First Love

ERICA POV

I looked at him, dumbfounded.

Is he mad or what? The Max Costello asked me to marry him? The player Max Costello who never gets tired of bedding women?

“You are jocking right?” I asked.

He looked straight into my eyes and something in them told me that he wasn’t.

“Marry me.” He said the word again.

Okay. He’s gone nuts, right? Or am I dreaming? I mean the most handsome man I’ve ever seen just asked me to marry him?

Yeah right! I rolled my eyes. This must not be the dream Erica, it should be nightmare. After all players like him deserves hell.

Fuck my sanity!

“Are you stupid?” I screamed, pushing him away from me.

His face got stern as he came forward again, this time maintaining breathable distance from me.

Okay. I am thankful for that though.

“I have riches, I can easily pay for the cancer specialist for your brother.” He said in a hollow tone.

I blinked, not knowing how to react. Off course he’s a billionaire, he must have insane amount of money and he can easily took an appointment of the doctor whom I couldn’t afford.

Alex could become better in no minute if he helps me but for that I have to marry him? Isn’t this too much? How can I marry a filthy person like him?

And most of all, I don’t even want to marry. How can I forget my Stefan? I love him. How can I marry someone else?

“Why do you want to marry me?” I asked.

“Because I find you interesting.” He whistled.

What? He finds me interesting? What’s there in me that he finds me interesting? I am ugly. I am poor. I am nothing compared to all the beautiful women he had sex with or will have with most probably.

He dates Cassie Fox, the epitome of perfection. I mean damn she’s gorgeous. And I am just a piece of scrap in front of her.

“What’s there in me to intrigue you?” I asked him the first thing which crossed my mind.

He shrugged his shoulders in response. “I don’t know… yet.”

Well. Wow how beautiful! Note my sarcasm.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“You had sex with beautiful women and I am ugly, do the maths. What the fuck do you want from me?” I spat.

“You’re too blunt, Jesus!” He mumbled under his breath.

Honestly I hate to agree but it hurts me to not get a reply from him which was like you’re not ugly and all. I mean I know I am ugly but still.

“Get out of my house, right now.” I said.

He looked at me in anger but didn’t say anything.

“Out.”

“Do you want your brother to die? Let’s face the reality, you’ll never be able to earn enough to meet a cancer specialist.” He spat back at me.

Die? And Alex?

No. No. No. I couldn’t let that happen. I’ll do more part time jobs, I can figure out everything. I don’t need anyone’s help. I am sufficient enough to take care of Alex.

“Be practical, Eri.” He smirked.

Oh god! How much I wish to wipe away that smirk from his face.

I inhaled a deep breath. “Give me some time to think.”

“Five minutes. You’ve five minutes.” He said.

I looked at him like he has grown two heads. Is he crazy? To think about marrying him, I need five years of mental preparation not of five minutes.

I frowned and looked at him to negotiate but his face told me that he’s not going to change his decision.

He started looking at his classy watch.

Alas!

I don’t want to waste away my life but how can I ignore this opportunity which will save my little brother’s life?

Let’s be practical here. He said right that at this rate I won’t ever be able to collect enough money.

But how can I marry him? This is insane. A fucking suicide!

But most of all why does he wants to marry me? What will he get? What he’s up to?

“Fine. Let’s assume that I become ready to marry you but why the fuck do you want to marry me? And this time I need honest answer.”

He stared into my eyes and then said something which blew my mind completely.

“Honestly Erica, I’ve never met a woman like you before. Something in your eyes reminds me of the pain which I want to heal. Your pain connects me with you. I don’t know if I am making sense or not and I am not sure if I want to marry you or not but I want to protect you and give you a better life. So now you do the maths, what shall I do? It’s not like I want to have sex with you, I mean that would be great but right now I would fucking like to marry you.”

My breath gets caught up in the chest. I didn’t know how to react. That was one of the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Even Stefan never tried to comfort me with warm words. He told me that I was beautiful but I knew that he was lying. I for sure love him but I don’t know why Max’s word made me feel good in the stomach.

But he’s a player, Erica.

And that’s how I was brought back to the reality.

I licked my lips in nervousness and shook my head in denial. “No. I can’t marry you.”

His facial expressions told me that he was disappointed but instead of that he smirked. “Remeber Alex has cancer and I am the only key to help him with that.” And with that he came forward to kiss my cheeks.

Wait what?

Did he fucking kiss my cheeks?

I pushed him aside and stood as much as apart I could from him. His smirk was continuously plastering on his face and trust me I hate him for kissing me.

How dare he? And what does he thinks of himself? Is he a God or something? Idiot.

I closed my eyes and remembered how he helped me when I was having panic attacks. I was about to say thank you to him before Alex came rushing down the stairs with his hands covering his mouth.

“What happened?” I asked in worry.

“Blood, Eri.” He said.

I realized that he vomited blood. My head started spinning in fear. My nightmare is coming true, isn’t it?

“Alex, are you okay?” Max asked.

He nodded his head and tried to fake a smile but he failed miserably.

“Go to your room.” I told him and he did as being said.

“It’s okay. Don’t marry me, I won’t force you but atleast let me help you financially so that you can afford best doctor for him.” Max said once Alex returned to his room.

But it was too late. I’ve already made my mind. I couldn’t take money from him for free. I am ready to mess my life for saving my brother’s life.

“I am ready to marry you.”