Chapter 7 Ready For Action

• It was very early when Edan approached the room of Luz Rivas, Alma's mother, looked out the window of the door and saw her.
• Alma was sitting on a bench next to her mother's bed, holding her hand and talking to her, although Mrs. Luz looked asleep. A strange feeling lodged in Edan's chest, but he could not define it.
• Uncomfortable, because of that strange feeling inside, Edan decided to knock on the door, there was a lot to do that day.
• Alma was surprised, she didn't expect her fake boyfriend so early, and the surprise was even greater when she saw that he brought her a coffee and some rolls.
• That seemed like a very kind act on his part, with what little Alma had seen of Edan, she considered him to be a kind man.
• They sat together on a distant bench, where no one could see them, and Alma felt her revive just by smelling the hot coffee.
• "How is your mother doing?" He asked as he watched her eat breakfast.
• "As far as it goes, she's fine, thank you.
• “That's nice. Edan murmured, turning his gaze to a window, it was very funny how the young woman had filled her cheeks with sugar when she ate the rolls.
• "Is everything ready, the notary has arrived?" She asked, seeing him for the first time, smiling.
• “Hey? No. But there's something we need to do first, that's why I came to get you early.
• "What shall we do?"
• "We'll go shopping." He muttered.
• "Shopping?" This time? Everything must be closed.
• “Don't worry, last night I spoke with a friend who has a store, she is already waiting for us. Edan got up from his seat, seeing that she had finished eating, Alma followed him.
• They were returning very discreetly to the room, so that Alma could go through her things, when they ran into Mateo, the doctor who was attending to Alma's mother, who was bringing a tray with a cup of coffee and several cookies.
• “Soul! How are you? I brought you this for breakfast..." He smiled at the sight of her, but his expression changed sharply when he saw Edan come out after her.
• She was surprised to see him and cleared her throat as she remembered that he asked her to call him by his name. "Excuse me, Matthew... Thanks, but I've already had breakfast. The young woman clarified, not noticing how the men held each other's gazes, scowling, as if they were in a duel. Noticing the seriousness of her companions and not understanding what was happening between them, Alma intervened. "Edan, this is Matthew, the doctor who treats my mother. “ Edan only made a movement on his neck, raising his face, he didn't even make the attempt to stretch his hand towards the subject. "Matthew, he's Edan, he's..."
• "Her boyfriend." Edan growled, interrupting Alma, very serious. She turned to look at him, surprised, but said nothing.
• "Oh, of course. Well, Alma... Apparently your mother had a great night. Matthew replied, completely ignoring Edan.
• “Yes.
• "I think he really liked the treatment I gave him..." She nodded. "Well, I must go and see other patients. He turned to leave.
• "Doctor, excuse me..." Matthew. She called to him, coming closer. "Later, I'd like to talk to you, if possible..." Because of the surgery. Mateo smiled sweetly at him, noticing in the distance, how Edan clenched his jaw.
• "Of course, I'll be waiting for you." He replied in a strong tone, clearly intended for Edan to listen, and left.
• Edan and Alma went straight to the store, where he bought her several sets of clothes.
• At least he was sure that his friend, the owner of the shop, was a discreet woman and for a good sum of money, she would not say anything to any of her acquaintances about what she saw.
• From there, they went out into the living room and Edan realized how right he was when he detailed Alma. She was a very beautiful young woman; she just needed some dedication.
• Alma looked stunning, wearing a simple light dress with embroidery, heels of the same color and simple makeup.
• And her hair, with some care, was no longer a mess, but a shiny, dark mane, which framed, beautifully, her fine face.
• She was a diamond in the rough.
• I don't know if it wasn't that she didn't pay attention to those details, simply, her lifestyle didn't allow her to have that care. I didn't have the time; I didn't have the money.
• But when she saw herself in a mirror, she didn't recognize herself, she looked like another person, a stunning person.
• They returned to the hospital, prepared for the performance, but they did not count on what awaited them. Edan's brothers and their families were all gathered there, they had traveled when they heard of their father's attack and Edan didn't know it.
• *
• The phone rang again and again, but no one answered. Edan was impatient, along with his lawyer and friend, Diego. They called the supposed actor who would pretend to be a notary, but the subject did not answer, he did not show signs of life.
• Edan turned worriedly about Alma, but when he saw her in the distance, he was surprised to notice that she seemed to be doing well, chatting with her family and all of them were very interested in what she was saying.
• At least now, her mother, Angelica, saw her with better eyes, given her makeover.
• Edan grunted in frustration, both he and his friend, Diego, had been insisting all morning on contacting the actor and to no avail.
• "Very well, we'll give you one more hour, if not, go out and find me someone else..." Edan muttered angrily. "In the meantime, we can see the contract and Alma signing it. Diego nodded and just then, at that moment, Edan's mother approached them, so they tried to hide it.
• "Is something wrong, Edan?" Angelica interjected, noticing her son's expression.
• "No, nothing... Why?"
• "Will the marriage be suspended?" He asked expectantly.
• “No! Of course, not—" He began seriously.
• "Well, you said the notary would be here early and still at this hour..." She interrupted him, looking at her watch, it was past midmorning.
• "I know, that's what we agreed on, but..."
• "Oh, no, you know how I hate unpunctual people..." Angelica seemed to weigh the situation for a second. "You know? Your siblings are very impressed with your sudden marriage, but it's a great relief that they're here, so we'll all be there.
• "Yes, that's good, Mom. He tried to sound satisfied.
• "Since you are so determined to do this, we cannot let this occasion, in which we are all together, pass by the unpunctuality of an irresponsible notary..."
• “I know, but...
• "But nothing, Edan, I have a solution. Angelica added authoritatively.
• “What?
• "I have a friend who is a notary, he's here because I asked him to come early.
• “How?
• "Yes, I'm going down to the café, a little while ago, I asked him to wait, since you were busy..."
• "But what are you doing here?" Edan looked quite confused and angry.
• "Well, I sent for him to draw up a prenuptial contract..." Edan looked at his mother with his mouth open. "It's just that this marriage seems so hasty to me, and you must take care of your interests..."
• “Mum...! Edan growled.
• “But it was a good idea, because we can take advantage of... He can marry them right now. Angelica tried to excuse herself when she noticed that her son was starting to get in a bad mood.
• Diego and Edan locked eyes, which wasn't part of the plan, it was supposed to be, it was a fake marriage.