Adrianna’s POV
5 o’clock in the evening and I was already on my way to the hospital. I had done a whole day’s worth of work and I felt like I needed a shower, but I don’t really trust my body in that aspect. If I go home to take a shower, given the fatigue I was feeling, I will end up crashing and falling asleep. That’s the last thing I want to happen. I walked by the street while my mind was running through a thousand things at once. Most of which were calculations. I needed to make about ten thousand dollars in order to pay for my mother’s surgery. I currently have two thousand five hundred, a far cry from my goal. In terms of spending, I only take enough to make me survive, and there are no other kinds of unnecessary spending. I cut all my expenses as much as possible and I was even still in debt. But I don’t really care about that. Even if I am going to be in debt for the rest of my life, as long as my mother is going to live healthily, I don’t care. It was quite hot today as we were in the middle of summer, but as dusk began to set in, the temperature also cooled down considerably. The road to the hospital wasn’t all that crowded, but I was in my own world. Lost in thoughts and I barely noticed those around me, as I barely even paid any attention to them. Suddenly, I felt my heart palpitate and I gasped. I had no idea why I had that sudden feeling of panic and unease, but it disappeared immediately. ‘What was that?’ I said as I stopped and clutched my chest. I decided to take a look behind me but other than a lot of other people going about their own daily lives, I didn’t see or notice anything or anyone suspicious. ‘Why’d I suddenly feel like someone was watching me? And with bad intent...’ I thought to myself but didn’t let that delay me. I continued on the way to the hospital, but that sense of unease failed to disappear. I entered the hospital and after meeting with the receptionist, I went straight to my mother’s ward. This was already a regular thing for me, seeing my mother lying almost lifelessly on the hospital bed, but the devastating feeling that come with it never gets old. Anytime I saw my mother like this, I would always feel two things. One is sorrow, another is the drive to earn some more money so that I can pay for her medical bills. I sat by her again and clutched her hands as usual while monologuing. “Here I am again, Mother. I didn’t even take a shower while coming here, and I know that you would definitely scold me for it if you were awake.” “Sorry Mother. I just had to make sure I see you and keep you company today. My day has always been stressful as usual and I’m so tired that I feel like my hands will fall off. I think I need ten days of sleeping without any kind of interruption.” I cried to her as I gave a pitiful face. However, I didn’t receive any response. The room suddenly got silent, and I dropped my head before quivering. “But I can’t rest. I cannot rest at all, not until you wake up. So, you’d better wake up when I get the money, Mom. I want to see your smile again Mum. That smile that always cheered me up when I was little. That smile showed how much you loved and cared for me. I’ll make sure to take care of you, mother. I won’t let you suffer here anymore. I’ll find a way to get you kicking again, and I will do it honestly, just like you would always want.” I blurted with resolve and tears all over my face. I didn’t know what to feel other than resolve. I just wanted her back. I wanted my mother. Nothing else mattered to me. I didn’t realize it when I fell asleep. I must’ve cried myself to sleep, as there were still signs of tears in my eyes when I woke up. Due to the fatigue, I was feeling, I overslept beside my mother, and it was already 8 o’clock the following day. “Shit!” I cursed under my breath as I sprang up from my chair. I rushed to the door but suddenly calmed myself down. I looked back at my mother and a wry smile appeared on my face. I walked back to her and placed a kiss on her face. “Goodbye, for now, mom. I’ll be back by evening.” I claimed before rushing out of the hospital. First things first, I rushed home and while I was in a hurry, the taxi driver seemed to be a bit of a madman. I got home fast, but almost at the cost of my life. “Are you out of your mind?!” I yelled at the driver after I alighted at my destination, but he only smirked flirtatiously at me. “You were in a hurry, so I decided to get you to your destination as fast as possible. At least it shows my professionalism.” He returned and I could almost feel myself snapping. I really wanted to strangle him, but I didn’t have the luxury of time. “Urghh.” I grunted before leaving him and going into my house. I quickly had my bath and dressed up as fast as possible. I worked on various shifts, so my first shift would be at a high school downtown. Luckily, the students there aren’t all too spoilt, so I wouldn’t have to deal with a lot of cleaning... or so I thought. When I got to the school, I was shocked. Although there was already a janitor there, there was only little he could do. That was why I was employed to assist him in the first place. I was scolded for being late, but I wasn’t lectured too much, as my assistance was highly needed at this time, as those students just played a nasty prank in the school and designed the walls and floor with some sort of colourful and sticky substance. I spent more time than it took for my shift to do it, even with the assistance of the perpetrators. After a quick break, I went on to another restaurant where I worked for my next shift. I kept working and my day went on normally. It was a regular busy day for me. However, my uneventful day soon turned into one that was full of surprises as my workmate called me. “Adrianna... you’ve got a visitor.” A young man in his early twenties relayed. “Uh? Who?” I asked as I was taken aback for a while as this was my first time having a visitor. I don’t have many friends and my best friend doesn’t come to visit me at work. As for family members, I didn’t have anyone else other than my mother. That was why I was doing my very best to keep her alive in the first place. “How should I know? He’s a tall man about your age, I guess...” he described but my mind still couldn’t process the fact that I had a visitor at a time like this. Not just that, Gary wasn’t describing him well enough, so I didn’t waste any time and I just took off my apron and walked outside to see who the person she was talking about was. I strode outside the restaurant and looked towards my left and the first thing I saw that caught my eye was a man in a black suit, putting on sunglasses and leaning against a black Audi A4 sedan. His brown hair and figure weren’t something I could forget. Another man was wearing a brown trench coat beside him, and he looked sort of dissatisfied. Even though they weren’t the only men in front of the restaurant, and there were a lot of passersby, they were the ones who seemed to have the most presence. It was almost impossible to not notice them. ‘Wait... him?’ I asked myself as my face contorted and shifted from one of curiosity to one of shock and confusion. He noticed me and he smirked. For a second, my heart skipped a beat. That smirk was completely different from the cold and exhausted look I knew him for. “Hello, Adrianna!” Tristan’s POV It was a bright morning, but to me, it was just another regular day filled with work, cries and nightmares. I was working on a laptop behind my desk when I suddenly heard a knock on my door. “Come in...” I permitted and Enrique walked into my office. He had a few papers in his hands, but his mood looked a bit serious, in contrast to his expression two days ago. I was quite curious as to what would make my ever-enthusiastic secretary so gloomy. He arrived before my desk and handed me the papers. “I’ve done what you asked of me sir,” he mentioned. I took the papers off his hands and went through the entire biography-looking description of a lady. “Adrianna Sterling, born on September 22nd, lives in Yellow-lane Street, Gundam City. Age twenty-six, six feet tall and... single.” I read out loud and after looking at the personal information, I decided to check her occupation and I was stunned. “Is she a machine?! Works part-time in Three restaurants and as a cl
Adrianna's pov I was still awestrucken by such an unusual request yet he appears to be so calm about it, "Why will he approach me of all people?" I kept asking myself. It's been a week since the incident and I couldn't help but wonder if he was in his right senses, Why can't he just get married rather than getting a contract marriage. I didn't think about it too much I had a lot of work to do while I still washing dishes during my shift at another restaurant, I got a call from my friend Kristana. "Hey Kristy" I mumbled while placing my phone on the right side of my ear, Using my shoulder as support to hold it in place while I work. "Anna!!" She squealed in glee, I could hear music from the background, "Having fun without me huh?" I roll my eyes it's not like I care, I don't even have time for myself not to talk of partying and having fun. "That's a joke right?, We both know you would never go out with me to have some fun, Anyways that's not why I called I'll be dro
Chapter Seven Tristan's pov I was really relieved when she called I had a hard time trying to find someone else, they didn't seem like the type of woman I wanted I really hope she doesn't change her mind again. I woke up early the next morning had my bath and got dressed in my expensive Armani suit, As I walk down the staircases I heard my parents arguing about something. I didn't bother listening to their conversation until I heard my name "If he doesn't bring a woman with him for our get-together party next week then he'll leave me no choice" I heard my father say to my mother. "He is a full grown man who can make choices for himself, I do not support your bringing in a wife for him let him decide for himself" My mother disapproves of his suggestion and that made me feel at ease. I didn't bother having breakfast I just walked out of the house heading for my car, I hopped in and dialed Adrianna's number while inserting the key into the ignition. She didn't pick up till aft
Chapter Eight Adrianna's pov I was still fast asleep when I heard my phone ringing and I thought it was my alarm, I groaned as glimmers of sunlight filled the room. I reached out to my phone without finding out who was calling so early in the morning "Hello?" It sounded like a question instead. "Change of plans meet me at the office in 15 minutes" I heard his cocky arrogant voice before I could reply he hung up on me "What an asshole, if he thinks I would be his obedient lapdog then he must be mistaken" I proceeded with my sweet sleep when I remembered he was also doing me a favor. I groaned getting of the bed sluggishly while heading for the bathroom, After having a cool shower I ransacked my tiny closet for a presentable dress I only found one. It was a wine color round neck gown my mom got it for me when I was still in college, it wasn't that pricey but it was more than precious to me I only wore it once during graduation. I picked it up and put it on before applying some
Chapter Nine Adrianna's povI was lead to a big bathtub filled with white fluid it looked a lot like milk. "This is the clarifying body milk bathtub and we have others like the mud bath tub and the oil bathtub, Which one would you like to try miss?", I was completely speechless the kind of lifestyle I watched in movies was right before me in reality, I wanted to scream so badly till my throat ache but I need to keep it together. That's right breathe in and out then I replied like any rich young lady would, "Which one do you recommend?" I said in a cold manner and they smiled at me looking pleased with my question little did I know I was going to pay for that later. "This one miss it's the best in the country" They hyped and I made a not so convince expression so they went on blabbering till I concurred. I was told to strip and soaked myself inside the milk for like twenty minutes, being a lady isn't that easy this was the longest boring minutes of my life. What's the need for
Chapter Ten Adrianna's pov I watched them drop their equipments on the sofa and bowed in unison, I asked them to sit and wait for me so I can eat dinner before leaving I can't be in a hurry while that jerk is sitting comfortably in his house. I prepared a short meal and ate to my satisfaction before turning my attention towards them, "Miss we have to wait a bit before dressing you up" The fashion stylist said and I gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?" I asked wondering if they knew what they were doing are they not in a hurry. "I don't want your figure to be ruined by that" She pointed at my stomach which had a slight bump and I scoffed in disbelief, "We'll wait till your food digest" She explained vaguely, I wasn't listening to her gibberish talks I signaled the make up artist. "Do you wanna wait too?" I asked them and they rushed to get their equipments I left the stylist in the living room taking the rest with me inside the room. We were done with the make up befo
Tristan's pov "I'm glad you do" I replied sarcastically I didn't want to miss out any details so I told her, "It's a family get together party and it's just a week don't worry I'll pay someone to look after your mom" I assured her and her eyes softened. "When are we leaving?" She asked sounding calm this time, "Maybe by weekend I will inform you when we are ready" I replied and she nodded. "So what can I get you?" She smiled softly but I wasn't ready to stay so I waved off her kind gesture, "Don't worry about it I was just leaving" I stood up and she pouted cutely, "Alright if you say so" She stood up to go. "Why don't you just see me off instead?" I suggested and she nodded leading me outside, "So I won't be seeing your annoying face again till weekend?" It sounded like a joke to me so I didn't reply instead I got into my car and whine down the glass. "You meant to say handsome face right?" I smirked and she laughed before she could reply I drove off. I
Adrianna's pov I was waiting at the lobby when the nurse approached me, "Miss you can come with me now" She smiled politely, I followed happy and worried at the same time I was told my mother had some complications doing the surgery but she's fine and stable for now. "Is there any cause to panic?" I asked as she pushed the door to the ward opened, I liked the fact that this ward was much better than the previous one, "She might regain consciousness any moment from now, Maybe today or tomorrow" The nurse informed me trying to get my hopes high. "Thank you so much I really appreciate your help all these while" I knew she was the only nurse who paid me attention when I haven't paid the fees, She took care of my mother and assured me that everything is going to be alright. "It nothing dear, I'm glad you were able to save for the treatment" She patted my shoulder and left me alone with my mother, I sniffled and took her hand studying her face. She looked better than before she wasn't