Contract Marriage; Fated Love

“Isn’t it better to announce it as a wedding?”

Benny’s face lit at that time.

“A wedding?”

“Yes. You decided to have your wedding dress customised and till date, you haven’t made a choice.”

“I will, soon.”

“A designer will be hired by Donmack designers to make you a wedding dress. I hope you will like it this time.”

“Surely, I will. Thank you baby.”

Tessy and Jayden’s wedding was to be held in two days. She would see Tessy’s wedding dress and then choose something much better and prettier.

Grace Shields saw the news and was troubled. Was Benny the reason for Noah’s inattentiveness? She wasn’t going to let her man slip into another woman’s arms. It was time to act.

She monitored them and went to the restaurant with them. She wasn’t a nobody. She could comfortably afford the meals in that restaurant. She sat in a corner a few paces away from them and ordered lunch while waiting for the right time to strike.

Benny sat down pressing her phone. The pictures of Tessy and Jayden’s wedding were all over the internet. She observed and studied the wedding dress closely. She recalled that Donmack had once given her a design that looked like it. She was glad she had rejected it. She wanted to dress better and do everything better than Tessy. Now she had seen Tessy’s attire, she would have no reason to reject the design of the specialist. There was no doubt the fashion designer would make a difference.

President Naoh and Benny were served and they ate lunch smiling at each other like two love birds. Grace arranged her clothes and straightened up. She put on a bright smile and carried her food towards them.

“Hello, Noah!” she greeted, attracting his attention. He saw her and his facial expression turned sour. Grace’s greeting didn’t fail to catch Benny’s attention too. She called him “Noah.” Everyone around him attached President to his name, including his few friends. He kept no female friend and Grace’s presence got her alert. She studied Noah’s reactions closely.

“Can I join you guys, Noah?” she parroted, caring less about his anger. She didn’t wait for his response. She placed her food on the table and pulled out a seat.

She turned to Benny and said,

“Hello! I’m Grace. May I know you?”

“Benny.”

“Benny. Nice to meet you,” she stretched her hands for a handshake and Benny obliged.

“Noah here is my very good friend. Aren’t you, Naoh?” she rambled on.

This bastard. She was rendering him speechless with her comments. He hadn’t been able to digest the fact that she interrupted his meal and sat down without his permission; yet, here she was introducing him as a very good friend. Was she insane?

“What is it?” he asked when he finally found his tongue.

“Common, is that how you treat me after all these years?”

She stretched her hands and playfully tugged his chin. He caught her hands and pushed them towards her.

“Grace, get up and go to another vacant table.”

“Why? I am not disturbing you. It’s been a while. It’s so good to see you.”

“I know. Move to another table. I don’t want to have lunch with you.”

“Oh. I get that. You are too much of a gentleman. Bon appetit,” she finished and flashed him a smile. She picked up her cutlery and started eating.

Benny was speechless all along. She calmly watched the unfolding drama. Who was this Grace?

Grace on her own sat still and enjoyed her meal caring less of his anger. She knew him too well to know that he would be a gentleman in public even in the heat of his anger.

The following day, Noah was seated in his living room watching television when his phone rang. It wasn’t a saved contact but he went ahead and took the call.

“Good morning, dear,” the caller greeted.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Who?” Noah asked. The caller ignored his question and went ahead to say,

“You haven’t changed your number all these years. It simply shows and means you have expected my call for so long. I am just sorry it took this long.”

It was Grace. Her voice, tone and what she said gave her away. He didn’t need to ask who it was again.

“Hey! Listen Grace. I ignored what you did in the restaurant because it was a public place. The next time something like that happens, I will not care where it is.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Don’t force me to take rash actions and give you the punishment you deserve. Stay away from me or I will put you in your place. The ball is in your court.”

“Noah?” she called, trying to be coquettish.

“How can I stay away from you? We can work things out again, babe.”

“I will say it one more time. Know your place,” and he hung up.

That same day, Benny, who had been worried about Grace’s presence in the restaurant, came to see him at home. He was still watching television when she entered. He was quick to notice her unease.

“What’s the problem?”

Benny walked closer and stood in front of him and looked him straight in the eye.

“Who was that girl at the restaurant?”

“Oh! Is that why you are pulling this face? She’s no one.”

“But she was fawning all over you and even called you by your name.”

“I know. Now, I am telling you she’s no one.”

“You are cheating on me,” she accused.

What nonsense. How could she say that? Even if he wanted to cheat, why would it be with Grace? That’s highly ignoble. He didn’t want to further the discussion. He hated to hear anything of Grace. He returned his focus to the television.

“Who is Grace?”

“Don’t ever mention that name around me.”

“And why is that? Tell me, who’s Grace?”

“I won’t repeat myself,” he answered in the coldest voice she had ever heard. His answers confirmed her fears. Was he cheating? Does he have plans to ditch her? He was hiding something. But what was it?