After work, Tanya was set to go home and sat down at the subway station when a car pulled up before her.
The window wounded down and Kenneth's face came into view. "Are you leaving without me?" He asked as he rolled down the window. Tanya rolled her eyes, "We're just acting to be married, don't take it very real!" "Let me send you home" She hopped into the car and they drove away In silent. There was a still silence in the car for a long while before she broke the silence, "This is not the way to my house, it's the other way" Without sparing her a glance, Kenneth replied, "it's the way to our family house, since we appeared on the TV together, you should meet my family. So we're going back together for dinner" Tanya was shocked at his words."Meet your parents? So soon?" He nodded as the car turned into a rich and wealthy environment which made Tanya gawk in awe. "Ken, how should I behave when we arrive? You didn't tell me this before, don't you think I should prepare some gifts for your mum? Your other siblings what should I do?" She lamented when the car slowed down it's pace as if it's reaching it's destination soon. Kenneth sighed, "Nothing to prepare, you'll be meeting only my dad and stepmom. My younger sister is there too. Don't worry about my elder brother, he won't be around he's the most annoying" Tanya just nodded with heavy heart. Without any sage to tell her, she knew she was in a deep trouble. She had read several novels about conflict between brothers in the wealthy family. Seems Kenneth and his brother are in the same situation, not interfering is the key. "Also" he said as the car was about to enter a gate. "On no condition must you let anyone know that we signed a contract or we are in a fake marriage. Act natural and don't be intimidated" "Okay" Soon, the car stopped and the entered the luxurious apartment. Tanya looked up and sighted the inscription in the house which reads: THE GREAT GRIFFIN'S Before they could take a step, an enthusiastic young lady that looked like she was in her early twenties rushed out of the house in jubilee and hugged Kenneth. "Welcome back big brother, I have been looking at constantly, I'm afraid you won't come" she said. Kenneth hugged her back with a simple smile that made Tanya realized that he wasn't feeling very happy. Kenneth released her, "Why won't I come back? Shouldn't you all meet my wife? And I have to come for you specially" As soon as he said this, Tanya felt somehow as she was not used to this new title of hers. The lady left Kenneth's side and came to her side, "Wow, this is my new sister-in-law? She's so beautiful" then she stretched her hand out in a shake, "Hi sister-in-law, I'm Celine Griffin. The last born of the house" Tanya smiled. She felt very warm and comfortable with this little kind gesture from Celine. At that moment, Tanya secretly wished she had a younger sister too. Instead of taking the handshake, she hugged Celine. "Nice to meet you Celine, I'm Tanya" Kenneth smiled at the sudden connection between his sister and her. They all walked into the house. As soon as they entered, before Tanya could have time to stare around and wonder, a loud and disgusting hiss was heard across the room. The three looked at the direction of the sound and there she was, Mrs Linda. Kenneth and Celine's stepmother she was sitting on a stool while massaging an older man's stretched legs. Tabya politely greeted, "Hello Uncle, hello Aunt, I'm Tanya....." "Tanya whatever, our Great Griffin family is in no need of a slut like you so go back to wherever you have come from!" Mrs Linda interrupted making Tanya gulp uneasily. She glanced at Kenneth whose eyebrows perked up as he heard what his stepmother said of his wife, he walked up to the couple and sat down opposite them and also gestured Tanya to come closer. Hugging her waist with one hand, Kenneth said coldly to his father and stepmother, "I don't bring her here for you to insult. Her name is Tanya and she's not a slut, she's my wife. Accept it or not!" The older man that was quiet suddenly sprang up. "How dare you still open your dirty mouth your talk? You have brought a huge disgrace to our Great Griffin family with your useless actions and marriage to this slut, still you can talk back?" He asked angrily. Kenneth also sprang up from his seat angrily, "I have the right to marry whoever I want dad. Your wife have no say in my actions so warn her! At least you married whoever you want and we don't interfere!" Tanya gulped. The Griffin family is alot more difficult than she thinks. She could remember back in high school days when every kid in the school was jealous of Kenneth Griffin. Who knows that he had such a family? Celine quickly rushed over "Big brother......" "Shuush!" Kenneth quipped at his sister warning her to stay off the discussion. Mrs Linda heard the connotation from Kenneth, she was angered, Kenneth and his younger sister never liked her anyways since she was their father's mistress and her son was not in good relationship with Kenneth. Mrs Linda stood up angrily and wanted to hit him. Tanya subconsciously stepped forward block it. And her hand hit Tanya's chest instead. Kenneth quickly pulled her back with quick eyesight and hands. "Watch out Tanya, You should not interfere please" he whispered into ears as he pulled her back. Old Mr Griffin stamped his legs to the floor angrily. "What insolence? How dare you block your stepmother's slap? Is she not in the right position to hit you? Is she not old enough to he your mother?" "Old enough dad, but can never be my mother!" Kenneth replied. Angrily, Old Mr Griffin threw a hot slap to his face. Kenneth was angry but suppressed his anger, he took Tanya by the hand and the left the house. He drove crazily and in a little time, they were at the beach.Kenneth and Tanya stopped the car at the bar beach. "I am sorry for making you see such a scene in my family" he said as he slipped some bear.Tanya thought he was done and was about to say one more word, but he continued, "Actually, there's never been peace in my family. Just like when I was still in high school, we always quarrelled among each other" Tanya sighed, she doesn't know why he was telling her all these. But she choose to listen him as they both sat by the beach."You know Tanya,I never hold any grudge with Ryan,I considered him my brother even though we're not from the same mother. But since we're Young, Ryan always wanted to get what I have. He has been competing with me since we're younger" He stopped. Tanya looked at him and imagined how hurtful and painful it was to have such a brother. She never has a sibling, but Tanya could imagine how Kenneth must be trying to make him and his brother be on the same page. She remembered him of course, Ryan Griffin. Always co
The next day, as the evening approached, Celine sent a text message to Tanya inviting her to the Griffin's house. After sometime, an expensive Rolls Royce was sent to pick Tanya. On getting there, Celine was not waiting for her at the doorstep, like she had promised, So Tanya stood there after pressing the doorbell. Just as she was still waiting for the door to be answered, a contemptuous voice suddenly came from the house as the door opened. "Is this Young Master Kenneth's wife?" It was it was a maid who spoke out. "Yes, I'm his wife, I'm here for Sister-in-law Celine" Tanya replied courteously trying to use the best of her voice. Be it maid or not, she shouldn't be on anyone's black book.The maid bowed slightly gesturing her to enter. Timidly and panic stricken, Tanya stepped into the house. She met Mrs Linda there sipping tea while reading news paper. She bowed slightly as greeted her. "Hello Aunt?"She wondered where Celine could be at that moment, as she picked her pho
In the study room of Kenneth's house, Tanya vamoosed into the study room with a lump in her throat. Since they both came back from the Griffin's house, Kenneth has been unexpectedly cold to her.As she sat down on the chair opposite her husband, she silently prayed that he change is mind later.The study room was silent save for the flipping of the books left by the window side. The long silence made her more nervous. After some time she began, "Em... Ken you see, I....." "I don't blame you for anything, you dont have to feel remorseful" he said and paused again. "it's just that Ryan Griffin is not a person that can be with someone for a long time"Tanya tightened her grip on her wrists. What is she going to say? She could feel her heart shaking in her chest. She could feel that Kenneth was really angry without knowing, tears ran down her face. "I'm sorry Ken, I'm so sorry. I don't know that your brother will be there. It's my fault, that I entered the wrong room" Sighing, Kenne
In a dark secluded bar, Frank Harper and a friend of his were spotted sitting opposite a man whose face is not visible. The man gulped down the whiskey in his cup and glared at Frank while face formed a scowl and his arms akimbo. "How dare you ruin my well kept plan by letting Tanya and Kenneth get back together?" He asked "I am sorry Sir, I don't know that he had a relationship with Tanya, I only got to know when they organized a press conference" Frank managed to say. The tears threathing to fall on his face didn't make a difference to the man as he began his words carefully. "Look here Frank Harper, I'll sponsor you and support your career in becoming a good project manager like your want"Frank looked at the man with shock, "What are you saying? You'll sponsor me?" "Yes, I'll sponsor you in everything for now but on one condition" The lone ray of hope and happiness that just ignited in Frank's mind slowly died down. "What condition?" The man became silent and poured him
Returning home that day, Tanya decided to cook for Kenneth. She prepared Omelette and bread and sat down waiting for him while watching TV. Bianca sent a text to her as she settled down, it reads, "I can't wait for the banquet tomorrow sis"Tanya hissed and switched off her phone and waited for him to come back. A hour, two, three until after five hours, Kenneth Griffin is nowhere around. Without knowing, Tanya fell asleep on the sofa. Tanya woke up the next day on the bed. She wondered how she got on the bed and rushed downstairs to look for him perhaps he's around. Feeling disappointed that he wasn't around, Tanya slinked into the bathroom to prepared for the day when she noticed a sticky note on her cheeks. She pulled it and read, "I've gone out for business and won't be back anytime soon. Don't worry, I'll attend your grandfather's birthday banquet. My call lines won't be available from now" Tanya can't help but miss immediately she read it till the end. Still yet, she dres
The next day, Tanya half heartedly left for the long boring day at work.After spending the day with joblessness and tossing around and drinking coffee, she got off work. That's when Tanya realized that Bianca wasn't at work that day. She didn't really mind her, her main concern is Kenneth. She knows that her mother would be shamefaced and the bullying she'll get from Bianca if Kenneth didn't show up will definitely be very embarrassing. She got home quickly and dressed up. She paced up and down before going out to board the cab and left for her grandfather's house. It was 5pm, the old house is welcoming several guests as Tanya's uncle's and aunt's invited alot of people. She stood at the gate for a long time waiting for Kenneth to show up like he promised but none of the cars that are passing looked like that of Kenneth's.After all the guests have arrived, Tanya had prepared herself to leave the occasion since her husband is nowhere to be found when Bianca and Frank's car pull
The stepfather didn't let Kenneth and Tanya have time for each other as he calls him around for show off. Kenneth in turn was following him around and greeting the guests while he showed him off.Tanya on the other hand was surrounded by some ladies Kenneth couldn't identify. Most of them giggling at her and admiring the flowers she was carrying while asking questions about her husband.When Kenneth and the stepfather got to where the grandfather is, the old man was pleased at Kenneth immediately and took a photo with him. "Tanya is my beloved grandchild and I won't stand any harm in her way" The old man said to Kenneth who nodded simply.Frank and Bianca couldn't walk around freely as everyone already knows that Bianca is now with Tanya's to-be husband. From where Tanya was standing, Bianca grabbed a cup of alcohol and walked towards her with a malicious smirk. "Hi sister, good that your husband came around, I wonder how yours and your mother's face will look like if you had disa
PYRAMID HIGH SCHOOL, DANCE ROOMKenneth Griffin watched as the girl dancing elegantly like a Nightingale move swiftly towards him. She was dancing ballet. She also take a sneak peek at him as she danced and spasmodically, they'll both smile at each other. After sometime, the class ended and she came out still wearing the white slacks and the ballet shoes as she came out to see him. "Hi Ken, ain't you ever tired of looking at me all day?" She asked smiling beautifully. Kenneth stroked her cheeks playfully, "Who will ever get tired of seeing a beautiful lady like you by their side always? And besides, you dance so elegantly that I can't take my eyes off you. Which planet are you from?" The girl smiled sweetly, her cheeks burn in embarrassment as the students thar were passing by would ogle at them. "She's so lucky to be close to Kenneth Griffin" "Wow, Who would ever thought that our school prince charming will be with this lowly girl at the end. I'm so jealous of her" "Bia