Imperfect billionaire

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Early Days

A few weeks into the marriage of Darius Anderson and Courtney Bright, everything in their household seemed loving and peaceful to people outside, but neither of them was regaled by their union. Courtney however, was the more unhappy party. To cope with Darius Anderson’s grumpy and gloomy persona, she always went to work very early in the morning and came back very late at night so she barely has to talk to him.

Darius Anderson’s help John was always present as well. Darius ordered him to move into the house so he would permanently take care of him. John helped move Darius around with his wheelchair and obtain items that Darius could not obtain due to his disability. During the little hours that Darius and Courtney got to see each other, they quarrelled over what seemed to look like the most petty things. This always left Courtney tired and infuriated. Sometimes, she slept over at her office to avoid Darius. They both took separate bedrooms in Darius Anderson’s mansion.

“Ko Ko Ko” sounded the door to Courtney’s room as someone knocked. “Who is it?” Asked Courtney. “It’s me, John” replied John. “Okay, come in” said Courtney. “Good morning madam” said John as he stepped in. “Yes good morning John” replied Courtney. “Uhmm, ma’am I wanted to let you know that breakfast is ready” said John as he approached Courtney. “Oh no problem, I won’t be eating at home this morning. I’m rushing to work already. As you can see, I already have my suit on” replied Courtney as she picked up her hand bag.

“Okay ma’am. I’ll excuse you then” said John. “No problem, thank you John” replied Courtney as she turned to the mirror to put on some lip gloss. “Ma’am, he wasn’t always like this you know?” Said John as he was about leaving the room. Courtney felt taken aback by his words. She then turned around in astonishment. “Who are you talking about?” Asked Courtney as she moved closer to John.

John then felt like he had over stepped, so he immediately apologized and tried leaving the room. “Wait!” Shouted Courtney, stopping John from leaving. He then turned around and faced her. “Tell me, who are you talking about?” Asked Courtney. “Uhmm, I’m talking about Mr Anderson. I know you are leaving early because of him. I have observed that you always want to leave home before he wakes up…” “And how is that any of your business?!” Said Courtney in anger as she interrupted John.

“Oh I’m very sorry. I knew I had overstepped. I’m very sorry ma’am. I’m just trying to reveal to you that he wasn’t always as harsh as this. He used to have a warm and gentle personality. He entertained everyone around him, including his staff. He only started behaving this way after the accident that crippled him. I am just sorry that this is the version of him you got to meet” said John in a gentle tone as he faced Courtney.

“Hmmm, I can’t imagine that man being nice” replied Courtney as she let out a heavy sigh. “Oh yes he was. From what I have observed over the years, the accident did a lot to him. The trauma of the moment is still there. That’s why he taps his feet a lot. That is a defect that came after the accident. The post traumatic syndrome has been very heavy” said John.

Courtney on hearing these words from John, then sat on her bed and fell into deep thought. She began to feel pity for Darius. Her expression became gloomy. “Ma’am are you okay?” Asked John as he moved closer to her looking very concerned. “Yes I’m fine. I just didn’t know there was a reason he behaved this way. I just generally thought he’s a monster” said Courtney. She then placed both her hands over her face and made a deep sigh.

“John, do you have a woman in your life?” Asked Courtney as she faced him. John was astonished by her question. “Uhmm, ma’am no I don’t” replied John. “Why not? You are tall, handsome with a nice light skin. Don’t you think you should have a woman in your life? All you do is take care of Darius” said Courtney. “Uhmm, well ma’am I’m not sure I have thought about it. I just work to take care of my mother and younger siblings. That has been the routine of my life so far” replied John.

“I ask because I want to give you a piece of advice. Marry for love, and don’t ever let any other condition to make you marry for something else. Look at me, twenty five years old woman married to a thirty five years old sadist. Like my life wasn’t boring enough before” said Courtney as she laughed at her last words. “I’m sorry ma’am” said John. “it’s okay” replied Courtney. There was then utter silence between them for a short moment.

“So ma’am I’ll leave for now. Mr Anderson would need me” said John breaking the silence. “Oh okay, you can go” replied Courtney. “Thank you ma’am” said John as he turned around to leave.

“Where have you been?” Asked Darius as soon as John stepped into his room. “I was trying to call madam Courtney for breakfast” replied John. “What?!” Exclaimed Darius. “Why were you trying to call that b***h to eat with me?!” Asked Darius looking infuriated.

“Uhmm, sir I…” “Shut the f**k up! Pick up my shoes over there and clean it now!” Shouted Darius. “Yes..Yes sir” said John as he stuttered his words in fear. “I will be going to the hotel this morning. As you can see I’m already in my suit. I have a meeting so make sure my wrangler is ready” said Darius. “Yes sir, yes sir” replied John.

“Where is my food?” Asked Darius. “It’s on the dining table sir” replied John. Darius then moved on to the dining room. He was astonished by what he saw. He spotted Courtney already at the dining table eating. “What are you doing here? By now you are usually out of the house” said Darius. “Well, I decided to stay behind and eat breakfast” replied Courtney with a warm smile.

Courtney’s nice response to Darius left him in awe. He started feeling suspicious about what her aim could be. “What exactly do you want you b***h?! I don’t buy this bullshit nice smile you just gave me” said Darius. “Hey, stop using such words to speak with your wife” replied Courtney in a calm manner. Darius was left in further confusion and it began to frustrate him.

“Hmmm, okay I understand. So you’ve poisoned my food right? It won’t work” said Darius. “Darling, if I’ve poisoned your food, I won’t be eating the same food…” “Oh shut up! We are eating from different plates. You could have poisoned my own food already” said Darius. “Darling, just calm down and eat. We are husband and wife. Let’s talk, come on” replied Courtney with a smile.

Darius then stared at her in silence for a short moment, after which he let out a loud laugh. “Oh my God! This woman, for the first time you have made me laugh. I did not know you would be this interesting. Husband and wife?! Did you really just say that?!” Shouted Darius.

“Yes, aren’t we husband and wife?” Replied Courtney. “In the eyes of the public, yes we are, but don’t forget your place in this house. This is a contract, a contract of two years. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Nonsense!” Shouted Darius, after which he turned his wheelchair around and began leaving the dining room. “Hey!” Exclaimed Courtney as she ran and obstructed Darius’s path. “What the f**k are you doing?! Get out of my way!” Shouted Darius in anger.

“Why are you tapping your feet like that?” Asked Courtney in a gentle manner. “How is that your business?! What is wrong with this woman?!” Exclaimed Darius as he tried leaving but she blocked his path again. “I notice you always tap your feet unintentionally. That must be an OCD, which means obsessive…” “Don’t lecture me on the meaning of OCD. Who do you think you are talking to?! Get out of my way now!” Exclaimed Darius in a frustrated tone, this time he tried using his hand to push Courtney out of the way. She persisted.

“All I am saying is that your OCD should be as a result of the accident you had two years ago…” “Are you mad?!” Exclaimed Darius, feeling more infuriated. “John! John!” Shouted Darius repeatedly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you” said Courtney as she lowered her body down to Darius and touched his shoulders. “Get your filthy hands off me!” Shouted Darius as he shoved off her hand from his shoulder.

“How dare you talk about my accident?! What gives you the right?!” Shouted Darius. His feet kept tapping the floor as he spoke, a flaw he had for the last two years of his life. “I’m really sorry. I…” “What do you want from me?! Everything that has happened to me is none of your business” said Darius as a tear rolled down his right eye. Immediately he noticed he was becoming intensely emotional. He immediately wiped off the tear and comported himself.

“Sir, you called me” said John as soon as he stepped into the dining room. “Where have you been you big clown?!” Shouted Darius immediately he spotted John. “I am sorry sir. I…” “Just shut up, and get me out of here” said Darius. John then moved to Darius and moved his wheelchair. “I’m sorry Darius. I honestly didn’t mean to offend you. I was just trying to help and be nice” said Courtney in a sad tone.

“I don’t need your pity you b***h! Respect yourself and my boundaries. Don’t ever talk to me like that again!” Shouted Darius, after which John pushed him out of the dining room with his wheelchair. Soon after, John placed Darius in his car and drove off.