It was the kind of evening meant for memories or mistakes. The rain fell softly against the tall, glass windows of the mansion, a steady rhythm that blended with the haunting notes of "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers, playing from an antique record player in the corner.
The sky hung heavy with thick, grey clouds, and the coolness of the evening air pressed against the walls like an uninvited guest.
In the heart of the house, within the dimly lit confines of his study, Joan — the richest billionaire in town — sat behind a grand mahogany desk, a glass of whiskey in hand. He nodded slowly to the beat of the song, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Joan, are you there?" Felix, his buddy, called from the hallway leading to the study.
A long, sharp wooden door pushed open, and Felix stepped inside.
They shook hands, and Joan passed him the bottle of whiskey and a glass.
"Bro, guess what?" Felix asked, grinning.
"Just spill it. You know I'm not good at guessing," Joan scoffed.
Felix laughed, pouring himself a drink. "You remember when you told me you needed to secure that huge contract but they'll only let you in if you're married?"
"Yeah, I remember," Joan replied.
"Well, I've got a solution for you." Felix's grin widened. "Met a girl yesterday in the hallway leading to my office — she was crying her eyes out."
Joan immediately reached for the record player's volume knob and turned it down. He'd always hated hearing about women in tears.
"Okay… go on."
"So, I went over, offered her my handkerchief. Poor girl looked completely broken — eyes red, face puffed, legs shaking. She took it."
"Thank you," she'd whispered, barely audible.
"I took her to the nearest coffee shop. Asked her what was wrong. She said 'Nothing,' but you know me — I wasn't letting that go. I told her I wouldn't force her to talk, but I had an offer she might want to hear, because honestly, she looked like someone drowning."
At that moment, Anna had lifted her head, eyes brimming with tears.
"Wait… what? How did you know?" she'd asked, her voice shaking.
"I'm a genius, you know," Felix had teased, waving a waiter over to get them two cups of coffee.
"Anyway," he told Joan, "I was running late so I cut to the chase."
"I have a friend—"
"Wait," Anna interrupted, clearing her throat. "Let me introduce myself… and explain."
Felix nodded. "Go ahead."
"First of all… my name's Anna Delacruz. I'm a computer programmer. I've worked in tech for five years."
Felix had smiled, dimples showing. "Hmm, interesting. Continue."
"There was this huge project I was leading. Everything was going perfectly until… until my phone rang that morning. It was the hospital. They said my dad had been in an accident. He needed urgent surgery… or he wouldn't make it."
Her voice broke as she spoke, and Felix stayed quiet, letting her gather herself.
"I left everything I was doing and rushed to the hospital. My phone wouldn't stop ringing, but I didn't care. My dad's life was on the line. I used my entire life savings to deposit for his surgery."
She'd paused, breathing hard.
"The surgery was successful, thank God. But when I called my director back… he yelled so loudly it felt like my eardrums would burst. He told me if I valued my life, I should get to the office immediately."
Anna's fingers trembled as she gripped the coffee cup.
"I kissed my dad's hand, told him I'd be back, and rushed out. When I got to the office, everyone was staring at me. Some were whispering, pointing. When I entered my director's office… he threw a file at me, shouted that we lost a million-dollar deal because of me. I tried to explain, I begged, but he didn't care. He fired me on the spot."
Her eyes welled up again.
"As if that wasn't enough, he said he'd filed a case against me. If I don't pay ten million naira before month's end, he'll throw me in jail. I was shattered. I packed my things and left."
"So what were you doing at our company?" Felix asked gently.
"I… I went to meet an old friend. Thought maybe he could lend me money for my dad's hospital bills."
"And?"
"He… he said he couldn't help. His wife just gave birth. I felt so helpless. That's when I broke down."
Felix sighed, handing her another tissue.
"Stop crying. Your savior is here," he said with a half-smile.
She wiped her face.
"So listen," Felix continued. "I have a billionaire friend who wants a contract marriage for just two months. The pay's insane."
The moment he said 'billionaire friend,' Anna's expression hardened. She straightened her shoulders.
"No. No," she said, shaking her head firmly. "If this is your idea of help, I don't need it."
She grabbed her bag and stood up.
Felix watched her storm to the counter to pay for her coffee, then chased after her to the bus stop.
"Wait! Hey, wait a second."
He caught up to her, grabbing her gently by the wrist.
"Think about this, Anna. Where are you going to get that kind of money? You think it'll fall from the sky? Your dad's bills, that crazy company debt… it's not fair, but it's real."
Anna pulled her hand away, staring down the dark, wet road. Her heart felt like it was splitting open.
Could she really do this?
Marry a stranger? Fake a life for money?
Would her father be proud of that?
Would he even survive if she didn't find the money?
She thought of her old friend turning her away. The director's cruel words. The empty, lonely house waiting for her.
No one else was coming.
Her throat tightened. She swallowed hard, tears blurring the streetlights.
"I know I'm in deep trouble, Felix. But how… how do you expect me to fake-marry a billionaire for two months? What would people say? They'd call me a liar, a gold-digger, a divorcee. Do you know how people talk in this town?"
Felix stepped closer. "And when has anyone cared enough to help you, Anna? Since this whole thing started — has anyone knocked on your door? Called to check on you? Offered a dime?"
Silence.
"My dear," Felix said softly, "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You either grab it or watch everything fall apart."
Anna took a shaky breath. She looked up at the cloudy sky as rain started to fall again, light drops mingling with the tears on her face.
Her father's frail face. The hospital bills. The legal threats. The cold, empty house.
She clenched her jaw.
"Okay… okay." She forced a small, tired smile. "I've thought it through. I don't have a helper. I don't have a choice. I'll do it."
Felix's face lit up.
"Yes! Thank you, Anna, thank you!"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card.
"Call me when you're ready to meet him."
They both started walking toward their homes.
"Oh! Anna — wait!" Felix called.
She turned.
"What now?"
"I forgot to introduce myself." He grinned sheepishly. "I'm Felix. Felix Henshaw."
Anna let out a small laugh, the first in days, and shook his hand. "Nice meeting you, Felix. You're a lifesaver."
"It's nothing," he said. "Just call me when you're ready. And… Anna — you don't really know what you're signin
g up for."
She gave him a look, half amused, half wary. "Trust me, neither do you."
And with that, they parted ways under the quiet, rainy night.