"What?" That's the only phrase that came out of her mouth after hearing that from him.
Stella wants to clarify if she was hearing it right, that huge amount of money is sick. No one can offer that to a random person just to do them a favor. She looked at him confused because it might be a trap, or that guy is hiding a hidden camera. Who knows?
"Are you nuts?" She stated.
"Pardon?"
"How can a random guy like you offer such an insane amount of money? Unless you're an heir of a multi-billionaire tycoon or a CEO?"
"I am. In fact, I'm the next CEO of our growing company and I need to find a woman who can pretend to be my fiance because if I didn't? It's the end of everything."
She's not a hundred percent believing him and it really might a trap, knowing people like them can spend a million dollars just putting their enemy's name to shame.
Their not humanly success triggers her, which she wouldn't allow this man to use her as his fake fiance just to get his inheritance.
"It's a no."
"What? I can give you everything. What do you want, tell me. Money? Jewelry? House and lot? Expensive cars? Anything, just name your price so we can deal with it."
She laughed sarcastically, "If you can pay them with that, well sad to say but I'm not like them. I am not a gold digger yet you are offering me that stuff, like you can blind me with it. That's what I always thought."
"Our one night stand is just a mistake. You are rich, I get that but it doesn't mean you can buy anything or anyone you desire. Even me."
"I'm not buying you, Stella. I want to help you pay all your debt and saving your mother."
She froze because no one knew about the real reason behind her part time jobs, she wants to keep it hidden, to hide how poor they are. But this man dare digging behind her back without getting permission from her.
"You did a very good research, huh?"
"I have to. And don't get mad at me because I just want to help you. Your mother is sick and I can pay for her treatment with my money."
"Just do me a favor."
She averted her gaze and said, "Who are you? By the way. I don't want to made a deal with a man I didn't know."
"I am Elton Richard, the only son and next CEO of Richard empire."
She think deeply about his offers, it might help her bring their life back because their life steal her teenage life. She need to divide her time at coming to work and taking care of her studies, if she accept that money... She no longer need to enter part time jobs.
Her glimpse landed to the young man, he was waiting for her answer but her mind still want to make sure he'll going to keep his words. At this rate, money is more important for her not because she's a gold digger but because she's desperately in need.
But her deep thoughts cut when her phone at her pocket rang, she immediately answer it as she saw the doctor's name who taking care of her mother flashing on the screen.
"Mr. Cruz, what's wrong?" She inquired.
[Nothing, your mother asked me to call you so I hope we're not interrupt your class?] He said.
"No. We are vacant, can I talked to my mother? I just want to hear her voice."
[Sure, Stella.]
[Stella! How are you? I already miss you!] Her mother's worried voice made her smile, even if they have a tough life. Her mom never failed at making her happy.
"I miss you too, mom. Did you already take all your meds? Don't be stubborn and listened to the doctor's instructions, okay?" She uttered.
[Of course I am, sweety. I'm worried about you because you have to divide your time, I wished I can help you out.]
"You're already helping me, mom. By taking all the medicine you need, just listen to Mr. Cruz."
[I'm sorry, Stella. I wish I never been sick and I can help you paying all our debt... How I wish.]
She's trying to hold back her tears because it's not time for them to be a drama queen. Stella understood why her mother saying that, she's missing her because they often see each other.
[You're father leave us when you are a child... I thought he's going to accept us after knowing I was pregnant, but I was wrong...]
"Mom, leave everything behind. You have me, I have you and that's what more important for me... So, please stop mentioning his name."
"He choose leaving us, than taking care of you and me. He never wanted us, and he never like us because your just his mistake. So do I." She sighed, "I don't want to talked about it."
[Sure, visit me when you have time. I miss you so much, I love you, my daughter.]
"I love you too, mom."
She end the call and put her phone back inside her pocket, she remain facing the wall because Stella doesnt want to exposed her weakness. It might be us against her someday especially he was staring at her.
Even though she's not looking at him, she can feel his gazes to her. Stella take a deep breath and ready herself to confront him, her decision has been made, if she want to save her mother that's the only way.
But if she do that.... there's no turning back.
"What's your decision? We are running out of time, Stella."
She turned around to face him, and looked at his eyes straight. He was standing kilometers away from her, but that was enough to see his desperate eyes.
"Can you promise me one thing?" She asked.
He nodded, "Yes."
"I want to keep this agreement hidden. I don't want anyone else knew about it, even my mom because she'll going to kill me."
"You have my word."
She exhale deeply, "Hand me the contract."