Chapter4
1331 Words
THE SECRET BILLIONAIRE
"Ivan doesn't deserve an elaborate wedding!"
I quickly hid beside the living room door the instant I heard those words. It was my parents and the Lancasters in the middle of a meeting. Ivan was sitting among them, looking downcast and embarrassed and I wondered why.
"He hasn't done well enough. So I don't think we should spend money on him and his bride who has the same character as he"
"But father this is the only..."
"Shut up Ivan! and don't ever again in your life speak to me.Besides, Rafael Romero's wedding is also taking place tomorrow, you can't expect us to boycott it because of your own..." He paused and snorted in disgust, "your shameless display of foolery especially when we are hoping to collaborate with him and grow our business using his influence"
"Very well then," I heard Ivan say in resignation, "we'll make do with the court wedding and a small ceremony. I'm sorry I asked for too much father"
The next words Mr Lancaster said were inaudible. I moved away from the door and charged upstairs when I heard Ivan's footsteps. Just imagine, we wouldn't even be getting a fancy wedding! I know about myself but did Ivan's parents loathe him that much?
★★★
The wedding ceremony took place quicker than expected and before I knew it, I was in a black limousine with Ivan and all of my belongings,heading to our new home. My father sent the money for Mrs. Reinsdale's surgery the instant we were pronounced husband and wife. So I could only hope for her speedy recovery.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you a befitting wedding," he said after a while, breaking the tense silence in the car, "I will make it up to you in other ways I promise"
"It's nothing serious", I answered dismissively, "there has never been anything special about lavish weddings and there never will be"
"Oh really, you think so?"
"Yes Ivan and I'd rather we talk about something else"
He nodded affirmatively and leaned against the headrest and closed his eyes, "I'm going to start looking for a job as from tomorrow and I've made a list of art galleries I can submit my works to"
"That's really impressive" I caught a glimpse of admiration in his eyes and I smiled as heat rushed up to my cheeks.
"Thank you Ivan"
"I'm also sorry about my apartment," he continued, looking out the window to hide the embarrassment on his face even though I already saw it. "you must have heard that it's rat infested and leaky but there is another thing"
"What is that?"
"I don't also have a bed we can sleep on"
"It doesn't matter, I still have some money with me. we can buy a new mattress at our next stop and we can start saving for a better apartment soon"
"Are you really doing this Halle?"
"Yes I am. You see Ivan, all those things don't matter. They were days I slept on the floor in my parents house too. Our futures are brighter than we think and so we should occupy our minds with how to progress in life"
"Thank you Halle," he reached out and caressed my hands, "thank you for accepting me, thank you for coming my way"
"It's nothing Ivan," his eyes were glowing and my frail heart was racing, "I'll always be here"
Silence stretched between us, moments feeling like eternity: as I pondered on how beautiful our lives could become, until the car suddenly turned in another direction.
"Where are we going?" I asked
"Oh relax," he crossed his legs and leaned against the seat, "we're going to Rafael Romero's wedding"
"You mean the billionaire business tycoon and oil mogul?"
"Yes it's him"
"Wow! My parents and yours are also attending his wedding. They're hoping to collaborate with him on a business project and they are hoping to get to speak with him today, do you know Mr Romero?"
"I don't really know him," he answered, " but I was also invited to his wedding"
"Okay then"'
"We won't be taking long Halle, I'll make sure we get home early enough"
He reached for my hand again and held onto it throughout the drive to the giant hall where Rafael Romero's wedding would be taking place. The hall was full to the brim as expected and I could help but gush at the beautiful men and women as we stepped inside.
"What is my wretched sister and her broke husband doing here," I heard Natasha snicker behind me and when I turned around to look she and her friends were already laughing and taking pictures of us.
"Poorest couple in town!"
"Yes"
"Just look at them"
"So sickening"
"They look like beggars"
"Don't pay heed to them," Ivan said, snaking his arms around my waist and leading further.
"Just make sure you and your husband don't ruin this for us," she shouted after us but we didn't turn to look, "this meeting means a lot to our family"
"Where are the wedding couples," I asked Ivan as he kept leading me through the hall. "I'm not seeing the bride and the groom"
"They will be around soon"
I didn't stop looking around the hall for the billionaire and his bride but all of a sudden, a spotlight flashed on the two of us and a loud speaker boomed with the MCs voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome the honourable Mr Rafael Ivanovich Romero and his beautiful bride"
The people in the hall burst into a round of applause and I was about to join in the clapping when Ivan grabbed my hand and slipped a diamond ring on my index finger.
"Congratulations to us Halle," he pulled me closer and kissed my forehead, "I will always love you"
"What! What is going on here Ivan? What are you doing"
Instead, he placed his hand on my shoulder and turned me in the direction of the big chairs meant for the couple in the front of the hall. The light on us increased and our images begun to show on the flat screen TVs placed on the walls in the hall, people were also cheering and clapping wildly.
"Thank you for accepting me Halle"
"What is going on Ivan?" I felt like I was dreaming,or like I was seeing things but like the earlier surprises,it was happening real.
"I'm sorry for not telling you Halle, but I am Rafael Romero"
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets and I was still processing the surprise when a loud voice shouted,
"It is impossible! It can't be! "
I turned around and found my sister, parents and the Lancasters staring at us with shock and disbelief.
"But it is Tasha," Ivan answered triumphantly. "You can take the news of my marriage proposal to you off your social media now. It is no longer funny"
"But you deceived me Ivan! You're supposed to be married to me you can't marry Halle.She's not on your level, she's ruined, she's nothing but... but trash. Mom,dad" she whined out loud, "do something! Halle is stealing my man again!"
My parents and Ivan's hurriedly charged forward but two hefty guards blocked their path before they could get to us at the front.
"Ivan!!" My mother shouted, "my dear son, we need to talk things out. We made a mistake with the wife,it wasn't supposed to be Halle"
"Throw these people out please," he said to the hefty guards,"all of them, they make me sick"
"What about me," Mr Lancaster shouted, " I am your father"
"You've never been a father to me," Ivan said coldly in response, "you know this very well. Say goodbye to the million dollar deals as well as the Lancaster Estates father,I purchased it last week"
"What! You can't do this Ivan, please, I'm your..."
"Throw them out now! We can't afford to keep my wife waiting"
- Writer
