Chapter 9 - Note

The girls didn't ask about her and Andrew. She knew they're waiting for her to tell them. They were in the garden drinking tea while chatting about girl stuff.

She took a deep breath and she saw the girls face, frowning.

"I know you've been waiting for me to tell you about me and Andrew. I'm sorry if I didn't tell you sooner. I was really embarrassed. I don't want you to be disgusted but I'm ready to tell you now." She started.

"Are you sure about it? If you don't really want to talk about it, take your time. We understand." Peggy said.

She smiled and shook her head. She has decided to tell them the truth and would accept it if they would look at her differently.

"I sold myself to Andrew." She blurted. She glanced at her friends to see their reaction but she couldn't see any disgust or disappointment on their faces.

"What happened? You would never do that if nothing bad happened. Is your family safe?" Alora asked, worriedly.

She was surprised by their expression. She didn't expect that they could sense that something happened.

"They're okay. Father loaned money from a syndicate I think. They were asking us to pay ten million dollars. If father won't pay them, they will take me and my sisters and sell us. Father was beaten badly and mom fainted. They were dragging us out already when Andrew arrived and saw the whole thing. I asked him to help me and in exchange, I offered myself to him. He bought me and the shop for fifteen million dollars."

"Why didn't you call me or any of us?" Alora's voice became serious.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't want you to think that I am abusing your kindness." She said with her head bowed.

"Why would you think that? We're friends, Nina. We know you are not that kind of person." Emily sounded mad.

"I'm really sorry. Andrew suddenly appeared that day. He was coming to our shop almost everyday, trying to convince us to sell the shop. I know it was an opportunity for him so he grabbed my offer."

"Then why did you end up as his fiance?" Sophie asked.

"His father was asking him to find a girl or else he would have to marry the girl his father had chosen for him. He couldn't accept that. He needs a girl who will act as his fiance and eventually wife for five years then they will divorce. So I am that girl." She answered.

Alora frowned then crossed her arms. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

"When he told me about it, I agreed and signed a contract but then I realized I couldn't so I tore the contract into pieces in front of him. I know I'm like a gold digger or whatever they call it but I was thinking that I would like to be his wife forever. It's not because I'm in love with him. I don't even feel anything towards him, I wanted to stay with him because I'm so tired of being poor. I was also thinking that I may not find another man after him." She explained.

Peggy suddenly laughed which made everyone curious.

"Sorry. I was just imagining Andrew's face when you tore the contract. I bet he didn't expect that from you."

Then they started laughing about it.

"Did he agree?" Emily asked while sipping her tea.

"I don't know but he asked me how I would make him stay and convinced him to not divorce me. So I told him I will make sure he won't find any other woman. I told him I will seduce him." She blushed.

"Nina, I know Andrew is a good guy but he's also a womanizer like Jayden so I am hoping that you could change him. But next time, please let us help you. If you would ask right now, we'll be happy to pay Andrew." Alora offered. Peggy pouted when Alora said something about Jayden.

Nina shook her head and smiled at them. "I'm okay. Andrew was never rude to me. He's really kind. And I really want to continue that marriage thing. I'm sorry."

"That's fine. We understand so don't ever think that we look at you differently. But you are a gold digger, you know that right?" Peggy grinned.

Alora glared at Peggy, making her laugh.

"What? It's true. I'm just being honest!" Peggy ranted.

Peggy was honest and straightforward while Alora would always explain things first and give you advice so you could understand your own mistake.

"Have you done it with him?" Sophie suddenly asked, which made her blush.

"N-Not yet. He said he won't force me. I honestly asked him to teach me how to satisfy him so right now we're having lessons."

"What? That's bold." Peggy and Emily giggled.

"I don't have any experience so I don't really know how to seduce him. Besides he's six years older than me, he has a lot of experience with women." She pouted.

The girls continued to laugh while she was pouting.

"Nina, we hope you will find happiness with him. When will he introduce you to his father?" Sophie asked, seriously.

"He said he will invite his father for dinner tonight. I'm not sure what restaurant but he asked me to prepare a formal dress. I don't have anything like that though." She answered.

Then four maids came rushing towards them while holding a lot of shopping bags in both their hands. The bags are from Azalea, the number one fashion boutique in Northbay.

"Miss Nina, these came for you." One of the maids said while handing her one of the shopping bags. There was a small note attached to it.

She looked at the note to see what was written on it.

'I know you need this so feel free to use them. Don't worry, these are gifts from your fiance. See you tonight! - Andrew'

She felt her heart skip a bit when she read the word fiance. She felt happy and important. It was the first time someone sent her gifts.

"Wow! Andrew bought a lot. You won't have any problems tonight. Let's help you prepare!" Peggy excitedly exclaimed.

Alora signaled the maids to bring the bags to Nina's room. The girls stood up while she was dragged and pulled upstairs to do some make over.

"Don't worry. We will make sure Andrew won't take his eyes off you. Tonight, he will realize how beautiful you are.." Alora said softly while putting her hand to her heart.