Chapter 4

Marriage? Isla couldn't believe her ears. She was just twenty years old and hadn't figured out her life yet, but marriage was being thrown in her face.

"I understand your panic, but just keep in mind that I'm not pressuring you to give me an answer right now," Graham's calm voice slipped into her head.

"When do you need an answer?" Isla mumbled, struggling to find her voice.

"In about a month's time, because the company needs to go on. If you are worried about Mr. Gareth, then you shouldn't be. I can personally assure you that he is a very charming and gentle man," Graham tried to convince her.

Isla guessed Gareth must be Harold's son, but Graham's words didn't make her feel better. If she were to agree based on charm, Damien was also charming----yet he did what he did. She didn't even want to think about him right now.

"If you want, I can arrange a date for you and Mr. Gareth. Then you'd tell me for yourself if you are comfortable with getting married to him," Graham suggested.

Isla still wasn't sure about this whole marriage idea, but the wealth waiting for her was hard to resist. She gave Graham a curious look.

"Why me?" she asked, her eyes narrowing for answers.

"Why what?" Graham wasn't following her question.

"This is all too much, Mr. Graham..."

"No, please call me Graham," he immediately cut her off, letting her know he didn't need any special title to be addressed by her.

"It's not like I'm complaining, but all this is just too much. Just yesterday I thought life had ended for me. I was bullied out of school, kicked out of my apartment, and I thought I was going to lose my nanny. But all of a sudden, your call came and changed everything. So I am asking now, why did Mr. Harold choose to give me his properties when I don't even know him?" Isla couldn't bear the burden anymore and asked.

Graham released a sigh. He took off his glasses and set them beside him.

"You are allowed to ask whatever question you feel is bothering you, and I will gladly answer," Graham replied with a warm smile before going ahead to explain.

"You are the daughter of the late Mrs. Oriana Pereira, correct?" he began, raising his thick brows as he waited for Isla's response.

Isla was shocked that Graham knew her mother. She lost the woman at the young age of nine. Not everyone aside from her Nana knew about Oriana.

"How do you know about her?" Isla gave him a curious look.

"I don't know much about her like Mr. Harold did, but from what I have gathered, Mr. Harold owed Mrs. Oriana a lot for a favor she did for him to help him get to where he was now in his life. He was extremely sad when she passed, and he promised to pay her back. I believe you have gotten the answer as to why he chose you," Graham told her.

"Also, Mr. Gareth is the only son of Mr. Harold. A very trained and well--respected man. Mr. Harold is confident that he would give you the right treatment you deserve. So please think about this, and when you're ready, I'll set you up for a date with Gareth. He will return to Singapore next week," Graham assured her.

Isla chugged the glass of water before her and then nodded. "I will think about this and get back to you as soon as I can."

"Very well, Miss Isla," Graham smiled, putting his glasses back on.

Isla clutched her luggage. It was time to leave, but she didn't have anywhere to stay. As if Graham was reading her mind, he piped in.

"If you don't mind, I already arranged a nice penthouse for you here. We can also move your grandmother to one of our best private hospitals here to continue her treatment."

Isla didn't know what else to say to Graham. It felt like a dream, but it wasn't.

"The chauffeur will take you to the penthouse. You don't have to carry that luggage with you. I already took care of your clothing and accessories," Graham informed her.

"I don't know how else to thank you for your kindness," Isla mumbled.

"Not at all, miss. All these are yours, so you shouldn't thank me for it. I would love to see you on your way out, but we are keeping it low key," Graham said, giving her an understanding look.

Isla nodded. She knew he wouldn't like to hear it, but she thanked him once again, not just for offering her a ride, money, and an apartment, but for his kindness and how he made her feel welcomed. She left the office, going to the Mercedes waiting for her outside.

The chauffeur didn't let her touch the car knob. They were quick to help her, making sure she was comfortable before driving her to the penthouse.

Isla felt like she was walking into her daydream. The building space was incredible. Glass walls stretched from the floor to the ceiling, blessing her with a view she thought was unrealistic.

The swimming pool in front of the building was deep, shining a sparkling blue, with wide lounge chairs neatly arranged before it. Her insides went still when she stepped into the foyer. Everywhere looked sparkling, too perfectly clean. She just wanted to fall on the marble floor and cry her eyes out, because this was not normal.

"You must be Miss Isla Pereira," a soft voice called, footsteps approaching.

A beautiful old woman stood there, no look of discrimination on her face, as if she had known Isla for years.

"Hmm." Isla nodded.

"Mr. Graham said you were coming. I hope you like this place. If not, we can move you to a new one."

Are you kidding me?! was what Isla wanted to scream. She was literally standing in paradise, so what could she even complain about?

"This place is perfect, ma'am." Isla smiled, but the woman frowned at the title.

"Please, just call me Selene," she immediately corrected Isla.

"Are... you sure?" Isla couldn't help but ask. Where she was from, they didn't address their elders by their first name. It was a sign of good manners.

"Yes, please. Come, I will take you to your room," Selene said with a warm smile.

She took Isla through an elevator that led to what Isla would call a magical princess castle. A whole wide king--sized bed just for her, a fancy closet with fancy clothes, heels, sneakers, bags, a whole vanity table filled with different brands of makeup.

"Mr. Graham also wants you to have this," Selene handed Isla a new package of the iPhone sixteen and a MacBook laptop. "He already set up everything for you, so you don't have to."

"Oh my God." Isla gasped, her eyes welling with tears. "This is too much," she whispered.

"Don't say that, miss. You deserve everything you see here. Please, you can take your bath. Both shower and hot tub are available. If you want to have your meal in your room, I can arrange for it to be brought here," Selene informed her warmly.

"Please don't, you've done enough already," Isla pleaded.

"Alright, I will excuse you, but you can call me with the intercom on the stand if you need anything. I'm always one call away," Selene smiled gently before leaving.

Isla used a hot tub for the first time in her life. The feeling was warm and refreshing. She slipped into comfortable pajamas, staring at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe she had made it to this life.

She went to her new phone. Indeed, everything was set up. Graham had already added his number to her contact list. Isla saved Priya's number and decided to call her.

The ring barely lasted before Priya picked up.

"Isla, where are you?" Priya's voice rang in desperation.

"Priya, I'm fine," Isla sighed.

"Isla, we are sisters, please stop lying to me. I know you're not fine, so stop hiding and tell me where you are. I promise I'd----"

"Priya, I'm getting married." Isla dropped the news on her.