FAMILY DUTY

chapter eleven: the engagement

Imani: you do know that this engagement stuff of a thing is actually a waste of time.

Imani said approaching Roman, who was sitting on the bench they sat on last night.

Roman: make me understand why. He continued sipping his drink.

Imani: ""clears her throat"" well for a fact we know that this is fake.

Roman: Are you sure of it or do you need me to agree with you so you can feel sure of it yourself. He turned to look at her in a way that made her heart beat.

Imani: offcourse not, but still, its a waste of our time and resources.

Roman: The people who are geniuelly in love will not think so .

Imani: well maybe but we are not.

Roman: are we not ?

Imani: what do you mean by that .

Roman: look, Imani, i am not the right person to go to when you dont feel so sure about faking your marriage . He said standing up and towering over her, immediately she stepped back.

Imani: I think that you are getting really involved in this. She said looking straight into his eyes like to say

"" hey i still know who i am"""

Roman: If hanging out with my granny for just one day makes you feel guity,

then how are you not being involved in this as well?

Imani: maybe because am not heartless,

And for the fact that i am not doing this because i want to .

Roman: oh so?..... so why are you doing this.

Imani: well, because i care , thats why.

Roman: forget your story of carring and all , but why did you really come to tell me this

Is it because you actually need a man in your life . He said with a smirk

Imani: you know what, forget it.

She turned arround to leave but Roman,pulled her back immediately, he pulled her so her back will be against the wall and he kissed her.

She felt her resistance melt away immediately and she forgot for once that she was Imani okafor.

The moment became fantasy in real life but then the thought of real life took her back to the nights when her mother cried all night because of her father and then she snapped and broke free from him.

Her heart was pounding hard against her chest, her hands were shaky and Roman, just stood there starring at her.

Roman: So you do have feelings for me now Ms okafor.

Imani: maybe you have forgotten, but what you just did is against the rules of this contract.

Roman: If you could just be honest with yourself, you would admit that you kissed me back.

But offcourse you are Imani okafor.

Imani: what is wrong with you"" she snapped, you are well aware of what this contract is all about , so dont you dare try to manipulate me.

Roman: Into what, huh!

There was a moment of silence.

Roman:[ uttering the silence], look I dont know why you would not want to get married, but i think that its a bad choice for a woman like you.

Imani: then let me bear the consiquencess.

That was it she could not bear another minute in his presence so she stalked out.

Roman: took his phone and texted her.

" We need to talk"

MOMENTS LATER

Imani was back inside at the party that started the whole thing.

Amara, on seeing her walked to her.

Amara: hey, are you okay?

Imani: no, am not okay

Amara: what happened?

Imani: I think that i made a very big mistake by letting this happen.

Amara: what happened , tell me.

Imani: I think that Roman, is acting really weird.

Amara: so are you cancelling the marriage.

Imani: I might as well do that.

Amara: oh dear come here.

She hugged her.

Imani: am just gonna go home.

Amara: I think that you guys should talk to know what you two want.

Imani: well, I want a contract and he seems to want something else which i cant give.

Amara: so could you tell me what that is or is he threatening you?

Imani: I would call it manipulation.

Amara: well like i said, you should talk to him,

while doing that be clear about what you want.

At Romans side

Max, was now with him.

Max: whats happening?

Roman: she might hate me right now, but later she will realise that everything that i am doing is for the best.

Max: i hope so.