CHAPTER 7

After taking a warm bath because it was a cold morning, I was confused about what to wear for the interview. Should I look professional or casual? I finally resolved to look in between professional and casual.

Dressed in a blue knee length gown, I went out of my room and headed downstairs but I stopped abruptly midway. I had to see my mother first, I hadn't spoken to her throughout yesterday.

I turned around and headed for her room, turning the door knob clockwise to open the door. I saw a medical attendant trying to inject a yellowish substance into the drip bag. She was startled immediately when she noticed my presence, our eyes met and she was visibly shaken.

“Good morning ma”. She said in shutters.

“Did I scare you in any way”. I asked with furrowed brows.

“No ma, I thought it was Mr. Samuel”. She quickly responded.

“Very well then, please continue with what you were doing”. I said, rolling my eyes.

Samuel had somehow inflicted his workers with fear, at the sight of him they trembled. I tried to convince myself that I wasn't afraid of him as well but only playing along because of Mum.

She quickly turned around and empty the remaining yellowish substance into the drip. She walked nervously to my direction and I stepped aside making way for her to pass.

I walked into the room and stood beside Mum staring at her closely as I said.

“Good morning, Mum. I'm off to an interview with Adrian in respect of the wedding. I'm doing everything within my power to keep your treatment going and I'm sure you will be fine with time. Bye Mum, see you later”.

I hugged her lightly and walked out of the room bumping into Samuel.

“What the hell are you doing here? Adrian arrived a couple of minutes ago and is waiting for you in the car”. He yelled.

“I'm sorry, I came to say hi to Mum”. I shuttered in reply.

“I'm going to put an end to that right now” He said, locking the door to Mum's room.

“Samuel, what are you doing? You can't deny me access to Mum?” I screamed, trying to stop him.

“Watch me do it”. He said moving away.

I followed him instantly, pleading for the keys to no avail. He went out of the house heading to a flashy black car and I was still following him begging. It was when the car door opened that I kept quiet.

Adrian was seated inside and motioned me to go in, I obeyed. He had a short quiet conversation with Samuel before the driver drove away.

“We're ten minutes late, why?” Adrian said sternly, his voice deep and filling the car.

I pretended not to hear the question, looked away and avoided his gaze. I wasn't in the mood to cook up lies.

“I asked a question”. He roared softly.

“I'm a bit unwell”. I lied, shutting my eyes tightly.

The rest of the ride was silent. Adrian sitting at the left corner while I say at the right living a reasonable gap between us. He seemed to have a lot going through his mind but I couldn't lay my hands on them. For a moment I felt insecure being in a car with two strangers who were men. Although Adrian was my husband-to-be, he was still a stranger to me. What else would I call a person I barely know?

We soon arrived at the studio, it was bigger than I expected. I stayed put hoping the driver would alight and open the door. Meanwhile, Adrian brought out a costly perfume from his pocket and wore it, it smelled divine.

“Here, use this”. He stretched his hands in my direction without looking at me. I stare at the perfume in his hands wondering why he thought I needed a perfume.

“Thank you”. I mumbled, rejecting it.

“Why”. He asked with furrowed brows.

“I already wore mine at home”. I replied shuttering.

“Well, yours isn't good enough”. He said scoffing.

Before I knew it, he extended his hands towards me and used the perfume on me carelessly. He signaled his driver and he alighted to get the door for him. I waited patiently hoping he would do the same for me.

“Are you just going to sit there all day or come out for the interview?” Adrian yelled softly.

“I should have known better”. I whispered, reaching for the door.

Once in the studio, the interview commenced almost immediately. I felt nervous at first due to the series of cameras surrounding us but Adrian was relaxed on the couch he was sitting on.

The interviewer was a beautiful light skinned young lady, she wore a warm smile and sat directly opposite Adrian and I. The first three questions were simple but the fourth one was tough.

“Miss Jenny, please can you give a brief summary on how you met billionaire Adrian”. The interviewer asked.

“I…..I, I stammered in reply.

Adrian quickly intervened.

“We met 6 months ago during winter and started dating”. He replied quickly, making me gasp.

“Next question”. He added

I heaved a deep sigh of relief. Few more questions and we were done. I was super hungry since I didn't even remember to eat in the morning. But the hunger vanished instantly when I recalled that Samuel was still with the keys to Mum's room. Not only did he lock mum in there, my drawing materials were in there as well. I knew I needed to get the keys anyhow.

Adrian dropped me off at home without a word. I went inside to see the television on, the interview had already gone viral in just a few minutes. That was not what was on my mind. I looked around for Samuel but it seemed he was not in the house.

A maid passed by and I had to inquire from her.

“Hey Emily, is Samuel in this house?”

“No Jenny, he hurriedly left a few minutes ago”. She replied and walked away.

“Perfect!” I whispered and headed to his room instantly, praying that he would leave it open as usual. When I got there I turned the door knob clockwise and it responded. I quickly crept inside the room and started a thorough search for the keys.

I checked all the drawers, the wardrobe, his study table, all the shelves, under his pillow, everywhere but it wasn't there.

Soon I glanced at a dictionary on the table and saw it swelling. I moved closer and opened it, finding a bunch of keys in it. I doubt if it was the one I was looking for because the key Samuel used to lock Mom's door wasn't in a bunch, so I decided to go and test it. I headed to the door immediately and opened it only to bump into someone.