FLASHBACK

"Come here, Dera," her dad gestured for her to come, and she walked closer to him. She sat beside him on the sofa.

"Dad, why did you call me here? I really have work to do, you know," she pouted cutely, and her dad ruffled her hair.

"Do not enter any marriage without knowing everything about your spouse," he paused and looked at her. "You know you're the only child I have ever, so no matter what happens, do not enter any type of marriage, because marriage is sacred," he said, and she nodded and hugged him.

"I love you, Dad," she said, unlocking from the hug. "I love you too, my princess, so now go do your assignment," he said and stood up.

END OF FLASH BACK

"Dera, brace yourself; you're doing this because of Mom, not because of anything," she slapped her cheeks lightly on the road, and people turned to look at her like a mentally deranged person.

She walked home and found Luciana still watching a movie. She pulled off her sneakers and placed them neatly in one corner of the sitting room where shoes are kept before slipping into her flip-flops. She sat beside Luciana and stared at how concentrated Luciana was on the Korean drama she was watching, named "Penthouse: The War of Life."

"I don't even know where to start telling Luciana about my ordeal," Cherry thought.

"Jun Dan-tae is the most wicked man ever. Imagine how he can be so cruel to kill his own wife," Luciana hissed in anger as she threw a chip into her mouth, her eyes glued to the TV.

"I really pity this innocent girl called Bae Ro-na and her mother. They have suffered greatly from Jun Dan-tae and Seo-jin's hands," she blinked repeatedly, not minding if Dera was there or not.

Dera bit her lips as she stared at Luciana, contemplating whether to tell her or not.

"It won't be nice if she eventually finds out herself or if someone eventually tells her," she said inwardly.

She faced Luciana again, taking a deep breath in and out before starting.

"Luciana," she called slowly, and Luciana turned to her.

"Hey, what's the matter with you? You don't sound okay. What's the problem?" She asked, concentrating fully on Dera.

"I have something to tell you."

"What is it, Dera? You're scaring me. Just say it already," Luciana said, and Dera took a deep breath and shut her eyes before opening them and starting.

"I'm getting married tomorrow," she dropped the bombshell, her voice filled with hesitation.

"What!! You must be joking, right?" Luciana laughed like a manic who just escaped an asylum.

"Wait, let me finish," Dera cut her off. "I'm getting into a contracted marriage with Henry Royals."

"Henry Royals! Are you high? Dera? or are you on drugs?" Luciana asked, not ready to believe what Dera said.

"He offered me a contract to be his wife for six months, just so his mom will let him be. After the six months, we both will get divorced and go our separate ways," she bit her lower lip hard while Luciana burst into another fit of laughter.

"I think you're high, Dera, because how on Earth is what you said possible? Henry Royals of all people? That dude hates everyone, and ladies are included, so how then is he getting married to you?" Luciana asked, furrowing her brows, still not believing what Dera said.

"That's none of my business. If he hates everyone or not, it's not my problem. After all, I will be able to pay for Mom's surgery," she muttered, and Luciana sighed making Dera looked at her. "Hey, what's wrong with you?" she asked.

"I bet you won't be able to leave after those six months. I have watched movies and read books about contracted marriages. The female lead and male lead are going to fall in love with each other and then get married legally," she scoffed, and Dera shook her head.

"Then stop reading such books and stop having such a mentality because it's not happening with me, okay? So be rest assured. Moreover, you know his phobia for people, right? He isn't going to fall for a middle-class lady like me," Dera said, and Luciana sighed.

"So how much is he paying you?"

"Twenty million dollars," she whispered into Luciana's ear.

"Wow!! That's a really huge amount," Luciana eyes widened, and her mouth hung open.

"So, my baby is going to become a millionaire soon," she gushed, and Dera smiled.

"That reminds me, Luciana, how's Redmond? Is he talking to you?" Dera asked, and she sighed.

"How I wish I could control my heart, Dera. I would be the happiest person on Earth. I fell for a cold-blooded monster who doesn't talk to people, let alone be friends with them," she paused and looked at her friend

"I'm so fed up, Dera. I wish I could just get rid of the feelings I have for him, but I can't because my heart keeps beating whenever I see him. And you know the funniest part? I would take almost one hour to dress up and put on makeup just for him to look at me, but that monster wouldn't spare me a single glance," Luciana said, fighting back the tears threatening to fall.

"Hey, it's okay. He's going to love you, okay? Stop going the extra mile; just be yourself and don't waste your time making up," Dera pulled Luciana into a comforting hug.

After hugging for a few seconds, they both disengaged, and Dera spoke first to lighten the mood.

"Dad called this morning; Mom has only one week to live if she doesn't undergo the surgery as fast as possible. That's the reason I accepted the contract."

"I clearly rejected the offer yesterday when he came to the bar, but when Dad called this morning, I had to run to his house to tell him I agree already," Dera explained as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Don't cry, okay? You were the one consoling me just a few minutes ago, and now you're crying," Luciana said, patting her head.

"Thanks for coming into my life, Luciana," she hiccuped.

"It's fine. What are friends for?"

"You're not just my friend; you're my crazy elder sister," Dera said, and they both burst into laughter.

"Hey, stop laughing like that; it's really scary. I don't want to be having weird and scary dreams, okay?" She said, and Luciana smiled before returning her gaze back to the TV.