Her father watched the two from the bed. Lionel just consoled her silently, still stroking her hair.
She turned to her face to his chest, placing her hand against it as support as she sobbed.
If anyone had walked in the two would definitely pass as a couple with their position.
Jema began to relax as he stroked her hair, she did feel better when he held her like that even though she wasn't entirely comfortable with it. She just wanted somebody to comfort her, hold her like this, heaven it had been such a long time.
Her father's words began to make sense to her, she did need a man in her life because she was a woman with emotions. There are times she would need to be consoled like this.
She took in a deep breath and for the first time since she got to know him, his cologne didn't elude her. He smelled divine. Sue took in the full scent, completely adoring its masculine fragrance and she just felt like staying in his arms longer. Her senses started picking up more details from him.
His chest that she was leaning on felt so warm through his clothes and hard and... She shook her head at this point, she had stopped sobbing so there was no need to stay in his so comfortable embrace any longer and also so the won't catch her smugging him too much.
Reluctant to leave the safe haven she had just found. She sniffed as she wiped her tears with the back of her hands.
She still didn't meet her father's gaze, she just looked at her hands as she silently fumbled with it.
"I'm sorry dad for everything, I just didn't know what else to do, I have worked so hard for Acacia and you know it, I... didn't want to lose something that I loved",she said her gaze still lowered.
Her father just looked at her, the man seemed to be calm as he just watched her.
" So, are you still going ahead with your marriage tomorrow ",he asked and she stopped fumbling with hands.
Now that her father knew, was there really any point. She remained quiet and thought extensively for a while, then the stakeholders crossed her mind, she knew that one of the reasons why they accepted to see her might be because they saw her new snapshots. Even the bloggers trailing her might spread the news of her yet again if she ended it.
No, she couldn't let that happen and besides, she had already spent a lot of money to ensure that this marriage went through. There was still going to be a marriage, it was just for twelve months after all, what could go wrong?
She looked at her father and shook her head, they were going to get married.
The man smiled widely again as earlier, expecting her answer. Her decision seemed to please him and she hadn't the slightest clue why.
" Great, I'll be there tomorrow morning, alive and in the flesh, it's not exactly what I wanted but it'll do",he said grinning only to make Jema wonder why the news piqued his amusement.
"I'd be expecting you dad", she said and stood up to walk over to where he was, her bag in her hands and Lionel followed her. She gave him a hug and planted a light kiss on his forehead.
" See you tomorrow",she said finally and turned to the door.
Lionel greeted her father in a likewise manner, but very quickly, the man held his hand and slipped something into Lionel's hand.
After that he made a call me gesture with his hands.
Lionel looked at what he had placed in his hands, it was a rumpled complimentary card.
Jema turned to face Lionel who seemed to be taking a long time in following her. He quickly shoved it in his pocket and went after her.
Mr Malteng grinned at the action, highly pleased.
They left the hospital and were soon on their way. Jema had informed him that she wanted to get back to the office to get work done. He drove her to her office, bid her goodbye much to her surprise.
When she walked into the complex, he sighed and pulled out his phone and the complimentary card from his pocket. Curiosity as to what the man wanted to tell him was telling on him.
Jema walked into the office, quite happy with the turn of events respite the fact that her plan was almost ruined.
Jim came into the office and helped her through some files after which they called the stakeholders individually.
Just as she had suspected, they based their irrational action on the fake news carried about by the media. She managed to clarify the issues, also informing them that she was actually getting married. It was not really professional but she didn't want them to see her as an irresponsible woman.
When they were through with the calls, she proceeded to get through some work that had piled up.
Time flew really fast as she was immersed in her work and a call from Lionel broke her out of her working spree. He had already come to pick her up as it was already evening.
She couldn't help but smile when she looked through the window and saw him parked in. They really played the act
well with him slowly beginning to look after her like they were really married.
A laugh of irony cackled through her throat, how she did wish she was really married and in love with someone. A thought about she and Lionel who actually becoming a couple skipped through her mind but she shook it off, her pride and ego would never let her fall for someone she pays.
That night she slept her heart heavy, a gnawing feeling seemed to have bloomed in her chest and she didn't know what. All she could conclude was that something was terribly wrong somewhere.