“ Go upstairs and pack your belongings, we don't have much time left,” Her stepmom said not sparing her daughter a glance.

“What's going on Mom,” Layla asked with tear-filled eyes, she didn't know where they were going.

“ My dear, our company, or better still your late father's company which will soon be yours in a couple of days is bankrupt and we tried to ask the Wilsons to help us again. Mr. Wilson agreed to help us out but gave a condition before his death that you marry his only son, Damian, at first the Wilson had no problem with this arrangement but Karen called me this afternoon to cancel the plans, I don't know why she said that but we do not have much time. Go get your things, we are leaving” Isabella replied, and Layla was lost but grateful that Damian has not told Isabella what transpired earlier today.

“ If the company has been going through some challenges why didn't I know before now,” Layla asked

Isabella walked close to her and held her hands

“ Layla darling, You have school to worry about and I didn't want to bother you, that's why I accepted Mr. Wilson’s offer”

Layla understood she was in a big mess already, Isabella won't be this nice if she finds out what she did earlier at Damian’s house.

“ Where to now Mom, what about my school,” Layla asked with tears rolling down her face.

“To the countryside, I'm thinking about starting a petty trade business, maybe selling vegetables” Isabella responded calmly, although she is not the nicest person she took care of Layla well so Layla knew she would never lie to her but then again,

“ Mom, what about our shares in the company, can't we sell them and start something from the money we get from selling the shares?” Layla asked desperately.

Isabella held her hand and led her to the sofa and explained things to her.

“ Layla darling, I'm sorry not to have told you this earlier but a friend of mine introduced me to a new business in which I invested a lot, I sold most of our company shares hoping to replace it once the new business paid off, little did I know that I was been scammed.
I'm sorry sweetheart, I took a bad risk and now we have lost everything” she said sadly and Layla was restless

“ So it means there’s no way out”

“ The Wilsons were willing to help but Mrs. Karen called and said Damina was no longer interested in marrying you and canceled everything.
I tried my best Layla, but this is reality”

Layla panicked from guilt, she had no idea that the arranged marriage was so important to their family business.
Layla was also curious to know if Damian will expose her bad behavior, she had always kept to herself and remained in her shell so what she did today was unthinkable.

“ And Aunt Karen did not say why Damian refused the marriage”

“ No, she only said Damian wasn't ready to talk about it”

Layla knew she had to act fast, so she decided to seek Ava’s help. Ava was the one who advised her to confront Damian in the first place.

“I think I know what to do, wait here Mom, don't move. I will sort out everything” she said running upstairs and a smile of hope radiated Isabella’s face.

In Layla’s room, she video-called Ava, and seeing Layla’s face red and puffy her heart sank, she knew something was wrong.

“ What happened”

Layla narrated everything to her in tears and when she was done two unexpected words came out from Ava, words that Layla did not expect,

“ Marry him”

Layla was astounded and awed by her best friend's suggestion,

“What!! Are you out of your mind, don't you understand, I hate him and don't want to marry him” she yelled and Ava explained further,

“But you can't let your father's business go down the drain, you are his only hope, even Isabella is looking up to you, listen Layla, marry him and once you are sure that your company is fully merged to his, you file for a divorce. That way you will have fifty percent of his wealth and assets, you won’t be broke again”

Layla thought it was a smart idea but somehow it made her feel like a gold digger.

“ You are right but…

“ no further but Layla, now I need you to get up and do the needful before Isabella finds out about what you've done” Ava ordered and hung up.

Layla made a mental note to agree to Ava’s advice but promised to make Damian miserable all through their marriage till he is forced to divorce her.

She quickly changed into something nice and walked downstairs where Isabella was sitting, patiently waiting for her arrival.

“ I'll be right back Mom,” she said and dashed off even before Isabella could ask her any questions.

Back in Damian’s luxury home, a man lay on the bed half-covered with a duvet, the phone by his side vibrating but he muted it and turned to the other side of the bed, he has not slept for a while and it was beginning to take a toll on him.

At the gate was Layla, trying to find her way inside but was sent away by the security because of the instruction given by Damian that he does not want any disturbance.

Layla waited hopelessly and left after a while, she was too exhausted and made up her mind to see him by all means the next day.

She got home after a fruitless effort to see Damian and went off to bed instantly, not knowing the fate that awaited her the next day, will Damian be kind enough to forgive and marry her, or will he refuse because of the embarrassment she had caused him?

Early the next morning, Layla found her way to the Wilson’s company, it was quite early but Layla didn't care, she made up her mind today to see Damian by any means possible so she has to be in his office very early if she was determined to.

She walked quietly to the lady at the reception and introduced herself.

“ How can I help you miss,” the lady asked politely,

“ I'm here to see Damian, I know I don't have an appointment but it's very urgent and I need you to help me please” Layla pleaded.

The lady took pity on her and also admired how humble Layla was so she decided to help her out.

The receptionist led the way and together they walked to Damian’s office with Layla following her closely.
When they arrived at his floor, Amy saw Layla and tried to dismiss her but luckily for Layla, Damian walked into the office together with a young man almost his age.

When Damian saw Layla he stopped and asked her with traces of anger in his voice,

“ What are you doing here”

Speaking to Damian alone wasn't going to be easy and now that he was in another’s company she just had to state her reason for coming ,
Layla took a deep breath and said

“ I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, I'll marry you”