Collins pov.The moment Helen left my office, I loosened my tie for comfort. I was furious and if not that I hated changing employees, I would have dismissed her the moment I caught her sneaking up on me. "What audacity!" I blurted. "She should be grateful I suspended instead of fired her.""Who should be grateful?" I heard and turned around quickly. My gaze met Mark as he looked at me inquiringly. Mark is my personal assistant and childhood friend. "You're sneaking up on me too?" I said, eyeing him closely."Hey, cut the crap man. You were engrossed in your thoughts that you didn't realize I had stepped in," he said, grabbing a chair. He continued "By the way, who should be grateful for getting a suspension?""Helen " I blurted.He banged the table and said "I told you, Collins. That girl is up to no good. I never liked her"I hesitated and replied quietly. "She seemed innocent to me. I didn't think she'd stoop so low as to eavesdrop on me." "She did that?" Mark asked, widening
Vivian's pov.It's the third day and I have to inform Mr Johnson of my decision. I took the document out and rubbed my hands over it. This is a life changer for me, I thought, and remembered how Cynthia had reacted when reading the terms."What in God's name is this, Vivian?" She asked, obviously irritated."The bride is not to get pregnant and if, by chance, she gets pregnant, she loses everything and will abort the pregnancy with immediate effect. If she chooses to do otherwise, she'll suffer the consequences", she read aloud and snorted."Who wants to have a baby with that arrogant cock anyway" I said, making a nonchalant face?"Yeah!" Cynthia cuts in, her voice a bit loud. "Never will my niece come from him.""You know Vivian, you should never allow him to touch you" she said, tightening her fist."Never," I agreed and nodded."I knew that those ingrates were good-for-nothing. You're only trying to save their faces, and they're making rules about it? Talk about who should be rolli
Vivian's pov.Being seated in this mansion and staring at the document right in front of me is really overwhelming. I fidgeted, as I tried to shut out the trembling voice of my inner self giving me a sort of "think this through" thought. "Hmmm" I sighed and eased onto the couch. I tried to relax my nerves and glanced around graciously. "You're here ma'am"I turned sideways and saw the maid who had attended to me the previous time. She flashed a smile and I immediately stood up and walked to her. "Yes I am" I said, smiling and holding her hands."Thanks for the tips. It really worked when I was referring to her. I tried really hard to stress her name, and it seemed like she was content with it" I said as I remembered the look on Mrs Catherine's eyes when I called her that. Was it tender? Or was it welcoming? I shook my head and clicked my tongue.She leaned over and said gently "You know you don't have to try hard to please her. She's hard to please.""Hmmm" I said, glancing at the
Collins pov"I'm sorry, I can't accept the marriage contract" she said, and my heart suddenly stopped beating.I couldn't explain how I felt when she said those words. I frowned at myself and felt like throwing punches at myself. What the heck is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? I'm not bothered at all, I told myself. She's decided not to take up the contract, and I'm perfectly fine with it, I said, a part of me badly wanting her to reverse her statement.I cleared my throat and walked towards dad. "You see that dad? She can't accept the terms, and I'm so glad she's declining," I said, and laughed longer than necessary. If it was a laughter of pity or of anger, I can't tell apart. How dare she? Who the hell does she think she is to show off like that? I fumed and was about to leave when she said "I'm sorry I can't accept the marriage contract...""Who the hell asked you to accept in the first place?" I yelled at her and she gazed at me.What's with her pitiful gaze? I wonder
Vivian's povWhat was Collins' reaction about? I wondered as Fred drove out. I sat in the back seat and enjoyed the beautiful sight of flowers on the roadside, as he drove carefully. Now that the deal is done, it's time to make preparations for my wedding, I thought.My wedding? I scoffed. That sounded awful. I didn't see myself getting married in three years time, and now I'm about to get married in less than a month? "Oh" I said unconsciously.Fred glanced back at me and asked "Do you need something, ma'am?"I smiled and quickly shook my head. "Of course not. I'm sorry my thoughts were loud"He smiled and said "it's not a problem, ma'am. I'm glad you made this decision."I nodded. "Yeah, it's for the best. Thank you, Fred". He nodded slightly and focused on the road. I let my right hand wander to the place that I had pinned. I fondled the pin and admired the brightness. How sweet of him to have handed me that, I thought and smiled. It had seemed as if he wanted to grab my waist, l
Vivian's pov.I enjoyed the cool breeze as I walked home in the sun. I checked the time. It was 10:55am. The day is still young, I told myself and walked home smiling. My stomach grumbled and I squeezed it softly. Evelyn ma'am had offered me some snacks earlier, but I had declined the offer. I didn't want to seem like a nuisance to her. What was I thinking? I thought and deeply regretted not accepting the snacks. She must have understood that I meant the opposite of what I said because she displayed the snacks right under my nose as she chewed them all."She's being mean", I scoffed and pouted. I'll make something for breakfast when I get home, I resolved and bounced down the street. Just as I was about to turn to the next street, I heard a familiar voice call my name.Is that not Helen? I thought and glanced back to see her running towards me. I increased my pace and pretended as if I hadn't seen her. "Hey Vivian, you jerk. Why pretend you didn't see me? I've been screaming my lung
Friday. Hours earlier.Collins pov"Are you sure about this?" I asked, spinning my chair round. Mark sat directly in front of me and nodded rapidly. "Sure. Listen, this is just the best thing to do."I hesitated, then sat upright. "Maybe I should do just that" I replied, taking out my phone.As soon as we got to my office, I deliberated the dinner with our client. It's really awkward for me to reach out to Helen, knowing she's interested in me, coupled with the fact that she's on suspension. Mark had suggested taking Vivian along and introducing her as my fiancée."This really sucks" I complained, as I typed the message. "Both women are so annoying that I don't even want to do this with either of them" I said, dropping my phone. Mark stood up and made to leave. "Where are you going Mark?" "To my office boss" he said, business-like. "I'm heading to my office, there are important business to attend to and this will surely boost the image of our company."I hissed and stood up. "What
Vivian's povI came into the sitting-rooom, carrying plates and cups. "This is what you've refused to do, I'm done in a blink of an eye" I said, setting the table. I wiped my hands over the apron as I reached out for the plates. Helen hurriedly came to my side and had a sip from her teacup before rushing out. "Where are you off to? You haven't had your meal" I called after her.She hurriedly picked her bag and phone from the table and made for the door. "Sorry Vivian, I have to leave"I was startled. "What? Why? You just said you'd be having breakfast here". She paused at the door and said without turning "Something came up Vivian, can you be a little bit understanding? I'll see you later alright?" She added and stepped out hurriedly.Really? Is she joking? What could be so important that it can't wait till after breakfast? I wondered and poured myself some tea. I reached for the spoon and stirred gently. That was suddenly, I thought and blurted "she could have at least given me a re
Collins pov."That scumbag" I heard Vivian say, and I stiffened. Did she dare call me a scumbag? Really? I tutted and exhaled. I gazed at her closely and saw her sober expression. It looks like she'll cry anytime soon. "He even rough handled me the very first time we met", she screamed, and the other lady promised to cut off my arms and feed them to the pigs. I almost let out a laugh as I watched them in amusement. The ladies are obviously drunk, but it seemed to me that Helen is putting on an act. "That means I must have mistaken one for another," I said quietly."You said what?" Mark asked, staring at me. I drew closer and whispered. "Look Mark, I'm beginning to think I met the other lady first before meeting Vivian. You know, even in her drunken state, she seemed fierce and strict".Mark nodded. "Yeah, she just promised to feed your hands to the pigs.""Hey man, that wasn't funny at all", I laughed and sipped my drink. "So that is it. I guess I met her first. She was rude to me.
Collins pov.I stared at the black suit on the bed and tutted. I bit my lips and glanced at my shoes, black and neatly polished. The suit dug out sad memories in me as I recalled that Anne had specifically picked the suit when we went shopping in preparation for our wedding. I could still remember her beautiful smiling face as she jumped all over me. We were happy together, I thought, and sighed. Why then did she decide to ditch me a few days to our wedding? I tilted my head and took the suit from the bed. I cast a final look before locking it up in the cupboard. Whatever her reason was, I hope she's safe wherever she is, I thought and sighed. I sat on the bed and rested my head against the wall. My thoughts came about how disapproving I had been when dad first introduced Anne to me. I had thundered at him that I'd never love Anne and had sworn never to. But my heart melted when I realized how sweet she was and in no time, I fell crazily in love with her. It was like a dream come true
Vivian's pov.I stood by the window and gazed into the compound with my hands folded beneath my breasts. I had just returned from the salon where I'd got my hair styled. I glanced around and sighed. I have just one day more before I leave this place which has become part of me. It feels like I'm tearing myself away from my world. I remember that day when Fred informed me that a date had been picked for the wedding. I had cried my eyes out when I realized that my days together with Cynthia were numbered, and I'd have to live in uncertainty with people I knew little of.I heaved and walked away from the window and ran my hands over everything I could touch in the sitting-room. My eyes went to the flower vase on the table and I carried it carefully. I caressed it and smiled. The flower vase is one of mum's treasured memories of my father. Ever since his death, the only memory of him is the flower vase which he had bought her on their first wedding anniversary. "Old memories digging up"
Helen's pov.I slipped into my nightgown and turned off the light. Yawning lazily, I reached for my phone and checked my messages. No message from Collins yet, I thought and turned on my side. Let him suit himself. I'm not going back to that company if he doesn't apologize. I fumed and immediately knew I couldn't do that. It really angered me that I can't just decide to leave the company because of my ego. Getting a job these days is really hard, so keep the one you have. My inner mind scolded and I hissed. "Whatever, damn his face" I muttered and saw a message. It was from Alex, I thought, and I sat upright. When did he send this? I wondered and checked the time."Oh my God" I gasped. He had sent it at about three in the afternoon. Why hadn't I seen it? I thought and opened it."How are you doing Princess? Would you be free for the day?"Let's grab some drink", it reads.I hit my forehead and muttered "Good God, how on earth did I miss this message? I would have enjoyed myself out i
Collins pov.I wiped my hair with a towel and dropped it on my shoulder. I had just taken a refreshing bath and had put on a casual white shirt and black shorts. My phone beeped and I checked the screen. Oh, just some daily fitness reminder, I thought and dropped it on the drawers. Pulling out a chair, I sat at my working table and opened my laptop. I scrolled down and checked if I'd received any messages from the team in charge of publishing. " There's none," I sighed. Why? The team should have given me feedback by now. Why is it taking so long for them to perform a simple task? I think it's high time I handled that department myself, I thought and fumed. "Let me just put a call to Daniel to see how far they've gone in the production", I thought loudly and dialed his number. I took a sip from the contents of the cup on the table and commented "Tastes nice.""Good morning Sir", Daniel's voice came through. "Oh good morning Dan. Sorry for disturbing your weekend man.""No, it's fine.
Vivian's pov.The following day came and went quickly, with no call from neither Collins nor Helen. I stayed indoors all through the day and watched my favorite fashion show to calm my nerves. It would be understandable if Collins didn't call to apologize. I would never have dreamed of it but Helen, why didn't she return my call, I wondered.Sunday came, and I'm grateful that I'll be visiting mum in the hospital. I woke up quickly and turned off the alarm at the first ring. Stretching out, I yawned and staggered into the bathroom. I washed up and returned to the bedroom with a towel tied over my body. I noticed Cynthia still sprawled out on the bed and clicked my tongue.She never wakes up early on Sunday, I thought, and shook her gently. "Hey sleepy head, wake up already" I said, still shaking her. She muttered something inaudible and turned to her side.I left to prepare breakfast and decided to wake her when I'm done cooking. As I passed through the sitting-room, the doorbell rang
Helen's pov.Seeing him hold her like that makes my blood boil and I grit hard on my teeth. Why is he suddenly protective of her, I thought, and tilted my head to see the man who had made Collins react that way. I inhaled sharply and blew out air with my mouth. He is so cool, something in me beamed excitedly but j waved it away. He's no match for my Collins, I responded inwardly and pouted. Who is he anyway, and where did Vivian know him from? I wondered and saw Collins leaping to his feet, clutching Vivian's hand closely. "Thanks for the dinner" he said and bowed slightly. What's he trying to do? He was trying to walk away in front of the clients? I thought in disbelief and gazed at him. "I appreciate the kind gesture and the present too. I look forward to repaying your kindness. Something urgent came up so we'll take our leave now. Thank you". He said, not looking at me.I scoffed, crazy jerk! I swore at him silently and tightened my fist. I really can't believe he's getting work
Vivian's pov"That was a great meal. Thank you so much for the invitation, we're really grateful, and we promise to continue to offer the best service," Collins said, and smiled. I couldn't take my gaze off him no matter how hard I tried. How on earth can a man be so handsome and, on top of that, the handsome man is the most annoying man I've ever met. I took a slow breath and pretended to laugh along with the rest.The woman brought out a wrapped object and handed it over to Collins. She smiled at him and said "This is a present from us, please accept it. It's our way of congratulating you on winning the contract"I smiled as Collins' face lit, and his face turned into another smile, his dimples forming perfectly. "Thank you so much, we really appreciate this" he said and jerked at Helen. She smiled too and added "Yeah, we're really honored. Thank you. We anticipate another time with you""Yeah sure, more wins" the man said and raised his glass for a toast. Our glasses clicked, and
Chapter Twenty threeVivian's pov.Collins bowed slightly as we got to the table and said "I'm sorry I got late, it was due to circumstances. I truly hope you understand", I scoffed and wanted to punch him in his face. Was I the circumstance? Rude jerk, I said inwardly, and frowned a little. I was still in this state when he added "Allow me to introduce my fiancée to you. Her name is Vivian" and pulled me close.I coughed and suddenly felt a dryness in my throat. "Sorry miss" the man at the table said and added "would you like some water," I nodded and muttered thank you as I gulped the water down my throat. "Such a beautiful woman you've got" the woman complimented, and I almost choked on my water. Collins cast me a glance that seemed to say "comport yourself, you fool."I looked away and muttered "thank you sir""You're welcome" he replied and flashed a smile. "So we were about to place our orders before you came in, now that you're here, shall we do it together?" He said in a wa