I Married A Stranger To Escape My Mother

Laura woke up before sunrise. She had barely slept. Margaret's words kept replaying in her mind: Frank has already paid your bride price. Laura sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her face. She couldn't go back. Not to Frank. Not to the life Margaret had planned for her.

She picked up her bag and headed for the door. Evelyn was already awake.

“You're leaving?”

“I have an interview.”

Evelyn looked at her. “After everything that happened yesterday?”

“Especially because of everything that happened yesterday.”

Evelyn smiled. “That sounds like the Laura I know.”

Laura grabbed her bag. “I need this job.”

“You'll get it.”

“And if I don't?”

“Then you try again.”

Laura nodded. Her father's voice echoed in her mind: Keep going. She stepped outside.

At Smith Company, Fred was having a very different morning. The board meeting was scheduled for noon. His stepmother had already made her position clear: he needed a wife.

Fred stood in his office, looking through the documents on his desk. His assistant entered.

“Sir, the candidates for the interview are waiting.”

Fred didn't look up. “Let the HR team handle it.”

“The last candidate is being interviewed for the administrative position.”

“Fine.”

His assistant hesitated. “There is something else.”

Fred finally looked up. “What?”

“The woman you spoke to yesterday is here.”

Fred paused. “Laura?”

“Yes.”

Something about the name caught his attention. “Send her in when they're ready.”

Laura sat outside the interview room, holding her documents tightly. She had worn her best blouse. Nothing expensive. Nothing impressive. Just clean.

She looked at the other candidates. Most seemed more confident than she was. A woman beside her looked at Laura's shoes.

“You're applying for this position?”

“Yes.”

The woman smiled politely. “You should have applied for something less demanding.”

Laura looked at her. “Why?”

“You don't exactly look experienced.”

Laura smiled. “Neither does a book until you open it.”

The woman frowned. Before she could respond, the door opened.

“Laura?”

Laura stood. “Yes.”

“You can come in.”

She walked inside. Three interviewers sat behind the table. She answered every question carefully: her education, her work experience, her skills, her availability.

Then came the question she had been expecting. “Why should we hire you?”

Laura took a breath. “Because I don't give up easily.”

One interviewer raised an eyebrow. “That's not a professional qualification.”

“No.” Laura looked at him. “But it is the reason I learned everything I know.”

The room became quiet.

“I've had to work different jobs. I've had to learn quickly. I've had to deal with difficult people. I've had to survive situations I didn't choose.” She paused. “But I'm still here.”

The interviewer looked at the others. “We'll contact you.”

Laura knew that sentence. She had heard it too many times. She stood. “Thank you for your time.”

She turned toward the door. It opened before she reached it.

Fred walked in.

Laura stopped. “You.”

Fred looked at her. “Me.”

One of the interviewers immediately stood. “Good morning, sir.”

Laura's eyes moved between them.

Fred nodded. “Continue.”

The interviewer looked nervous. “Sir, we're finished.”

Fred glanced at Laura. “Already?”

“Yes.”

He looked at her documents. “Did you interview her?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

The interviewer hesitated. “We'll make a decision.”

Fred looked at Laura. “What position are you applying for?”

“Administrative assistant.”

“You have experience?”

“Some.”

“Some?”

“I've worked different jobs.”

Fred studied her. “You don't sound very confident.”

Laura frowned. “I am confident.”

“Then why do you look like you're expecting rejection?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Because I've been rejected before.”

“Doesn't mean you'll be rejected here.”

She looked at him. “You're very sure of yourself.”

“I usually am.”

“Must be nice.”

Fred almost smiled. The interviewers exchanged glances. Nobody spoke to Fred like that.

He picked up her application. “Leave this with me.”

Laura immediately reached for it. “Why?”

“Because I want to read it.”

“You're not HR.”

“No.”

“Then why?”

Fred looked directly into her eyes. “Because I'm curious.”

Laura took her hand back. “I don't need special treatment.”

“I didn't offer you any.”

“Good.”

She turned and walked out.

Fred watched her leave. One of the interviewers cleared his throat. “Sir…”

Fred looked at him. “She's qualified.”

“But—”

“Give her the position.”

The room went silent.

“Sir?”

“You heard me.”

Laura stepped outside the building. She didn't know Fred had just approved her employment; she only knew she needed to find a way to survive.

Her phone rang. Margaret.

Laura stared at the screen. She almost ignored it, then she answered.

“Hello.”

“You haven't come home.”

“I told you I'm not marrying Frank.”

Margaret's voice became cold. “You're making a serious mistake.”

“No. I'm making my own decision.”

“You think that city will protect you?”

“No.” Laura looked up at the tall building behind her. “But at least I get to decide what happens to me.”

Margaret was silent. Then she said, “Your father would never have allowed you to speak to me like this.”

Laura's expression changed. “You're right.” Her voice softened. “Daddy would have told me to stand up for myself.”

She ended the call.

Fred watched her from the window. He had seen enough of the conversation to understand that she was dealing with something serious.

His assistant entered. “Sir, the board members are here.”

Fred nodded. Then he looked back outside. Laura was already walking away.

“Find out where she lives.”

His assistant blinked. “Sir?”

Fred turned. “Her address.”

“Why?”

Fred picked up his documents. “Because I have a proposition for her.”

That evening, Laura returned to Evelyn's apartment.

Evelyn immediately noticed her expression. “How did it go?”

“I think I got the job.”

“You think?”

“The man from yesterday was there.”

“The one from the café?”