Chapter 4
1176 Words
Dara huddled on the corner of the soft leather seat. She hid behind her large sack. She avoided looking at Attorney Montes.
The elderly man was ignoring her. He was talking to someone on the cellphone discreetly.
"Yes, sir. I talked to the manager personally. The money shall be transferred tomorrow. We are on the way, sir." His voice droned smoothly.
Dara wanted to think but she was feeling tired. She fell asleep while the limousine ate the miles effortlessly. Her head lolled forward. Her eyeglasses dropped while her face burrowed against her sack.
"She is asleep, sir." Attorney Montes glanced at Dara. When the line went dead, he picked up the spectacles from the carpeted floor of the car. He examined the cheap eyeglasses before he put them beside Dara.
The limousine halted in front of a mansion. The lights were lit. The guards were roaming the elegant gardens.
"Miss Stone, we're here!" The elderly man was putting back the papers into his briefcase. He was not looking at young woman.
Dara realized immediately that something was missing. She found her spectacles beside her on the seat. She put the eyeglasses back on to her face quickly.
"Where are we?" she croaked. She peered out the window.
"Mr. Ackers is waiting for you." Attorney Montes prepared to go out.
The driver opened the door for Dara. She clumsily went out.
"I'll carry that for you, ma'am," he offered politely.
"Um, no, thank you! It's not heavy!" Dara refused to let go of her only protection. Her arms held the cloth sack tightly.
"Follow me, Miss Stone," Attorney Montes instructed her tersely.
Dara stepped behind him timidly.
They were walking towards a large structure. Her eyes followed the lights upwards. It was wide and tall but it was not like a building where she worked. It was built like a big house.
'This is a real mansion!' she exclaimed dazedly. 'This must be where Mr. Gavreel Ackers live!' she deduced nervously.
There were several men in the spacious room. They stopped speaking when the newcomers entered the double doors.
Dara was conscious of her appearance. Her clothes were cheap in comparison to the elegant suits of the men.
She was also the youngest! An elderly woman was serving drinks and food to the small gathering.
"Miss Stone has signed the legal papers, sir!" Attorney Montes addressed the white-haired gentleman respectfully.
Dara stared at the strong features. His deep-set eyes stared back at her. The eyes were as black as night.
"Miss Stone, it is wise of you to agree to everything I suggest to you!" His voice was more garrulous in person.
"I have no choice, Mr. Ackers," she said in a low tone. Her face was blank.
Mr. Ackers laughed arrogantly. "That's the way I do things, Miss Stone!" he boasted. "I've found your weakness!"
Her weakness was her family. That was clear for all to see. But why her? There were many women who also loved their families.
"You have the qualities that I admire, Miss Stone. Your consistency and your pure heart!" Mr. Ackers continued as though he read the thoughts running in her mind.
Dara frowned uncomprehendingly.
"Remember the man who was sick and needing medical attention?" Mr. Ackers waved at the man on his left. "Mr. Bertrandt was a test to you--which you passed with flying colors!"
Dara looked at the familiar old man. He was wearing expensive clothes now. His hair was gelled and combed neatly.
"You accompanied him while waiting for the ambulance that night." Mr. Ackers jogged her memory. "But I will appreciate it if you won't repeat it again!"
"Why not?" Dara bristled with defiance. She refused to be browbeaten. Ignoring someone in need was against the teachings of her Mama Nena!
"Because the big city is populated with bad people!" Mr. Ackers was irritated when he replied. He was not accustomed to explain to anybody!
Dara did not answer but her expression remained mutinous. She agreed to all his orders but that did not mean she would be submissive. She had a mind of her own!
"Enough of this mindless talk! Come! You will meet my grandson!"
Dara braced herself for another version of the arrogant old man. If the tree was hard, the fruit would be harder. Or something like that!
She was stunned when she 'met' the grandson. He was lying on the bed. He was unconscious with dextrose dripping into his left wrist.
The nurse was checking the patient's blood pressure and body temperature when they entered the room.
"How is he, Nurse Jones?" Mr. Ackers asked the nurse.
"He is stable, sir. Still comatose though," Nurse Jones replied steadily.
"Attorney Montes, call the judge," Mr. Ackers ordered the solicitor. "You and Nurse Jones will be witnesses!"
Dara could not take away her eyes from the unconscious man. He had strong features. His mouth was firm. The bones of his face were noticeable. He had the same aristocratic nose and high forehead like his grandfather.
"What happened to him?" The question was uttered by her lips compassionately.
"Gav was involved in a helicopter crash a week ago. He was in a coma ever since!" The grandfather's voice was gravelly with suppressed emotion.
Attorney Montes and the judge arrived.
"Okay. Let's start the ceremony. Give me that sack!"
Before Dara could protest, the cloth sack was snatched away by Mr. Ackers. It was put aside unceremoniously.
Her feet refused to cooperate when he pulled her towards the bed.
"Stubborn girl!" Mr. Ackers muttered while he carried her bodily and positioned beside the lying man. "Hold his hand!" He folded the fingers of Dara against the hand of his grandson.
Dara felt a peculiar heat. It was like an electricity that ran to her arm and throughout her body!
She shivered. Her throat had dried. Her knees trembled. It was the first time that she touched a man's palm. She could not understand the reaction that she had.
The judge read several paragraphs from a small book. His voice droning like a bee.
Mr. Ackers nudged her when the judge looked at her questioningly.
"Say, I do," he commanded her in an undertone.
"I do," Dara said huskily. She licked her dry lips. Her heartbeat was loud.
Her fingers were shaking when she was told to sign the marriage contract. The words were blurred.
Her eyes were tearful because this was not the wedding that her Mama Nena dreamed for her and her foster sisters. Dara was not dressed as a bride should be!
The patient had his thumbmark on the contract. Mr. Ackers helped him put the finger's mark in place of his signature.
Dara did not know if the marriage was binding. The groom was unconscious!
It was the weirdest night for Dara. After a short discussion between Mr. Ackers and Attorney Montes, she was led to the next room.
"Here is your stuff," Mr. Ackers muttered while handing her the cloth sack. "Take a rest now. Tomorrow will be a busy day!"
- Writer
