Chapter 3 Two

• I stood up straight, walked towards my bed, and sat on its edge. I decided to finish writing tomorrow. I needed to hear more about the wedding her father wanted her to have. I had only seen Sanna’s family once during her debut. She was the only child, and her father owned a company. I didn't pry for more information. I hoped she would tell me herself.
• “Dad called me to meet him in the restaurant near my place, and he introduced me to a man he wanted me to marry. But I said no. I told him I had a boyfriend and I loved him. I thought he would be fine with it, so I left the restaurant. But when he came home, he was so angry with what I said. I explained to him, and I admitted I’m pregnant—“
• “What, Sanna? For real?” I was so surprised when I heard her say she’s pregnant.
• She didn’t tell me. My best friend didn’t tell me. I felt my heart smashed. I’m her best friend. She should have told me first.
• “Sorry, Laur, if I didn’t tell you. I want the right place and the right moment. I also kept it to Kelvin. I’m afraid by the thought that he might not love me anymore if he discovered about it. He’ll never talk to me and…”
• “If he does those things to you, then it means he doesn’t love you, Sanna. You should tell him about the baby. I’ll always be here even if he won’t accept that child you’re carrying. Do you remember our promise when we were still in college? That no matter, what we will always have each other when things go down,” I reminded her.
• “You’re right. I should tell him, but not tonight. Tomorrow. But you need to help me first, Laur.” There was plea in her voice.
• “Okay… I accepted, if that would make you feel better,” I said, but I felt scared about giving the help she wanted. It felt like a bad idea.
• “I’m so sorry, Laur. You’re the only person I knew that could help me,” she said in remorse.
• I chuckled nervously. I hoped that my thinking that this was a bad idea was wrong.
• “Sanna, tell me,” I said easily, as if it were a simple help. But my heart was pounding in nervousness because I felt like it was not.
• “When my father heard that I was pregnant, I saw how his face turned crestfallen. Dad owed a lot to that man… Which means if I didn’t marry him, my father’s company would be turned over to that man — including my publishing house since it was under my dad’s company,” she explained.
• “And in what way could I help you? You know I don’t have millions in my account, Sanna,” I said.
• “I know, Laur. It’s not what I want you to do. My father told the man that I wouldn’t be able to marry him. He asked for other ways to pay him, but the man insisted… You just had to say yes to this, Laur,” she begged.
• I was speechless because I didn't understand everything, especially the part where I was involved. Say yes to what?
• “What do you mean, Sanna?” I listened to her heavy breathing.
• “He wanted you to marry him.” It took me one second to understand it. The phone dropped out of my grip at what Sanna said.
• Did I hear it right? The sound of my phone hitting the concrete floor seeped through my ear. I probably misheard what Sanna said. Right! What I heard sent me the wrong message.
• Fortunately, my phone had a case and screen protector, so the screen was not destroyed after the drop. Thank goodness.
• I picked up my phone. “Are you still there, Laur?” Her worries crept into my skin.
• “I’m still alive. What did you say again a while ago, Sanna?” I tried to smile and sound like I was fine.
• “You didn’t listen to what I said…? Laur, he wants you to marry him. I don’t know why he knows about you. Oh, maybe it’s because I am always tagging you on my social media accounts?”
• I laughed nervously. “Are you kidding, Sanna? Why would he want me to marry him? Or maybe you just suggested that to him?” I said suspiciously.
• “Seriously, Laur? Why would I do that to you? He was talking with my dad when I heard my dad say he’s his best friend. Dad never mentioned you to marry his best friend, just in case you are accusing my father,” she reasoned.
• I gritted my teeth. Seriously? Why would I help her? It’s not my problem to be part of. This is so insane. Who would do this?
• “No, Sanna. I won’t,” I said honestly, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
• “I am expecting you to say that, Laur. Okay, it’s fine with me if you won’t, I understand.” The disappointment was in her voice, and it hit my sympathetic side. I drew a harsh blow in my mouth. No, self, no!
• “Sanna, it’s not easy. Marrying someone? It’s not a joke, it’s a serious matter,” I muttered in annoyance.
• Then she cried again, crushing my heart. “The publishing house is very important to me, you know that… What if Kelvin rejects me and the baby? How could I raise this one…? I don’t know, Laur… This is too much for me. Good night.”
• The line went dead before I even had the chance to say something to her. I closed my eyes while muttering that everything would be fine. But how? I would lose my job too. This was too much.
• I stared at my phone. I needed this job. If I lost it now, I wouldn’t be able to move places. There were no jobs out there with a salary like the one I had right now.
• I fell back on the soft bed and stared at the ceiling. That man, why me? Why did he know about me being friends with Sanna?
• A fist formed in my hand and punched the air. A hundred thoughts ran through my mind like a ball freed from its net.
• My heart was thumping so loudly that I wanted to end it because it only meant one thing. Something dangerous was coming to me, and I had no idea why.
• I nibbled my lips, searching to find comfort within myself—but I couldn’t. It was time for me to have coffee, so that I’d be fine. I’d be fine.