Signed the papers
1150 Words
All three men turned back simultaneously. Terry opened his mouth to speak but didn't say anything. He turned to the other two before looking back to Anora
“Were you spying on us? You were eavesdropping on our conversation”
“No, I wasn't eavesdropping. You guys were not talking low. I could hear you speak as I was walking by” Anora lied without batting an eyelid
She picked up that skill when she was a child. Her mother would always forbid her from hanging out with friends as a form of punishment. Anora would defy her mother and sneak out to go play with her friends. Then, sneak back in. After doing it repeatedly, she became an expert in lying with a straight face
“Why do you want to get married to our boss? Do you know him?” Mounts asked with a stern tone
Anora took a deep breath before saying “I need this marriage to get out of a problem I'm in. You also need me to marry your boss to avoid him ripping you apart . It's a win-win situation”
All Anora could think of was the idea of not letting her father have the satisfaction of ruling over her. Whatever it took!
If she's already married, it'd be impossible for her father to marry her off to Gerald
The thought of it made her heart leap. The thought of her father having his hopes of getting selfish gains from Gerald, crushed.
There was still no response from the men
“There's no time. Eldest master will be home any second” Jared whispered to Mounts
“What do you suggest I do?” He whispered back
“She's offering herself. The solution to our problem just walked up to us. Let's get her married to our boss”
“I agree. She's pretty anyway. Besides, master wouldn't mind any girl we bring. So far she doesn't invite trouble” Terry butted in
“You look young. How old are you?” Mounts asked
“Eighteen, I'll turn nineteen in two months”
Jared brought out the papers from his pocket and unfolded them. He brought out a book from the car and placed it under the paper
“Sign them” He gave her a pen
Anora braced herself. She could feel the heavy weight of her decision pressing against her shoulders as she took hold of the pen
She saw that the man's parts were already signed - A classic calligraphic TE. At least her new husband had good handwriting.
She finally scribbled her signature on all the required parts
And just like that, she's married
A wide smile appeared on the faces of Terry and Jared. It took all they had to not jump in joy
“Thank you so much, madam. You're a lifesaver. You have no idea how much this means” Terry took the papers from her. He gave her a copy of the signed marriage papers and took the other copy
Anora didn't know if she should smile or be scared. Married, wow!
“So, what happens next?”
“We need to get home before Eldest master does. He wants to meet you, master's wife” Jared replied
Anora nodded. They all went into the car. Anora sat in the shotgun seat, Mounts was the one driving while the other two sat at the back
“Uhm…..Madam” Terry called out
“Yes?” Anora’s response was a little shaky. Her mind has traveled to all possible places.
She didn't know if she did the right thing. She jumped into the exact thing she was trying to get out of, getting married to a stranger. Anyway, there was no going back. What's done is done
“You can't let Eldest master know that your marriage with master is arranged. If he asks, cook up a story about how you met long ago, fell in love and got married” He replied
“Okay”
From the side of Mounts’s eyes, he glanced at Anora with his lips tightly pressed together before he looked back at the road
Anora noticed that they were all calling her madam. It felt like an overqualification. And the way they were so careful with their speech around her made her feel like the queen of an empire
She only wondered who their master is
About twenty minutes later, the car passed through a gate. The gate which looked like it was carved from pure gold did not have a lock which a key opens
Anora watched the car stop as Jared got out and placed his middle finger on a small censor at the left side of the gate
Immediately, the censor spot turned green and the gate opened
Anora watched in astonishment. Fingerprints were the key and opening. She tried to maintain her composure and not look like a stray girl on the streets
Jared got back into the car and the car drove off. Anora tried not to make her shock visible. But her gaped mouth did little to hide it.
The building she saw in front of her could top even most high-listed hotels. Breathtaking - that was the only word she could use to describe it.
Anora wasn't given the time to admire the exterior to her satisfaction. Terry said to her “Let's go in”
“Where's he? Is he inside?” She asked
“Who?”
“Your boss”
“No, I doubt it. If eldest master asks, just tell him master went to attend to something urgent at work and will be home very soon”
Anora nodded and they all went inside. Yet again, she wasn't given enough time to savor the haven she stepped into, they heard the sound of a car parking outside
“He's here” Jared said with a hint of anxiety in his voice.
Who was here? Their boss or his father? Anora thought to herself
Ostentatiously, an elderly man walked in. His steps were supported by a walking stick. His outfit was a blue striped shirt and trousers. Next to him were two other men who appeared much younger than he was. They were clothed in black shirts and trousers just like the three men standing next to Anora
Mr Evander, their eldest master walked slowly towards Anora. Even with his walking stick, his steps were still majestic
Anora didn't need to guess who he was. The eldest master they spoke of was the grandfather
Mr Evander stopped right in front of Anora. Although he didn't look angry or scary, Anora’s heart almost dropped. She felt as though he could see right through her facade. She clasped her toes to her sandals and fiddled her fingers
“Is she the one?” He asked
“Yes sir, she's master's wife. Your granddaughter-in-law”
- Writer
