It was three o’clock early morning, a young girl of around eighteen years of age creeped silently out of the silent house, careful not to make any noise that might disturb the deep sleep of the people inside.
She was carrying a child nearly three years old but very small for her age. The toddler whimpered.
The girl stopped and hushed her little sister. “Hush! Baby! Hush! The bad man will catch us.”
The toddler quieted down. Her fear apparent.
Their father and step mother were deep sleepers but the sadistic younger brother of her step mother was not.
The girl darted fast out of the gate if the house. She had to reach the stop bus two kilometers away. The first trip was four o’clock in the morning.
Yesterday, she hid in advance the two bags containing their basic necessities and their important documents in a vacant lot along the way.
Until they reached the junction and their street could no longer be seen, she could not be calm.
If they were caught, her father would cane her and lock her in the storage room. “Belle”, her little sister with a hole in her heart, might not survive the aggravation of their sadistic step uncle..
She was grateful, the bags were still there in the place she stashed them. The conductor of the bus, helped her carry the big luggage bag in the compartment. While the small one was hand carried by Lizbeth.
Her money was stashed inside a home sewn wallet securely tied in her waste. A small clothe bag carried two thermos, one filled with hot water, another a nutritious porridge . Belle cannot afford to get hungry.
In the bus terminal, she transferred to another bus that would bring them to the city. Her objective was to reach an orphanage managed by nuns. She had research these while in school.
She had finished her senior high but was un able to go to college. Her father refused to assist her.
She knew her father would not search for them but she was afraid of her step uncle who appeared to be obsessed with them.
She shed copious tears. How she missed her mother. She never thought her father would turned to be callous and unfeeling for her two daughters.
He knew Belle needed an operation to close the hole in her heart. The longer the operation, the weaker Belle became and the operation might not be feasible.
The internet featured a lot of praises for the many charity missions and orphanage the missionary nuns operated.
She prayed it would be their salvation.
They reached their destination the following day.
Belle was feverish. As they waited for their interview, Lizbeth was dismayed to note that many similarly situated were also lining.
The interviewer was kind. Seeing th child was feverish, she called their social worker to bring them first to their infirmary.
Lizbeth showed Belle’s medical records and history to the attending doctor.
Later, the social worker talked to her again.
“The child had to stay in the infirmary. We could give you a bunk but you have to work. You see we are understaff. The cases coming were too much for us.”
Lizbeth was willing as long as there was a chance for the Mission to help Belle.
“The search for a patron or the fund raising campaign would take time. Would you be willing to fully advertise your sister’s call for help? It would be faster that way.”
Lizbeth thought of her step uncle and shook her head firmly. He said softly, “I am willing to wait.”
For two months, they stayed in the Mission. In fairness to the nuns they never stopped soliciting for sponsors.
They also brought Belle for preliminary assessment in a hospital specializing in heart ailment.
Because Belle was feeling better, in addition to assisting the Mission, Lizbeth took part time jobs to earn extra money.
She was admitted as server in an elite coffee shop in a commercial center. Her duty was from four in the afternoon to eight in the evening. If she spent one hour helping clean the kitchen she earned extra.
It was a good job.
This was where she first met the young Benedict Steele. He often dropped by and sit in his favorite corner drinking a cup of coffee reading his iPad.
One time, his usual companion, a man in his mid thirties waited for her after work and asked if they could talk.
Because she often saw him in the coffee shop, she was comfortable talking with him.
He introduced himself as Mr Alfonse, executive secretary to the young master, Benedict Steele.
When they entered the restaurant for the elite adjacent the coffee shop, she hesitated. This was an expensive restaurant.
“Sir Alfonse, It is expensive here.”
“Do not worry. The whole commercial complexes here belong to the young master’s grandpa.”
Lizbeth followed him. Careful not to bump anything. She could not afford if something was broken by her.
Alfonse noted her trepidation. For several days his young master had noticed and observed her.
His mission tonight was to ask more deeply about her background
Lizbeth do not understand why he trusted this man to tell him everything.
Alfonse was elated. He found the right woman.
That night he made the offer, marriage for one year. After that a divorce. She need to live with the young master abroad.. She would not be compelled to perform her marital duty in bed unless she consented. If it happened, she will give up the child but would be recompensed.
During the marriage all her necessities would be at the expense of the young master.
The contract was for Ten million Asian dollars. Five million down upon the signing of the pre-nuptial and the marriage contracts the other five to given after the termination of the contract. Ten million for the child.
Lizbeth was in shock.. She was horrified. She would be selling herself.
Alfonse seeing the dilemma in her eyes, told her,” There will be no loss on your part. You saw the young master.
He will not insist on touching you. One year is a very short time. Your sister’s life will be saved. If you decide, bring your registration book with you tomorrow.
“How long will I have to settle the arrangements for my sister?”
“A week at most.”