Her Second Act

“You cannot sit on that chair”. She jumped up suddenly like a pin had just pricked her butts at the sound of the coarse voice which sounded like that of a lion. Enola looked to the direction of the voice and then she saw him. Mark Match. “And why on earth would you choose to sit on that chair of all the chairs in this living room.” Mark snarled. His icy cold eyes seemed like they were gonna pull her to him in a force. Enola opened her mouth to talk but Mark wasn't done. “First, you need to understand that I do not like anyone encroaching my personal space or using my things.” He walked further into the living room, standing a few meters away from Enola, overshadowing her with his height and build. Enola was dumbfounded. It was her first day in Mark's home as his married bride and she already felt like she wasn't welcome. “Every item in this house is very expensive and should be handled with care.” He added. Then pointing to the chair Enola had just stood up from, he continued; “That chair is my favorite chair and I do not share it with anyone, not even you.” laying emphasis on the ‘you’. It was as though she was a filthy rag not worthy of touching his possessions. Enola eventually found her voice after quietly clearing her throat. It had felt dry all of a sudden. “Alright, very well noted.” She said in almost a whisper. Not sure what to do or say next. She felt so uneasy that she couldn't look Mark in the face. She scurried straight into her room like a frightened rabbit. They would be sleeping in separate rooms, although their rooms were adjacent to each other. Enola still found it difficult accepting that she was already a married woman, especially to a man like Mark Match. Someone she hardly even knew , she wasn't given that much time to even know who she was set up getting married to. All that she knew was that he was a billionaire friend of her uncle's. Yes, Mark Match was a man of great wealth and importance in the city… he was the CEO of Match Made group of companies. It was one of the leading hospitality companies in the City. Every sophisticated and important person would choose to spend their time in one of Match Made hotels whenever they were in town. Mark had built this all by himself. He had no family anymore. He had lost both his parents whilst being a teenager. Growing up on the streets all by himself and struggling to survive He had never been caught smiling or laughing. He always looked serious and the aura around him was always strict and commands respect. He had never been the type to appreciate or praise anyone for their work. As far as he is concerned, you are only doing your job. Once he walks into the company, every staff member begins to run around looking for something to do if they have nothing to do. And as he walks in, he looks around to ensure everything is in order. He would touch the shelf and railings with his finger to check for dust, if any was found. The whole utility staff would dance to his music. He spares no one. Mark was not particularly a handsome man, but most ladies would give their thumb to be with him because of the power and charisma he exudes about him. He had a perfectly chiseled face, a perfect set of teeth, brown curly hair and blue eyes…. A well structured body that made him look like one who spends ample time in the gym. Although, Mark was never the type who would spare any of his precious time in the gym. He was always calculative with his time. Either meeting up with investors, or having meetings with his P.A. and other staff. He was a successful billionaire. No doubt. But all these meant nothing to Enola. First, she wasn’t interested in getting married at all, and even if she was going to consider that, she would choose peace and a place she could truly call home again. She was just so unlucky to be brought into the world and be surrounded by those who only cared about themselves. Her mother, Paula was a highly ambitious woman ever since she was a child herself. She had always wanted to become a famous actress. She practically lived and breathed for this. But then, she wasn't lucky enough to have come from a family who could sponsor her dreams and ambitions. All that was important then was to live through the day, to eat whatever was available and just survive. It was in the quest of being able to survive on a daily basis, she met Peter Edmund while she was working as a waitress in a Bread and Breakfast Inn. Peter Edmund was in Seattle on business. And before he resumed work for the day, he decided to have some coffee at Seattle's popular Bread and Breakfast Inn. He got into the Inn and noticed a plum lady with a beautiful figure. She had a head full of curly blond hair that cascaded down her back with green eyes, and a full lips painted with red lipstick. She was so full of life, very warm and welcoming when Peter entered. “Hello, and what would you mind having this cold morning?” She had asked Peter with all smiles and a voice that sounded like sunrise. She saw herself as an actress even as she worked in the Inn. She attended to every customer like she was on a movie set. She makes sure to be well dolled up at every point in time. Her mantra had always been ‘to never be caught unfresh’. She was always on full makeup with bright red lipsticks accentuating her full lips. She wears flashy outfits, not because she was particularly interested in the attention she gets from men, but because of the luxurious life she had always dreamed of when she soon became a famous actress. She had always imagined herself in the life she believed actresses lived, flashy outfits, luxury cars, the idea of red carpets events and all the important people they are usually surrounded with. Peter could not just resist the sound of the singsong voice of one of the waitresses he had just heard. “Please, can I get a latte and some… “ he couldn't even get himself to finish the sentence as Paula walked to his table. He was taken aback by her beauty. He found his voice, placed his order, had his coffee and left. Only for him to come back the next morning, and the morning after.. and the morning after… till his last day in Seattle before he headed back to New York. He had managed to build a level of friendship with Paula and had taken her out on dates twice. They had grown so fond of each other that they had spent the last night of Peter's stay in Seattle together in his hotel room where they made love for the first time. Then, Peter left for New York. Two weeks later. He was back in Seattle. He wasn't back on business this time but back for Paula. The two weeks he had spent in New York were in total despair. He realized that he could not live a single day more without Paula. He needed to get her into his life, forever. Peter suddenly showed up at the Inn. “Paula, I came back all the way for you. I need to talk to you urgently.” He said to Paula, looking very unsettled and serious. They met in their favorite spot later in the evening after she had closed from the Inn. “Paula, I have lived these two weeks realizing that I can not keep on living my life without you in it. Please, come home with me to New York.” Peter said to Paula with his eyes pleading with her. Paula looked very shocked. “I don't get what you mean. How do I leave here all of a sudden and move to New York with you? What would happen to me? I have never left here, this is where I grew up, this is my life. I don't even have the slightest idea what life holds for me out there.” She got up and paced back and forth before Peter, gesticulating as she walked. “You know as well as every other person how much my career as an actress means to me. And I plan to start that up here in Seattle. I have my life planned out already.” She added. Peter stood up and held Paula's both hands, stopping her within her tracks. Then, he looked straight into her eyes, trying to reach her soul to reassure her that he meant no harm. He wanted her to believe him. “I know you want to become a famous actress, Paula. I know that has always been your dream. You have made this very clear from the very beginning and anyone could see that.” He paused to check her expression. Then he continued; “I am ready to support your dreams till you become as successful and famous as you've always wanted to. I just really want you by my side every single day. I want to sleep and wake up with you in the same bed and in the same house with me. Paula please, come with me.” Peter pleaded again. He wasn't sure what else to say to make Paula believe him.