Be Careful With My Heart

　　I walked into a big mansion. I held my breath for a second. The ceilings were high-end with sparkling chandeliers hanging down. The curtains were beautiful and fluffy, and they moved with the slightest wind.

　　I wrapped my hands around my arms. I couldn't count the numerous air conditioners in the room. It was so large that for a second, I thought I had come to the wrong place.

　　This was the second-largest mansion I had seen, after that of my foster parents.

　　"Miss Valdez, this way please," a woman in a white apron gestured, and I stopped my admiration of the place and followed her.

　　We moved further down and came before a steel door. The apron lady pressed a button, and the door pushed open before them.

　　I stepped in along with her, and my heart almost jumped out of my chest the moment it started moving.

　　It was moving so fast that I had no other option than to grab the lady beside me, for fear of falling. Not that I had never been in an elevator, but this... the speed of this one could easily tell anyone that the amount was not smiling.

　　"Have you not been in an elevator before?!" the lady said in annoyance as she pulled my grip off of her.

　　Losing control, I swerved to the other side and scratched my arm against an iron railing. I wasn't the least annoyed with the lady, trust me, I have seen people with a worse sense of humor.

　　Seeing that I was already feeling a bit dizzy, I sprawled myself across the floor of the elevator. I could feel the lady's piercing stare at me but I don't care. I still have my life to live and I cannot afford to die.

　　Not yet, at least since I haven't met the love of my life.

　　It finally stopped, and I stepped into another larger room. Okay, so where are the owners of this large house?

　　The lady disappeared into another room and came out seconds later. She disappeared again, and I busied myself with cleaning off the small blood that had seeped out of her wound, caused in the elevator.

　　I heard the creak of a door, and when I looked up I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The lady who approached from the door looked exactly like me! I slowly stood up to my feet.

　　I'll have to correct myself, though. Not exactly like me because she had this makeup stuff done all over her face, and on her body was a high tuxedo gown, and I need no one to tell me that it would cost millions of dollars.

　　I was now wondering how such a beautiful woman could be in a wheelchair! She smiled at me.

　　"I see you've made yourself feel at home already," she said as the wheelchair automatically moved on its own accord.

　　I quickly snapped out of my thoughts of her

　　"I.. I'm sorry. I just-" I began

　　"It's okay. Have a seat," the woman said

　　"I am Stephanie Collins, wife of Edward Collins," she introduced herself.

　　With that introduction, did she really expect me to know who she is? Those names didn't ring a bell.

　　"Sorry, but uhm.." how would I put this? "..those names don't ring a bell."

　　Stephanie frowned. Was this girl really serious right now? How could the name of the most influential CEO not ring a bell? But she couldn't get angry because of the quest at stake.

　　"Collins is the name of the most influential group in Illinois right now. How could you not know that?"

　　"Sorry," I smiled, "I have other things better than sticking my nose in others' business," I answered

　　"Not knowing something that the whole world knows is not sticking your nose in others' business, it is stark ignorance," Stephanie replied, half annoyed.

　　"Oh, Miss.." I struggled to remember the name "...Miss Collins, I can assure you that not the whole world knows of your famous group."

　　"What?" she exclaimed

　　"Yes. Like me, for example. I am just hearing this for the first time, and I am certainly part of the whole world."

　　"You're not even a somebody, and I know you," Stephanie said.

　　I was slightly hurt at that word but I didn't let it show. It's better if I just go straight to the point.

　　"What exactly did you call me here for, Miss..." I had forgotten again but I didn't mind.

　　Stephanie sighed, "I need your help," she said, and that surprised me.

　　She just fucking called me a nobody!

　　"You might be wondering why Mr Collins would marry a woman in a wheelchair chair."

　　No..I didn't wonder that. I said in my mind

　　"Well, we met with an accident and it was very ghastly. We didn't die, by my husband's sheer instincts, but I was fatally wounded," she continued

　　I wondered why she was telling me this.

　　"The doctor said I was paralyzed from the waist downwards."

　　"I'm sorry" was all I could say

　　The chair moved a bit.

　　"I love my husband very much. I want to give him everything he wants, but because of my condition I cannot give him a child. The heir to all his wealth and riches. Just a child"

　　I was feeling really uncomfortable now. What does all this have to do with me?

　　She held my gaze

　　"I need your help," she said more firmly this time, "I'll give you ten billion dollars or more. I will change your whole life, Diana"

　　I had a confused look on my face.

　　"Mrs Collins, I have no idea what you're talking about. I...I thought this was supposed to be an interview. I'm desperately in need of a job. I just.. I just didn't expect this!" I expressed my disappointment with slumped shoulders.

　　Just early that morning, a receptionist called me and said I was expected for an interview that morning. I wanted to know how she got my number, but just like Stephanie, the receptionist ignored my question and said a limousine would pick me up.

　　I had explained to my housemate, Lillian, who had forced me to get ready immediately, thinking life had smiled at me.

　　Our rent has gone due, and there were no foodstuffs left in the house, and Lillian's pole dancing job wasn't bringing in enough.

　　"I am offering you more than a job. This is a lifetime fortune, Diana."

　　"How do you know my name?" I snapped back

　　She sighed. Stephanie didn't expect it to be this hard to convince her.

　　"You're the perfect person for this job. I want my baby to look handsome and beautiful. You are beautiful, although you need a few touches here and there."

　　"You are asking me to... to... sleep with your..your husband?" I didn't even try to hide the disgust in my tone.

　　"Don't be disgusted. A lot of women would throw themselves at this golden opportunity," she replied

　　"Then get those women and don't bother me." I was quick to reply, "How could you want another woman to... to... that's bullshit!"

　　"Like I said, you're the perfect match. A little touch and nobody will be able to differentiate between you and me. We look alike, which is quite helpful."

　　I shook my head

　　"That way no one would question the baby's resemblance," she said

　　I tore my gaze away from hers. How can I look like this woman?!

　　"You have a week to make your decision. Once you get pregnant, I'll send the money into your account. During the period of your pregnancy, you have the right to ask anything you want."

　　Stephanie moved her wheelchair towards me.

　　"I will keep the media out of this," she said in a low tone. "No one, not even your family or your friends, is supposed to know. The day you agree, you'll sign a legal document to avoid any scandal."

　　Stephanie's soft countenance changed all of a sudden. I couldn't see the helpless woman I saw before-the woman I'd felt pity for

　　This one looked like a chameleon, changing all of a sudden.

　　"You're allowed to do anything but you cannot fall in love with my husband," she narrowed her eyes. "It's against the deal."