"Mmmm, Ash I didn't expect you to call me so soon" Alan replied in a gruff voice.
"Yes, I thought about it and I discovered that there is no point wasting time." She glanced up at the ceiling fighting back her tears."Okay, when do we get started?" He asked almost immediately."As soon as possible" She echoed."Alright, I will contact my lawyer, Bye" He replied and hung up the call.Ashely fell to the ground clutching her phone tightly while bawling her eyes out. The thought of her getting married to a stranger to save her Mom and how her Mom would live with the guilt if she figured out what she did to save her kept invading her mind."Ash your Mom is requesting for you, she just woke up" Drea called out interrupting her thoughts."She's awake?" She asked while rushing to the ward her Mom was in."Careful" Drea half screamed while shaking her head."Mom!!!" She screamed, running to her bedside.'I almost thought I lost you, please don't do this to me again my heart can't handle it" She exclaimed as she wailed."I am fine Ashely, what did the doctor say?" She asked in a weak voice while she rubbed Ashely's back."You will be fine Mom, the doctor will start the treatment soon" She replied wiping her tears off."What do you mean Ashely, what have you done?" Her Mom asked, wrinkling her nose."Auntie, why don't you rest while I and Ashely will go get you something to eat? '' Andrea interrupted while grabbing Ashely's hand out of the hospital ward."What have you done?" Andrea half whispered immediately they reached the hospital balcony."I did what I had to do," Ashely replied, rubbing her hand on her head.Andrea stared seriously at her asking her to continue with what she wanted to say."I might have accepted to get married to a stranger man I met today in exchange for my Mom's treatment" Ashely replied as reality dawned on her face."What!!" Andrea screamed while staring around to check if people were watching them."Yes, I didn't have a choice, you heard what the doctor said, I don't have much time. I am getting married tomorrow or next as it seems" She said in a finite tone."What will you tell your Mom?" Andrea queried."I don't know, anything" She replied, raising her hands."Come on, let's go get your Mom something to eat, we will figure it out later" Drea motioned to her.*********************************************************Alan paced around his living room after the call he had with Ashely, he was surprised that she called so soon and it kept him wondering if something had happened to her mom because he was almost sure that she wouldn't accept the proposal."Rex, I need you to find out what happened to Ashley's mom today," He said to the person on the other call and hung up the call.He immediately placed a call to his lawyer."Mr.Anderson" The person on the other line called out immediately the call went through."Please be at my place first thing tomorrow, I need you to prepare a marriage contract for me, so bring all the necessary documents you would be needing" Alan replied in a stern voice.After he had hung up the call, he strolled to his wine bar pouring himself a glass of wine."Finally, I am getting married to you Ash" He chuckled dryly.Ashely walked into the hospital premises after her mom and Andrea had persuaded her to go home and freshen up that morning because she was still in her interview outfit. She strolled quietly into her Mom's hospital ward to not disturb her if she were to be sleeping but the sight in front of her left her flabbergasted."Ashely, this young man is here to see you and he got me gifts" Her Mom called out to her immediately she entered while pointing at the gift bag and fruit basket on the table beside her."You didn't even bother to tell your Mom that you had a man in your life, how cruel" Her Mom continued while whining."Man!!, who said I had one?" Ash asked, looking surprised."Who is this young man then?" Her Mom asked, pointing at the young man sitting prettily beside her."No one Mom, stop being dramatic and get some rest I will be back shortly" Ashely exclaimed while dragging the young man out of the hospital ward with her."What are you doing here?" She asked while staring at him."I heard your mom was admitted here so I came to see her" He replied nonchalantly."It's not like she knows who you are, so you didn't have to bother yourself" She fumed at him."You are hurting my feelings by saying all these, she will soon be my mother-in-law so it's good we get acquainted immediately" He replied holding his heart like someone who is suffering from heartbreak while Ashely scoffed at him for trying to be funny."You are taking this marriage thing too far, it's not even going to be a real one" Ashely complained regretting why she had accepted this in the first place."It would be better if you make it real in front of her because what excuses do you have to make?" He asked with seriousness written on his face.Ashely thought about it realizing that she had to make it real or else her mom would suspect something."Yes right, why are you here anyways?" She asked again."To finalize the marriage of course because it looks like she needs the treatment immediately" He replied reminding Ashely of the main reason she was accepting this marriage."Okay, where is the contract?" She asked, scanning him because he wasn't holding any files."We would have to sign it at my place so let's go," He said, motioning her to the exit."I can't leave my Mom and you know that" She raised her brows at him."Okay, it seems your Mom's treatment would be delayed" His jaw tightened."Let's go," She said walking off to the exit.At his placeAshely stared at the whole house taking in how huge the place was from the entrance to the inside. His living room was top-notch, the aesthetics of the living room exuded a dangerously cool aura and it looked like he loved places that weren't too bright because the painting of the living room lacked life."You could stare at it the whole day but we need to get to business" He called out to her."Cough cough I wasn't staring" She defended."Yes sure," He said, motioning her to the three-seater sofa behind her while placing the documents on the center table."You can read through it," He said pointing at it.Ashely picked up the file while flipping through the content reading it slowly so she could grasp the full context.After a while, she placed the documents on the table while she chuckled."Your conditions are hilarious," She said, staring horrendously at him.I can't date anyone till it is over, I am allowed to share intimacy with you if I agree and I have to move in with you" Ashely bulged out her eyes while scoffing at his hilarious contract.Alan studied her intently while walking slowly towards her, he bent to her level brushing the fallen hairs off her face while he stared at the insanely breathtaking woman in front of him as Ashely flushed losslessly at his little actions."You won't be able to resist me Ash" He hushed above her lips.Ashely shut her eyes tightly while she squeezed her hands on the sofa as shivers ran through her spine, her stomach dancing pleasantly to the rhythm of his voice.Alan straightened himself walking back slowly to get seated on the sofa opposite the one Ashely sat on despite the urge to taste those luscious lips. He sat for a few seconds staring at her as she clutched the sofa tightly, her face looking flushed."I haven't even started with you and you are looking like a mess," Alan said, chuckling.Ashely opened her eyes facing down in embarrassment because she knew she looked like a mess, she wondered how she would spend two years living with him."I have sent for my lawyer. He will be here anytime soon with the marriage certificates and the rings," He said, saving her from embarrassment."These conditions apply to you as well, right?" She asked after a moment of silence.Alan stared at her in surprise and amusement at the same time."What do you think?" He asked her with a lopsided grin."Since I can't date other men, you shouldn't date or sleep with other women as well" She declared."Don't worry about it, I am all yours baby" Alan gushed, whi
Ashely and Drea froze on the spot immediately they heard Ashely's mom's voice, and they both turned slowly facing her. Ashely's mom was seated in the hospital wheelchair supported by a nurse."Mom, what are you doing outside?" Ashely queried her, diverting her question as she strolled close to her while Drey followed suit."I woke up and I didn't see both of you, I was already tired of lying on that bed the whole day, this elderly woman needed some fresh air" Her mom whined like a baby.Ashely nodded at her motioning to the nurse that she would continue from where she stopped."Besides who is getting married?" Her Mom asked again, holding them with her stare."Emm….Mom we need to have a conversation" Ashely stuttered."Okay, but what is happening?" Her Mom asked, glancing at her."I will tell you what is happening but I need to introduce you to someone first," She said, wheeling her mom to where Alan was seated, leaving Drea behind.She breathed heavily before saying "Mom this is Alan
"Auntie!!" Sean squealed when he saw Alan's mom while Alan proceeded to rub his hands on his head because he wasn't expecting his Mom to come anytime soon."Awwwn Sean, you always look handsome each time I see you," She said excitedly dropping what she was carrying on the table and proceeded to rub his cheeks while Alan scoffed at his mother's attempt to be sweet."How come you are here, how did you get in?" Alan asked his Mom."Is that how you are supposed to greet your mother?" She fumed as she smacked his head."Ouch Mom that hurts, you have the same grip as that woman" He groaned."What woman?" His Mom asked, squinting her eyes at him."No woman, what brings you here?" Alan asked, diverting the question as he strolled to the table picking up the marriage certificate and putting it inside the cupboard at the other end of the living room."It seems you have been slacking from work. I called your office and your secretary said you didn't come to work since you would never call or vis
Ashely woke up that morning feeling excited and refreshed because her mom would start her treatment today. She hopped into the shower immediately because she had a lot to do today, she was moving into Alan's place today as well and that was stirring a lot of tension in her but she didn't want that to bother her at all. She got out of the shower and dressed up to go meet her mom first before she came back to pack her things.She got to the kitchen, made herself a cup of coffee and had the leftover pizza she bought when she got home yesterday. She proceeded to make her mom a light porridge because that was the only food the doctor advised her to give to her mom. After she was done she left the house and flagged down a taxi heading to the hospital.At the hospital "Good morning Mom" Ashely greeted smiling brightly at her."Good morning Ashely, you know you shouldn't be coming here every day you have your life ahead of you," Her mom said, reprimanding her."You are my mom, how can I leav
"Ohh my goodness, you scared me" Ashely said frowning at him."We have workers that are here to serve you,what are you doing?" He asked again."I am hungry and I decided to cook. I came from a home where I do things by myself, all this worker's thing is new to me" She complained returning to what she was doing."What would you like to eat so I can make them for you?" She asked calmly.Alan was taken aback by her question, he never had anyone close to him prepare meals for him except his Mom this made his heart almost melt at her kind gesture."Hmmm, I am not a food picker so whatever you cook is fine" He responded. "Okay" Ashely nodded while Alan stood there watching her, the scenario in front of him looked more like a real wife cooking for her husband. It twitched his heart that all this wasn't real and it hurts the most that he couldn't get himself to love any woman."You can go back to your work, I can manage just fine" She turned to him, as she was feeling uncomfortable having hi
"Am sorry, I…I didn't mean to intrude on your privacy" Ashely said stuttering."You should be sorry, that's none of your business, you have overstayed your welcome in my room, I want to sleep" Alan interjected, gesturing her out of his room.Ashely scurried out of his room feeling hurt and downcasted by his attitude."It's obvious he has an unpleasant past," Ashley thought as she walked into her room.While Alan on the other hand was struggling to sleep as he moved from one end of the bed to the other."Maybe I shouldn't have spoken to her in that manner," He thought as he sat up, he was never the type to feel any emotions towards any woman but he didn't understand why he was feeling sorry for the way he had spoken to her."You did the right thing, you shouldn't be sorry, don't be swayed, they are all cunning and evil," Another voice in his head said to him."Arg" Alan half screamed while falling back to his bed and struggling to sleep.The next morningBeep beep, the Alarm on the sid
" Yes, why do you both look surprised?" She asked scrutinizing them."No..nothing we didn't expect to have you sleep over" Alan stuttered."He never wants me around and he never calls me, what kind of a son is he?" She complained to Ashely while threatening to cry."Mom he is just surprised, he loves you he always speaks highly of you every time" Ashely tried convincing her."Yes Mom, how can you say that? I love you" Alan said thanking Ashely for saving him from his mom's banter."I will get the workers to prepare the guest room for you, babe please come with me," Alan said hurriedly dragging Ashely with him."You need to move into my room immediately" Alan half whispered as soon as they got to the hallway."Why? I love my room" Ashely asked, raising her brows at him."We are married and married couples should sleep in the same room, don't you get that we would blow the covers if we sleep separately" Alan explained getting pissed off."It slipped my mind, I will quickly move some of
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ashely yelled as she saw Alan while she tried so hard to cover her nakedness."I am sorry," Alan said hurriedly, rushing out of the bathroom.He completely forgot that Ashely was sharing the same room with him and she could have been in the bathroom.He was grateful for the glass door in his shower and the seam exuding from it even though he saw a glimpse of her goddess body, the image embedded in his memory."I don't understand why I am feeling nervous, it's not like I did anything," He thought.He was still envisioning what happened a while ago when the door opened revealing Ashley with a towel wrapped around her chest exposing a lot of her skin, he wondered how soft and flawless her skin was as he had the urge to touch it."You should have knocked or did you forget I am staying in your room" she mumbled. "I didn't know you were inside there," He said defensively.Ashely became cautious and embarrassed at the thought of Alan seeing her nakedness