Emma sat in a comfortable chair. The chair usually used by important clients when meeting Marcus. Emma rarely sat in this chair.
Marcus sat behind his large desk. A desk made of walnut wood. A shiny desk. A desk that showed how high Marcus's position was in this office.
The atmosphere in the room felt tense. Tense like two people were about to discuss something serious.
Marcus looked at Emma. His eyes were sharp. His eyes were serious. There was no warmth in those eyes.
"Emma," said Marcus. "I know you are facing a big problem."
Emma didn't know what to answer. She just looked down.
"I heard your conversation with Sarah in the elevator," Marcus continued. "About your sister. About surgery that requires a big cost."
Emma froze. She didn't know Marcus had heard it more than once. She thought Marcus only knew when she told him before. But it turned out Marcus often listened to Emma.
"Boss..." said Emma in a small voice. "I..."
"How much does it cost?" Marcus interrupted.
"75 thousand dollars, Boss," answered Emma weakly. "But we've already... we've already tried several places. No one wants to help."
Marcus nodded. It seemed he already knew the answer.
"When is the surgery?" asked Marcus.
"One week from now, Boss," answered Emma. Her voice started to sound panicked. "The hospital said it can't be delayed anymore. Lily's condition is getting worse."
Marcus was silent. He stared at Emma for a moment. Emma's eyes were watery. Emma's face was pale. Emma's small body looked very fragile.
Inside, Marcus felt uncomfortable. But he continued. This was the right moment.
"Emma," said Marcus slowly. "I have one suggestion. A suggestion that might help with your problem."
Emma lifted her head. Emma's eyes were full of hope.
"What, Boss?" asked Emma. "What suggestion?"
Marcus stood up. He walked to the window. He looked at the view of the city from the 20th floor. A big city. A city full of people struggling to live.
Marcus felt a bit uncomfortable. But he had to do this.
"Emma," said Marcus without looking at Emma. "Have you ever heard about contract marriage?"
Emma was shocked. "Contract... marriage, Boss?"
"Yes. A marriage not based on love. A marriage based on a business agreement."
Emma didn't understand. Her face looked confused. "I... I don't understand, Boss."
Marcus turned around. He looked at Emma. He took a deep breath.
"I need to get married within 6 months. It's for personal reasons that you don't need to know about right now. But I know you need money. A lot of money."
Emma was still silent. She didn't know what Marcus was saying.
"So," continued Marcus. "I have a suggestion. You marry me. A marriage that is legal in the eyes of the law. But this is just business. A contract. An agreement."
Emma looked like she was struck by lightning.
"Me... marry you, Boss?" asked Emma with a voice that was barely heard.
"Yes," said Marcus. "A contract marriage for 1 year. After 1 year, we separate. I will pay you 250 thousand dollars."
250 thousand dollars.
Emma felt the world was spinning.
250 thousand dollars. That money was more than enough for Lily's surgery. More than enough to pay for the house. More than enough to pay for Lily's school and living for years to come.
"250... 250 thousand dollars?" asked Emma.
"Yes. 150 thousand dollars will be given at the beginning when we get married. 100 thousand dollars will be given at the end of the contract when we separate," explained Marcus. "On the condition that you never tell anyone about this contract. This is a secret between us two only."
Emma couldn't breathe. She felt suffocated.
"There's more," continued Marcus. "I will take care of all of Lily's surgery costs. The hospital, the doctor, the medication. I will pay for everything. Directly to the hospital."
Emma started to cry. Tears fell from Emma's eyes.
"Boss... this... this is..." Emma couldn't finish her sentence.
Marcus sat back down in his chair. He opened a desk drawer. He took out a document that had already been prepared.
"This is a marriage contract," said Marcus. "I prepared it beforehand. I already asked a lawyer about this. Everything is legal and valid according to state law."
Marcus gave the document to Emma.
Emma read it with trembling hands. Page after page. Sentence after sentence that was long and complicated in legal language.
"Basically," said Marcus explaining, "we will get married legally at the state registry office. It's equivalent to a real marriage. But this is only based on a contract agreement. The contract states that the duration of the marriage is 1 year. After that, we can divorce easily without legal problems. And I will pay as I've already mentioned."
Emma continued reading. Her mind was spinning.
This is crazy. This is very crazy.
But this is a solution. This is the answer.
This is how Emma could save Lily.
"Is there anything you want to ask?" asked Marcus.
Emma raised her head. "Boss... why? Why do you want to do this?"
Marcus was silent. He looked toward the window again.
"That's not your concern," said Marcus. "The important thing is, I can get what I want. You can get what you want. This is a win-win."
"But... but this is not normal, Boss," said Emma. "Marriage is supposed to be..."
"Supposed to be what?" Marcus interrupted. "I know this is not romantic. But the business world is rarely romantic. Everything is a transaction. This is a transaction that benefits us both."
Emma couldn't refute that. Because it was true. This would benefit both of them.
"When is your decision?" asked Marcus.
Emma didn't need to think long. Because the answer was already clear.
"Now, Boss," said Emma. "I agree right now."
Marcus didn't look surprised. It seemed he already knew Emma would say that.
"Good," said Marcus. "We will start this process today. I've already arranged everything."
Marcus opened the drawer again. He took out a thick folder.
"I've prepared this. A photocopy of your driver's license, your social security card, all the documents we need. My lawyer is on standby. Tomorrow we can go to the state registry office and take care of our marriage."
Emma felt everything was happening like a dream. Everything was moving very fast.
"Tomorrow, Boss?" asked Emma.
"Yes. I don't believe in postponement. The sooner we do this, the sooner you get the first payment. And the sooner you can arrange Lily's surgery."
Marcus was logical. Marcus was practical. Marcus looked like a machine programmed to achieve a goal.
"Okay," said Emma. "Okay, Boss. We will do it tomorrow."
"There's one more thing we need to discuss," said Marcus. "After we get married, we need to live together. My house is quite big. There are many rooms. You can take one room for yourself. We don't need something more than that."
Emma understood. Marcus was saying they didn't need to be intimate. They didn't need to sleep in the same room or do anything like a real husband and wife.
This was the most business-like contract marriage.
"And one more thing," continued Marcus. "We need to tell the people at the office. But only some of them. Just those who need to know. The others will guess."
"But Boss," said Emma. "If everyone knows we're married, later when we separate... people will ask questions."
"I know," said Marcus. "But that's a risk. We will make a plausible story for when we divorce later. We'll just say the relationship didn't work out. Or some other reasonable reason. People will understand."
Marcus had a strategy for everything. Marcus had thought through to every detail.
"So, Emma," said Marcus. "Do you agree with all of this?"
Emma took a long breath. She read through the contract one more time.
This would change her life. Forever.
But Lily. Lily would be saved. Lily's surgery would go smoothly. Lily would live.
"Yes, Boss," said Emma. "I agree."
Marcus extended his hand. "Shake hands, to seal our agreement?"
Emma stood up. She held Marcus's hand. Marcus's hand was cold. Emma's hand was warm.
The two of them didn't speak to each other. They just stood there, shaking hands, with the marriage contract waiting to be signed.
After Emma left the room, Marcus sat back in his chair.
He took the cold coffee. He drank it.
Marcus felt a bit uneasy. But he suppressed that feeling.
This was business. This was a solution. This would help both of them.
But in his heart, there was a small voice whispering: "Marcus, this is wrong. This is very wrong."
Marcus ignored that voice.
Emma left Marcus's office with a full head. A head that felt filled with thousands of thoughts.
She was going to get married. Tomorrow. With her boss.
Emma walked to the bathroom again. She needed a quiet place.
In the bathroom, Emma shed tears. But this time it wasn't tears of sadness.
This time, Emma cried from relief.
Because Lily would be saved.
"Lily," whispered Emma. "Your sister found a way. Your sister will pay for your surgery. Your sister promises."
Emma washed her face. She went back to her desk. She continued working like usual.
Like nothing happened.
Like her life wouldn't change forever after tomorrow.