CHAPTER 1

Amara's POV.

On the 31st of December, we were preparing for the crossover night celebration. I was in my room, brushing my hair strands after having my bath. I donned a blue nightgown and stood by my mirror.

When I heard a knock on my door, I walked up to it and pulled it open. I then saw my mother's maid, Agnes, standing there and smiling at me.

Agnes wore a similar blue gown; she was light-skinned and of average height like me. I am 24 years old, and I asked her, "What do you want, Agnes?"

Agnes smiled and replied, "Amara, your father sent for you downstairs to see him before the fireworks begins."

"Why? But we just finished having our dinner, and I am not interested in the fireworks," I replied.

"I don't know, but your dad is downstairs waiting to see you. The guests had all gone outside, preparing for the fireworks," Agnes said.

"That's fine. Inform my father that I will be with him shortly. I want to use the restroom." I informed Agnes, and she nodded and left my corridor.

I sighed and went back to relieve myself. After that, I went downstairs to the living room of my father's enormous white mansion to see him.

We lived in the countryside. My father is a chief and into agricultural activities.

I am like a princess at home. My mother is the center of admiration, and my people love me, as my parents taught me to be kind and helpful to those around us.

The time passed 11 pm, and I don't know how to feel about the new year's celebration. I am the only child of my parents, and I don't lack anything, although I am still single.

My parents weren't pressing for me to get married. However, my dad had rejected some bachelors that came to ask for my hands in marriage, including my crush, Charles Wilfred.

My mother assured me that my father had my best interest at heart and wouldn't just discard me away to any random suitor. Well, because of this, I am still single, as my father wanted the best for me, and so, I am waiting for my daddy's approval.

I took the spiral staircase, and walking down into the living room. The duplex was surrounded by lush gardens.

The mansion was fenced with giant walls, but because of the ongoing celebration, we had the gate opened. And many guests visited us to celebrate the new year's celebration with us.

Even my dear cousins, aunties, and uncles were present.

I entered the living room, not seeing anyone, and Agnes emerged from the kitchen and informed me, "Your parents request to meet them in the office."

"Okay," I said, then went to my father's home office to see him. I suspected that what he wanted to tell me was private, so I made a beeline to my father's office on the first floor to see him.

As I arrived at the front door of my father's home office, I knocked, and heard my father's response, "Come inside."

I quickly pushed the door open and walked into the office. It had two guest seats, and a set of four blue couches.

My parents sat on a blue couch, their love blossoming, their gaze fixated on me, and my father smiled and said, "Come and sit down quickly. Let's hurry up before the fireworks start. Your mother and I have something important to share with you."

"Okay, Dad," I replied and went to sit across from my parents on another blue couch.

My mother smiled, wearing a red nightgown, and my dad dresses in a white garment and black trousers.

Dad grinned and said, "Amara, it has come to the point that your mother and I need to inform you about our arrangement. We have been keeping it from you, but now it's the right time to inform you about it, and our decision about your marriage."

"Okay, Dad. I am listening," I said. 

"Well, I am sure that you're familiar with my friend, Mr. Joshua Briggs?" My father asked, to which I replied, "Yes, Dad. I know Mr. Briggs. He lives in the city with his family and visits here sometimes."

"Good. You're married to his only son, Darlington Briggs, and you will have to go to the city tomorrow to start living with him," my father said.

"What? I don't understand, Dad. What do you mean by I am married to your best friend's son? When? How?… I cannot remember getting married to any man. Did I have a memory loss or what?" I demanded, looking at my parents with disbelief as I cannot remember being sick.

"Amara, calm down. It's an arrangement I made a long time ago with Mr. Briggs when you were a child," my father said, and I stared at my parents in shock. 

My father continued and said, "We wished for you to marry Mr. Briggs only son, Darlington Briggs, and wanted to tell you when you're an adult."

I gulped, and continued looking at my father in shock, as I became speechless. 

My father said, "You are not completely married to Darlington Briggs, but you will have to go to the city and live with him for a while to see if you both can be compatible, before finally completing the marriage rite."

"Daddy, I do not understand you meant. Do you mean, I will visit them and spend some vacation with them? Or I am already married to the man, you're saying is your best friend's son? And engaged in couple's activities with him?" I asked, wanting a better clarification on the matter.

My father sighed and said, "The both options. Amara, like I said you're married to Darlington Briggs, and you shouldn't misbehave when you get there to the city.

"You should be a good wife to Darlington Briggs as you're his wife now. Mr. Briggs had paid everything in the past to have you become his future daughter-in-law. So Darlington Briggs is your husband, while you're his wife. Although, Darlington may not be aware yet, as we wanted you both to mature. The reason you haven't seen him here, nor did either of you had to celebrate your wedding engagement in a grand style. But you're a married woman now, and it's time for you to go to the city to be with your husband."

"No, Daddy. I cannot marry a city-based man. I do not want to reside in the urban area, Mom?" I looked at my mother's face, wanting her opinion regarding the matter.

 My mother sighed and said, "Amara, calm down. It is for your good."

"How, Mom? I don't wish to go to the city and live with a man, who I'm not familiar with… Daddy, I do not like the bustling lives of city people. I want to remain here, where there are no noise and the wild lifestyle. Please," I pleaded with my parents, wanting them to change their mind about these ridiculous marriage arrangements.

However, my father exhaled and said, "Amara, I can understand your complaint, but you have to get married, and I trust Mr. Joshua's son to take care of you. Don't worry, you will still have to visit them in the city for the marriage continuation tomorrow."