Marriage For Convenience

Chapter 1

 Monday morning. The rain is pouring.

    Traffic is such a headache and he needed to be at the meeting on time. He was an hour ahead of schedule but all that could change with the flow of traffic. And the way it was going, it didn't look good.

    Stars! How long is it going to take? He was already behind his schedule. Another car honked on him. Stars. But his engine seems to be going crazy. He shouldn't have rented this car.

    The other seems to be in perfect condition but it was too small for him to fit. Now what?

    "Don't stay in the middle of the road!" The jeepney driver shouted. Angry.

    "Sorry..." he said. "Come on. Please start." he prayed. The engine came to life. "Yes!"

    He went to a local fast food drive through and ordered.

    "Two large burgers, fries, and a large coke."

    He got his order on the way out and paid.

    He still has thirty minutes. Enough time to go to a cash machine, then off to the meeting. He wondered what this Maria Catherine Cortez person looked like.

    He hoped she didn't look like a hog. He saw Winnie. She was attractive and had some curves. He turned to the next corner. A bank. There's the cash machine.

    There were about a dozen people on the queue. He parked the car at the nearest parking spot that he could find.

    Two of the people who were waiting walked away. They were probably in a hurry and couldn't wait any longer. Lucky for him. He will have to be patient.

    He needed cash. He was not the last in line. Three students were behind him.

    Finally, his turn. He got the money, then hurried to where he parked his rented car and drove to a Chinese restaurant.

    The restaurateur, Jin, came to greet him. A friend of his when he studied at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Both kept in touch until now. Jin smiled and shook his hand.

    "Nice to see you again!" Jin said.

    "You, too!"

    "Come." Jin preceded him. He was led to a private dining room for special guests.

    "So...what brings you here?"

 "Ah...a date." He kept it simple.

    "Oh?" Jin looked surprised. "Well then, what would you want?"

    "I'll wait for my date."

    "All right."

    Jin left a bottle of wine. "Good luck!"

    "Thanks!" He laughed. He was fifteen minutes early. He roamed his eyes over the paintings and designs of the room.

    Jin has done so much. Who knew that a short, fail-looking, and asthmatic Chinese guy could be so good in business?

    In school he wasn't even sure Jin would last throughout the year. He was always brought to the school clinic.

    A knock came over the door and the young man ushered a young lady in.

    "Hi!" He stood up from where he sat.

    He pulled a chair and had her seated across.

    "Good morning." She greeted, hoping to make light of the situation. "Hope I was not late." She gave an apologetic smile.

    Petite. That was what he noticed.

    "Oh...no." He returned her smile. "Matter of fact I came early."

    He looked at her hands. Small. Compared to his. "Shall we order while we talk things through?"

    "Okay. Uh...can you order for me? I'm not familiar with what's written here on the menu."

    "All right." He browsed through the menu, then ordered. "We'll have peking duck, hot pot, and fresh fruit crumble for dessert."

    She thought it seemed too much for the two of them to finish.

    "Drinks, sir?" the waiter asked.

    "More wine."

    "Uh - can I have iced tea instead? I don't drink wine and the sort." She looked at him, then the waiter.

    He was surprised. He thought nowadays, women like her would drink wine. Well...this was certainly different. He nodded, smiled at her, motioned for the waiter and said, "We will have that iced tea instead."

    "Yes sir. Anything else?"

    He looked at her, questioning. She shook her head. "Nope."

  The waiter left the room to get their orders.

    He extended his hand for her. They both shook hands.

    "I'm Stephen Lee Gates."

    "Marie Catherine Cortez."

    "Nice to meet you, Marie. May I call you that?" He asked, smiling.

    She nodded.

    "All right, Marie. Let's be honest, frank, and straight forward. You okay with that?"

    "Yes. No problem."

    "Tell me about you." he prodded.

    "I'm 21. I was a nursery teacher, but then I quit because I had to go home for my dad. I don't drink, smoke, or use illegal substances." She looked at him, assuring.

    "I have to siblings. Thomas Jay is next to me and then Elisa Belle. Tom's in middle high while Elisa is in the fifth grade. My mom was a secretary at a company but the quit her job to care for our dad."

    She finished just as the waiter brought their food in.

    Placing the food on the table, the waiter handed the bill and Stephen gave his card.

    "I was well aware of the condition you're in. I just wanted to hear it from you directly."

    He paused and took a bite.

    "I am a business analyst as I'm sure Winnie had told you. I'm 37 and I'm from Missouri. I have an apartment there and in Philadelphia, but I usually stay in Missouri."

    The woman across him tipped her head and nodded.

    "My parents have their own business and my brother Anthony lives in Africa. He only visits us during Christmas." He looked at her. She was not that pretty like her friend Winnie but she had beautiful big brown eyes.

    She had dark tanned skin, long curls, small mouth, and pert nose which he found attractive.

    "Why would you want to marry me?" she asked.

    "Business reasons. Documents will be ready in two weeks' time. I'll take care of it and your ticket."

    "I'll pay for my ticket." She insisted.

    "No, you won't. Save the money for your father. You can pay me later when you are settled." He said, end of discussion. "Give me your number and I'll call you. I want to see your family before we leave."

 He seems arrogant, an artisan who knows exactly what to do with his craft.

    She'll just have to bear it if it is the only way to help her father. She thought. She wrote down her number at the back of the business card that he handed to her and gave it to him.

    He nodded.

    He saw that she was not just chewing her food slowly, but that she really is slow. So, he slowed down a bit matching her.

    He noticed how her brows come together especially when she was deep into her thoughts. She chewed her lower lip before she answers or when she felt that she had doubts on what she is about to say.

    Stephen found her to be strange yet unique. He could also tell that she had not many encounters with men. Or, maybe she had none at all. He'll soon find out. He thought to himself.

    "Thank you for slowing down a bit." She uttered.

    He nodded. So she noticed that I was fast. The waiter came back with his card. "Thanks."

    He stood up and offered his arm for her.

    "Shall we go meet your family?" The look of surprise made him explain to her.

    "I forgot that I only have this day - free. The rest are full of schedules." He waited for her to digest what he said.

    "Okay." She stood, taking his arm. "We'll have to get a ticket. Boat." She explained. "Do you need t o pack?"

    "No. Do you?"

    "No. I have some clothes there. I can come back on Tuesday afternoon." She smiled up at him.

    "All right. Let's go then."

    He got tickets for them. They would arrive at her hometown at about noon. Just in time for lunch, she said.

    He held her hand as they walked through the gangplank. It kept on moving with the waves, so the men had to hold it on both ends.

    There were a lot of passengers on board and when they sat everyone was squeezed in.

    Oh, boy.

    It was hot and it smelled.

    Other passengers carried some shells, durian, and even chicken. This was how Asian people did it, he thought.

    He saw a smile on her lips.

    As if she read his distress, she teased him "Don't worry...once we sail...you can hardly smell it."

    "And I cannot wait!" he surmised.

    He placed his arms protectively on her shoulders. "You okay?"

    Tilting her head and looking into his eyes. "Yes, thanks."

    Trying to have a conversation, he asked her "Is it always like this when you travel?"

    "No. Only when people go home for the holidays or when students go back to school."

    "You should have told me about this."

    "Well...you said that this was your free day. If we waited for the other boat then we would've arrived late into the afternoon. Not good for your schedule, I'm sure."

    "You're right." he sighed. "How much longer?"

    "One and a half hour." Marie checked her watch. "Take a nap. I'll wake you up when we dock."

    Stephen looked at her. She was sincere. "Nah..." 

    As the waves rocked the small boat, soon her head rested on his shoulder lulling her to sleep. He could see that she was tired. He smelled her hair. It smelled good. She smells good. She looks fragile.

    He rested his chin above her head and looked at the the never ending  waves of the sea. Stephen smiled at a little boy being huddled by his father. The little guy smiled back at him.

    They were being rocked by the waves.

    An old woman took out a small plastic and puked. He too, felt like vomiting. It was infectious.

    Another woman just puked at the sea. Stephen pressed his nose closer to her hair diverting his attention. Minutes later, he himself was fast asleep.

    Marie awoke with a start at the waves crashing. Finding herself huddled protectively by her soon-to-be husband.

    She heard some people saying, "What a lovely couple."

    Seeing that they were near the dock, she contemplated whether to wake him or wait until they docked. She chose the latter. Marie settled, cuddled by Stephen, so much for him refusing to take a nap.

    The smell of the sea did not bother her at all.

    Their house was near the sea so she is used to it.

    Her family would be happy to see her. Elisa and Tom would be jumping with joy. It would be so nice to see their faces again, especially her father. He was getting worse, so she needs to go to America as soon as she can with Stephen.

    Two weeks, and then she will be married. She has to be patient. She has to make it work. Stephen said that he would help with the hospital bills. She just needed to pass the immigration department. She supposed he had friends, so it will help.

    "Stephen...Stephen..." She nudged him awake.

 "Huh?" He was still feeling groggy from his sleep.

    "We are here. Everyone's getting off." Fixing his collar, she urged him. "Come on."

    Marie hailed a ride for them. "We'll get there just in time for lunch. So everyone will be there."

    He saw that she really is excited to see her family again. He wondered what they were like. He thought of his family too. They were not that close. His parents barely notice him.

    He was sent to boarding school and he rarely ever got the chance to go home for the holidays since he was sent to camp. His brother was always busy with his buddies, so he was not that close to him either.

    Trees were everywhere he looked. Some of the houses were influenced by the classical elegance of Spanish architectural designs. The place felt so homely and archaic. The breeze felt cool on one's skin and the smell of fresh bloomed flowers enchanted him..

    The horse carriage that they rode on added to the scenic image. The trees branches covered the road like roofs, blocking the sun and giving shade. It induces one's senses to relax and be taken in by nature's lovely image.

    "Please stop." She handed the money to the coachman. "Thank you."

    Stephen, too gave his thanks. He jumped off the carriage and helped her down. He surveyed the houses and eyed everything. Amazing!

    "We'll pass through my aunt's house. My parent's house is just behind hers." She started walking.

    "Wow! Is that it? The fence it really tall..." He said in awe.

    She laughed. "My aunt is a spinster. She insisted on it. She's my father's older sister. Twelve years' gap."

    "Oh..." He supposed that they do hold on to traditional values. "How many brothers and sisters does your father have?"

    There is just the two of them. My grandmother got really sick and so there were no more babies after my father was born." She unlocked the gate and went in. "Wait here."

    There are at least five dogs that came out from the house to greet her. She called out to her aunt who was at the balcony doing some stitches.

    "Aunt! It's me, Marie. I have brought with me a friend." She raced up the stairs to greet her aunt.

    "Oh...hija! You're here, the dogs." The old lady gave her a hug.

    "I'll get them." Getting their leash, she called out their names. "Mimi, Xexe, Spot, Sky, Bruce, come!"

    They raced towards her eagerly. She gave each of them a pat on the head, then tied their leash to the trees.

    "Stephen!" She called out. "Come and meet my aunt Sophia."

    He met her aunt half-way. "Hi!" He offered his hand, shaking. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

    "Don't call me ma'am." She winked. "Makes me feel so old."

    "Well, don't just stand on ceremony. Come on, you two." She led the way to her brother's house.

    "Come, come!" she said, a smile plastered on her face.

    "Anton! Ophelia! Your daughter is here. Come!" She said, calling out to them walking the narrow path.

    Suddenly the house seemed to shake. Everyone came bundling out. They were happy to see a member of their family back home.

    Elisa came running first, followed Tom, then their mother who helped her husband down the steps. Her father looked teary-eyed while her mother laughed with joy upon seeing their eldest come home. It was such a surprise.

    "Marie..." She siblings engaged in a hug.

    "Ma, pa..." she cried. The family in their bear hug.

    Stephen watch the entire family.

    How he wished his family was as loving  and as close as hers. She broke from their embrace, wiping the tears from her eyes and called Stephen to meet her family.

    "Ma, pa...I want you to meet Stephen." She reached out to him.

    "Stephen, this is my father, Anton. My mother, Ophelia and my siblings Thomas but we call him Tom and Elisa. You've met my aunt, Sophia." 

    She smiled at her family. "Let's go in."

    "You've got a loving family." He whispered. She smiled and thanked him.

    Everyone chatted at the dinning table as they awaited their viand.

    Stephen was asked a lot of questions like, his job, if he's divorced, or if he's rich and all sorts of questions. As Marie's mother seated herself at the table, she hushed everyone.

    They immediately composed themselves. Anton, holding his wife's hand, motioned everyone for the prayer before the meal.

 "So...what are your plans?" Anton asked them.

    "Sir, ma'am, we have agreed," he glanced at Marie. "That Marie will be back at the 'Maine' by Tuesday since she'll be leaving in the morning. So, she'll  be there by the the afternoon."

    "Maine?" Her mother asked.

    "Uh...it's his friend's place. They will be there." Her family nodded in understanding. She glanced at Stephen. He seems to have quite an appetite.

    "What do you think of the food?" She asked.

     "Delicious!" he winked.

    "Want some more rice to go? How about some milkfish?" Tom asked Stephen.

    "Ah...all right!" Tom passed the bowl of rice and a plate of fried milkfish to him. "Here...dip it."

    "What is it? He asked not sure of its taste.

    "It's fish sauce with lime." Elisa laughed.

    "Why is she laughing?" He whispered to Marie.

    "Because you look unsure. What she means is that it is soy sauce with lime, our local term 'calamansi'. She showed him the small green fruit with its golden yellow flesh. 

    "Try." She suggested then dipped the fried fish to it and mixed it with rice. 

    Marie urged him to open his mouth, as she fed it to him.

    Anton and Ophelia smiled, looking at the scene right before them.

    They were at the garden. Banana leaves covered the large wooden table and in the middle of it was the clay pot filled with rice. The wood plates were round covered with banana leaves giving it a fragrant smell.

    In another pot was the chicken cooked in coconut milk and slices of fruits were serves in plates.

    Stephen savored the taste of the meal serves to him. He nodded in affirmation as she urged him to eat try some more of the dish.

    Marie's parents watched them approvingly. Their relationship could work out. But, would they last?

    After all, it is going to be a marriage on paper. Emotions not involved.

    They could develop feelings toward each other. Who knows? They shook their heads, doubting the possibility. They should warn their daughter to guard her feelings.

    But for now, everyone's enjoying and it would be bad to ruin the good atmosphere.

    They needed to talk with her tonight. They agreed.

    "Uncle...would you play with us for a while?" Tom asked, referring to Stephen.

    He raised him brow in question.

     Stephen looked at Marie as she smiled at him. "Okay."

    `"We'll clean up. Go have fun with them." She smiled. Stephen went with Tom and Elisa.

    "Pa, ma...so...what do you think of him?" She asked, uncertain of what they think.

    "He's okay...decent..." her father remarked. "He knows how to get along, and definitely not a snob."

    They laughed at that last remark.

    "But do be careful with your emotions. We don't want you to get hurt in the future." her mother, showing concern.

    Her aunt Sophia nodded her agreement.

    "Will he stay tonight?" Ophelia asked.

    "No. He's got a boat to catch. He's got appointments." she mused. "I'd better go and call him. It's almost time to go." She left the table and went looking for him.

    The boat leaves at two, better be early.