Chapter Two

"Marriage? Six months? What are you talking about Mr Fabian?"

The lawyer, Mr Fabian scratched his head and looked at his client's grandson. "I'm sorry Mr Williams but Nana clearly stated it here. You can only access your trust fund when you're married and the marriage must be at least 6 months old."

Victor Williams gaped and closed his eyes. 'Nana, why did you do this?' "Well I didn't know about this."

Mr Fabian gave him a wan smile. "Well it's all here. There's really nothing I can do sir. I'm sorry."

"What if I'm engaged, can I access it then?" Why was Nana doing this to him? She knew better than anyone that he didn't believe in love and he never wanted to get married.

She was aware of how horrible his parent's marriage had been. What was the need to put this kind of stipulation in place? Why was she trying to force him to settle down at all cost?

He didn't have good examples while growing up so what was he supposed to do when he eventually got married? Beat his wife and leave her lying half dead on the kitchen floor?

"Congratulations on your engagement, Mr Williams but I'm afraid it doesn't change anything. It clearly states.."

Victor tuned the man out at that moment and got up pacing round the office. His last relationship had ended just last night, last night! Where was he supposed to find someone else and so soon too?

Suddenly, the thoughts of their last moment together crept into his mind. How he fiddled and sucked on her nipples. “Just touch me”, she said softly. He parted her with two fingers and found her clit, rubbing it in small circles. Her pussy was wet and ready for him as she whispered “hard” into his ears.

"I hope you understand." These words of Mr Fabian interrupted his thoughts abruptly.

Victor nodded and picked up his phones from the mahogany desk. Of course he understood. Nana was trying to ruin his entire life but he wouldn't let her.

As soon as he walked out of the office, he dialed his assistant's number. "Mr Emmanuel, I need your help."

There was so much noise on the other side and Victor groaned removing the phone from his ear at the irritating noise. "What is the meaning of all this?" He mused and ran his hand through his hair. "Are you there?"

***

"Victor." Emmanuel said once he had picked up the phone and he almost missed Lila's eye roll. Almost. "I'm with my family right now sir. Yes."

Lila was making silly faces in front of him and Emmanuel was struggling to stay serious but it was hard. She looked so cute. He sent her a serious look as Victor started talking about something important.

"I hate your boss." Lila screamed loudly ignoring Ema's groan. "He doesn't know when its inappropriate to call. Can't he understand that you're with your family right now?"

"Lila please behave, are you trying to get me fired?" Ema asked glaring at her. Lila stuck her tongue out at him and ran away locking herself in the bathroom.

Emmanuel sighed in relief glad that he could concentrate on work. "You said something about an ad?"

"Yes.' Victor replied and Ema detected frustration in his tone as he spoke. He wondered what had his boss so worked up. "I need to find a wife."

Ema pulled the phone away from his ears and stared at it, his eyebrows raised. Was this some kind of joke? "A wife?"

"Crazy right?" Ema had to agree it was completely crazy. "Well I can't access my trust fund or take over the company until I'm married you see. Only God knows why Nana is doing this to me."

Emmanuel gasped and pulled the phone away from his ears. Victor was still talking but he couldn't hear anything.

I need a wife.

It was a crazy request and yet it could also be perfect. Lila wasn't going to like his idea and she'd probably curse him for years to come but what did she have to lose? Victor wasn't interested in love and Lila wasn't interested in him either. It would be a win-win situation and she could set the terms for their marriage so she'd be able to watch over her mother. Or she could hire a nurse after all she could just get Victor to pay for that.

"I think I've gone crazy." Emmanuel mused running his hands through his dark brown hair just as Lila opened the bathroom door and walked back into the room.

"Are you talking to yourself now?" She asked giving him a weird look and he smiled staring at her. She had showered, it was obvious because her auburn hair was wet, the strands were sticking to her body that was wrapped in a towel.

"Emmanuel? Are you still there?" Victor's voice came from the phone and Emmanuel picked it up placing it against his ear as he looked away from Lila's wet body wrapped in the towel. If she bent, he'd be able to see...

"Emmanuel, did you hang up on me? Or has my craziness driven you away?" Victor laughed on the other hand and Emmanuel told himself to focus. "I can't even ask Angela because Nana doesn't like her for one so she'd smell our lie from a mile away."

Thats true. His girlfriend. Emmanuel didn't like the woman but it wasn't his place to dictate who his boss saw. "I'm right here sir. I know your idea sounds crazy but I know a way I can help you."

**

"Have you lost your mind Ema? How could you even suggest such thing?" Lila asked pacing around the room again.

Ema ducked as a pillow flew his way and held up his hands.

They were in their apartment now. It had taken a lot for Emmanuel to convince her to come home with him and get some rest.

Now that they were home, she wanted to know what he had been talking to Victor about and he couldn't hide it any longer.

It had taken him alot of strength to suggest to Victor that he had found a possible solution to his problem.

He knew Lila wouldn't just accept his idea so easily because even he could agree it was insane.

"Look Lila," Ema started knowing he had to tread carefully. "you said it yourself that things are bad."

"So?" Lila shot back at him. "So what if everything is wrong right now, It doesn't mean I have to enter into a loveless marriage and with your boss of all people." she snorted.

Ema was tired of her insulting his boss. Victor might have his flaws but he was a decent guy. "You don't know him Lila, you can't just judge him based on the way—and things— I complain about my job, I love working for him."

Lila rolled her eyes at him and sighed. "Look Ema, I get that you're looking out for me but I can't enter a contract marriage with a complete stranger."

"Look at it this way then," Ema muttered not willing to just let it go.

It wasn't easy for him.

He'd have to see Victor and the woman he loved together. The only consolation was neither their feelings or the relationship would be real..

"You will be in it for the money. See him as a bank and the money he'd give you as a loan. He needs you for his own personal reasons and you need him. You're both using each other Lila, nothing is wrong with that."

Lila shook her head at that. "Everything is wrong with it Ema." She said as he sat down on the couch. "I have dreamt of my marriage since I was a little girl. My husband would be madly in love with me and he'd be willing to worship the floor I walked on. And my children? I dreamt of having a lot of them. And some pets, a few dogs and a cat that would be the Queen of our house. A contract marriage is the complete opposite of that dream. Ema, I just can't."

"You're being unnecessarily stubborn Lila, just take your time to give me your answer." Emmanuel concluded deciding not to push her anymore. Perhaps if he gave her some time, she'd make the best decision.

Lila knew when to back down in n argument and now wasn't the time to argue besides he was only looking out for her. One way or another he wanted so badly to help and since she had refused his money, he felt she'd at least accept this offer. It was a crazy offer. "Mum needs to go to India for treatment so she can get better."

Ema looked up at her and opened his mouth to speak but she wasn't finished.

"I can't accept money from you and I don't have any collateral to offer the Bank when I go to request for a loan. This idea of yours is crazy but it's worth thinking about."

Ema smiled secretly but didn't let her see it. She was considering it, that's all he wanted. Lila was everything but stupid. She was stubborn, hard headed, kind, gentle but she was also smart. He was convinced that if he allowed herself to think about it, she'd end up agreeing to it. "We should eat."

"Let's order take out."

****

"I'm only here to speak to your boss so I can know more about this offer Ema, I haven't made up my mind yet." Lila reminded Ema who nodded, a victory smile on his face.

The fact that she'd agreed to meet with Victor in itself was a miracle and he hoped she'd accept the offer.

"I know Lila." He looked at his watch. "Victor usually comes in around 9am so he won't be here for another hour. What do you want to do while you wait?" Ema asked leading her inside the building.

He caught her staring at the skyscraper in awe and he grinned. Wills Publishing was one of the biggest buildings in New York. He felt it had been a strategy made by the owner, Henry William, Victor's late father.

He hadn't been lying when he had told Lila he was happy there, he meant it. Wills Publishing was like home to him. And since he had always been a nerd, he lived for it.

"I want to see your office so I can imagine you behind it whenever were on the phone." Lila said and he laughed pressing the button to open the elevator.

"Your wish is my command." He said as the elevator closed with them inside. "I think I'll just give you a tour."

"Alright. The building is impressive though."

"It is, isn't it? Wait till you see the main office or the view from the top floor." Ema said pulling her into his arms.

"You know I'm afraid of heights, what is wrong with you?" Lila asked glaring at him but Ema only smiled.

"I'm your hero, I'll be there with you."

Even though she blushed, Lila wasn't willing to let him have the last word.

"This isn't some novel like the ones you get in this office every day. This is real life and I'm a real person."

"Are you done?" Ema asked his smile not wavering.

"I know the difference between fairytales and real-life woman. Let's go to the 40th floor now."

"Have you lost your mind? I'm not going anywhere with you. I have a fear of heights you crazy being." She said and yelped when he lifted her up bridal style.

"I've got you Lila, you just need to trust me." Ema said carrying her out of the elevator. "Do you trust me?" At her nod, he continued. "Accept the offer Lila, please."

"But."

"No buts, what do you have to lose?"

"I can't just.."

"Think about your mum Lila, only about your Mum." He said with a sigh placing her on her feet. "Come on."