Chapter Six
"Now that we have that out of the way, what was it you said you wanted to talk to me about?" Sophia asked as she discreetly tried taking in Tunde's features. He was a 6'2' guy, with a fair complexioned skin which looked like it was really being cared for. He was one of those beard gang guys who really looked so cool with their beards. And his dressing shows he has a good taste in fashion, for everything he wore down to his cufflinks, were designers. He was the true definition of a real Yoruba demon.
He had two physical qualities which always made Sophia weak in her knees; light skinned and beards. So she knew she needed to be on her guard with this guy.
"Why don't we order first, what would you like to have?"
"I'm very sure you didn't call first thing this morning, just so we could eat? You have something to say, so I suggest you say it"
Tunde who looked totally taken aback by her response, smiled. ''well some of us do have work to go to, so forgive me if 7am was too early for you to be out of bed''
''are you trying to say I'm jobless? because I must have you know that I am self employed''
''Well then, good for you'' Tunde replied her, not looking up from the menu he was holding.
''You think every beautiful lady is jobless? I don't know the type of ladies you have been meeting, but this one sitting right here, has something doing for herself''
''You must truly flatter yourself, to consider yourself being beautiful. And I don't think every beautiful lady is jobless, as a matter of fact, I consider every lady to be beautiful as long as you have a source of livelihood'' He rose his head to look at her, with a serious look on his face.
Sophia was so pissed, she grabbed a menu and to decided to look at it instead, because as she looked at Tunde, all she just wanted to do was slap him.
Tunde took that as a cue and decided to call the waitress anyway. "I will have a plate of rice and white soup, what would you like to have?" He asked Sophia who was staring daggers at him.
"Banana smoothie will be fine" she said to the waitress, after she stood for over three minutes waiting to take her order.
"So what was it you wanted to talk to me about? I clearly don't have all day"
"Neither do I, if you must know, I cancelled an important meeting just to meet with you. So I suggest you tone down on your attack"
"Like I asked you to" Sophia pressed her phone as she spoke.
"We clearly don't like each other, so I'm going to make this quick"
"Finally! His senses has returned" Sophia dropped her phone on the table and faced him.
Tunde ignored her remark and spoke anyway, "Like you already know, our parents want us to get married by all means. I have tried talking my parents out of this plan of theirs but to no avail. So here is my proposal, we get into a contract marriage that will last for only two years, and after that we can have a divorce"
"Hahahahahaha..... I'm sorry but this is so funny, hehehehehe..." Sophia kept laughing until her eyes watered.
"When you are done laughing, let me know" Tunde said with annoyance as he started to eat his food.
"You want me to have a contract marriage with you? You must be joking right?"
"No I'm not, I'm dead serious, or do I look like a comedian to you?''
''You tell me, because you are the one who is saying the most absurd thing this hot afternoon''
''Get married to me and in two years, we are divorced"
"And why would I do that?"
"Because I would be helping your family's company get back on it's feet, because I know it's about to hit rock bottom. That's if it's not there already"
"Go on" Sophia folded her arms staring at Tunde.
"In exchange for you to marry me, I will help to get your father's business back on it's feet by providing it with it's necessary funding and exposure"
"And what is in for you?"
Tunde took a sip of water before answering. "my inheritance is at stake, if I don't get married soon, I risk my inheritance begin given to someone else. To avoid that from happening, I need to get married"
"So why not look for a wife then? I'm sure a man like yourself must have numerous girls at your beck and call?"
"You are right, but a matter as sensitive as this can only be understood but someone who has similar interest"
"So you came to me because you think I would be interested in going into a contract marriage with you? You clearly don't know me"
"You are right, I don't know you, but what I do know is that your family is badly in need of the money my family has to offer and I'm badly in need of a wife so my inheritance can be secured. And that is enough knowledge if you ask me"
Sophia sat, quietly pondering on what Tunde said. She has always pictured herself getting married to someone she loved and not some random guy who she barely knows anything about, except for bits and pieces she read about him on Facebook and Instagram. She is a firm believer of marriage based on true love. That was why, when her mother pushed her elder sister into a loveless marriage, she revolted to the extent of going to their village to report her mother to the elders in her father's family. It took the timely intervention of their pastor whom she really regarded in high esteem before she decided to keep calm and go along with her mother. Now, here she was thinking of doing same thing she kicked against few years back.
"I will have to decline your proposal, you might have to find yourself another candidate"
"I know you love your mother and would do anything to protect your father's legacy, think of what will become of your mother when that legacy is gone. Then again, think of what will become of that legacy and your family, when my family steps in" Tunde took out his wallet, brought out some cash, enough to cover the bill and tip the waitress. "Don't be in a haste to decide, t Think about it and get back to me, I believe you have my number. Do have a beautiful day miss Sophia" he got up and left.