As expected, she looked nervous. Standing clumsily, trying to straighten a dress that obviously didn't need straightening. She tried as much as possible to avoid his gaze, instead, eyeing her reflection on the mirror-like window. But he cared less about all that. He was Michael Verrati afterall. Who wouldn't be nervous around him? But he was loosing patience with her muteness. He hoped she didn't just come to stare at him. As if Zach noticed his growing impatience, he coughed to draw her attention. "Yo! you ain't dumb right? why the fuck are you here?" His rudeness was just the perfect tongue loosener because she caught herself and spoke.
"Mr Verrati. The wedding is about the begin. But your bride hasn't arrived. All plans to reach her too, has proved abortive." It took him a while to understand. Then he stood up abruptly. "What d'you mean? She hasn't arrived?" She nodded fearfully. He checked his watch. It was almost time to process in. "Odogwu!" he called loudly. The giant man quickly rushed in. "Gimme my phones". He handed the phones and immediately left. He placed a call to her. It was switched off. He called her bodyguards, none picked up. Immediately, a text notification appeared on his screen. He reread the text, to ensure he wasn't loosing his sight.
"I CHANGED MY MIND. I DON'T WANNA GET MARRIED."
kisses... Amanda.
He was shocked. Astonished. He sat dumfounded. Zach wasn't doing better. He was in worse state. "What? That bitch!!" He shouted. "She'd pay for this. She'd never get away with this. How dare she do this to you Mike? Oh goodness!!" He shouted again, holding his head in his hands. Michael sat quietly. Thoughts flying through his mind. He couldn't cancel the wedding. It'd be a national embarrassment. What will he tell his guests? To think this wedding was to be on national TV. He didn't know what to do. What to say. But he only knew one thing. He had to get married. And married he must be.
"What do we do now Mike?" Receiving no answer, he turned towards the now dumb wedding planner. "What else d'you want? Bounce. Get out!!" He shouted. She turned quickly, fearfully to leave. "No wait! Don't leave." Michael cut in. She stopped as if hypnotized, although reluctantly. "Don't leave," he repeated. She nodded, walking back in slowly, as if dragging her feet. "Zach excuse us." He said almost rudely. "Really Mike?" He protested. "Yeah... just give us a moment." Nodding, he stood up reluctantly. Glaring at her, he walked out.
Now alone with her, he stood up. Arranged his suit and walked closer to her. He held her gaze, as he stood before her. "What's your name?" He asked, noticing her amber eyes were darker now. "I'm savannah," she answered. "Nice. Will you marry me?" She stepped back immediately, shocked. Her mouth hung open. "Wh.. Wha... What?" She stammered. "Will you marry me?" He repeated. She was beyond shocked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her eyeballs popping out of it's socket as if he had suddenly developed horns. "C'mon." He urged. "You don't need to look that shocked. I need to get married. My bride just ditched me. I need a bride and I want you to be my bride. I'm ready to pay anything."
She suddenly looked disgusted. She had expected his condescending pride. One she knew most billionaires inevitably had. But she was disgusted he sounded so sure money was just enough to convince her. "I don't need your money. What d'you think I am? What d'you take me for? A bride on sale?" He scratched his head regretfully. "I didn't mean it like that..." "Of course you didn't," she cut in sarcastically.
A third sense told him to beg or plead persuasively. But he hadn't used the "please" word in decades. "C'mon. Let's just get married. It's just for a year. I really need to be married. I'm ready to accept any terms or demands you give. Whatever it is. After a year, I'd settle you with any amount you need and you'd go back to your life." First of all, she was shocked at the offer. It was totally unexpected. Secondly she was pissed. He was asking her with such arrogance as if he knew she can never say no. Common sense told her to tell him to fuck off and leave him to deal with his mishap. But here she was, rooted to the spot. Her tongue heavy to speak. She was shocked that she was actually considering the offer. she just couldn't help it. Of course, any lady on earth would jump at the offer with her both hands and both legs too. He is, afterall, everything a woman would ever want in a man. But she had always prided herself that she wasn't jus
"No! No!! That's not true!!! He screamed, rushing to the table to retrieve his phone. He dialed a number, pacing around the TV set as the number rang for a while. "Pick up! Pick up Goddamit!!" He shouted at the phone. "Good morning boss." Zino's happy voice sounded. "What's good about the morning Zino? Huh??" He wished he could punch someone. "Boss," Zino sounded confused, "I don't understand what you're talking about. What's wrong?" Sam held tighter to the phone, imagining it was Zino's neck he was squeezing. "Zino are you kidding me right now?!" He shouted angrily. "I gave you a simple job to do. A very simple job. Kidnap Amanda Fortune. So that the wedding wouldn't take place. And you couldn't deliver? I'm disappointed in you Zino. I can't believe you'd fail me like this!!" He shouted. He felt his eyes turning sore and red. Zino went quiet in obvious shock. Hasty footsteps was heard as he rushed and kicked open a door noisily. He was breathing heavily. "Boss.
Sam woke up and squinted his eyes. The room was unrecognizable. It actually felt too bright for his eyes. He tried to use his right hand to wipe his eyes, but his hand felt different. He looked to see a line of drip connected to it. That was when he noticed he is on a hospital bed. He was even in patient clothes. How he got there, he couldn't remember. He sat up, glancing around to study the room, trying to remember what happened last. Then he remembered. The whole events chronologically flashed back. At that moment, he wished it was all a dream, but it was to real, he was seeing the scenes play before his eyes again. "Savannah!!!" He screamed. The door opened. Jenny stepped in. "Boss. How're you feeling?" She asked, concern printed on her face. He frowned at her. He actually wished it was Savannah that walked in. "What am I doing here? How did I get here?" His head weighed a ton. He was beginning to feel dizzy. "Sir I found you lifeless on the floor at your office
Her husband. He was shirtless and well tattooed around his left hand and shoulders. Looking like something out a fantasy. Of course she knew he was handsome, but she never knew he was this hot. He had a broad shoulder. With few freckles of black hair strewn deliciously on his well toned chest. He was tan with well-defined muscles, a belly that looked hard and ridged like a farmland. His waist was slim, with a line of silky-looking hair curled around his bellybutton like a question mark and disappeared into the low riding waist of the blue shorts he wore, as if beckoning on her curious eyes to wonder about the territory that lay beyond. She tried to hold herself, but she couldn't help drool. His hands left her waist and she jerked off her revelries. He was smiling knowingly at her, his dimples appearing deeper. She took her gaze off him in a vain attempt to hide the blush that bloomed instantly on her cheeks. "Lunch is ready." He said and turned away, leading the
"No.. No it's fine." She recollected herself. Although he had said he'd settle her, money had not been the primary reason for accepting. She wasn't also expecting the sum to be this much. He was remitting 100 million dollars as if it was nothing, offering even double. Are all billionaires this extravagant? She wondered. She decided to go through the rest of the details. It was indeed a detailed one. A part of the contract states that, she is free to walk away from the marriage whenever she wants, if he breaks any of his vows to her. She signed the contract and returned it. He smiled. "You have a curious history. How long have you been a wedding planner?" "It's been a year now. All thanks to my boss that employed me and helped me maximize my skills. On the day I came for the interview, I lost all hope seeing the qualifications of others that also came for the job. Sam event planners is one of the best in the country and you can imagine the competition to get in. I
Of course he knew what she had meant. But she was the wine he wanted. The wine he wanted to share. She was still looking at him in alarm. He interpreted it as fear. Fear of wanting him too. Fear of the emotions and desire burning in her mind. Fear of her naivety. Fear that if they get that intimate, she'd not be able to hold herself. Fear of being so vulnerable to his charms. He turned, deciding to leave, but on a second thought, he moved closer to her. She was his wife afterall. Her head was still in the headrest as her eyes maintained contact and followed his closing movement. She wasn't moving, as if hypnotized by him. Getting to her, he felt her long, wet and silky hair. An involuntary moan escaped her lips as he massaged her scalp gently, touching, feeling. Arranging and adjusting her scattered foamy hair from her face, he leaned closer and closer. Eyes locked. The air wreaked of passion. He lifted her face to him as his face drew within inches of her face. She closed her eyes, pa
Rome, Italy. "Cheers to the latest couple in the world!!" Someone said. Everyone raised their glasses in accordance and clink-clink sounds were heard as they made a happy toast. Savannah was looking and feeling like a queen. She was the center of attraction. All the distinguished guests were moping and peering curiously at her. Although it was just five guests-three females and two males, noting their personalities, it felt like the room was too small to contain them. She and Mike had flown directly from the island to the grand city of Rome. It was already night. But Rome never sleeps. Everywhere was still buzzing. Full of different lighted artistic art works. Giving it a mixed macabre, medieval and ancient feeling. The room too was not different. She had wished for a simple wedding after party with few guests, and liked the choice of venue. One of the most exquisite suites in one of the numerous hotels she had come to realize, Mike owned. It wasn't
Mike frowned as he heard her. He knew all along she was up to no good. He actually didn't want to invite her to the party in the first place. But she was in Italy for a movie shoot, and had insisted to attend. Zeri and Keira clapped excitedly as they heard her dare. "Yeah... Kiss her." They exclaimed in unison. "Hey. Sukey. He's a married man. Savannah is here. How d'you think she'd feel about this?" Vince asked in astonishment. She laughed, obviously enjoying herself. "It's just a harmless kiss. If he can't do it, he'd say so, and serve the punishment." All eyes turned to Mike, waiting for his reaction and decision. But he kept a straight and very relaxed face, sipping his wine peacefully. Seeing his countenance, Sukey assumed he had accepted the dare. She stood up happily and walked seductively towards him. Savannah watched the scene in keen astonishment. Her mind was a conflict of emotions as she watched Sukey walking to go kiss her husband in her presence.
Crawling, he got to a side where he had a good view of the remaining men. They were looking for him carefully, moving silently, guns aimed and set like soldiers. He aimed expertly and shot. He hit the closest one at the forehead, killing him instantly. The remaining two seeing this, fell to the ground and took cover. They decided to split and come at him from both sides, aiming at him, while crawling closer. Vivienne felt a sharp pain on his left hand and his groin. Feeling and seeing the blood gushing out, he knew he had been shot. The bullet came from under the car. Not bothering to check who shot him, he placed the gun under the car and immediately returned fire. Someone let out a painful groan from beneath the car and he knew he had hit him. He shot one more time at the same direction, killing the person under the car. He was loosing blood and felt strength drain out of him. But he didn't relent. He slowly crawled to another position and waited for the final a
Vivienne drove smoothly. At the background a soft french song filled the air. He studied Mrs Verrati from the rear mirror, eyeing her countenance occasionally. He hadn't had time previously to study her fully. Infact few minutes ago, was the first time he was seeing her up close and having a conversation with her. He had been fascinated by her, seeing she was the lucky one among all the ladies frolicking around his boss. He had imagined her to be a high class lady, proud, sassy, highly distinguished, a celebrity or maybe an empress. Cause, that's the class of women he had always seen around his boss. But he was doubly amazed and astonishment to find out she was just a lowly girl from a humble background. Added to the fact that, she was a poor orphan, working merely as an event planner. He couldn't tell nor imagine what she could have done or said to catch Mr Verrati's attention, talk more of being his wife. It beats him. Although, that took nothing away from t
There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Savannah said. She was still in her husband's room, now her room too. She had taken a long shower, and stood before a silver mirror, creaming her skin. Wearing nothing save a pink towel she was tying around her. She was glowing. She was happy. If someone asks her why, she wasn't sure she would be able to fully make them understand. But she knew the reason wasn't far fetched. It wasn't also disconnected from the letter she had seen earlier, immediately she had woken up, from Mike. It was still unbelievable. She still had doubts he wrote that. For one, he didn't pass as one to be romantic. The door opened and Tina walked in. Closing the door behind her, she stood silently, waiting for orders. A peek at her from the corner of her eyes, Savannah noticed she was almost visibly shivering in awe, gaping about in unbelief. It was obvious as day, that she had never been in Mike's room in her life. To think she had been working for him for more than 3 y
Steve stopped jogging as he arrived edge street. He semi-squatted and panted to catch his breathe. He inspected the surrounding. Edge street was an abandoned and almost uninhabitable part of the city. There were abandoned buildings and apartments littered everywhere. It was quiet, lifeless and lonely. It is said that the feel of the area sets ones mind on an edge, hence the name. There was no one in sight. He walked towards the street pathway, suddenly having an odd feeling and wondering why anyone would want to meetup in a place like this. But he understood that, privacy and discreetness was needed for this meeting. As he walked inner the street, he saw different large spray paints on the wall, depicting different signs and messages. Some were sensible and decodable. Most weren't. They were probably marked on the wall by a group of persons to show ownership or to signal a direction or even a warning. He couldn't tell. On some walls were bullet holes and blood stains.
Tina stood at a distance and pointed to the door. "That's Mr Verrrati's room ma'am." It was as if she was scared to come any closer, should in case things go sour, she would explain to Mr Verrati that all she did was point her to his room, that she didn't actually take her to the room herself. It was amusing to Savannah, watching her countenance and interpreting her actions. She still wondered why most of his staffs were so terrified of him. She understood that it had to do with the fact that, he was their employer and all, plus the huge gulf in class, wealth and status. But he never had that effect on her since the day they met. She knew what she felt whenever he was around her. It was definitely not fear. Although the feeling was a bit inexplainable, she knew it was more of want, desire, passion and awe. Not saying another word, Tina turned and walked away. Savannah waited patiently for her to leave, then inserted the key in the keyhole. Unlocking the door, she pushed
Bright lights filtered in from the curtains. Savannah squinted her eyes to adjust to the brightness. She blindly felt around the bed. It was warm. The scent was still there. It wafted into her senses, reminding her of the previous night. Remembering, she sat up. She remembered him lying behind her, holding her safe and warm through the night. She didn't even have to request. Pride couldn't allow her. But the way he acted rightly on impulse, surprised and intrigued her so much. She smiled sheepishly and stretched. She was alone. She wondered where he had gone to. Time check it was 7am. Adding to the fact that it was monday, she knew she was supposed to get ready for work as usual. Work? She asked herself. Although Sam hasn't sacked her yet, she knew it would be stupid going back there after everything. Even the mere thoughts of meeting Sam sent an awkward feeling down her spine. She decided to brush off the thought of Sam from her mind, not wanting anything to spo
Getting to her room, he paused. Something told him to knock. But on a second thought, he pulled open the door. She was his wife afterall, he decided. The lights were still on, he noticed as he walked in. He paused at the entrance as he saw her. She was sitting up on the bed which was directly opposite where he stood, her back resting on the headrest, from her waist downwards, was covered in a pink flowery duvet. She was wearing a light blue silk strap hand singlet. Her hair was long and flowing, brushed and styled straight, lying on her chest, calling his attention there. He obliged the call, taking his eyes there immediately. Her boobs were looking fuller, standing and perkier, obviously because she was wearing no bra. Feeding his eyes enough, he took his gaze up to her face. She was looking at him as if she had been expecting him. As if she had been praying for him to come in and couldn't believe her prayers has been answered. Her eyes weren't looking sleepy in any way, telling him s
Savannah stood before the mirror, drying her wet hair with a towel and preparing for bedtime. She was beaming joyfully as she recollected how unexpectedly and pleasantly surprising her day had gone. From arriving home from Italy, to arriving at this mansion, to meeting her unapproving mother-in-law, to the best part of it all; how she was able to get her mother-in-law to trust her, welcome her and warm up to her. It was late at night when mom finally left. It was really a happy moment with her around. She was a very good cook and treated them to different Italian cuisines. Dishes she claimed were Mike's favourites. After their private talk, she became so nice, cheerful, caring and loving. She took her time, explaining and teaching her some of the dishes she prepared. She actually struggled initially to adjust to the strange dishes and taste. But it was delicious all the same. Then while they sat at the dining, she told different funny stories of Mike as a child. For once
"I want you to recount your statements. You'd tell the police you know who did it. That you saw the killers when they deposited the body in the swamp, that you saw them while tending to your fishing net and hid, watching them. And while hiding, you heard one of them, make a call, to the one who hired them for the job. You'd also say the call was on loud speaker so you heard everything that was discussed on phone, although you can't recognize any of the men, because, they wore black masks. But like I said earlier, you'd claim you heard every discussion that was made." Sam paused to let his words sink. Then he continued, "the police would then ask if you could recognize who was on call with them, you'd answer yes, and say who it was." Steve stared in astonishment. He couldn't believe all he'd been hearing. He had suspected earlier that this man was up to no good. Although inwardly he was astonished and shocked, he did a good job to remain calm outwardly