?? Next to your side??

"No I can't!" Snapped Kendrick as he stood manly before his mother at the bottom of the stairs. "I'm not a kid anymore y'know....you can't tell me to marry someone I don't feel nothing for.... it's absolutely absurd." He furthered and was about to climb the stairs when his mother spoke. "You'll marry her Kendrick....you think this is a request huh,well no it isn't...it was what your dad and grandpa wanted anyway." Said Mrs Alicia with a flat serious look. "Grandpa??... Dad??...oh you think you can use them to have me give in?...for crying out loud I'm twenty two years mom,not a kid anymore." "Kendrick!."Mrs Alicia lashed out getting impatient with his insolence. "How can you tell to accept to marry someone I don't love for the sake of what... strengthening the friendship and business bond of the two families??...c'mon, we're in the twenty first century...not your era mom." "Your grandma approves of it Mr." Told Mrs Alicia and Kendrick gave a doubtful look. "Grandma?... you're not saying the truth right." Said Kendrick sceptically.Mrs Alicia just gave the expression he last needed. "How can.."He paused and for some seconds he closed his eyes. He was trying not to believe grandma approves of it.His mother was not telling the truth. "You're lying right?" He asked. "Wished I was....listen Kendrick, you'll marry her no matter what... it's for the best." "The best??... you're so selfish mom...you persuaded grandma to approve of it because you know she's my weakness.... don't you even care about your son's happiness." Kendrick said disappointedly. His mom made an indifferent face at him. "You don't even care about my happiness mom!" Kendrick shouted at her with a sad look. "Happiness?...do you mean happiness?.. don't you remember...or should I remember you,the scandals caused by those ex girlfriends of yours over the years...I'll not sit for another scandal to come off before I do something...those mistakes of yours almost tarnished our reputation." "Mom..." "You will marry her Kendrick...nothing else." Mrs Alicia stated firmly and looked so seriously into his eyes. "I'm not that kid you used to order around anymore... I'm Kendrick Lee Martin mom...the famous artist... i'm a celebrity.." "So what!...good you even know you're a Lee Martin...the heir to the Lee Martins companies... you've a duty to fulfill young man." "Don't tell me this is all about the inheritance of the companies mom.. cause I don't f*****g care about it!" Kendrick snapped so hard at his mom and frowned hard. "I'm your mom Kendrick!!...you better get some respect for me." Mrs Alicia shot back,fed up of him. Kendrick burst into a sudden laughter, surprising his mom. "I'm your mom...you better get some respect for me." Kendrick mimicked and then with a light frown,he lowered his face close to his mom. "You should also respect my decision Mrs Alicia....or it's gonna be like this. He said in a small voice and made a turn toward the stairs but his face locked with grandma who all that while had been standing at the head of the stairs. He turned his eyes slowly from her and with a sigh,he climbed the stairs and then without a stop or a look at grandma he passed and disappeared into the left corridors with grandma staring after him. she turned her eyes slowly back to the bottom of the stairs where Mrs Alicia stood. They looked into each other's eyes and as if grandma understood her,Mrs Alicia just shrugged and walked off.Grandma climbed down in her own thoughts. ???? She knocked gently on the door. "Who's there?" Kendrick's irritated voice sang out from the room. "Grandma...dear." Grandma responded with a little hesistation.For sometime, silence came and then the cry of the door opening was heard. Grandma entered with her walking stick leading the way. She walked straight to the large living room adjoining the bedroom and then neared a large couch. "Can I have a seat?" She enquired, looking at him for an answer but Kendrick who still stood at the door and had his head bent down so she sat down, resting her stick next to her. "I will take that as a yes....come let's have a talk?" She asked and motioned another couch opposite that of hers. Kendrick walked over to the motioned couch and took a seat with his head still bent down. "Look me in the eyes dear boy." Ordered grandma in her soft old voice. Kendrick looked slowly up at her face. He was grandma's lovely boy,the apple of her eyes. She had taken him as her all when her son Nathan, Kendrick's father and her husband,the late Sir Kendrick died together with Mr Lewis Cruz in that fatal accident. Kendrick had been born at that time and grandma named him after his grandfather and Kendrick, grandma was a mother to him and her wishes were his command,he had only hope grandma would back him on his decision as he sat looking into the hazel eyes of his grandma embarrassingly,he knew he had been disrespectful with his mom. "How do you feel now?" Grandma asked. "Fine...I think." Answered Kendrick flatly. Grandma nodded slightly and sighed softly. "Great...I over heard your argument with your mom and you know you had been disrespectful dear." Pointed out grandma with criticizing eyes. he lowered his face down. "I know grandma....and I'm sorry." He said apologetically. Grandma could feel his voice full of regret. "I wish it was me whom you should apologise to,you sound so apologetic...how pity Alicia isn't here." Said grandma and Kendrick looked up at her face. "But grandma...." "She gave birth to you so you ought her a respect." Grandma cut him interruptingly. "Whatever she said was the fact Kendrick...though her persuasion was much more like a force...she said the true things." Grandma added. Yes this what the last thing Kendrick needed. Grandma to support his mom,there was no way he was going to get out of this. "But grandma...I can't marry someone I don't have feelings for...i know one thing and that mom conspired with the Lady Cruz and made such decision." "Watch your utterances little boy!" Snapped grandma."how dare you used such a word?" Kendrick looked surprisingly at her face, grandma really seemed to be offended by the word he used. "I'm sorry." He apologized quickly. "You better be... conspiracy is not a word to be used here in this matter." Said grandma, calmed down already. "I am sorry grandma." expressed Kendrick.One thing about grandma was the fact that she wasn't the type to get offended for long and he loved that about her,so unlike his mom,too impatient. "Grandma...I'm not a kid no more and I think I can decide my life right now,how can I marry someone I don't love huh...for saying it so loud, I'm an artist,I sing about love and how it feels to be in love but getting into a loveless marriage... it's absolutely contrary to what I do...and what would my fans say when they learn about this huh?" "You're rejecting it plainly because of what your fans are going to say...or what,going to be with someone you don't love for the rest of your life?... Kendrick my dear,love can never be determined...besides Lily is a delicate young lady, beautiful of course,a woman of social class with such qualities is hard to find." "Grandma..." "This is what your grandfather wanted anyway...and the three dying together has made me realize more that you and that girl are meant to be together." "But grandma I don't love her." "You will grown to love her one day after you're married." "But grandma...." "Think about it...why all your passed relationships broke...and the scandals they caused, almost tarnished our image,do you want to bring another one?" Grandma asked and Kendrick became mute. "Those scandals clarified the fact that all your passed girlfriends loved you for our family's fame and glory." Grandma was right,those continuous scandals clarified the fact that he was loved because of his family's wealth and fame. He wasn't loved for his incomparable handsomeness not his own personal wealth but his family's wealth,which was triple times his own. It was every lady's dream to get into the Lee Martins family to enjoy their cake and not for love. It was the same with his father, Mr Nathan had also suffered the same fate as his son before they had arranged a contract marriage between him and Mrs Alicia. Perhaps,it was a fate he had to share with his late father. "Please dear boy... accept it,if not for the family,do it for me,do this for your weak grandma,the companies need you and you need a good woman to be behind you and she's the right one." Grandma's pleading voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked stranded at her face. Grandma's health had been relapsing lately and he didn't want to hurt her, also it was Grandpa's wish,he felt too stranded. "Please dear boy...and don't worry I will personally break this marriage if it doesn't work." Broke grandma in her desperation. Kendrick gazed at her face for a while and as if grandma understood him,she nodded. "I promise you,I will personally break this marriage if it doesn't work." She stated again but Kendrick continued to gaze at her face as grandma made her pleading face more unbearable for him. He buried his face in his palms and then sighed heavily. He was in deep thoughts and grandma was now making promises. "Dear boy?" Grandma called out in a small voice but he remained that same way for a moment and then as he raised his head to her again grandma could see he had made a decision. "Dear boy?" She called in almost a whisper. "Fine...I will marry her."He said loud and clear. Grandma's face lit up with joy. "I knew you wouldn't fail me...thank you my boy." She expressed with a delighted eyes." "Come here." She rose up with open arms. Kendrick rose and walked to her with some gaiety. "Thank you my boy...you've made your grandma proud."She said as she hugged him warmly. Kendrick spoke nothing but just responded to her hug. Grandma pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes. "I'm so proud of you little boy." She said again but with a deep sense of gratitude. Kendrick just looked at her with a slight smile.For him,he was wishing the marriage to come on and be over with. "I will inform Alicia now...I'm sure she would be so happy." Grandma said and then with one last smile, caressed his cheeks and then, "I will see you later." She said and walked away with Kendrick gazing after his non stop smiling grandma. He fell into the near couch once she had slammed the door gently behind her. " Ok Kendrick....now you're doom." He muttered. ???? "Laura?" Called Mrs Alicia into the phone. "I'm sorry Mrs Alicia but My lady is in the bathroom now." Moan,the head maid in the Cruz's manshion told. "Why do you have her phone then?" Questioned Mrs Alicia politely. " I'm cleaning up the room Mrs." Responded Moan. "Ok..." "Wait Mrs...my lady is here." Moan Called out interruptingly as Mrs Laura entered from the bathroom. "Who's it Moan?" Enquired Mrs Laura, drying her wet hair with a huge towel. "It's your friend,Mrs Alicia...my lady." Replied Moan. "Alicia...give it to me now." She said and then spoke happily into the phone. "How is the only daughter in law of the Martins doing huh?" "Great as always...what of you Laura?" Mrs Alicia returned with a question. "Aah you know work difficulties but I'm managing so I'm great too." "C'mon Laura,work difficulties??... Lily's doing all the work for you." "Yeah...thank God I had a daughter like her... anyway to what do I own this evening call?" Mrs Laura asked . "Guess?" Said Mrs Alicia. "You know I'm not good at guessing." Returned Mrs Laura jokingly. "Kendrick said yes to our proposal!!!" Mrs Alicia screamed excitedly into the phone. "You're joking right?" "I tell you Laura." "You don't say...oh my goodness...I'm so excited." Mrs Laura expressed happily. Moan who all that while had been in the room continuing with her work was grinning ignorantly. She watched her mistress with curiosity. They both heard the sound of the door to the living room opening and Lily's pretty face entered the bedroom and immediately Mrs Laura walked over to her and embraced her. "Mom..." She paused as she realized that her mom was on a phone. she pulled away slowly and politely and moved near to Moan as her mom turned busy with the call. "Why's she smiling a lot today Moan?" Enquired Lily curiously. "I don't know Miss but what I know is that, she's on the phone with Mrs Alicia." Told Moan. "Mrs Alicia?" Lily muttered and then Moan nodded. Lily looked straight at her mom. She hoped it wasn't what she was thinking about. She frowned little as her mom said her last words on the phone. "My late husband would be so proud." She hang up the call and grinned joyfully at her daughter's face but Lily looked questionably at her. "Hey dear...I'm so excited,happy, delighted and all at the same time." Expressed Mrs Laura to her daughter. "The three are the same mom...and I can see that you're,the question is why?" Lily said and asked. "Kendrick accepted the proposal!!...and we are leaving for the Martins manshion early tomorrow so note that Moan." Broke Mrs Laura excitedly. "Yes my lady..I will." Moan said and nodded with joy but Lily looked suddenly unease and was noticed by her mom and Moan. "Dear,you aren't happy about it?" Mrs Laura asked. "Well... I don't have a say right and besides this is what Dad's had always wanted....which ended him up with the Martins." Said Lily clearly showing her disgust. She had always blamed the Martins for her father's death. Though it was a tragedy that fell her dad,she had always felt he would not have died if he had not gone to the meeting with the Martins. "Lily dear...I've always told you that was a tragedy that fell your dad....the Martins have nothing to do with it and besides he had died with the great Lee Martin and Nathan too...the Martins also lost two great people too." Mrs Laura said as she took Lily's hand in hers and rubbed her own against them. Lily looked away from her mom's gaze for a while and when she turned her head back to her,her face was calmed. " But I'm surprised he accepted so soon...for my information, Kendrick prefers classic and modernize ladies...not a business minded like me." She broke. "Well... you're right...but they had always turned out on him...those ladies only like him dear,not love...like is different from love." Mrs Laura returned. "But why did you braced this arranged marriage in the first place mom?" Enquired Lily with a little annoyance in her voice. "Let's sit.." Mrs Laura motioned the bed and they both took a seat on it while Moan proceeded with her cleaning with her ears to them. "You alone can't handle your Dad's businesses dear...you need someone to be behind you and besides it's also time Kendrick takes over the administration of their companies....he also needs someone to be behind him...so you need each other." Mrs Laura tried to keep it simple. There was something else which led to this arranged marriage but she was not going to make it known to her daughter. Though the two would have still gotten married but not so soon like this. "Mom?" Lily interrupted her thoughts. "Huh?...what dear?" Mrs Laura enquired. "What're you thinking about huh...you were saying something." "Yes of course...I..." A knock at the front door of the living room interrupted her. Moan stopped with her work and left the bedroom to attend to the intruder while the two ladies continued with their talks. "Jesse...what do you need?" Moan questioned after she had opened the door and Jesse,one of the maids stood there. "Ma'am dinner is ready please." Jesse informed politely. Moan being the head of all the maids in the household of the Cruz was very much respected as the two ladies of the house. "Ok...and is everything arranged in accordance?" "Yes ma'am." "Ok then... and one thing." "Yes ma'am?" "Tell Sergio to prepare a car...the ladies would leave the manshion early tomorrow to the Martins."She instructed and as usual the "Yes ma'am" followed with a nod. "If I may not sound like inquisitive,why would the ladies leave for the Martins tomorrow?" Jesse asked with curiosity. "The young Lee Martin accepted the proposal and they're going there to finalize everything so please tell Sergio what I said." "Really...so it means Miss Lily would soon become a Lee Martin?" Jesse sounded happy as she questioned. "Yes of course...now will you do as I instructed!" Moan ordered. "Yes ma'am...I shall take my leave please." Jesse said and left with quick steps. She slammed the door gently behind her and walked back to the bedroom. "Who was that Moan?" Inquired Mrs Laura. "That was Jesse my lady." Replied Moan. "What did she wanted?" Lily asked. "She came to inform that supper is ready."Answered Moan. "Ok then.."Mrs Laura said to Moan and then turned to her daughter. "Go get ready and come downstairs...I will also get change." "Ok mom...see you later." Lily said with a nod. "Ok...see you." Mrs Laura returned and leaned forward and gave her daughter a forehead kiss and with that Lily rose up and left the room with Moan continuing her work. ???? She walked straight to the male servants quarters cause that was where she knew he would be at that time of the night. She found him gulping down his supper at the kitchen with the other male servants. "Well...if it isn't the beauty of my heart who else would it be?" Steward,one of them said as his eyes rested on her. The rest turned their head to her. "Hello guys." "Hey Jesse." They responded in unison except for the glutton, Sergio. "What're you doing here at the male's quarters...I hope you aren't here for me huh?"Steward questioned teasingly. "Of course not."Jesse said with a blush. "I'm here for Sergio instead." She announced. "Ok then...hey man you got a visitor...I hope you aren't chasing after my woman man." Steward shot again. "Steward..will you stop it already...I'm not your woman." Jesse said in an embarrassed tone. Steward burst in a short laughter with the others joining him. "If you're here for me...just deliver what ever message you have for me....as you can see I'm very busy." Sergio gestured the meal on the table in front of him. "Whatever." muttered Jesse in a small voice."Ma'am wants you to get a car ready...the ladies of the house are leaving for the Martins manshion tomorrow." "The Martins?.. why would they be leaving for the Martins manshion tomorrow huh?"Steward asked. "The young Lee Martin accepted the proposal and they're going to finalize everything." Disclosed Jesse. "Oh really... that's a good news." Manuel chimed in. "Ok,go tell Moan I've heard her and I will get a car ready." Sergio told indifferently. "Ok then...bye guys."Jesse said and turned to leave when Steward's voice came after her,she turned. "Hey my love.. I will be waiting for you." He said jokingly with a wink. "Steward!" Jesse lashed with an embarrassed look and turned sharply.she walked away briskly. "Your duty is on the roll man." Justin said to Sergio,he had only been laughing along when steward had been teasing Jesse. "Well right...you better get up before Mantis hears of his precious Moan's orders for you...you won't like him and you know... remember Justin's case,he had to do the Gardener's job for him." Manuel reminded mockingly. Justin made a dirty look at him. The others burst into a silence laughter. "Certainly not...but I need to finish up with my meal." Sergio said with his mouth almost full of food. "You're really a glutton man."Steward criticized politely. "Thanks for your compliment." Sergio said rather and then kept on eating with the rest watching. "Well what a nice evening for Mantis lashes." Steward shot and the rest burst into giggles with Sergio ignoring them completely. ???? It was very early in the morning when he heard the noises downstairs. He was getting annoyed with it already and his phone vibration maddened him. "What!" He snapped in a low tone without checking the caller. "Good morning too dude." Dan's voice responded. "Hey man...I'm sorry,I didn't check the caller." Kendrick apologized with a yawn following. "You haven't woke up yet?" Dan asked."Soon to be groom." He added. Kendrick's eyes shone opened and he raised up to sit on the bed with his head supported by the headboard. "How did you..." "It's all over social media....you don't expect such news not to trend faster." Dan interrupted him. "Right...the first thing I was expecting this morning." Said Kendrick not surprised. "Your fan page is rocking great now... you're receiving nice comments... should I even say congratulations." Dan told. "Well...they must be shocked." Kendrick assumed. "Shock you say... they're rather excited to have their star getting married to the ever cute of the Cruz." "Hm...great then." Kendrick only muttered. "We all heard about the announced marriage but we never thought it would be so soon." Said Dan,a little bit surprised. "Huh..."Kendrick only murmured. "Well let's discuss plans...I hope I'm your best man....Mr..oh Kendrick." Dan asked mockingly. "I would rather have our chauffeur be my best man than to make my best friend tease me on my wedding day." Kendrick shot. Dan laughed into the phone. "C'mon dude... you're being unfair here." "What's the unfairness here...why should I make you my best man when I know you will only be teasing me by my side." "But I'm happy for you... she's a beauty dude and a hot one too...your eyes are good." "Whatever... she's a business minded and definitely not my type of girl." "Well still she out pass all those so called type of girls who only loved you for your family's wealth and fame." "Enough...I don't want to hear about that... what're your plans for today huh?" "Well nothing much... haven't thought about anything." "How about you meeting me at my apartment later this afternoon?" "Cool then Mr bridegroom." "You know what bye." Kendrick said and hanged up before Dan could say another word. He placed the phone back and then got out of bed and then slipping his feet into his flops he dashed out of the room. As he made his way towards the stairs he met no one. "Perhaps they're all downstairs." He thought and when he reached the top of the stairs,he looked down and everybody was busy. His mother was ordering the maids around and grandma was with a lady. He viewed closer and it was Mrs Laura Cruz. "If the lady Cruz is here,then her daughter is definitely also here but where?" He queried and looked round but didn't set his eyes on her. "Looking for someone sir?" A familiar voice asked behind him. He turned and it was mara,one of the maids. "Mara...you?" He asked as if expecting someone else. "Yes Sir... looking for someone?" Mara asked. "No ....I actually wanted to know the lady downstairs with grandma and my mom." He replied. "Oh the lady down there is Mrs Cruz Sir." Mara informed. Kendrick turned again and his eyes gazed around the large hall. Mara's eyes followed his. "Sir......you looking for someone?"She enquired again. "Did she come here alone?" He inquired still gazing around. "Who Sir?"Returned Mara. Kendrick returned his face to her. "And who did I just asked about?" Kendrick shot with a bit of annoyance. "Oh..Mrs Cruz....Ye...no sir...she came here with her daughter, Miss Lily please." Mara told and Kendrick nodded slightly. "Is that all Sir?" "Yeah....you can leave now." Kendrick gestured and Mara turned to leave but Kendrick called again. "I don't see the Miss Cruz....have you seen her?" Kendrick asked. Yes Sir....I think I saw here coming upstairs here....but I didn't know where precisely she was heading to." Told Mara. "You think...?" "I saw her Sir.." "Ok then...you may leave now." "Ok Sir." Mara said and left him. Kendrick looked back down the hall. "Where's she huh?" He muttered and then he turned and walked back toward his room. ???? His face met her's as he got near his door. He stopped walking as she neared him. "Good morning Mr Kendrick." Lily greeted politely with a light smile as she stood before him. "It's Kendrick only...not Mr please." "Ok... sorry, didn't mean to offend you please." Lily apologized. "Come on...this isn't an offence... Kendrick returned and as if being reminded of something he spoke. "Ah..sorry for my poor manners...how do you do?" He enquired. "Great."Lily responded with a grin."you?" she asked. "Do I look like I'm sick?" He rudely returned with a question. "Well you're not... good to know you're fine." Lily said ignoring his rudeness and they stood looking at each other's face. As their gaze at each other became deeper, Kendrick felt a bit of embarrassment in him. He looked away for a moment and looking back at her,he broke the short silence. "So what're you doing up here huh.... I hope you didn't come looking for me." Kendrick said in a teasing tone. Lily felt embarrassed. "I didn't .... I...."She paused and then looked away from his eyes. Kendrick grinned teasingly. "You did..." "I didn't.... I only came here because i felt bored with the women."Lily interruptingly said, her eyes back on him. "Well...if you haven't heard...there isn't any amuser here to amuse you." Shot Kendrick with long face. "Well you right but..."Lily paused. "But what?"Enquired Kendrick. "Well I heard one rockstar lives here....can you kindly lead me to him."Lily requested politely. Kendrick gazed at her for a while and then sighing softly,he spoke. "If you wouldn't mind..."He gestured his door. "Umm...how about this huh...I heard the Lee Martin's garden has a breathtaking sight...I don't want to miss the slight chance." Lily said and as though Kendrick understood he nodded.