Unwanted Matrimony

Chapter10

Reuben’s POV

Her lips tasted just like I imagined, like they were marinated in cherry. I smiled against her lips as I deepened the kiss.

This is going to be a one-time thing”, I chanted at the back of my head, even though I knew it was a lie as I leaned closer, my fingers digging into her soft skin.

Her whimpers had me intoxicated, just like her laughter. It felt good to know she wanted this as much as I with how her fingers tightened around my hair and her legs wrapped themselves around my waist.

“It’s time fo- s**t! Sorry”, I heard Laurie’s panicked voice as the door slammed shut.

I broke the kiss and rested my forehead against Tiara’s, as we smiled.

“This is never happening again”, Tiara stated, laughing as she pushed me backwards.

“I hope so too”, I said absent-mindedly, as I stared at her retreating figure. “I really hope”.

“I’m going to get dressed for dinner” she said and disappeared behind the walls.

Dinner? How long have we been in here for?

There was a knock on the door before Laurie peeped in again with a Cheshire grin.

“What?” I asked with a raised brow.

“What?” Laurie asked and walked into the room fully. “It’s time for dinner”.

With that, Laurie was out of the room, but not without giving me the “I’m watching you” sign.

Tiara came out of her room, dressed in a white midthigh floral dress that complimented her body and skin.

“Are you ready?” I asked as my eyes roamed her body.

“As ready as I’ll ever be”, she replied, soothing out her dress.

“You’re gorgeous”, I complimented, causing her to blush.

“Thank you”, she appreciated with a smile and nudged me forward. “Go first”.

“Whatever you say, ma’am”, I said and walked out, but not before appreciating her beauty one more time.

Once we leave the walls of this room, we become strangers again.

I walked downstairs as I dusted the invisible dirt on my suit pants.

When I looked up, everyone was staring at me expectantly, but I didn’t bulge until my grandma impatiently asked after Tiara.

“She’s in her room”, I replied in a duh tone and went to take a seat.

“Is she coming for dinner? My nosy sister asked with a teasing smile.

“If you don’t see her, that alone speaks volumes”, I said, and turned back to my food.

We were in-between prayer before prayers when Tiara walked in.

“Good evening”, Tiara said, her eyes bouncing on each one of us and when they landed on me, they lingered before looking away.

“Why are you late?” her dad asked, as she took a seat while she ignored him.

“I don’t talk while eating, dad”, she reminded him, when he attempted to repeat the question and took a spoon of her food.

We all ate our food in silence even though the tension in the air could be cut through with a knife.

“How have you been, dear?” my grandmother asked, taking Tiara’s hand in hers.

“I’ve been good grandma”, she replied with one of her pretty smiles. “Aside from my recent break-up”.

Her latter statement caused her parents and sister to whip their heads in her direction.

“You and your Humpty Dumpty-looking boyfriend are broken up?” Jaiyesimi asked happily, causing everyone to laugh.

“Jaime”, Tiara groaned, throwing her head backward, giving me a perfect view of her neck.

She said something after calling her sister, but I didn’t catch it because I was busy fantasizing about her neck.

“There’s nothing mean about what I said when it’s the truth”, Jaiyesimi said with a shrug, and returned to eating her food.

“Amira called him a Praying Mantis look alike the other day”, Tiara said, holding in her laughter.

“She isn’t far from the truth. The only reason why you are not seeing this is that you were once in love with him”, Jaiyesimi said without sparing her sister a glance, while Tiara sighed.

My grandmother and Tiara went back to talking, drawing occasional giggles from Tiara.

“Anything you want darling. You name it”, my grandmother said while Tiara laughed, causing me to smack my lips.

My grandmother clinked her cutlery against her wine glass to get everyone’s attention.

“Thank you for honoring me and Amina’s request to be here for our Christmas celebration to be present”, My grandmother said with a smile, the edges of her eyes crinkling. “This might be my last wish, so, I really appreciate it”.

“Grandma”, I groaned as I sank into my seat while everyone laughed.

Everyone here aside from Tiara knew how much the thought of my grandma dying stressed me.

“I’ll be taking you through the activities we have planned prior to the main event”, Amina said with a smile as she stood.

“Why are you guys making this so formal?” Tiara asked with a raised brow as she peered at her mother.

“For better understanding”, her mother said with a shrug. “That’s what most of you understand”.

We all stared at her with a frown like we had taken offense at what she said.

She took us through the entire activities for the week of Christmas and took a seat.

“We also have a special announcement coming up very soon”, my grandmother added with a smile. “Any questions?”

“Yeah. What’s the special announcement about?” my sister asked, side-eyeing my grandmother.

“That’s for me to know and for you to wait and find out”, my grandmother stated, without sparing her a glance, while my brother laughed.

“We have a pool party by six tomorrow evening, organized specially for you guys, so, ensure you all are present”, Amina said and turned to me. “No; I have an important meeting to attend, whether online or physically”.

The help came in to clear our plates as Tiara got ready to stand up.

“Goodnight, guys”, Tiara said and went to peck my grandmother. “Goodnight, grandma”.

“Don’t you think you’re staring a little too much”, my sister whispered, nudging my shoulder.

“What? No”, I said, clearing my throat. “She’s just annoying me with how mushy she is with grandma”.

“Yeah, I believe you”, my sister said sarcastically with an eyeroll, and turned back to her phone.

We said goodbye to the Holmes and got ready to leave while my grandma stayed behind because she had something important that she had to discuss.

My sister and I got into the car that took us from the airport. As we sat, one question kept reverting in my mind. “Would I ever be able to keep what happened between us a one-time thing?