Roman's P-O-V

'Okay then. Just take whatever you like okay.' I said to Dean and Renee as they were having the lunch at my place.

The two had been here since last night. I really couldn't greet them the nice way but they said it's like their second home and they can help themselves. All I need to do is take care of Jojo.

'Come on Roman. It's fine. We aren't new in this house. We'll eat everything  according to our need.' Renee said with an assuring smile.

'Yes man. I think you and Rachel should have something too.' Dean said.

Well, Rachel! I almost forgot about her!

Oh man! I should call her too. She was so involved with Jojo and she didn't even come out of the room for once! I walked near Jojo's bedroom and heard her giggle alongside Rachel.

'Will you love me like this everyday after you become my mother?' I heard Jojo ask Rachel that made my heart stop.

My steps paused and from the door I could see how uncomfortable Rachel was to that question.

'Tell me Rachel, will you love me everyday after my Dad marries you?' she asked.

My fists clutched inside the pockets of my trackpants and I gulped down every bit of fury ready to burst off my heart.

'Of course Jojo. No matter, where we are, what we are, I'll always love you the same way or even more. You'll always be my little angel.' Rachel said ruffling kissing Jojo's forehead.

Jojo's face lit up.

'I love you Rachel. Please be my mother.' she said making a puppydog face to Rachel who I could hear chuckle.

Is this really that easy and fun for her?

Feeling disgusted, I didn't want to listen to the awkward conversation and so, I walked away.

Rachel's P-O-V

3 hours later

'And then..the princess lived happily ever after..' I said finishing the story as I laid beside Jojo. I looked at her to see she was sound asleep. I tried a number of times before but it was really hard to make Jojo fall asleep.

I smiled removing the compressor I was using on her forehead all the while. I'm glad Dean brought her the fish and chips and I could feed her the appropriate amount of food she needed.

I sat up measuring her temperature with the back of my hand and I was happy to know it was falling.

I heard a deep voice clear his throat and inviting my attention towards him.

'Hey Roman!' I said straightening myself up slightly surprised by his sudden presence.

Roman smiled, though I felt it was forced. 'So.. Jojo's fever came down, I assume.' he asked.

'Yeah, it did and she's sleeping peacefully now.' I said looking at Jojo.

Roman looked at his daughter and smiled.

'Rachel, I know thanking you won't be enough but you don't know what you did today.' he said in his deep voice looking at me. H8s eyes said how genuine and serious he was with with his words.

I smiled pressing my lips together. 'Well, you don't have to thank me about anything I do for JoJo because whatever I do for her..' I ran my hand on JoJo's forehead.. 'I do it from my heart.' I said smiling.

Roman looked at me blank for a while and then smiled. 'I'll remember that.' he said sitting near the feet of JoJo.

My eyes fell on the time. It was almost 8:30 and Dean and Renee left an hour ago. Now that JoJo's doing good, I guess I can leave too.

I sighed standing up and picked up my purse and phone.

'I guess I should leave now.' I said looking at Roman. 'JoJo's good and I don't think the fever's gonna come back. But, you should continue with the pills tomorrow as well. And in case anything happens, do call me, okay.' I said in a pleading voice.

Roman nodded looking at the time. 'Well, yeah, you're right. Uh... It's already late but I think you should leave after the dinner.' he said standing up facing me. 'I mean you didn't have anything...'

'Oh no no. Please, don't. Mom would be preparing Dad's favorite dish in the dinner and he won't take it unless I do.' I said chuckling. 'So, next time may be..' I said with a light shrug.

'Oh..' Roman frowned. 'You're Dad!' he said as if he just remembered something. 'I almost forgot.. How's he now?' Roman asked.

My heart jumped at his question and in that very moment my expressions changed too and I too remembered a lot of things that I almost forgot while nursing JoJo.

I bit my lip nervously. Roman must be knowing about the proposal Patricia offered of getting us married and even the fact that I agreed to it. Even though my adversaries succeeded in making me shameless, it really felt awkward talking to Roman right now, after remembering things.

'I heard he needed a re-transplantation?' I heard him ask with a frown.

I nodded. 'Yeah, within three weeks which makes it just 13 days now.' I sighed through my sadness.

Roman nodded indifferently looking away but didn't say anything.

'I must go now.' I said with a forced smile and walked towards the door to leave but..

'Rachel..' I heard my name being called. I look back to see Roman walking to me impatiently. I frowned in confusion.

'Rachel..uh..I needed to talk to you.' he said and then looked back at JoJo in her bed.. '.. in private.' he added.

My heart pounded. I knew what it was about and that started stinging my eyes already. Shame, guilt and embarassment of hopelessness swallowed my while being.

'Sure.' I said somehow gaining a voice.

'Hmm.. Let's get to the porch then.' he said walking in front of me while I followed.

(In the Porch)

I gulped looking at Roman who looked restless as we reached near the porch.

'What did you want to say?' I asked not looking at him trying to calm myself as much as I could.

Through a peripheral vision, I saw Roman looking at me. 'I.. I wanted to talk about the proposal my mother gave you few days ago.' he said straight.

I clutched my hand onto my purse and lifted my eyes to him. 'What about it?' I asked nonchalantly as if it was a no big deal for me.

Roman frowned. 'What about it!' he mimicked. 'You're kidding me Rachel!  My mom just gave you a stupid proposal and you just said yes!' he said getting slightly enraged.

I didn't say anything. Neither did my lips move or I blinked.

'Why Rachel? I understand my mom's gone crazy about getting me married for the second time and get a good mother for JoJo. And yeah, you have that financial crisis too. But, I still can't believe you agreed to that. I always thought you were a sensible girl. But, no. You thought accepting this proposal was easier than searching for jobs across the country.' he barked in mockery.

I looked at him in disbelief. I never thought he would think of me this way.

'Please, stop it Roman. You...you don't know anything about me.' I said firmly  looking up into his eyes as the tears gathered in mine.

'What? That you can agree to do anything and everything in the world to get some money? That you are a opportunist who is almost ready to sell herself to get what she wants? That you are a lazy chick who can even agree to warm up a man's bed to get her things done?' he shot sarcastically.

My teeth gritted and tears rolled down my eyes. Lazy! Does he know that I've been going to ten companies per day to get a small job? And about warming one's bed, I guess he has no idea that I'm a devout Christian and no men has ever touched me in my life and that even includes my boyfriend Seth.

Roman still continued. 'And you know very well that JoJo is my weakness and right now, Rachel, you are using her to get your job done and hell! I cannot take that. If you want..'

'Shut up Roman!' I spat sharply not being able to take it any longer. 'Just because I'm not saying anything, it doesn't mean you have the right to say anything you want on my face.' I shot back. 'First off, it was your mother who came with the proposal and I rejected that on her face. She kept trying to pursue me and I kept rejecting till I had no other options left. And how wpuld you know how's it to get a job jn the company. We were born all blue blood in the Anoai' family. We never had to search for jobs in the scorching summer with a bad headache! No. You don't!' I scoffed sarcastically as my tears shed. I wiped them off.

No! Never shed your tears in front of anyone who doesn't value them. My Dad always said so. I gulped attaining a firmer tone.

'You know Roman, the companies weren't ready to hire me because of my brother's reputation and even if they did, they agreed to provide me the money after a couple of months. Hell! They even proposed sexual favors, you know.. ' I said chuckling at my painful plight. 'If Patricia didn't give me the offer, perhaps, I would've accepted that too.' I confessed.

I could see Roman's eyes widen in disbelief and it seemed he was about to say sonething but I wasn't finished yet.

'My father is dying, Roman and the doctors said a quick surgery was the only option and I needed money for that.' I said controlling the sob within.
'

My Dad.. is my hero. Whatever I am today abd wherever I stand, it's all because of him. I can't let him die and trust me, I can even sell myself to Satan if that saves my old man's life..selling myself elsewhere is nothing compared to that.' I scoffed through the energing tears.
'And that's the reason,  I said yes to Patricia. I definitely have no interest in being your wife Mr. Anoai'. I'm selfish and I just need the money for my father in exchange of this marriage.' I spat in wrath through my tears.

I saw Roman's expression changing.

'And one more thing, this has nothing to do with JoJo. Jojo is my little angel.' I scoffed. 'And I'll keep loving her the same way whether I marry you or not.' I said strongly wiping the last imprints off my face before walking away fast towards the road. I didn't look back to get a response.

What type of a girl does he think I am? How could he think that I'm using JoJo to get the money? I really love JoJo and there's no selfishness in it. I wiped the tears in my eyes walking to the main road.

I know Roman doesn't want to marry me and I don't want to marry him either. I love and perhaps, shall always love Colby. I sobbed not knowing where I was going as I remembered Seth..and then I heard it..

A loud horn from the big truck mere twenty feet away from me. My eyes widened through the hazy vision as I felt it closing up to decide my last breath. My eyes closed awaiting for the impending collison when my wrist instantly got grabbed from behind and I was pulled away with great force landing myself on a body. My phone slipped off my hand by the impact.

My heart pounded as the horn approached further and I saw the truck pass just a couple of feet away from me, crushing my phone to dust.

I lifted my head with a pacing heart to see Roman through my teary vision. He was looking at me with a frown as he still held my wrist. We were standing in the footpath.

I saw his lips move. Perhaps, he was talking or rather scolding but the loud horn rang in my ears even after several seconds and I couldn't perceive a thing.

'...and who does that? You're crazy?' I registered few of his words.

I blinked a couple of times to realize what just happened. I was just trying to cross the road without my knowledge and was inches apart from my death if Roman didn't pull me away at the right time.

I was going to die!

'What? Now you can't talk? Well, you did talk a lot out there?' he said in an annoyed tone reminding me of our last encounter few seconds ago.

Things registered in my head and I pulled my wrist off his grip.

'Thanks.' I just mumbled trying to walk away but had to stop again as I heard my name being called.

'Rachel, wait!' I heard Roman who walked near me.

'What now? Aren't you done throwing your words on me? Aren't you done naming me lazy, selfish and an opportunistic  and manipulative girl who's after your money?' I asked trying to be calm amidst my annoyance.

'Rachel I..' he started to say something but I cut him off.

'I know you don't want this Roman and trust me, neither do I. But, even though the proposal actually came from your side, I was humble enough not to call anyone names. But, what you did today was hurtful and indignant, if you want me to say the truth.' I said. 'Besides, you didn't have to run and save the woman who'd be ready to warm up any men's bed for some money..' I said distastefully. 'You could have just stood there and..'

'I'm sorry.' his deep voice cut whatever I was going to say.

I frowned in surprise.

'That's right Rachel.' Roman stroke his fingers on his forehead looking down. 'I'm sorry. I was just being a little too impulsive and I.. I didn't even consider your side of the story.' he said looking at me calmly.

'I'm sorry for whatever my mom did. Actually, she's little too concerned about JoJo's happiness and that's the reason she went desperate to get her mother back in her life.' Roman said. 'And.. Tina even has a stupid notion that I might find myself in someone again.' he chuckled sarcastically.

'But, trust me I don't want anyone in mine and Jojo's life. I can't even think of any other woman except Galina. Even though she's not here anymore, my heart is still with her and it'll forever be. The day she died, so did my wishes and hopes and my world got circumscribed with wrestling and my only hope Jojo. I lost the ability to love anyone else, let alone marrying. Tina thinks I'm being selfish to JoJo but trust me, I'm not. I don't want to ruin any girl's life this way.' he said spoke out his honestly without a hesitation.

'I even realized she was using your circumstances to fulfil her wish and I really didn't want you to get into the mess, you know.' he said in a sympathetic tone. 'So..'

'I understand Roman.' I said feeling a little bad for him. 'You have every right to burst. I guess...' I bit my lips looking at him. 'I should've spoken to you before I spoke my decision to your mother.' I said feeling a little guilty myself.

He scoffed. 'Not your fault, Rachel. In fact, I should've actually tried speaking to you normally before charging upon you the way I did. It.. It sucks.' he said visibly embarrassed about his deeds.

I smiled wiping my tears completely. 'It's fine, Roman. I'm glad I know your views now. Besides, JoJo isn't well and that dampened your mood too.' I said chuckling to console him. 'Now go. She needs you beside her when she wakes up.' I said scoffing.

A smile creeped up on Roman's face to and he licked his lips while smiling.

'You know she loves you as much as you love her.' he said all of a sudden with an illuminated look.

I nodded through a smile. 'Yeah, I know it's been just over a month since we met but trust me, she has become an important part of my life already.' I confessed. 'You know Roman, amidst all the stress, I still wait for the time Jojo would call me and make me smile. A small conversation with her lessens my my pains and gives me a strange strength. She truly is an angel.' I confessed genuinely.

Roman had a faint smile on his serious face too.

'Let's do this then.' he said all of a sudden getting me confused.

'What?' I asked frowning.

Roman sighed. 'Rachel, if that'll solve both our problems and you've already decided to sacrifice everything for it.. I guess my personal problems shouldn't be a barrier either.' he said making my heart jump. 'Rachel..' he walked closer. 'I've no problem with this marriage.' he announced making my eyes widen in shock.

'What? You can't be serious!' I said as my heart pounded hard.

'I'm positive Rachel. I want this marriage for my daughter and after today, I know no one would make a better mother for Jojo, if not you. I want to see Jojo happy all the time just like she is when she sees me few times a week. And I know only you can make her happy and nurture her with all your love like you did today.' he said looking deep into my eyes.

Tears were forming in my eyes. I wanted to be happy because the agreement would ensure my father's full treatment of my father but a part of me also knew I was selling myself for money, I was tearing my heart apart which only beats for Seth. I was going to marry the best friend of the person I loved.

'And I promise, I'll make sure your father gets the best of treatments in the world. I'll talk with the biggest doctors in the field all across the world to ensure he's fine. Your sacrifice won't be wasted Rachel, I promise you that.' he said taking my hand in his.

'But..' he paused as his expressions changed to a serious one. 'Just.. Just.. Don't expect anything more from me Rachel.' he said looking away when my hand slipped off his. 'I.. I can never give you those joy that a husband gives to his wife. For me..' he looked at me with dark eyes. 'You'll just be JoJo's mother.' he said with a determined expression.

I nodded rigidly hiding my emotions and choking and killing the sweet dreams every girl has about her future husband. I won't be loved by my husband. He just stated he won't ever treat me as his wife. I'll a mere deal for money all my life. But, I'll do it for my father, for my family.

'I.. I understand Roman. I'll abide by every rule you set for me.' I said.

Roman nodded forcing a small smile. 'Thanks for understanding Rachel.' he said.

I looked around. It was dark. Getting a cab to where I live would charge a lot of money at this time. I better not be more late.

'Okay then. I'll call Patricia and tell her then.' I said hiding my sorrows.

'You don't have to. I'll talk to Tina.' Roman said.

I nodded. 'Good then..' I breathed through my nostrils flaring through the hidden tears. 'I guess I'll see you around.' I said trying to walk away.

'Wait!' Roman stopped me. 'Uhh... It's quite late. I'll drop you.' he offered.

I shook my head. 'No thanks. I can manage. Besides, JoJo will wake up and if she doesn't see you, she might cry as well.' I said not wanting to bother him after all these.

'She's got the nurses and I don't think she'll mind if I tell her I went to drop you.' Roman said with a tight lipped smile. 'Besides, I can't let you go alone especially when you're soon going to be the mother of JoJo. So, stand here, I'll get the car.' he said before walking away.

I gulped. I didn't know how to feel when he called me mother of JoJo. To be honest, it really didn't matter. To me, I was a mere service sold for my family's well being and I knew I had to swallow the bitter truth. I wiped the tears off my eyes.

I was getting married to a man who can never love me and to be honest, I can never love him either. To me, he'll always be JoJo's father, a man who is supposed to save my father's life. Love and expectations have got no place in this deal. My heart churned remembering the same date a month ago. The day Seth and I kissed in the car. Those dreams, those hopes are now dusted. My eyes traveled to my squashed phone lying on the road.

It was a gift from Seth on the Valentines Day. I didn't want to take it but he was stubborn enough to make me accept it. His contact was lost with the phone. Perhaps, it was an indication of Seth's permanent departure from my life. The only true love of my life was gone and It would never happen again.

Love cannot happen twice..

I heard the horns and knew Roman was here. He stopped in front on me and unlocked the door. I got inside into the passenger seat.

'Where do you live again?' Roman
asked.

*****

So, I'm done with one of the most important chapters

Roman and Rachel made their honest confessions to each other and decided to get married despite the unwillingness

What do you think will happen now?

Has Rachel really lost 'love' forever?