Chapter 2
Natalie was momentarily taken aback. The news came like a bolt out of the blue.
“Henry, don’t worry,” she tried to reassure him. “Il send you 20,000 dollars immediately. Let’s get Grandma started on her treatment. We’ll figure out the rest, okay?”
Natalie promptly hung up the phone, gathered the 20 thousand, and sent them over to Henry. Their grandmother, Nadine Lewis, had been supporting them through life’s highs and lows. She must raise the requisite funds for Nadine’s treatment. Unfortunately, selling the apartment wasn’t an immediate option. Will I have to consider borrowing! she thought
Natalie reached out to her school and college friends, yet managed to gather only a small sum. Then an online ad for marriage partners appeared before her eyes.
It was a direct proposition–an employed man offering a dowry of 100 thousand dollars for a young woman to take care of an elderly family member for six months. With desperation clawing at her, Natalie didn’t pause long to ponder the ad’s legitimacy. She quickly dialed the contact number, growing anxious when she found it engaged.
When the call finally got through, an uncomfortable silence made her all the more skeptical. So Natalie hung up.
Meanwhile, the elderly Timothy Scott prodded his grandson with his crutch to call her back. Hesitant, Natalie decided to answer the call again.
This time, the voice on the other end was clear and deep. “Sorry about the glitch earlier,” a man introduced himself as Martin Scott. *No problem.” Natalie responded.
Martin then hid out his proposition: “Im 25, an IT professional at a tech company carning 10,000 dollars a month. I own a house and a car. I’m a decent man. But I’d need you to live with my sick granddad after we marry, preferably as a homemaker. I’d hand over my paycheck for you to manage. You’re free to work, provided it doesn’t interfere with caregiving. Can you handle it?”
Considering the proposition, Natalie felt prioritizing caregiving over her career was pretty complex. Still, Martin’s overall offer sounded fair. After a moment, she accepted.
“Do you have any conditions apart from the 100,000 dollar dowry?” Martin asked.
“No,” Natale answered quickly.
Her response seemed to take Martin by surprise. “Really? You wouldn’t want your name added to my property title, or…
“No, that’s it. Assets before the marriage remain yours,” she clarified.
Silence stretched on the line, which made Natalie worry a glitch was happening again. Just as she was about to hang up, Martin piped up. “Meet me tomorrow at City Hall, 9am. Bring your documents–bourhold registry and ID card. Then the line went dead.
The sudden jump into matrimony left Natalie reeling. She didn’t even flesh out the details regarding her dowry payment.
After a restless evening, Natalie dragged herself out early in the morning. The night before, Henry broke the distressing news that Grandma Nadine’s surgery was going to cost more than originally thought–exceeding 200 thousand dollars. She even visited the hospital, and the details of the surgical plan dispelled her fears of a potential scam
By nine the next morning, Natalie arrived at the city hall, a place bustling with couples excitedly entering into matrimonial ties.
Among the commotion, one man caught Natalie’s eye. Dressed in a well–tailored dark blue suit, with his top button undone revealing a hint of an Adam’s apple, he was neat and simple. His only accessory was a sleek watch. His hair shone a warm amber in the morning light, his semi–closed lashes hiding any traces of emotion.
As Natalie hesitated, wondering if this man was indeed her hastily chosen groom, he walked over. After a quick exchange of greetings, they entered city hall together.
While waiting in line, Natalie ventured a query. “Mr. Scott, I’m sorry to ask, but 1 have a pressing request.”
Martin nodded. “Go ahead,”
“Could there be an additional 100 thousand dollars on top of the dowry!” As soon as Natalie said it, Martin’s expression hardened. He recalled his grandfather’s words. “She’s a nursing graduate from a simple family, delicate and pretty. She seems pure–hearted, Timothy had declared
Now, Martin was skeptical. Pure–hearted, huh?”
Natalie listened to add, “It’s only a loan. I can draw up an IOU and pay you back as soon as I sell my apartment. I’m even willing to pay interest if that’s what it takes“,
Martin asked, “Why didn’t your
you mention this over the phone! He felt tricked and abruptly left.
As Martin reached the entrance, his phone rang. It was Timothy asking. “Did you get the marriage certificate yet?”
219 PM
Chapter 2
Just then, Natalie caught up to Martin, waving a promissory note as a show of honesty,
Hearing the anticipation in his grandfather’s voice, he found himself relenting. Timothy was terminally ill with just six months left and harbored at dying wish to see Martin senled
In light of his grandad’s desires, Martin turned to Natalie, setting his terms. “First, this isn’t petty cash. I’ll try. Second, pay it back as soon as you can, and finally, I don’t want a repeat of this”
I promise I’ll pay you back the moment I sell my apartment. And don’t worry, you won’t hear another request like this again from me,” Natalie
assured.
Without another word, Martin led the way back into city hall.
Soon, their marriage was registered, with Martin distractedly texting through the process. After the registration, Martin claimed he had to return to work and told Natalie to arrange her move the following evening, before zipping away in a cab.
Left alone, Natalie pondered, ‘Did I ask too much? He’ll be giving me 100 thousand dollars as a wedding gift and here I am, requesting another 100 thousand. But I’m really out of options.
Meanwhile, Martin’s taxi pulled up at an intersection. He got out and walked over to a black Bentley parked on the roadside. He didn’t broadcast his wealth. Instead, he had his housekeeper replace any high–value items in his grandfather’s house with second–hand furniture and had asked him to find a modest car within a 20,000–dollar budget.
Senling into the Bentley, he removed his timepiece worth over 2 million dollars. He checked himself once more and, finding no other valuables except his suit and phone, heaved a sigh of relief.
Little did Natalie know, she had tied the knot with a multi–millionaire. She went about her day, listing her apartment for sale and heading to work, only to find Hailey chit–chatting with the receptionist.
