BUSINESS MARRIAGE

003

Despair is your best friend ‘cause it’s always there when you’re down

                                                                                                                        -Bill Cipher

HER

I was informed that the remaining three people had already arrived and then led to the table. I did all I could do to put one foot in front of the other because the urge to run away grew stronger with each step. 

The first thing I saw was my dad facing away from me. Opposite him was a man I didn't recognize. He looked to be in his late fifties and at the side, between both of them, was another who looked much younger. That one couldn't be older than twenty-five. I took a wild guess: I wasn't marrying the older one.

When I got to the table, my father spoke first. Looking at them, he gestured towards me and said,  "Gentlemen, this is my beautiful daughter - Alexandria." Then, he turned to me and said, "Marshmallow, this is Mr. Felix Pierre and his son, Paxton Pierre."

I blushed at the sudden use of my childhood nickname while shaking Mr Felix's outstretched arm. I took a seat opposite Paxton and next to my father. Paxton hadn't looked my way since I entered the restaurant but I shrugged it off. I listened as my father briefly conversed with his friend, occasionally peeking at Mr. High and Mighty, trying to study him in what I hoped was a conspicuous manner. When they finished catching up, the older Mr. Pierre said, "Okay, let's get to business.The new contract has been written. All that is left now is for both of you to sign it." He paused for a few seconds to look at me before he continued, " Paxton has gone through it on the ride here and I sent Mr Donovan a copy, so, it's you that's left, my dear." He slid it over to me and I picked it and read it.

On the 17th of June, 2018

I, Paxton Pierre, and I, Alexandria Donovan agree to fulfill the conditions of the contract that our fathers signed on the 27th of April, 1987 that joins not only our families but also our companies together. These conditions are:

1. After the marriage, the pair is not allowed to separate till one of them passes.

2. Any form of abuse, emotional, mental, physical, etc. will result in the handing over of the two companies to the offended party.

3. The pair will get married exactly a year after the contract is signed.

4. The pair must move in together a day after the contract is signed.

5. The pair must appear in public at least once a week on dates.

6. The pair must not tell anyone about the agreement.

7. The pair must seem romantic to the public eye.

This contract has been registered and validated by the Federal Institute for Validation of Contracts. It must not be tampered with in any way.

After I read through it I looked up and practically screamed, "What do you mean 'move in with him?!" 

My father sighed and said, "Marshmallow, it's part of the contract. There's absolutely nothing any of us can do and you know that." I sighed in defeat, then took out my pen and signed away my future.

As soon as my pen toughed the paper, a thought popped into my head making me drop every pen. "Wait. I have a kid." I said

Immediately these words left my mouth, my "husband-to-be"'s head darted up to look at me (finally). The older Mr. Pierre looked at me surprised, then my father and said, "There wasn't any mention of a former husband, or a serious relationship, or a child." 

What he was implying made me laugh. I cackled like an i***t but then I remembered where I was and regained my posture. "I just finished signing all the adoption papers. She's an orphan, or she'll no longer be one in two days." I said, my voice cracking at the end.

I cleared my throat and drank some water. I didn't mention this before, but I was adopting a child. Talking about her was always very emotional but I hated letting my true feelings show, so I masked it with a smile. Mr. Pierre was the one to break the silence "That doesn't violate any of the conditions of the contract, so please..." he gestured to the contract. 

I picked up the pen and signed finally. 

When I finished, Mr, Pierre clapped his hands in delight. "Now we dine." 

I ordered Nigerian Jollof rice with two pieces of roasted chicken, fried plantain and sweet potatoes, all with a cola. When I saw the Pierres and the waiter looking at me with wide eyes, I shrugged and said "It's not that much. A girl's gotta love her food". My father just chuckled and made his own order.

HIM 

When she finished ordering, I was beyond surprised, I doubted she would finish it because even I couldn't finish that but she proved me wrong. There wasn't a grain of rice left in her plate when she was done. 

Damn. 

She used her napkin to dab away the invisible dirt on the side of her mouth and signaled for the waiter. I assumed she was calling for the check but when he came, she asked, "Please, can I get the dessert menu?". 

It was the same waiter that took our orders earlier and he stood there looking at her for about a minute probably wondering the same thing I was. Where was all the food going?

He shook his head before scurrying away, coming back with the dessert menu. She scanned through it twice before ordering. "I'll like two slices of strawberry cheesecake with a glass of sparkling wine, non-alcoholic." 

I looked to my left and saw my father looking at her with amused eyes when her father added, "Marshmallow, are you sure two slices will be enough?" 

Alexandria shrugged and told the waiter to make it three.

The cleared her plate once again and the meeting came to an end with out fathers splitting the bill.

"We have purchased the house where you will be residing but there is no furniture in it. You will make your first public appearance tomorrow, going furniture shopping. We expect everything to go smoothly "