Chapter 4
1201 Words
Chapter Four
Strangers Under One Roof
Amara woke up the next morning and forgot where she was.
For a few seconds, everything felt normal.
Her university books were scattered across the desk.
Her phone was beside her pillow.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Then she looked down.
A diamond ring sat on her finger.
She sat up immediately.
“Oh.”
She was married.
She stared at the ring.
“Right.”
The previous day's events came rushing back.
The wedding.
Daniel.
The contract.
Her mother's treatment.
One year.
Amara sighed and climbed out of bed.
She opened her wardrobe.
Half of it had already been filled with clothes she didn't recognize.
New clothes.
Shoes.
Bags.
Everything her size.
She frowned.
She picked up a dress.
There was still a price tag attached.
“Did he buy all this?”
A knock came at the door.
She quickly dropped the dress.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Daniel stood there.
“You're awake.”
“Yes.”
He glanced at the wardrobe.
“Good.”
“Did you buy these?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn't bring enough clothes.”
“I could have bought my own.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
Daniel shrugged.
“You're my wife now.”
The words made Amara pause.
He seemed to realize what he'd said.
“It's practical,” he added.
“Right.”
Silence.
Daniel looked at her.
“You have lectures today?”
“Yes.”
“What time?”
“Ten.”
“I'll drive you.”
“I can take a bus.”
“I didn't ask.”
Amara stared at him.
“You're bossy.”
“So I've been told.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
---
Breakfast was awkward.
Amara sat at one end of the dining table.
Daniel sat at the other.
A huge table.
For two people.
She stared at the food.
Then at him.
Then back at the food.
“Do you always eat in silence?”
Daniel looked up.
“Usually.”
“That's depressing.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Would you like music?”
“No.”
“Then what's the problem?”
“I don't know.”
He returned to his breakfast.
Amara sighed.
“You're impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
She looked at him.
“Did your mother tell you that?”
“My mother has told me many things.”
“Like what?”
Daniel's expression changed.
“Nothing important.”
Amara remembered the rule.
No questions about his family.
Fine.
She looked away.
A few minutes later, Daniel spoke.
“You're nervous.”
“No.”
“You've been holding your spoon for thirty seconds.”
Amara looked down.
She was.
She put it down.
“I'm just not used to this.”
“Neither am I.”
She looked at him.
“You've never been married before?”
“No.”
“Then why did you agree?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Amara waited.
Eventually, he said,
“Because sometimes people do things they don't want to do.”
She understood that answer more than she wanted to.
“Yeah.”
Silence returned.
But this time, it wasn't quite as uncomfortable.
---
University was different.
Everyone seemed to know.
Amara walked across campus with her head down.
She could hear whispers.
“Isn't that Amara?”
“She's married?”
“To that Williams guy?”
“I heard he's rich.”
“Lucky girl.”
Amara ignored them.
She hated that people were talking about her without knowing anything.
Nia ran toward her.
“Amara!”
Amara turned.
Nia grabbed her arm.
“Girl!”
“What?”
“You actually got married!”
“Yes.”
“To Daniel Williams!”
“Yes.”
Nia looked around.
“Where is he?”
“At home.”
“You're married and you're already coming to school alone?”
Amara laughed.
“I'm still a student.”
Nia shook her head.
“I still can't believe this.”
Neither could Amara.
---
Her lecture ended at three.
She checked her phone.
Three missed calls.
From Daniel.
Amara frowned.
She called back.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”
“School.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“I came to pick you up.”
“You didn't tell me.”
“I texted.”
Amara checked her phone.
There was a message.
Outside.
She sighed.
“You could have waited.”
“I am waiting.”
When she reached the gate, Daniel's car was parked nearby.
He was leaning against it.
Several students were staring.
Amara approached him.
“You didn't have to come.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I said I would.”
She looked at him.
“You always keep your word?”
“Yes.”
Something about his answer stayed with her.
---
That evening, Amara received a call from the hospital.
She answered immediately.
“Hello?”
“Miss Adeyemi?”
“Yes?”
“Your mother's procedure went well.”
Amara closed her eyes.
“Thank God.”
“She'll need to remain under observation for a few days.”
“Okay.”
“Everything has been paid for.”
Amara's eyes opened.
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
She thanked the hospital and ended the call.
Daniel was standing in the doorway.
“Your mother?”
She nodded.
“The procedure went well.”
“Good.”
“Thank you.”
“You've thanked me already.”
“I know.”
“But you keep doing it.”
“Because I mean it.”
Daniel looked away.
“She's your mother.”
“And?”
“And I'd want someone to do the same for me.”
Amara looked at him.
For the first time, she wondered if there was more beneath Daniel's cold exterior.
Something he didn't want people to see.
---
That night, Amara was studying when she heard voices downstairs.
She closed her book.
The voices were familiar.
Daniel's mother.
She walked toward the staircase.
“You promised me this would work,” Mrs. Williams said.
“It will.”
“You have six months.”
“I know.”
“And if you fail—”
“I won't.”
Amara stopped.
Six months?
What were they talking about?
She moved closer.
Then Daniel's voice became quieter.
“You don't need to worry about her.”
Mrs. Williams replied,
“I'm worried about you.”
Amara's heart began to race.
She stepped backward before they could notice her.
She hurried back to her room and closed the door.
Her mind was spinning.
The contract said one year.
But his mother had just said—
six months.
Why?
And what exactly did Daniel have to accomplish?
Amara sat on the edge of her bed.
For the first time since the wedding, she realized something.
She wasn't the only person who had secrets.
Daniel had them too.
And somehow, she had a feeling that his secrets were much bigger than hers.
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