A Deal With the Enemy.
I slammed the office door open.
"You ruined my father! I shouted, my heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.
Ameer Hassan didn't even flinch. He sat behind the wide glass desk like a king on his throne, calm, cold, unreadable. His dark brown eyes flinched up slowly from his phone.
"You are late, he said. I expected your anger an hour ago".
My fists clenched, you destroyed Bello Group.
You made my father look like a thief, He trusted you.
Ameer stood. He was tall, almost too tall, and dressed in a dark suit that probably cost more than my entire university tuition.
Your father made himself look like a thief, he said stepping closer. I just exposed it.
"You're lying!
He moved so close, I could see the gold cufflinks on his sleeves.
"Tell yourself whatever makes you sleep at night, miss Bello."
My breath caught. This was the man I grew up hating. The son of zayd Hassan… the man who brought my father's company, dragged our name through the mud and nearly pushed my mother to suicide.
I had promised myself that if I ever stood In front of a Hassan, I wouldn't cry. But now, the sting was rising behind my eyes.
"Why did you call me here?" I asked through clenched teeth.
Ameer's smile was small but dangerous. He walked back to his desk and picked up a document.
Your father owes Hassan Global eight million naira.
We know, I snapped.
And he doesn't have it.
I stayed silent.
" But," Ameer continued, I have a solution that could save your father….. and your family.
I narrowed my eyes. " What do you mean?"
He slid the paper towards me. " Marry me".
I stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"You are joking".
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
My heartbeat roared in my ears. You want me to marry you? Why? So you can humiliate us more?.
Ameer leaned on the desk, folding his arms.
This marriage will serve both families. It will clear your father's name. The public will see it as a partnership, not a downfall.
And what do you gain?
Control, he said plainly, over both companies.
I stared at him, shocked.
"You want to buy my family ... .and me!.
I need a wife for Three years. That's all. No love, no feelings, just business.
You're insane.
He raised a brow. Then walk away. But know this….. by next week Your father will be arrested. Your mother will lose her shop. And you! Well…. Your scholarship will disappear with the company's name.
I took a step back. My chest tightened.
"You would really do that?"
It's already in motion. This is the only way out.
I turned to the door. My fingers trembled on the handle.
I had always said I would never marry for anything but love.
But this wasn't about my heart anymore. It was about saving what was left of my family.
I want to speak to my father, I said.
Ameer's voice was like ice. He already agreed.
My mouth dropped open.
What?
He signed this morning. It's your choice now.
I felt like the floor beneath me moved. My father…my own father had given me up like a pawn in a chess game. Sold me for freedom.
I backed away slowly.
I will think about it, I said.
"You have twenty-four hours."
I left the office with fire in my chest. Outside, the air was thick with heat, but my skin felt cold.
That night, my mother's eyes were red from crying.
"They will arrest him tomorrow,"my mother whispered, holding my father's shaking hand.
I stood in the corner of the room still wearing my skirt and blouse from the meeting.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked my father.
"I was trying to protect you". He said, not meeting my eyes.
By giving me away?
We had no choice. He snapped. Do you want to see me in prison? Do you want your mother to lose the house?.
I looked at my mother, then at my father… the man who once held my hand while teaching me how to ride a bicycle. He looked old now. Broken. Tried.
...….
The next morning, I walked back into Ameer's office.
He looked up from his laptop as if he had been expecting me all along.
"I will marry you, I said .
He didn't smile. He just stood and handed me a pen .
"Sign the contract".
I read it quickly. Three years. No children. No public scandals. Divorce will be clean.
I signed.
I took the paper and stamped it. Just like that, my freedom disappeared.
"You will move into my house tonight," he said.
I blinked. "Tonight?.
We need to start the image of a happy couple immediately. Pack your bags.
"You are really cold", I muttered.
He didn't answer.
Immediately I walked out of his office.
Late that night, I stood in the middle of his mansion. It was huge, full of glass, gold, and silence. A maid showed me to my room, far from his.
As I opened my bag, my phone buzzed. A call from my best friend, Lami.
Lami: "Are you okay? I saw the news".
Me: No. Am marrying Ameer Hassan. It's a deal.
Lami: "what"! You can't….
Me: It's too late. It's done .
I dropped the phone on the bed. Suddenly, the door burst open.
I stood there, holding a champagne glass.
"You should smile more," he said. You are the new bride.
I'm your prisoner, I snapped.
He came closer. You are free to leave.
You know I can't.
He stared at me in silence.
Then, softly, he said. "Don't trust anyone here. Not even your father".
My eyes widened. what do you mean?.
But he was already walking out.
Just before midnight, I tiptoed downstairs to get water.
I paused near Ameer's house office.
The door is slightly open. And inside, I heard his voice low, serious, angry.
"she has no idea what's coming…. Just like her father".