Unwanted Matrimony

Chapter5

Tiara’s POV

I paid intent attention to Mr Ahn as he spoke, nodding my head a few times, when necessary.

After our short-timed meeting, Ro and I got into the car and hit the road.

“Thank God. Today has been so great”, I sighed, with my hand on my chest as she maneuvered out of the parking lot.

“We have to re-activate your social media accounts, and maybe you’ll be able to make a little video about being back from hiatus”, Rosalie said, focusing on the road.

“That’s no hiatus…that’s hibernation”, I stated, with a frown.

My account has probably been rid of my old followers. I never gave a last speech, I just deactivated my accounts.

“What happens after I activate the account? It’s not like my old followers will be waiting for me”, I groaned.

I feel stupid for dropping everything I love just to chase someone who wanted to use me to fill the void with him not finding the type of woman he would settle for. I don’t regret doing any of what I did because I loved Nathan.

“You would be shocked”, Rosalie cheered. “It’s my job to manage everything related to your career, including some aspects of your social media accounts.”

I didn’t immediately catch onto what she meant until after a minute.

“You’ve been managing my accounts?” I questioned in shock as tears welled up in my eyes while Ro nodded. “Thank you so much Ro for not giving up on me. Thank you”.

By now, I was already a crying mess.

“You're welcome, darling. We’re home”, Rosalie said, coming out of the car as I did the same. “We’ll re-activate your account and do whatever else is required”.

We went up to my apartment. My friends were so excited about seeing Rosalie.

“Girl, you look so good”, Rosalie stated as she hugged Chloe. “You all look so great”.

They all laughed, catching up on whatever they missed while I went to my room to take a shower before coming back to Rosalie.

We sat at the dining table and began to reactivate all my accounts and, true to Ro’s words, my followers were still there, and a few other people followed.

I jumped excitedly as I screamed.

My friends came to see what the commotion was about and joined in after they heard what happened.

After dinner, Ro left while my friends decided to celebrate my win.

We celebrated till it was late in the night, when we called it a day.

When I got into my room, my phone began to ring, and I picked it up without checking the caller ID.

“Hello, Tiaraoluwa Holmes speaking. Who is this?” I questioned as I closed my door quietly behind me.

“I see you’re trying to get back into influencing and modeling”, the person on the other side stated in between laughter.

“Who’s this?” I queried with a frown.

“Take a guess”, the person spoke and sniffed. “Oh! I forgot you aren’t good at guessing, just like you aren’t good at anything. Does that give a hint?”

I took three deep breaths before replying.

“Nathan”, I replied, my voice growing smaller.

This man is high as a kite.

“Yep, your favorite and only ex because no one would want you”, Nathan replied and laughed. I could hear laughter in the background, which meant he was with his friends. “I’m shocked at how I put up with you”.

“Why did you call?” I questioned, my breath becoming uneven.

“Just to see how you're doing and remind you of how worthless you are, how unlovable you are, and how no one would be able to put up with you other than me”, he slurred, laughing.

Deep down, I knew he was projecting, but that didn’t make his words hurt any less. A part of me believes him.

“Okay”, I replied as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Just okay?” He asked, still laughing.

“You passed your reminder across like you wanted, and it’s been received. Good night, Nathan”, I said, and disconnected the call on him mid-sentence as I slid down my door and cried. Flashbacks of hurtful statements my father made that he did not know were hurtful ran through my mind as I cried.

Why can’t people be nice for once? Making hurtful statements or pointing out things that are none of your business isn’t necessary.

I stood up from the floor after bawling my eyes out and went about my night routine absentmindedly.

I put my boombox on and white noise quietly played through it.

Sometimes, I want to end it all, but then I remember I was created for a purpose like my mom would say.

I drifted into another land as I got comfortable in bed.

***

“This is a perfect morning to walk my dogs”, I thought as I walked into my bathroom.

I got ready and dressed in a baggy tee and old joggers I probably took from Amira’s brother.

When I got downstairs, my friends were already dressed, and ready to go about their daily activities.

I strapped the dog leash on my dogs as I conversed with my friends.

“What time is your flight?” Amira questioned as she perfected her makeup.

“By five, but I have to be there thirty minutes before, courtesy to Rosalie’s instructions”, I stated, rubbing behind Ruby and Bluey’s ear.

“I would still be out by that time. So safe trip”, Chloe responded and hugged me. “This is a vacation to get over that praying mantis-looking man”.

Her face was scrunched up in disgust, causing me to laugh.

Selah also wished me goodbye because of a family dinner that would keep her late.

“I’m going to be home by three”, Amira said with a shrug. “I’ll drive you to the airport”.

“Thank you”, I appreciated my gaze softening.

We all walked out after our little emotional shenanigan. I took the direction towards the dog park, putting my headphones on.

When we got to the park, Ruby tugged on the leash excitedly while I tried to keep them in place to unleash them.

“Ruby, sit still”, I ordered as I unleashed them. “There you go”.

My dogs became greyhounds with how fast they ran to meet other dogs, causing me to laugh. I relaxed on one of the park benches as I bobbed my head to the music from my headphones.

“You’re in my seat”, a male voice spoke, causing me to remove my headphones.

“Sorry?” I questioned with a raised brow to be sure I heard correctly.

“You’re on my bench”, the stranger replied, staring at me dismissively.

“Oh, I didn’t realize we were assigned benches in a park”, I stated, staring around at other benches with occupants before looking back at the stranger who looked familiar.

Where do I know this man from? He definitely can not be from my friendship circle, he’s too grumpy. I racked my brain a little harder and remembered where I had seen him. He’s a rude man with a friendly driver… Mr. Punctual. How doesn't he remember me?

“We aren’t. This is my favorite spot”, he stated, giving me the “You need to stand up” look.

“Okay”, I said and turned back to my phone, my irritation bubbling.

“Can you excuse me?” he queried impatiently. “I don’t like sharing my personal space”.

“Do you think I like someone breathing down my neck? No”, I stated, my voice dripping with irritation. “But considering this is a public area, you have to compromise or go back to your home and bring a damn bench with your initials inscribed on it”.

A few minutes later, I felt a little bit of movement next to me.

“He should have stood there like a freaking bodyguard”, I thought, rolling my eyes.

My dogs ran towards me with the park’s squishy toys in their mouths.

“How are my babies doing?” I questioned cheerfully as I scratched their chin. “These aren’t yours, return them”. Instead of going back to the pack of dogs, my dogs went to Mr. Punctual’s dog and dropped the toys in front of it, before trying to sniff the dog, which looked extremely uncomfortable at the intrusion. This caused me to stare at Mr. Punctual for any possible reaction but there was none.

“Your dogs are pretty”, Mr. Punctual stated.

“Sorry?” I questioned, removing my headphones.

“Your dogs. They are pretty breeds”, Mr. Punctual stated again.

“Yeah, they are”, I replied, side-eyeing him. “Thank you”.

He’s so freaking tall with his legs stretched out and crossed. His GreatDane, probably my height, sat at alert next to him while he patted its back as my dogs attempted to play with it.

This man looks so intimidating and handsome as he stares forward, but that doesn’t excuse his lack of manners.

“Is there something on my face?” he questioned curtly without sparing me a glance.

“Probably”, I sassed with a shrug and turned away from him.