The Contracted Heart

Chapter 3

His alarm clock was ringing and vibrating so loudly that he woke up only to realize it was all a dream! He quickly turned off his alarm and jumped out of bed with an erect p***s. He stood there for a moment, then he said to himself.

"My God! It was a dream! Wow!!!"

He took a deep breath and sighed loudly.

"I wonder what's happening to me. I haven't felt this strong urge in the last five years. I had better clean myself up fast before I get to the office late."

The unknown caller called Pinkett and sent her the location of where to bring the document for him. Pinkett and Steve drove to the location and as they were approaching the location, Steve immediately recognized the street as Pinkett pointed to a building somewhere down the street. He was shocked as that was where Rocky, his in-law, lived. He immediately knew that Rocky was the mastermind behind everything.

"I know who is the mastermind behind all this. At first, I suspected him, but I wasn't sure then. Now I believe he's the one doing all this. Rocky!"

"Rocky?" Pinkett asked curiously.

"Yes! Rocky. He is my in-law. He's a cunning policeman. He lives in that building you just pointed out. I'm going to deal with him. He's not getting away this time around."

Rocky was whistling while dressing up and getting set for work. He stood in front of the mirror admiring himself and adjusting his collar when someone kicked open the door behind him.

He got frightened by the kick that opened the door and turned to see who had the guts to do that. He was immediately hijacked on his uniform collar by Steve, who reigned heavy punches at him without giving him the chance to speak. Rocky pleaded and begged him helplessly but Steve didn't bulge. He dragged him round the house, beating and scattering the entire house till he was satisfied, then he said to Rocky.

"How dare you try to steal from me? You want to claim all my wealth and property, huh?"

He said as his two eyebrows were raised so high and both his eyes turned red as his face was squeezed in anger.

"No! No sir! I'm so sorry… I promise I won't do that again. Please spare my life, sir."

Rocky begged helplessly. His upper left brow and lower lip were cut and he bled profusely.

"This is my last warning to you. If you ever try this again or do something stupid, I promise you will lose your job."

Steve warned sternly.

"I promise, I won't do that again. Please spare me"

"Make sure you bring Pinkett's sister without a scratch on her to me in my mansion before noon and try not to do anything stupid as I'll be watching you like a hawk!"

pointing his index finger and middle finger into his eye and right back at Rocky's eye as he walked out of his tiny house.

Rocky was angry that his plan had failed. He punched the wall and said to himself.

"Pinkett! You tricked me!! You won't get away with this. I'll have my revenge and this time, it will be a smooth one. You and your sister will pay dearly for this… I promise you."

Steve returned home that morning and told his mother and children to start making wedding preparations as he had found Pinkett, the girl who ran away from the fashion show. His mother was excited about the news. Steve kept daydreaming about Pinkett and imagining how she'd look in her wedding dress. He could see her reflection everywhere in the house as he felt butterflies in his tummy. He wondered if he was falling in love with her.

Rocky took Bebe to the Stone Mansion and Steve drove Bebe to her house. He handed Bebe over to Pinkett and said,

"Here's your sister. I promised I was going to bring her to you safe and unharmed. I've fulfilled my promise. Now you have yours to keep. My family will be here to see your parents for our wedding arrangements by 5 p.m. Don't disappoint me!"

"Thank you!"

She said as Steve left her house.

Steve's family came to Pinkett's house to see her parents and make wedding plans and arrangements when Pinkett rushed outside to meet them at the gate and stopped them from entering.

"Excuse me! Good evening ma'am."

Pinkett said, greeting Steve's mom.

"My dear! How are you?"

Steve's mother responded by smiling and touching Pinkett's face.

"I'm ok ma'am!"

She replied as her face dropped down and turned pale.

"Please, I'm sorry you can't see my parents," she said.

"Why not, dear? What's the matter?"

Steve's mother asked curiously.

"I can't marry your son. Surely you don't expect a young girl like me to marry such an old man. He's almost the same age as my father! This wedding can't happen. I'm sorry. But you just have to leave."

Pinkett responded. Her face looks down and she tries not to make eye contact with Steve's mom as she rejects his proposal.

Steve's mother's face turned pale upon the rejection of the wedding proposal. Brenda, Steve's eldest son's wife, and daughter-in-law spoke out harshly

"How dare you refer to Steve as an old man? Where are your manners, little girl?"

"Relax Brenda! No need to make a fuss. Perhaps she needs some time to think things through."

Steve's mother interrupted Brenda.

"No! I don't need any time. My words are final. I'm not ready for marriage. That too to an old man."

Pinkett replied outrightly

"You reject a renowned billionaire chef like Steve? Do you realize what you are doing? Thousands of ladies out there would kill for a one-night stand with Steve and here you are rejecting being his wife?"

Brenda attacked her back rudely

"Stop Brenda! It's OK… let's leave."

Steve's mother said, trying to ease the rising tension.

The news of Pinkett's rejection of Steve's proposal got to Steve when his mother and family members returned home and he was bitterly angry. His mother said to him

My dear, don't feel bad. We can always arrange another wife for you. Sharon Blanche was the first runner-up in the contest. Why don't we arrange your marriage with her?"

"Whatever you decide, Mom. I'm going inside my bedroom. I need some alone time for myself. No one should disturb me (He said feeling disappointed and hurt as he climbed up to his bedroom).

It was a cold and lonely night that evening and Steve was in his bedroom feeling so moody and sad. Then he said to himself with an outburst.

"Pinkett! You broke your promise and lied to me. You used me for selfish reasons and you rejected me! I'm going to teach you a big lesson you will never forget in a hurry. Oh! I wish you had not done this to me. Now you must pay dearly for messing with me."