A new home
514 Words
The black luxury car passed through the gates of an expansive estate on the outskirts of Kampala.
Amina stared out the window, speechless.
"This... is your house?"
Daniel nodded.
"It's where we will live."
She looked at him in disbelief.
"I've never even seen a house this large."
"It will take some getting used to."
A housekeeper opened the front door before they reached it.
"Welcome home, Mr. Okello."
She turned to Amina with a warm smile.
"And welcome, Miss Amina."
Daniel cleared his throat.
"From today, everyone will address her as Mrs. Okello."
Amina nearly stumbled.
The words sounded unfamiliar.
Mrs. Okello.
It was only part of the arrangement, she reminded herself.
Nothing more.
---
Inside, the house was elegant, yet surprisingly quiet.
There were polished wooden floors, tall windows, and shelves lined with books instead of extravagant decorations.
"I thought a billionaire's house would be... flashier," Amina admitted.
Daniel almost smiled.
"I prefer peace to luxury."
Grace, Daniel's assistant, entered carrying several shopping bags.
"Your clothes have been delivered."
Amina blinked.
"My clothes?"
"For the engagement announcement, family dinners, and business events," Grace explained. "Mr. Okello asked a designer to prepare a wardrobe for you."
Amina looked at Daniel.
"You didn't have to do that."
"It's included in the contract."
She nodded, though part of her felt uneasy accepting so much.
---
Later that evening, Amina stepped out onto the balcony.
The city lights shimmered in the distance.
For the first time in months, she was not worrying about unpaid rent.
Instead, she was wondering whether she had made the biggest mistake of her life.
The balcony door slid open behind her.
Daniel stepped outside.
"You're thinking too much."
"You always know?"
"You become very quiet."
She laughed softly.
"I suppose that's true."
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then Daniel spoke.
"My grandmother looked happy today."
"She loves you very much."
"I know."
His voice carried a trace of sadness.
"I just wish she didn't have to believe a lie in order to smile."
Amina looked at him.
For the first time, she saw not the powerful CEO everyone feared...
...but a grandson trying to fulfill an old woman's final wish.
"Maybe," she said gently, "we can make this easier for her."
He met her gaze.
"Thank you."
The words were simple.
But they sounded sincere.
---
Across town, Vanessa sat alone in her apartment.
A photograph of her and Daniel's families rested on the coffee table.
She picked it up, then threw it across the room.
Glass shattered.
"So you chose her."
Her phone rang.
She answered immediately.
"Did you find out everything about Amina?"
A man's voice replied,
"Yes, madam."
"What did you learn?"
"She has a younger brother... and her family is struggling financially."
Vanessa smiled slowly.
"Perfect."
"If money brought her into Daniel's life..."
She leaned back in her chair.
"...then money can take her out."
Outside, thunder echoed across Kampala as dark clouds gathered over the city.
Neither Daniel nor Amina knew that the first real test of their fake marriage was about to begin.
- Writer
