Now I could see why Stephen gave me the one week essential break. He claimed that he wanted me to take a break from the hectic work while he was away when he had an ulterior motive. I wasn't even able to rest properly at home. I kept on imagining how happy I would feel when I would be entitled to that sum of money.
This was a hard decision between my dignity and my wretched life. Agreeing to the contract would say less about my dignity but at the same time, that sum was more than enough to turn my life around over night. I rolled to the other side of the bed contemplating on my decision. I stood up to my small cupboard to get his contact card. I stared hard at it thinking whether or not I should refuse or accept his proposal.
"I'm not a cheap girl" I threw the card into the trash bin and sat down finally letting go of the amount in my mind and head. I went to my kitchen to prepare a meal. As I did, I danced to some rhythms.
It's four days already and I haven't made up my mind yet.
"You sure don't want to continue living like this. If you had signed this earlier, days would have been subtracted from one year" my thoughts reasoned with me. I reasoned along with it. I ran outside to the trash bin and started scattering. Seems the old dump have been disposed. I felt so disappointed and angry at myself that I had not a million dollar contract.
I was still in my misery when an unknown number called. I was so angry to even answer the call. The individual persisted that I had to pick it before I'd throw the phone across the room.
"Who's this?" I asked harshly.
"Easy peasy witch"
He's not the one, right?
"It's Stephen"
Damn! He was the one.
"Do I finally have a response?" He went straight into the point. He could not even ask how I was doing.
"Are you there?" He asked.
"Yes" I responded.
"Are you saying yes to my question or to my proposal?" He asked.
"Both" I replied after a long time.
"I'm outside your apartment with my lawyer" he told me making me surprised.
My apartment wasn't all that bad itself but it was low standard for someone like Stephen. I welcomed them inside and I signed the necessary documents not without going through every detail meticulously.
News and time flew so fast. Everything happened so fast. I relocated into Stephen's mansion where he lives with his stepmother and stepbrother who talked down on me everytime.
"There she comes. The witch of all time" Stephen's stepmother commented.
I always love it whenever Stephen calls me witch but it sounded different and derogatory whenever this two devil called me that.
"I wonder what stephen sees in her" her stepson seconded her comment.
"I'd just wait for Stephen here" I told them politely.
"Elena let's go" Stephen came down looking so handsome.
It was no longer news in the company that I was married to Stephen. Ruby and crystal were the most shocked and annoyed. Although, I did not state the conditions behind the marriage, I lied to them that Stephen wanted it to be a secret. Within time, we bonded well again. Many people even wanted to be friends with me but I loved my circle small.
Sophie phoned an hour ago to tell me that she'd soon be in New York City. I wasn't ashamed to express my joy. At least, someone would make me feel happy even when I live in this hellhole called a mansion.
I came out of the bathroom and blow-dried my hair facing the mirror. Asides Stephen's stepmother and stepbrother, the house was peaceful. I loved how Stephen and I lived separate lives. We only behaved like lovebirds whenever his family were around. I was becoming so used to being a fake wife.
I bent to scream my legs when I noticed a figure by the door. I screamed in fright only to realise that it was Stephen. We shared a short laugh.
"How come I didn't hear anything when you were coming in?" I asked resuming my creaming. He sat on my bed and watched me as I creamed my legs like he was an apprentice. If not for the fact he announced that his fiancee would be around in the next few days, I would have concluded that he was beginning to love me. I respected him for that. He was only loyal to one woman despite the circumstances surrounding him. I was even so eager to meet the lady that could tame this pompous man.
"Are you going to continue watching me like that?" I asked dropping the cream in the drawers.
"There's a problem" he spoke up and I sat beside him arranging my hair in a bonnet.
"I would not be entitled to all of my father's properties if I don't provide a heir" he said.
"And what has that got to do with me?" I asked knowing where the conversation was leading to.
"I know. I know. But anyone to provide a heir between me and my stepbrother would have unlimited access to my father's wealth" he explained.
"Do you see me as some sort of game?" I stood up still maintaining a calm voice.
"It's not that but I really need this" he pleaded.
"Before I signed the contract, you made it clear that there would be no sexual moment between both of us or you plan to still pay me for that?" I asked.
"Not like we haven't slept with each other before" before he could apologize, I sent a slap across his face.
"Get out of my room now!" I opened the door for him.
"My fiancee would be around tomorrow" he told me before leaving.
Can you imagine?
I woke up still angry at his statement yesterday. My bathroom had a share in my anger as I kicked the wall and buckets angrily. I walked to the sitting room and the aroma from the kitchen lessened my anger. The maids really did their best in making the house really nice. Did he even think of his fiancee when he said he needed a heir?
I heard a horn. That should be them. He probably went to pick her up from the airport. I really do hope she would understand the situation and not pick a fight with me. My anticipation grew wider when I saw the door knob twist.
Holy twist!
"Elena?"
"Sophie?"