The Forced Mate

Chapter 10: Blue print

I was still living with Bernard and his family, and his mum has never been easy on me with her hostile attitude towards me.

It's not a thing of secret that she knows that I don't like her either, so we can never get along.

Most times when she acts in a hostile manner towards me, Bernard or Betta Gilbert always talk to her to stop what she's doing.

I was already getting fed up with everything and I couldn't comprehend what on earth could be the reason behind the decision of my parents to give everything they have worked for to Bernard and nothing for me, their daughter.

All that was happening was becoming too much for me to handle, so I decided to talk to Bernard about all that was going on in my head.

It was about six O'Clock in the evening when I walked up to Bernard in the garden where he was relaxing alone.

He had most times asked me to always come to the garden to sit with him, but I usually turn him down.

I was never happy with what was happening to me and I was not ready to talk about it but on this day... I decided to talk to him.

"Good evening Bernard" I greeted with a half-smile on my face.

"G-Good evening Maria, what a surprise to see you coming to the garden!" He stammered a bit, as he let out those words out of excitement.

His look alone disgusts me then, but I had to act like all is well; so I can get what I want.

He quickly made a hand gesture to show me where to sit down, so I walked closer to him and I took my seat.

"So what do I owe this visit of yours to the garden?" With a delightful expression, he questions me while smiling.

"I just need to talk to you about some things that I have been pondering on!" I said, without looking in his direction.

He nodded his head in approval for me to continue speaking, as he pays attention to what I was about to say.

"I know that a contract has been signed and the both of us are now each other's partner... But I have a feeling that you do not have any affection towards me, or do you?" With a stern look into his eyes, I uttered those words, as my eyebrows lifted.

"Why are you disturbing me with issues like this, what do you want?" He asked as he sounded pissed off by my question.

"I just want to be free and I can not yet understand why in God's name all my parent's properties were willed to you... I am losing my mind already!" I yelled out angrily out of frustration at him, with my both hands lifted.

"I will advise that you keep calm and accept everything happening to you because things that you are looking for are bigger than you and they will consume you if you are not careful!" Bernard screamed out those words, as he stood up and walked away from me.

I was speechless at that moment, but I was also in deep pain from the circumstances surrounding me.

"How did I get here and what I'm I going to do?" I wailed in my tears, as I was devastated and confused.

I sat there for a while before I later walked back inside with an absent mind towards everything happening at that particular moment.

*At the College*

We arrived at the college the next day, but all through when we were heading to the college in the vehicle, I and Bernard didn't look at each other, let alone speak to one another.

As soon as we came out of the vehicle, we both headed for our various classes as usual.

Immediately I walked into the class premises, I saw Cassandra and Laura both waiting for me and I was kind of surprised at their quick bonding together, as I met them chit-chatting; while also waiting for me.

I got to them and we all exchanged pleasantries, but I wasn't looking happy and as soon as Laura noticed it, she couldn't; help but have to engage me in their conversation.

"Maria we were talking about you earlier before you walked in and we were trying to look at possible ways to help solve all these problems around you" Laura explained to me calmly, with her eyes fixed towards my direction.

"Yes, what she said is true... We want to know, do you have any plan in your head towards earning your freedom or you are okay with everything now?" With curiosity all over her, Cassandra asked me.

I explained what transpired between me and Bernard, how he walked out on me, and that we haven't been talking since then.

"Things are more difficult as every day passes by and I don't know what to do again, maybe I go talk to his Dad!" I suggested as I looked at both of them in the eyes.

"I don't think that's a good idea, because he wants you for Bernard for a reason known to him, so he won't talk any of you out of the relationship" Cassandra objected to my opinion.

"Why don't we look for all the original documents that are important to the both of you together... The document signed to make you both partners and probably, the one with all your parent's possessions willed to Bernard too!" Laura suggests as she looked me straight in the eyes to get my response.

The suggestion of Laura sounded very appealing, but I was thinking that it's going to be difficult to achieve.

"I am also in support of what Laura just suggested and I think this can help you go a long way, especially the properties documents," Cassandra said.

"Of course, I know this is a great idea... But how do I lay my hands on all these documents and I don't know that house much" I let out my complaint, with an unhappy facial expression?

"I know it's not easy, but from now on... You have to start playing along with Bernard and stop objecting to him or his mother. Make him believe that you have given up on everything and are ready to be with him!" Laura spoke those words to me, as she held my both hands with her eyes fixed into mine.

I nodded my head to what Laura just said, as I agreed to all their advice.

I was happy to see both of them showing a lot of concern towards my predicament and I don't know what to say, as I was so much thankful for having them around.

I held both of them close, as I gave them a very tight big hug.

"Thanks so much, I love you both... You guys are my family!" With a lot of excitement in my voice, I uttered those words.

Now that I have a plan on the ground to work on, playing along and accepting everything Bernard and his family say to me is all I need to do now. Let the game begin!