Chapter 2: Contract Marriage
1481 Words
Ater the door was slammed shot by George, Dora rise up to Manuel, six-feet-two with muscles all over him in appropriate places.
“How dare you ignore me just now.” She said, folding her arms on her chest.
“Look Dora, it's not the right time to do this. I learnt your company is on the verge of bankrupt, I'm so sorry to hear that, I really wish I could help but this is all I can do for you.” Manuel said in a melancholy tone, making Dora feel more sorry for herself.
“So, it was you that made him do this?” Dora asked and he nodded, packing the documents on the table.
Dora realized there's someone behind George's action, it was no wonder he agreed to help after ignoring her numerous letters and calls.
One might wonder why George of all people, the truth is, of all the rich men in Chicago, onlu handful of them have and can afford to help repay an eighty million dollar debt. The Hoover family's fortune and influence cannot be rivaled of all other families in the upper class.
****
“Do you, Dora accept George to be husband for life?” The priest asked.
“Y-e-s,” Dora forced herself to say yes and the guests finally heaved a relief sighs.
“What took her so long to answer the priest?” One guest asked.
“I could sense something is playing.” Another said.
“With the authority bestowed upon me, I bind you, Dora with George Hoover, from today, through thick and thin, you two shall live together forever.”
A round of applause erupted the hall as they both exchange the rings.
“You can now kiss your bride.” said the priest.
George leaned in and planted a firm kiss on Dora's glistering lips, her eyes wide open and her chest pounding heavily. The applause kept on going louder and longer.
After George finally released her and she let out a deep sigh she's been surprising, she entered the awaiting Rolls-Royce with George, heading to the Hoover mansion.
She's now officially George's wife.
“My Princess! My Princess!” A voice came approaching her and Dora immediately recognised the voice, unless her ears were hearing things, that's none other than her aunt.
‘What is she doing here?’ Dora thought as she made a U-turn.
The woman who's five-foot-four ran into her arms, and she dropped a tear.
“Aigoo, poor me, I almost missed your wedding. I got your letter but whhy don't you call me earlier, huh?”
“What? Letter? I…”
“What's going on here?” George Interrupted, glaring at the two with a smirk.
“She's my…” Dora was going introduce her before let go of her and ran to George.
“Thank you for giving my lovely daughter a chance at love, this is the life I've always been dreaming for her. I'm happy she finally found happiness, you two will live together forever. Just call me anytime she wrong you, I'll scold her seriously.”
Embarrassed, Dora dragged Vivian back from George, who's now looking as if he was going to burst into a rage anytime soon. Looking at her, George was disappointed
There's no need to explain
Still shocked
Dora collected her cellphone and type some figures, “ call her now, she'll take care of your stay.”
She hurried into the car to meet furious George.
“Tell me what's all that about? You intentionally want to embarrass me, don't you?”
“I'm sorry, she's my…”
“Never mind.” George cut in sharply, leaving the word stucked in her throat, then, he took out a cigarette and light it up.
After driving for a while, Manuel announced, “boss, an article is currently circulating the internet.”
“What the hell is that about?”
“Netizens on love vidoe were dragging the woman we left at the hall just now, and they were dragging our Mistress’s name too.”
Hearing that, Dora brought her and join the live stream.
“Is she truly your daughter?” One netizen said.
“You two were gold diggers!” Another snorted.
The ranting keeps going on as they were dragging her around, stream of tears escaped Dora's eyes. As she dialed a number and held the phone to her hears.
“Yes, ma'am.” A woman's voice came from the other end.
“Bimbo, please go and pick up aunt from out there now and take care of her. Don't make any statement until I figure out how we're going to address this. And also, she mentioned receiving an invitation, find out who sent it to her.”
“Yes ma'am.” The woman said and the call terminated.
“Selfish woman, do you realize what you and your wretched aunt are doing to my image now.”
“I understand you could only care about your own name even if others are dying but can you be human for once, please? And I just said I'm going to fix this…”
George scoffed as he puffed his cigarette aggressively, “you'll fixed it huh? who do you think you are? Mitchell Obama or something?”
When they reached the giant gate of the Hoover mansion, the press and journalists are already waiting with camera set all over the place.
Flashlights shots from afar.
“I have a solution.” Said George as he puffed the last smoke out of his cigarette and released the flame out. “You're going to go down now and tell the press you don't know that woman.”
“What do you mean deny? No, I can't do that.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I said I'm not going to do that, I know you're selfish and arrogant but I never imagined you to be this heartless. I should deny my own family to save you a face?”
“Take it easy, Dora, you're now my wife remember? You're going to do just as I said and that's final.” “Open the door for her.” He said to Manuel, who's just stepping down from the front.
“It was a misunderstanding, my mother died when I was eight and…” Dora said as she burst into tears. A strong arm grabbed her by the shoulder, only to look up and realise it was George.
His six-foot, wide chest and green eyes caught her in trance. It was the first time she's seeing him in such light and adoring manners.
In his arm, George wrapped his arm around her and held her to his chest, he then faced the press.
“Indeed, my wife is an orphan and she doesn't know who that woman was, it must be a ploy from the enemies. Please, dismiss the article right away, it's just a misunderstanding. That'll be all for now.”
He said as he stepped forward and dragged Dora from behind. Both heading into the house.” Manuel was upfront paving the way and guiding the journalists.
“But why did she looked at her so affectionately?”
“Why did she collected her phone and dialled something on it.”
“We’d like Mrs Hoover to come and explain herself?”
The journalists keeps ranting on as they entered the golden gate.
Immediately after the gate was shut behind, George let go of her hand and head straight into the house.
Not long after she entered, staring at the back of George, who stood there before the window looking outside.
Maria sauntered into the house. Seeing Dora stood there as though she was lost.
“First day of your marriage, see the mess you've made? Poor rat. Better fix it and don't bring your dirt into our family.” Maria snorted as she walked away in annoyance.
Dora couldn't find a word to say to her, she just stood there nodding, urging her tearful eyes to not release the water lased in it.
She then feels a hand touch her, when she turned she saw an old woman, giving her signs to calm down. She was in her fifties, looks like a chef cause she had an apron on. She led her into a well lit room.
“Here's where young master said I should arrange for you. However, this might be temporary because his majesty's room is upstairs. Depending on what he wants, please feel at home. You're welcome to our Hoover home and please call me if you need anything.”
She was about to step out when Do
ra called out.
“What's your name ma'am?”
“My name is Grace, but you can call me Coco.” She said, with a flash of grace in her green eyes.
- Writer
