Proposal

Vern's POV

I saw Rico running towards me. And I took a deep breath realizing that I have been holding my breath.

"Rico, why are you here?" I asked when he got closer.

"I saw you running in a hurry earlier with people chasing you. Are you okay?" He asked and I could see the concern in his eyes.

My heart warmed because I never had someone so concerned about me other than my father but he has been bedridden for a year. I sighed remembering dad, I miss him so much. I hope he can stay alive until I can find a way.

I smiled at Rico, "I'm good. Thank you for asking." Suddenly, my forehead furrowed in confusion. "Wait, how's the food house if you're here?" I immediately asked in worry.

Shit, if something bad happened to his Food House, I will be blaming myself.

"Oh that, it's okay. My hired employees are handling it well." He said, "The customers are obedient." He whispered which I did not hear clearly.

"What's that?" I asked, clarifying what he said.

"Nothing, let's go." He said as he offered his hand.

I hesitated whether I should accept it or not, it is bad to see that an employee is walking hand in hand with his employer and so I smiled at him, nodding. "Yes, let's go." I said and embarrassedly walked ahead towards the food house.

I sensed him following me.

"Why did they chase you?" He asked, breaking the silence between us as we walked.

"Oh them, they are..." I stopped, should I tell him the truth? But I am not asking for sympathy and I hate it when people pitied me. I shook my head, "Nothing, everything is fine now." I said and looked at him with a smile.

Everything has been settled with the loan sharks but nothing has been settled with my new lender.

"So I'm sure they won't chase you, again." He stated and I nodded.

"I think so."

Suddenly, I remembered Hade and his proposal. Bearing his child? That's ridiculous! Why would I do that? Oh yeah, in exchange for money but I will never sell myself especially for that man.

I won't deny the truth, he is a goddamn hot creature I have ever seen. Every woman would fall for his charm even without having a charm his intimidating features could make any woman fall for him, he is like a trap. Once you fall, you're dead.

"Vern!" My mind woke up in reality when I saw fingers snapped in front of me. I looked at Rico to see his face held worried, "Are you sure, you're okay? You've been spacing out." He asked.

I shook my head, "Nah, I'm good." And I looked in front, I was surprised to see that we had already reached the Food House.

I did not realize how long we had walked, I felt ashamed for my behavior. Did I say something to Rico? What did I do while we were walking on our way here?

"It seems like you need to take a rest. You can go home now, Vern. Leave everything to us." Rico said and he smiled weakly which shows the dimple in his cheeks. Oh God, this man is so handsome.

How did I manage to meet deadly handsome people today?

I sighed, "Thank you, Rico." I stated.

He raised his hand and held my arm which I found uncomfortable.

"For you, Vern. It's okay, just be careful on your way." He said as he stared intensely at me.

I bit my lip, I could not handle his stares as I nodded and took my arm out of his hold and walked away.

So many things have happened today and I sensed Rico acting a bit weird. He is somehow strange, or was it just my hallucinations?

I shook my head and kept walking on the road. My mind keeps thinking about dad, his health and how I could extend his life. Hade... he could answer all my problems, 100 million dollars is a big amount to help me extend my father's life and to give him a better hospitalization but no, I will not sell my body including my child for that man, even though he is deadly handsome, I could not be swayed by looks. Couldn't I? Aish.

I want my own child to have a family that I never had, I want my child to live freely... and, I want to be with my child.

But... my dad... I could not just let him die, especially that I have a chance to save him. Shit! What am I even thinking!? No, I won't let Hade be a father of my child.

I will find another way to save my father.

I wanted to go to the hospital to see dad but the visiting hours are over. I wanted to be with my father at least for a little bit. I sighed, tomorrow, I will visit you dad.

I just walk towards my apartment since the Food House is just a walking distance away from my apartment. When I reached it, I opened the door and decided to cook noodles.

While I was heating the water, I took a bath and after that, I changed into my sleeping garments. Just right at the moment that my noodles are ready to serve.

I eat alone, hoping that dad is with me. This apartment will surely be back to its liveliness if he is here.

After finishing my food, I laid down on my bed and at that exact moment, my phone started ringing.

I immediately answered it the moment I saw Sheina's ID caller, my heart was beating fast in fear. "Shen? How's dad?" I hurriedly asked.

"Still the same, Vern. Don't worry he is stable." She said which made me sigh in relief. "By the way, I called to make sure you are doing fine. How are you?" She asked.

I smiled, glad to have a friend like her. "I'm doing good, Shen. Don't worry about me, just please take care of dad." I pleaded.

"I will. You should visit your father often, Vern. I don't think he will last more days. Remember, Dr. Virgilio only gave you a week." She stated gently.

I took a deep breath, sighing. "I know, Shen. That is why I am looking for ways to extend daddy's life. I cannot give up, Shen. He is the only family I have left." I said as a tear fell from my eyes.

"Okay, I won't take long. You should take a rest, I know that your day is tiring." She said,

"Thank you." I stated.

"You're always welcome, Vern." She replied and ended the call.

I laid on my bed as different thoughts were roaming around my head. Until a few more moments, I did not realize I fell asleep.

*****

"Vern!" I immediately sat up with wide awake senses when I heard a very loud voice calling my name.