07

“Who are you?” Aunt Caro asked Noah with her coolest stare. He was wearing a white shirt and dark blue jeans that fit him like they were custom made. His short hair was brushed to the back and he looked so fresh I thought I could eat him up.

“Noah Elliot,” he said, standing tall with confidence. Now that was a real man, not afraid of anything. “I'm Lena's friend.”

Aunt Caro glanced at me and I nodded. She turned back to him. “So, you're that boy? What are you up to? I doubt you'd marry a stranger just for the sake of helping. She's probably not even the kind of woman you usually go out with. What kind of prank is this?”

“I came to explain to you both why I'm doing it,” Noah said, glancing at me.

“Well, I was just leaving so I'll leave you to talk, after she feeds my daughter.” She was about to step out but hesitated. “Wait, I cannot just leave a stranger in my house. I've seen you around and I know that the Elliots of South Bend can’t be trusted. Why don't you meet Lena an hour from now when I'm back?”

“That's alright,” Noah said. “I’ll be back later and maybe I can take her around to see all the interesting things South Bend offers. Studebaker museum, maybe?”

***

“So, let me get this straight,” I said to Noah after we'd finished taking photos in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The interior was glorious. “You want to marry me to get back at your parents?” 

He nodded. 

“You're willing to destroy your life just to infuriate them?” I queried. We stepped out and I followed him to the side of the basilica.

“Why would you say that?” he stopped and turned so that we were face to face. I paused so we wouldn’t bump into each other. He smiled down at me. “I don't think marrying you will lead to the destruction of my life. Besides, it's already bad enough. What's the worst that could happen?”

“You don't know me well so I could do anything,” I replied when he resumed our slow saunter.

“I know what I know and that's enough at this point,” he objected. We walked along the side wall of the church. He stopped at a certain point near a tree and I followed suit, standing in front of his tall frame. “Also, I know what I'm doing. I'm an adult.”

“Yes, that means you know that revenge doesn't make things better.” I got my phone and snapped a photo of the neat compound. “It only brings more pain and I don't think you need that.”

“This revenge will bring pain for those who deserve it,” Noah said and started walking. “My parents. They'll go mad when they realize I've married an African woman.”

“This is a time when you need to find a good woman, settle down and have children.”

“Starting a family is not for everyone and there's no timeline for everyone to follow. I'll do whatever I want not what society expects me to do. Besides, why are we talking as if this marriage will be permanent? It'll only be for a while and it won't be a serious thing. When you get your green card, we can move on with our lives. My parents would have learnt not to mess with me ever again.”

“I don't believe that's how to teach them but who am I to question you? That's your problem. The real problem here is that your parents may find out what's going on. Also, don't forget about Jeff. I don’t think this will work so it’s better if you stop putting ideas in my head.”

“You give up so first, Lena. We can find a way to stop Jeff.”

“I don't think he's willing to give up.”

“Where there a will, there's a way. Would you rather marry me or Jeff?”

“Isn't it obvious?”

“I want to hear it from your lips,” He watched me with his infectious smile.

I couldn't help but smile back. “You, of course.”

“I knew it,” he said prompting me to almost stick out my tongue at him. We were now a few meters away from the Basilica. 

So-”

“Lena,” I heard a familiar voice and turned around to see the one person I didn't want to see in the campus of Notre Dame.

“So, you're running around with south bend's top playboy?” He chuckled, shaking his head. He was wearing a white dress shirt and brown trousers. Tucked in. He didn't look as bad as his usual self. “I hope you don't fall for his lies.”

I rolled my eyes. “I hope you're not having second thoughts because I booked us a wedding date in two weeks' time.”

“In two weeks? We don’t even have a license yet.”

“Yes. This Saturday, were going to attend my sister’s wedding.” He handed Noah his phone. “Why don't you take a photo of us?”

“Jeff, what if I gave you your money and you let this be?” Noah took the phone and glanced at its broken screen.

“What are you saying?” Jeff's expression changed. “You want to marry her? Everyone knows that the Elliots are racist pieces of-”

“Don't say it.” Noah said, looking uncomfortable. I could tell that he wasn't proud of his family and didn't like how they were. 

“Whatever,” Jeff said, glancing at me and then at Noah. “I'm not going to give up this beauty for anything.”

“Is that because no girl wants to breathe the same air as you?” Noah raised an eyebrow.

“You little-” Jeff raised his hand.

“You guys. Stop it. The last thing we need is a fight and you ending up in jail.” I didn't mind if Jeff went to jail but as for Noah, I wouldn't want that to happen to him. He'd get a criminal record which would bring problems for both of us.

“There's no deal.” Jeff grabbed his phone from Noah. He gave me a once over. “I'll see you on Saturday and you better start shopping for a wedding dress.”

“I told you,” I sighed when Jeff had walked away. “He won't accept.”

There was nothing I liked about Jeff. I pictured what a marriage to him would be like. We'd yell at each other all day and probably tear our throats out if we lived together. It'd be a mess and I'd never be happy by his side. It made me feel sad.

“You look sad. Would you like a hug?”

“Please.”

He put his arms around me and my body came alive instantly. A sweet feeling swirled in me and all I wanted was to be held by this man who smelled so good it was almost intoxicating.

“Noah?” I heard a voice.

We parted and I recognized her. “Is she the one you were-?

“Who are you?” she questioned.

And I thought things couldn't get any worse.