. I was having lunch with my mother and my phone rang. I picked it up and my breath hitched when I heard the voice,

"What have you decided?" My heart skipped a beat at his deep voice. I dug my nails in my palm to calm myself and said in a faint tone,

"I agree." I can't see him but I bet he must be smirking because he knew that he left me with no choice but to speak in accordance to his liking.

"Good." That's all he said and cut the call. I looked down and stood up and left for my room without saying a word. I fell on my bed and closed my eyes.

A strange feeling of being void filled me. Like I am not living and I can't feel a thing. I continued to stare at the ceiling for I don't know how long. All my feelings were drained from me. I stood up and looked at my messy form. My messy hair and since I am home today, I didn't bother to change my nightwear. I am still in my grey trouser and black tank. I was looking at myself as I put a hand on my waist and began to wonder, Why does he even want to marry such a low girl like me. I mean there are more alluring girls. I have seen the pictures of him with his previous wife, She is an epitome of beauty, what a charm she possessed, I wonder why he divorced such a lady. Well, It's none of my business...

I went to the hall and saw my mother serving dinner. After dinner, I began to walk around the house. I still feel like whatever happened is a dream. I continued to look around. Our house isn't too small. I and Eugene grew in that house. It's our house. This holds too many memories...

I came to the hall again and began to watch TV but then the doorbell rang. Mother was washing dishes so I had to open the door. Me being careless, I opened the door without checking or asking.

My eyes widened in horror as my throat dried. He was standing in front of me. My heart began to pound as I lost my strength in his crushing presence. My quivering lips called mother, "Mother! Come Here!" Mother came and she was also shocked like me upon seeing him. On the other hand, he was amused by our reaction. Unlike me, Mother regained her posture and said,

"Welcome, Please come in." Mother smiled and said politely.

"Thank you very much but, I would like to take Sophie out for a drive, is that all right?" He asked decently. Where was this manner when we were alone? Still being bewildered by his sudden appearance, I remained stoic and my mother said, "Ask Sophie."

When Mother said that, I looked at him. He looked at me with his void gaze. Since I was too shocked to say anything I stood still and being irritated by my lack of response, he asked,

"Can I have a glass of water?" Mother nodded and left. After mother left he shook me, dragging me out from my thoughts.

"What are you thinking? Come, We need to talk." He said- no he ordered. My lips formed a thin line as I looked away. Mother came with a glass of water and I said, "I'll go and change." I went to my room and realized I am still in my messy form. I quickly changed in my casual red checked shirt and black jeans. I combed my hair and walked out. I didn't dare to meet his dire gaze as I left with him.