The Millionaire Saint
Chapter 6

Dayana Berlusconi

I watch my mother come out of her fourth chemo, I approach her and help her get to the nearest chair so she can rest a little. Four months ago she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, it was something very shocking for the two of us and since then I have used savings we had and my father's pension for her treatment, but like any resource it always ends up running out.

-Alright? I question worried.

"Nausea as always," I grimace, "You haven't told me about your work date," I sigh.

"I'll keep looking elsewhere," she murmured.

"Dayana, it's time for you to come home with me," she asks, I deny.

-You know I don't want to be there, I mutter, -There are too many memories of my dad, I miss him, I loved my father very much and the worst thing is that his death is my fault.

"You shouldn't keep blaming yourself for that," he takes my hand.

"It's my fault, if I hadn't asked him to go to that party for me..."

"It doesn't do you any good to remember that moment," he squeezes my hand.

When my mother feels better I take her to eat something and then go home to rest while I go to my apartment stopping at the door when I hear baby cries at my neighbor's door, I approach it and knock.

-Dayana What's happening? -I look at him worried and then at Arturo.

-Do you want a hand? -I point to the little crybaby, he sighs and steps aside for me to enter his apartment. I help him by preparing the bottle while I receive instructions on how to do it and then I take care of feeding him, removing gas from him and changing his clothes.

"You're an angel Dayana," Charlie murmurs when he sees that little Arturo is already asleep in my arms.

-Well, it's not a big deal, I comment, -What happened that the boy on the first floor is not helping you?

-He is taking his final exam to finish school, -he responds to what I nod.

"You can tell they get along well," he smiles.

"Simon is a great boy and Arturo feels comfortable with him," I nod.

-Well, I have to go. "I have to clean my apartment and keep making calls," I comment.

"I hope you agree to go have something with me," I look at him. "As a token of gratitude for helping me with Arturo," she clarifies.

"Sounds good to me," I leave his apartment, replaceing a boy about to knock on his door, he looks at me and I look at him. I watch as his face looks surprised and without a doubt I can see a little sadness pass through his eyes.

"Simon," Charlie greets happily.

"Hello," he murmurs, his voice soft.

-So you're Simón, -I blurt out, -My name is Dayana, I'm Charlie's neighbor, I greet him and he returns the gesture, -Okay guys, now I'll leave you, I go to my apartment and walk straight to my room to get dressed. more comfortable clothes to clean. (...)

After a week trying to get a job at another company I gave up, I think I don't fit what they are looking for and this is because I am young with little work experience. I put a handful of popcorn in my mouth while I watch the movie I'm buying at a nearby store. I'm not into things like Netflix, I like CDs more. I heard my phone ring and took it to look at the device's screen where I glimpsed a number that I haven't registered.

-Good evening, is this Miss Berlusconi's number? -Questions the voice of a man on the other end of the phone, she seems familiar to me.

-You are correct, are you?

-Donovan Bristol, CEO of....

-Bristol Automotive Import Industries, I finish for him, since now I remember who he is.

-Correct.

-Are you coming to scold me for being late? -I question and remember that no one has hired me, -Excuse me, Mr. Bristol, I hear him move some things. "I'd like to offer you a deal," he comments slowly.

-What kind of business?

"I can't talk to you on the phone," he announces. -I would like to have an appointment to explain.

-When?

"I'll pick you up in two hours," I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

-That?

-We'll talk later, Miss Berlusconi. -Hangs up "But who does he think he is?"

I look at my phone for several minutes without believing what just happened, I get up from the couch to go to my room and take a quick shower, I dress in something professional and this time I leave my hair down. She took my bag and I choose not to apply perfume but if I do light makeup, I sigh. After two hours I receive a message telling me to get off on time "How the hell did you get my address?" Outside the building is Mr. Bristol standing next to a luxury car, he steps aside to open the door for me and then get into

it. -Can you explain to me what is happening?

"When we are at the restaurant," she answers, I remain silent.

When we arrive, he opens the door for me and we are immediately directed to a section away from everyone present, Mr. Bristol pulls out the chair for me and then takes a seat.

The waiter hands us the menu and leaves.

-I need you to sign something before we start-he lifts his briefcase and hands me a paper that says it is a confidentiality agreement, I cannot disclose anything discussed in this meeting with anyone. I look at him who looks at me seriously waiting for me to sign, I sigh and sign, maybe it's things about his company that he was talking about.

"Ready," I hand it to him and he puts it in his briefcase.

The waiter returns and we tell him what we will order and then he leaves, leaving a bottle of wine on the table.

"I'll be direct, Miss Berlusconi," she takes a sip from his glass, "I need something from you," I raise my eyebrows. -What can I give to a man who has everything? I question.

-I need a wife-that does take me by surprise, I laugh since I have nothing to say.

-A wife? -I question. I mean, you had to come to me to ask for that. Do you think I'm Cupid? -I ask sarcastically.

His brow furrows.

-Miss Berlusconi, can you let me finish? I nod, I want her to become my wife, don't ask why this is. It's just something urgent and she will benefit," she argues.

"He's crazy," I say, standing up to get out of here.

"Do it for his mother," I turn around, looking at him with my brow furrowed.

"What the hell does my mother have to do with her crazy idea of me marrying you?"

"I know she's not going through a good time, her income is shortened and she will need good experts to treat her leukemia... I can give her the resources and send her to the best oncology clinic in the country," he informs calmly, I sigh, I sit down. again. -Is that why she chose me?

-Because of that and because she is someone who fits my search profile.

"What wouldn't a son do for her mother?"