Episode four
1284 Words
OCTAVIA
“I can’t believe we did this,” I said with a grin.
Marcelle stared at me unfazed, “we sure did, Mrs. Kessner.”
“That will take some time to get used to it,”
“Octavia, I would like to discuss this some more tomorrow. I need to go break the news to my grandmother.”
“That’s okay. I need to head home.”
I didn’t wait for him to say anything. I turned and walked to my car. The whole ride home, I wondered if I had made a mistake.
It wasn’t like me to jump headfirst into a decision without thinking it through. It was like he charmed me into saying yes. The whole time I looked at him as we got our marriage certificate, all I could think of was how comfortable I felt with him.
I don’t know anything about him, yet it felt like I have known him my whole life. It was nice.
I parked my car in front of my sister’s house. I bent my head over the steering wheel, I didn’t want to go in there, but I wanted to talk to her about this.
I let myself in with the key, going straight to my room. I didn’t want any altercation with my brother-in-law. He has been having problems with me staying with them, so I avoid him.
“Octavia, come in here.” My sister called from their bedroom.
“Busy!” I yelled back,
I slammed the door shut and closed my eyes. It’s been such a day. I got married to my blind date.
“Octavia, open the door.” My sister pounded on the door.
“You can knock, you know? You won’t die.” I rolled my eyes as I opened the door.
“Yeah, yeah. Where have you been? I have been trying to call you.”
“I went on a date,”
Her eyes widened, “tell me everything.” She squealed.
“Calm down. Remember the old woman I always have lunch with?” she nodded, “it turns out she has a hot grandson who wants to get married.”
“You are not thinking of getting married to him, are you?”
“No, I am not thinking about it.”
“That’s good. It would be best if you put some thought into it. Marriage is no joke, Octavia….”
“I already did,” I said with as much strength as I could muster.
“What?”
“What?”
“Sorry, for a second, it sounded like you said you married him.”
“That’s because I did.”
I busied myself with pulling clothes from my wardrobe. I intend to pack my things and be out of the house by tomorrow.
“No, my sister is not in the habit of marrying strangers without thinking it through.” My sister argued,
“I don’t want to make this an issue. I am married to him per his grandmother’s wish. It’s not a big deal.”
“I beg to differ. You married a man you just met.” Her voice was beginning to get high.
“I thought you, of all people, would be happy with this development. You don’t have to keep fighting with your husband because of me. I know how much my presence has caused you.” I told her,
I see the moment her shoulder relaxes, “it’s not about you; I love having you here.”
“You are my sister. You are supposed to say that.”
“Are you doing this?” she asked. I nodded. “Yes, I am.”
She came forward and hugged me tight, “I am going to miss you, and I am sure George will miss his auntie too.”
“I will miss you guys too, and promise to check up now and then.”
She left my room, leaving me to wonder if I was making a mistake. I will find out tomorrow.
The next morning…
The noise from my phone roused me from my slumber, and I leaned blindly to shut it off.
I opened an eye when I didn’t feel it. The caller id showed Marcelle. I picked it up, clearing my throat before I said anything.
“Good morning, wife.”
I nearly fell off the bed, and his morning voice matched his features. It was a mixture of deep and a husky tune.
“Good morning, Marcelle.”
“I got you coffee, and I am waiting downstairs,” he said,
My eyes went wide. All traces of sleep was wiped out from my eyes.
“What?’
"I told you we had many things to discuss. I will be waiting." He hung up,
I frowned. He was kind of bossy.
I rushed to my shower and threw anything on. It was a good thing my bags were already packed.
"Hey," I said breathlessly as soon as I came close to him.
"Hey," he handed me the cup, and I took a sip. My worries slipped away that instant.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Come on. I have something to show you." He opened the car door and gestured for me to get in.
He started driving, but I couldn't resist, "where are we going?" I asked,
"To my house, also I wanted us to go over some rules."
"Oh, okay then."
It turns out his house was not far from mine, "we are here,"
Wow! This place is beautiful.
We entered the foyer, and I felt my spirit leave my body. This place was magnificent.
"You like it?"
"I love it!"
"Good, because it's your home now."
"Excuse me?"
He handed me something in a box, and I opened it. It was a key.
"This is the key to the building. Now, you have access to it.
"Come on, let me show you around."
He led me through the house, showing me his favorite places too. I was in love with this place.
Finally, we sat down to go over the rules. I had a few of my own too.
"So, now that we are married. I want it to be private, and I don't want it to interfere with our lives."
"You want us to hide it?" I ask,
"Something like that, the fewer people know, the better for us."
"I agree."
"Is there anything you wish to add?"
"Yes, I would like to know my contribution to the marriage."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the light bills aren't going to pay for themselves. Neither is the water bill. I am asking for a little share so I can make your work easier."
Something passes his eyes, but he makes his expression blank once again.
"You want to split the bills with me?"
"Of course, I don't make much from the bookshop, but I can contribute something," I assure him.
"We can talk about that later. Is that all?"
I nod, "for now, yes."
"Good. We will be having dinner with my grandmother tomorrow."
"That's fine with me. It’s time for our weekly brunch."
"Alright, you can move in whenever you like. This is your home now."
"Thank you,"
He left with an excuse of going back to work while I walked around the house to get acquainted with it.
I passed the hallway when something caught my eye, and it was a picture of him receiving an award.
I narrowed my eyes as it zoned in on the headline.
THE RICHEST BILLIONAIRE IN THE CITY, MARCELLE KESSNER, BAGS AN AWARD FOR MOST COMPANY SALES.
He?
Anastasia's grandson is the wealthiest man in the city.
- Writer
