CHAPTER TWO
1282 Words
Brandon drove into his big Mansion distractedly and walked to his room.
The thought of what the father wrote in his will which was read a few days ago, was still unbelievable to him.
"Why must I be married before I become the CEO of Campbell's multinational company"?
" I am thirty-four years old for goodness sake this is ridiculous"
"how can he expect me to be married in six months or lose everything, this is insane"
he muttered to no one in particular.
" I don't even have a relationship at the moment Christ!! He ruffled his hair leaving it messy and not caring.
"I have not been in a serious relationship for years I don't even know what that feels like" he stated.
A knock on the door distracted him from his thoughts.
"Who is it" he asked distractedly,
"It's me Brandon I need to speak with you," his grandmother said.
"Grandma please am exhausted," he said without opening the door. He didn't like the idea of his grandma seeing him in the state he was in.
"Open this door now" she commanded and he reluctantly opened the door to face his grandmother.
She stood at the door for a while just watching him before quietly coming into the room and shutting the door behind her.
Elizabeth Campbell is Brandon Campbell's grandmum of 80 years, strong compassionate, and very caring. She has just one thing that is bothering her and that is Brandon's nonchalant attitude towards marriage.
He is too ambitious and ever since he lost his parents in a car crash he suddenly became a shadow of himself, all he is interested in is his father's company. Brandon's dad was Elizabeth's only child. His death was very difficult for them to bear.
"Grandma I was going to come to see you later today," he said avoiding her piercing eyes.
"Brandon," she said engaging him with her eyes, "you know you are lying right and I could tell"
"Ever since our last discussion about what was stated in your father's will you have been avoiding me like a plague," she said.
"Grandma, please!! He said placing his head on both palms.
"Come on child this is for your good and your father's last wish for you," she said.
"He trusts you to do the right thing".
"I know Grandma but it doesn't make it easy" he simply said.
"It's okay my child you will find a way, you always do," she said gently rubbing his back.
"Speaking of finding a way I have an important call to make," he said sounding mischievous he just remembered his encounter and discussion with the maid and was still not sure what to make of it.
His grandmother raised a brow at him and asked," Care to share what's on your mind," she asked
he looked at her and smiled mischievously "Soon grandma soon," he said
"Are you sure you are okay," she asked worried about his sudden change in countenance.
"I am perfectly fine Grandma I promise," he said and kissed her cheeks
"If you say so then I will be on my way my old bones need some relaxation," she said standing up.
"Okay grandma see you later," he said as he gently ushered her out of his room.
He fished out his phone from his pocket and dialed Nicole's number.
Nicole's Apartment.
"Pick up your call Nicky you look like you have just seen a ghost," Julie said when she continued staring at the ringing phone looking pale.
"Nicky snatched the phone from her to see who the caller was before the line went off then she asked Nicky,
"Is this who I think it is? She asked
Nicole simply nodded.
"You should pick up the call and know what he wants" Julie cajoled,
"I know what he wants" she finally responded when she could find her voice.
"I just don't know what to say to him am too confused at this point to make such a decision," she said.
"This is serious, what are you going to do? "This seems like a good opportunity to clear your debt and save your mum's life" she stated.
"That's the problem" Nicole answered
"my mum would never consent to a contract marriage"
"And who is going to tell her? Julie asked
Nicole looked at her friend like she had suddenly grown two horns on her head and asked
"You are considering this idea".
"Why not dear it's a win-win situation if you ask me," Julie said
"But to be his contract wife that's absurd I deserve more Julie way more," she said more tears streaming down her face.
"So what are you going to do, it's not like you have a better option besides you offered the guy marriage in the first place," she said as she shrugged her shoulder.
"You are not helping me, Julie," she said
"I was willing to be his wife and maybe we can have an understanding relationship in the future but this contract marriage just makes me feel cheap" she lamented
Before she said more her phone rang and she just kept on staring at it not sure if she should answer or not.
"Pick up this call girl what's the worst that could happen? Julie said
Nicole took a deep breath and answered the call but nothing prepared her for the business-like baritone voice that oozed out of the phone.
"Am I speaking with Nicole Norman"? The voice asked
"Yes," she stammered.
"My name is Brandon Campbell and I want to see you at the Campbell's Mansion tonight," he said authoritatively
"Are you on duty today? He asked
"Yes Sir, I am going to be on duty from 5 pm," she said
"Very well then I will see you at 5 pm," he said
She was whispering "Okay sir" when she discovered that the line was dead.
"The nerve of this man" she exclaimed.
"You still refer to him as your boss for goodness sake you are going to marry the man," Julie said.
"Well until then he is still my boss and I am just the maid".replied Nicole
"What does he want? Julie asked with a roll of her eyes.
"A meeting by 5 pm" she responded,
"what am I going to tell him" She whimpered and looked like she was going to break down again any second.
"Calm down Nicole I am sure you will make the right choice just relax okay," Julie said holding Nicole's hand.
"I can't relax this doesn't feel like the right thing to do!! I want forever Julie he is not willing to give me that," she said
" What happened to Jake your boyfriend? Julie asked
"What about Jake? We both know my relationship with him has been rocky for some time, he doesn't even care about my situation right now" Nicole said.
"I care about Jake but this is a matter of life and death I can't be selfish right now" she continued
"I have to fight my battles myself, I can handle Jake later" she stated
"Okay, if you say so, just calm down please you can't show up there looking like a mess, you have to show him some strength and determination okay" Julie said encouraging her.
"Just take a deep breath you are going to be fine I promise," Julie said
"Okay okay," she said nodding her head and taking shuddering breaths.
"This is the logical thing to do" she repeated like she was trying to convince herself.
"I have to go," she said,
"I can't be late for my appointment," she said as she opened the door and stood face to face with……..
- Writer
