90-Days Bride

Chapter 3: Colliding Fates

“Get married in the next 30 days? I must have been out of my mind when I agreed with Grandmother. She is such a pain in the ass. I am not even seeing anyone. How on earth would I get a wife?” Aiden muttered, ruffling his hair in frustration.

Stepping on the gas, he sped off at high speed. He pressed harder on the accelerator, caring less. All that was on his mind was the deal he made with his grandmother until he saw a figure in front of his car.

His eyes widened as he checked the traffic light. It was green. Why on earth would anyone be crossing the road when the light wasn't red? But that doesn't matter. If he doesn't stop now, he will become a murderer. With force, Aiden marched the brake, and the car came to a halt.

A loud sigh escaped Aiden's lips as he stepped out of his car. “That was so close.”

Adeline closed her eyes, preparing for the worst, but the hit never came. Slowly, she opened her eyes to a tall man with broad shoulders, his cheekbones well-defined accompanied by concrete jaws, eyes as blue as the ocean, and he looked almost unreal.

“Are you okay?” Adeline heard him say calmly, it sounded melodious to her ears. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Then it hit her, she had barely escaped death. Her mind flashed back to the betrayal she had just endured, and before she could gather her thoughts, she broke into sobs.

“Hey, it's okay. I am sorry” Aiden said in a rush, but her sobs only increased, and he moved closer, patting her back. “It's okay, everything is fine.”

“I am sorry, but can you take me home, please?” Adeline finally said in between her sobs after a while.

Aiden nodded almost immediately. “Of course, give me the directions.”

The ride to Adeline’s place was silent, Aiden focused on driving while she stared blankly out the window. “Thank you” Adeline whispered as she alighted the car, Aiden nodded in response before zooming off.

“You got yourself a new boyfriend?” a voice said from behind, prompting her to turn.

“Grandfather!” Adeline exclaimed, taking fast strides towards him. She engulfed him in a hug, tears streaming from her eyes slowly.

“Adel, are you alright?”

Adeline hiccuped. “Why does everyone leave me? First, my parents, now the two people I trusted most.”

Papa Thompson sighed. “You were not abandoned by your parents, I have told you times without number, they would come back for you.”

“When? You have been saying this for the past twenty-eight years, and nothing has changed. I don't know what they look like. Not even one phone call has been received from them.” “I guess my birth was a mistake, they did not want me. Don't lie to comfort me, I know they are never coming for me.”

“Don't say that, Adel. Why don't you rest your head? You will feel better after some rest. Come, I would tuck you to bed” Papa Thompson said, taking her in.

*****

“Papa Thompson, you cheated me” Millicent whined, crossing her hands.

Papa Thompson smiled. “You can never beat me in playing cards. Just accept it!”

A smile made its way to Adeline's face where she watched, the noise had woken her up. At least, she still had people who truly cared about her. Millicent used to be her next-door neighbour until her parents died in a car accident when she was seven. Her grandfather took Millicent in, and they practically grew up together.

Millicent voice cut through Adeline line of thoughts. “Look who decided to grace us with her presence, sleeping beauty.”

“How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?” Papa Thompson asked, concern laced in his voice.

Adeline nodded. “I am fine.”

“It's official, I was picked up from the gutters” Millicent said dramatically.

“Were you not aware? You fell from the sky” Adeline said sarcastically as she settled on one of the couches.

“Don't say that to my granddaughter” Papa Thompson scolded Adeline.

Millicent brought out her tongue in mockery, making a silly face. “That's my granddad.”

Two hours later.

Adeline was sitting on her bed, watching a movie after dinner when a soft knock came on the door.

“Come in.”

Millicent peaked in. “Hello.”

“I heard you cried yourself to stupor” she added as she walked in fully. “What happened?”

Adeline shrugged, closing her laptop. “Nothing much, just caught Corey and Linda in bed.”

Millicent mouth went agape. “What the hell! I thought as much, I mean, who forgets their 10th year anniversary and to think you kept on giving excuses for him. And Linda, that sneaky fox, is just as I predicted.” “You never listen. All this could have been avoided. Listen to me more often.”

Adeline scoffed, crossing her arms in disbelief. “Are you scolding or comforting me?”

“Both! I can't believe ten years just went down the drain” Millicent said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “This is the reason I am against puppy love. You would be fine.”

Adeline pulled away. “Remind me why you are still my best friend?”

“Simple! You can't do without me.”

“You wish” Adeline muttered with an eye roll.

“Those two should better pray, I don't lay my eyes on them, it might not end well” Millicent said after a while.

“Don't do anything stupid.”

*****

“Oh wow, a certain someone finally remembered he has a best friend.”

Aiden scoffed. “Caleb, are you going to let me in or not?”

Caleb opens the door wide. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

“Is it now a crime to visit my best friend?” Aiden said from the bar area, picking up a drink.

“That drink is imported, I just got it…”

“Sorry man” Aiden said with a shrug. He had already popped it open.

Caleb scoffed, walking towards him. “You act like you own this place.”

“You do the same when you come over” Aiden said, sipping from his glass. “Have you been able to reach Chantelle?”

Caleb grabbed a glass. “We still spoke yesterday, I miss her, she makes us complete.”

“I know, right?”

“Spill it!” Caleb said after a pause. 'We’ve been friends for decades, I can tell when something’s up.

Aiden sighed. “Mama Gracie wants me to get married”

“That's not a new thing.”

“She threatened to kick me out of my position as CEO” Aiden muttered, spiralling his glass of wine.

Caleb's face formed in a frown. “Is that possible?”

“Yes it is. Grandma has the largest share, she can make decisions like that.”

“Never imagined she would go that route. She knows how hard you have worked and how important the company is to you…” Caleb muttered, emptying the liquid in his cup down his throat.

“We had a deal. I get married within the next 30 days, and after three months of marriage, she would hand over her shares to me.”

Caleb's eye widens in shock. “That's… crazy.”

Aiden ran his hand through his hair. “How on earth would I get a wife in 30 days?”

“That's simple. Get a 90-day wife.” Caleb said, pouring himself a drink.

Aiden's brows furrowed, confused. “Wait. You suggest I get a contracted wife?”

“How else would you solve the issue on the ground? Pay her to marry you for three months, Mama Gracie would want proof you are married so you can't fake it.”

Aiden smirked. “There is a way, after all.”