Chapter 4-Marriage Challenges Ahead

Caught off guard, Xavier appeared nervous, scratching his head as Davina mockingly teased him.

"Wow, look who's here, stealing in the middle of the night," she quipped, her laughter filling the room.

Xavier began to explain himself, but Davina interrupted, proposing a playful condition. "You can have the spaghetti," she said, "but you'll sleep on the mat for a week, and I'll take the bed. Agreed?"

Xavier, begrudgingly accepting the terms, replied with a grumpy agreement. Satisfied with her impromptu negotiation, Davina enjoyed her glass of water and returned to the room, leaving Xavier to his "stolen" spaghetti.

******NEXT MORNING******

Xavier found himself summoned to the sitting room along with Davina by his mother. He couldn't believe his ears when she announced that their wedding date had been moved up to the following day. His reservations about marrying Davina, whom he considered bossy, were eclipsed by the shock of such a sudden change.

"But that's not possible," Davina stammered in response to the unexpected news.

Xavier's mother, unfazed by her protest, reassured her with a smile. "Don't worry about that. You will get married tomorrow, and that is final. Davina, the hair stylist will be here soon. Go and get ready."

With a bewildered and frustrated Davina leaving the room, Xavier contemplated the impending marriage he was being thrust into. The thought of being controlled in a marriage, especially by a strong-willed woman like Davina, didn't sit well with him. He couldn't help but wonder about the path his life was taking.

Left alone in the sprawling house, Davina couldn't shake the feeling that her life was spiraling out of control. However, her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the hair stylist, a beautiful woman who she hoped was skilled at her craft.

"Hello, ma'am, I am here to style your hair for tomorrow's occasion," the stylist greeted her.

Davina nodded in agreement, and over the next two hours, the stylist worked her magic. When she presented the final result, Davina was astounded. The hairstyle had given her a completely new and confident look.

"Do you like it, ma'am?" the stylist asked.

Overwhelmed with delight, Davina hugged her. "This is amazing! I love it!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm evident.

Shortly after, Davina's mother entered the room, prompting the stylist to pack her things and leave. Her mother addressed her, her concern evident.

"How are you feeling right now?" she inquired, her eyes filled with understanding.

Davina smiled sadly, realizing the weight of her situation. "It's okay, Mom. I'll do anything for my late father, even though I've never met him. I want to honor his wishes."

As her mother hugged her, tears welled up in her eyes, and she wept silently. In that moment, Davina couldn't help but reflect on the path her life had taken and the unexpected turn of events that had led her to this juncture. The looming wedding day hung over her like a cloud, and she couldn't escape the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't predict.

******WEDDING DAY******

Xavier's heart weighed heavy on the day of his forced wedding. He couldn't escape the feeling that his life was careening in a direction he had no control over. The presence of his mother in his room, however well-intentioned, served as a stark reminder of the path he was being forced to tread.

"I've been waiting for this day, Xavier. I know you don't love Davina now, but I'm very certain that you will love her as time goes on," his mother said, her voice filled with hope and anticipation. She hugged him warmly before departing, leaving Xavier alone with his turbulent thoughts.

Xavier's mind raced as he stared out of the window. He couldn't fathom how his mother could be so certain that he would eventually fall in love with Davina. The very idea of it seemed preposterous to him. The thought of marrying someone he felt no connection to filled him with dread.

He clenched his fists, vowing silently that he would make this marriage unbearable for Davina. If he could frustrate her enough, perhaps she would be the one to seek a divorce. It was a dangerous plan, driven by his own desperation to avoid a life he loathed.

Just as Xavier was lost in his thoughts, his best friend Ryan barged in, wearing an irritatingly cheerful grin.

"How is the groom doing?" Ryan quipped, seemingly oblivious to Xavier's distress.

Xavier's patience wore thin. "Stop this, Ryan. You know I'm not happy, and I'm not in the mood for jokes."

Ryan, undeterred by Xavier's somber mood, chuckled mockingly. "So, my best buddy is getting married, and that means I'll be going to clubs all alone."

Xavier scoffed, irritated by his friend's jest. "Marriage can't tie me down, Ryan. I'll still go clubbing and flirt with other girls."

Ryan's concern for Xavier was genuine. "Seriously, man, Davina looks like a good girl. I don't think it's right for you to think of cheating on her."

Xavier dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "She's not up to the class of girls I usually date. Davina is just so classless, and she's not even my type."

Ryan sighed, frustrated by Xavier's stubbornness. "How can I make you understand this, man? Davina is a hundred times better than your ex-girlfriend."

Xavier corrected him, "I'm not with Mel anymore; we've broken up."

"That's good, buddy. I never liked that girl. She was so rude. But I think I like Davina because she seems nice," Ryan admitted.

Xavier's mother's voice interrupted their conversation, calling from the living room. "Xavier, you have a few minutes left."

"I'll be with you soon, Mom," Xavier replied, reluctantly turning his attention to the impending wedding. The vows he was about to exchange with Davina filled him with a sense of foreboding.

Twenty minutes later, dressed for the occasion, Xavier and his mother made their way to the church. His mother wore a radiant smile, believing that this marriage was a fulfillment of his late father's last wish. Little did she know that Xavier was entering into this union against his will, consumed by sadness and resentment.

Xavier couldn't shake the feeling that his father had been selfish to agree to this arrangement. He hoped fervently that this marriage wouldn't last long, and he had already devised a plan to make Davina regret ever marrying him. He intended to frustrate her to the point where she would be the one to seek a divorce. His mother's and father's wishes be damned. Davina Wilson was in for a surprise.

Meanwhile, in a different part of town, Davina was preparing for the wedding with mixed emotions. The makeup artist had just finished her work, and she marveled at her reflection in the mirror. The transformation was astounding, revealing a captivating beauty she had never truly realized.

Lucy, her loyal friend, burst into the room and enveloped her in a tight hug, offering reassurance. "You'll be fine, Davina. But now, you need to finish up quickly. We need to get going."

Davina replied with determination, "I'm ready, Lucy," and together, they left the room to embark on a journey that neither of them had anticipated.

Upon seeing Davina, her mother planted a kiss on her forehead and smiled, though sadness lurked in her eyes. "I wish your father were here to see this day, Davina."

Davina forced a smile, hoping to reassure her mother that she was doing the right thing. They made their way to the church where the vows would be exchanged, setting in motion a series of events that would forever alter the course of their lives.