CHAPTER FOUR
1366 Words
"Good afternoon dear" Samantha said
"Oh, Mum, this is Linda, my girlfriend
Linda, meet my Mum" Richard cuts in.
"How're you darling?
I'm so glad to meet you at last
Richard has been hiding you away from me
I'm glad I came here today " Samantha said chattily
She began to converse with Linda who tried to play along.
Olivia was surprised, she was definitely sure that Linda is not her brother's girlfriend
"What's going on here?" She thought to herself, regardless she tried to be calm and find out later.
"I need to take my leave now," Richard's mum announced
She has been with them for over two hours now, chatting happily, she loves Linda.
"She is a cheerful being" Samantha concluded in her mind
"Linda, I would like to invite you to dinner at my place next weekend,"
"Please be there" Samantha said
"Okay ma," Linda replied.
"Olivia, you coming home with me, okay" Samantha continued
"Sure mum" Olivia replied her
They bid one another goodbye
"What just happened, Richard?" Linda asked when Samantha and her daughter left.
"Now your mum is inviting me for dinner,
I like her, she's good as a mother
But no…I don't want her to see me in that perspective that I'm your girlfriend
I am not your girlfriend!" Linda complained.
"I can explain, Linda" Richard cuts in
"My mother wants me to get married" he started.
"What?! Are we getting married??!" Linda asked with surprised
"No no…hear me out please" Richard told her
"I don't have a girlfriend, I love my business and I make my money
I have plans for a relationship but I've not found the one I love.
But she doesn't want to hear that" Richard said
"The other day when we first met after you didn't communicate with me for a long time.
You remembered she saw you, she has been disturbing me about you since then, she doesn't even want to believe that you aren't my girlfriend" Richard tried to explain
"Wait….Did you set me up?" Linda asked
" I swear, I did not set you up
I had no idea she's coming today until Olivia told me.
Believe me please, it is not a set up" Richard said to her.
"So what should we do about the dinner she invited me to? this is beginning to seem like something I can't handle, " Linda said worriedly.
"Why did she come here in the first instance?" She soliloquized
"It is something you can handle, Linda"
"Do it for me please" Richard tried to plead with her
"I actually have something to tell you," He said.
"What did you have to say?" Linda asked with an expression of curiosity
"Humm ... .I am the owner of RinderFash, the third leading Fashion house in the country" Richard said.
Linda was dumbfounded, she was speechless.
All this while, she has been talking to a billionaire, the owner of RinderFash
How did this happen?
" I couldn't tell you because I want us to establish a common ground. I have true intentions towards you, not as a girlfriend but as a friend.
I mean no harm, Linda" Richard explained
"It turns out this way yeah, but trust me, I didn't plan it like this"
"Just help me this once, I promise to help you set your business and give you the life you've always wish for"
"So what would happen when in the future if you want us to establish a fake relationship now" Linda asked
"I would tell her we broke up" Richard said
"It's too early to say that now"
"When I find the one I love, we would be break up"
"And you are sure, it won't lead to marriage?" Linda asked again
"Yes, it won't…Linda"
"I would set up the business for you in exchange, we can even sign a contract if you are doubting" He said as he tried to assure her.
"Sign a contract??" Linda asked
"Yes, legally,
To assure you that you are in good hands." Richard told her
Linda stood up
"I need to think about this"
"We would talk about it later"
"I would love to take my leave now," She said.
Linda left Richard's house with mixed feeling
"What did he take her for?"
"Why should she be his fake girlfriend?"
She thought to herself
" I am loved by his family, that doesn't mean I should act as his girlfriend.
Where's the act of integrity here
All my life, I have never been involved in anything that has to do with this" Linda soliloquized
Different thoughts kept coming through her mind.
She was experiencing mixed feelings of anger and happiness
She's angry that she would be involved in such a "mess", that's her tag for the whole situation
She's happy he offered her help for her business
But all of this depends on her decision
"What should she do?"
Her mind was flooded with different thoughts and questions as she headed home.
"Hey girl, how was your date with Richard?" Gabriella asked jokingly
"C'mon Gabriella"
"I didn't go on a date, I went to his house, besides his mother and sister were there with us.
He's just a friend" Linda kept talking as if she wouldn't stop
She really wishes she can be left alone, but Gabriella is not the type of person that backs down easily.
"When you rant like this, it means you are frustrated.
Tell me what happened" Gabriella said, that's her means of persuading Linda.
Linda explained all that transpired between Richard and her from the point where they met again till date.
"Do it, Linda." Gabriella said after Linda had explained to her.
"Ella, are you joking?" Linda said
"No, I'm not, he's giving you a whopping free business opportunity, girl."
You are behaving like he wants to sleep with you and he won't do that" Gabriella continued
You would sign a contract, right?" She asked.
Linda nodded
"Good, just ensure that it is stated that there won't be any form of s****l interaction. Period!"
"This is good, girl "
"Don't miss it.
And for the records, with what I've heard from you this guy is a good guy.
Not all guys can keep the fact that they are rich, he wanted to be friends with you and he did that!
He deserves some accolades, man.
All you have to do is play the game." Gabriella told her.
"I want to get some provisions at the store. I will see you later." Gabriella said as she leaves her room
Linda thought about what Gabriella said.
She concluded on what to do
"Let's meet tomorrow
Coffee shop
2pm"
She texted Richard.
Richard was about to sleep when he saw it, he wondered what her decision was.
They exchanged pleasantries when they met each other, this time around it was Linda that got there first.
"I have thought about it and decided in what to do" Linda began to talk
"I would accept the offer on one condition, there won't be any form of s****l interaction" she said firmly
" I agree and I would ensure I include it in the contract " Richard said almost immediately, he was glad she agreed to go.
"I am so sorry for the inconveniences. Thanks for accepting the offer." Richard said
"We can meet on Wednesday to sign the contract"
'So tell me, do you have some additional new ideas for your business?" Richard asked
"Hummm…I thought about something" Linda started
They discussed at length before they later went to their separate homes
"Okay, please ensure the contract paper is ready by Tuesday, we are to meet on Wednesday to sign it. Thank you"
Richard discussed with his lawyer on phone about the contract marriage and told him to prepare the papers
"What contract are you talking about RinderFash" it was Martins, they were on their way to the club when Richard called his lawyer.
Most times he calls Richard by his brand name "RinderFash"
"It is contract marriage,"
Martins face widened with surprise
"A contract marriage??" Martin asked
"Don't give me that look and tone"
"It's a long story and I would tell you later"
- Writer
