Chapter 5 Contract Marriage

• Ann:
• I stood there speechless, My eyes widened, and my breath caught in my throat. I clasped my hands over my mouth. He did catch me off guard, I wasn't expecting this at least not yet, everything is happening faster than I thought.
• “Marry you? I asked repeating his request”
• “Yeah, a contract marriage with the sole purpose of raising our child. But here are a few of my rules”. Don't get too comfortable around me, Don't be clingy or less, of course when we are outside in public and lastly, I like my personal space. “I hope you understand. I'll get my secretary to prepare the list of my dos and don'ts and a document for our contract marriage. With that, Alex left the room.
• I quickly picked up my phone to call my friend Emily, I couldn't stop smiling I was getting what I have always wanted to be the wife of a wealthy and well-respected man. My excitement was bubbling up as I dialled my best friend's number.
• After a few rings, Emily's familiar voice came through the speaker. "Hey, Ann! What's up?"
• “I took a deep breath, trying to contain my excitement. Emily, you are not going to believe this!”
• “What happened? Are you okay?” Emily asked in curiosity and concern.
• I laughed a joyful sound that echoed through the room. Guess who is getting married?
• “Who?” Emily asked confused.
• “Me, Mr Alex just asked me to marry him.” I went on to explain the circumstances surrounding the marriage.
• There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line before Emily replied, but Ann this is a contract marriage not like he loves you, so why are you very excited she asked sounding confused.
• “I know, it's just that I'm very excited I'm getting married I don't care if it's a contract marriage or not the bottom line is that he's rich and influential.
• “I'm not sure about this Ann. What about Theo? What will become of him if he finds out?”
• “Don't worry about him, I'll sort that out myself”
• “Whatever your decision is, I'm always here for you she replied assuring me she got my back.”
• As we continued to chat, I felt a sense of peace and joy wash over me. Sharing this moment with Emily made it even more special, and I knew that with my best friend by my side, planning my wedding was going to be an unforgettable adventure.
• When Ann got back to the manor she met Alex standing at the doorway.
• “Hey, Ann,” He greeted.
• “Hey,” she replied, her voice steady despite her pounding heart.
• Together, they entered the manor, the sound is their footsteps echoing off the high ceilings. Kat was already there, standing by the fireplace. Her sharp, beautiful features were set in an unreadable expression, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of suspicion and hurt.
• "Kat," Alex began, his voice firm but gentle. " We need to talk."
• Kat crossed her arms, her gaze shifting from Alex to Ann and back again. "What's this about, Alex?"
• Ann could feel Kat's eyes boring into her, but she stood her ground.
• Alex took a step closer to Kat. "Kat, this is Ann. We had a one-night stand and now she is pregnant."
• Kat's eyes widened, a flash of disbelief crossing her face. "Pregnant?" she repeated, her voice shaking slightly. "Alex, what are you saying?"
• "I'm saying that Ann and I are getting married. I know this is a shock, and it's not the way any of us planned things, but it's the truth. I can't have a child out of wedlock, I'm going to be a father, and Ann is going to be my wife."
• For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Kat took a step back, her face pale. "You... you're leaving me for her? Just like that?"
• “No am not, we are only getting married because of the baby, am not breaking up with you Katherine.
• “What will happen to me? What will people say that you left me to marry some cheap hoe? She asked giving Ann a hateful stare.
• “Let me worry about that.
• Kat shook her head, taking another step back. "I need to get out of here," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can't do this." Without another word, she turned and fled the room, leaving Ann and Alex standing in the silence of the grand living room.
• Later that night. The Bennett’s were throwing a dinner party, the hall was lavishly decorated, and the room was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, casting gleaming shades on the walls. Guests were mingling and chatting, their laughter mingling with the clink of their glasses and soft music playing in the background. Ann was, dressed elegantly in a rose sequin dress, with a sweetheart necklace, and matching red heels. She entered the room with a confident smile. She went straight to the bar to order for a drink. Ann stood there pouring out what to order, just as she was about to order her usual. a deep and gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
• “Excuse me miss, but I highly recommend Taittinger”. it's simply divine, the voice said with a smile.
• Ann looked up and found herself locking eyes with a stranger, his face was well-shaven and clean, and he was putting on a white button-down shirt and dark jeans. His hair was well-combed. His presence excludes an air of confidence.
• “Thank you for the recommendation, I'll give it a try”. She replied.
• As they waited for their drinks, they engaged in conversation, effortlessly flowing from one topic to another. They had a lot in common, it was as if they had known each other for years, Ann discovered his name was Arthur he was Alex's cousin. Hours passed like seconds as they laughed and chatted, unaware of what was going on, aroundthem.
• Mr Alex’s brow furrows as he watches them, he tries to focus on his guests, but his gaze keeps drifting to them. feeling anxious and jealous he walked up to them.
• “What's going on here, what were you guys giggling about?
• “Good evening to you too cousin, Arthur replied sarcastically. Well we were just enjoying each other's company”.
• Ann, can I talk to you for a moment? Alone? He asked with his brows raised.
• Arthur nodded and excused himself sensing the seriousness in Alex’s tone.
• “What were you doing with him?”
• “What do you mean?
• “How low can you stoop? Is that how you jump at every man you come across with?
• Ann's eyes narrowed, and her patience was already wearing thin at Alex's dismissive tone.
• “Really? Is that what you think of me? She asked. Listen stay out of my business. What I do or who I associate with is none of your business and just because of what happened between us doesn't mean you can talk to me in whatever way pleases you.
• Angrily she stormed out of the hall, she couldn't believe what he just said to her, his nerves were getting under her skin. And then her phone rang, the caller was Emily her best friend.
• “Hey, Ethan is here he flew in last night, and Ann could feel her excitement over the phone.
• “Hello”
• Sensing her expression over the phone Emily asked what was wrong, “What's going on? You sound upset.
• “It's just been a bad evening, I argued with Alex.
• “What happened?
• “He is just getting on my nerves, am not sure I can do this anymore.
• “I'm sorry dear, But getting married to him is what you wanted.
• “Yeah, I know but he's just a pain in the ass.”
• “Hmm, I know you like him, Emily replies laughing over the phone.
• “No, I don't. It's just something about what he said to me.
• “Do you want to talk about it?
• Ann hesitated, the weight of her emotions making it difficult to find the right words. Emily knew her too well and could tell If she wasn't ready to talk about it.
• “I'm here for you whenever you are ready to talk,” she said sounding concerned.
• Ann’s eyes filled with tears, grateful for Emily's support. Thank you Emily I don't know what I’d do without you. She takes a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief. Despite the challenges she is facing she knows she is not alone.
• And then with that, Emily hung up.