The bracelet sparkled against the light shining down from the ceiling.
"It's beautiful." Racheal said in genuine awe. She could not remember the last time anyone had given her something this beautiful. Or any gifts at all. "I'm glad you like it." He said. "Hold out your wrist." She did, stretching out her right hand. He placed the bracelet on her wrist and clasped it. It felt cold. She turned it this way and that in the light, admiring the delicate beauty of it. "It suits you." He said. Racheal looked up at him. He was looking at her in the same strange way he had since they got in the elevator. And somehow the look made her heart race and skin hot. It was a different look from the one he had given her before the elevator. That kind, patient look that made her want to impress him. This look made her want to… She did not know what this look made her want to do! "It's a wedding gift." He finally said. "In our culture, a man is supposed to give his bride something valuable on their wedding night." "Oh." She said, feeling deflated. Most of her excitement was because she thought he was just being thoughtful and kind, that he wanted to give her something when no one else ever thought to. Sadly, he was merely fulfilling his obligation. Like he had when he married her. Duty. This was not a normal marriage. She should not forget that. They were both fulfilling their duties to their families. "Thank you very much for the gift." She said with a sad smile and moved away. "I will see you tomorrow. We have to be at some press conference." He said moving to the door. "You will not be living here?" She found herself asking before she could stop. He turned back to her looking amused. And she found herself burning with embarrassment. "My living quarters are on the other side of the villa. But I prefer my house out in the city." He said. Racheal quickly nodded, holding her lips tight. She felt embarrassed that he might think she wanted them to share a bed. That had only crossed her mind severally during the wedding. But this was an arranged marriage and he was a stranger. She was almost relieved that he was not asking for anything. She was not sure she wanted to share a bed with him either. He was still at the door, holding it open, watching her behaviour with amusement. And she felt like a stupid little girl. So, still without looking up, she said. "I will go to bed now." She said. She turned and headed for her bedroom. What a day! *** "Ma'am" She woke up to a young woman lightly calling her. For a moment she tried to remember where she was. Then it all came back to her and she sat up immediately. The young woman stepped back a little frightened. "Who are you?" Racheal asked "Your maids ma'am." Someone said and Racheal snapped her head to the other side of the bed. Another young woman stood smiling meekly at her. Racheal wondered what she needed two whole personal maids for. "My name is Luna." The maid continued, "And she is Leah." She said pointing to the frightened maid. Racheal nodded at them. They were both young, although Luna looked older and like she had already established leadership over Leah. Leah helped her prepare for her bath while Luna tidied the bed and took her dress from yesterday to be laundered. "The President and First lady requested that you join them for breakfast." Luna informed her as she wore her dress after bathing and styling her hair. "Does the family always have breakfast together?" Racheal asked. "Mostly." Leah responded, and Luna gave her a warning look. Racheal was puzzled but acted like she did not notice. She would have to be watchful with Luna and not trust her too quickly. She stood up. "I am ready. Please direct me to the family dining room." Luna looked at her like she was a freak. "Is something wrong?" Racheal asked, beginning to lose her patience. "You want to go looking like this?" Luna asked, looking incredulous. Racheal turned to look back in the mirror. She had on a short powder-blue floral dress, the bracelet Steffan gifted her and a tiny gold neck chain. Her natural wavy hair was shiny and clean. "What is wrong with how I look?" She asked. "The First Lady favours elegant dresses and fancy makeup." Leah explained. Luna just continued staring at her. Racheal turned back to the mirror. She thought makeup was fun but she did not wear them all the time. And after all the makeup she had used in the last few days during her wedding and after parties, she did not feel like layering her face with makeup at all. But she did not want to annoy her in-laws any more after that embarrassing incident yesterday. So, she changed into a short deep blue dress and put on a nude lipstick. She turned to her maids. "Better?" They both nodded and Luna looked impressed. Racheal finally exited the room. The security guards closely followed her immediately she was out the door. She wondered what the consequences would be like if she ever ditched them. Could she even ditch them? "You kept us waiting. Are you usually this late?" Danna Sherrod, her mother-in-law said as soon as Racheal entered the smaller dining hall. "I am sorry." Racheal said bowing in apology although she noticed Skylar and Steffan were not even here yet. "It's ok." The president said, smiling widely at her. "Take your seat." Racheal did as she was commanded. The president's frequent mood switch kept her on edge. And then she noticed Thalia. What was she doing here? She was not a part of the family. As if reading her mind Thalia stood up smiling. "Hello Racheal, we have not been introduced." She came around to where Racheal sat and forcefully pulled her into an embrace. "I am Thalia Sanders, the vice-president's daughter." She was smiling widely. "Aunty invited me to come for breakfast with the family today. I often share meals with them." She said gesturing to Danna Sherrod. "You are the vice President's daughter?" Racheal asked in disbelief. Was her suspicion correct? Could Thalia have had a hand in her embarrassment yesterday? "Speaking of which. What was that rubbish you did yesterday?" Danna Sherrod said, turning angrily to Racheal."It's fine, Aunty. We did not take any offence at all." Thalia said, smiling kindly and patting Racheal on the shoulders. "No. She embarrassed us." Danna Sherrod said angrily. "Soon the whole country will learn that the country's First Son is married a common thief.""I did not steal ma'am." Racheal said politely. "Then how did it get in your purse of all places?" Danna Sherrod barked."I don't know." Racheal said honestly. She was beginning to feel trapped. Last night she wondered if someone could steal without their own knowledge. Like Skylar had observed yesterday. She had not even gone near the vice president the whole time. So how could she have stolen his cufflink?And what would she need a cufflink for, especially one that had the family initials on it. She could not sell it to anyone. It had to be someone trying to frame her. She suspected Thalia. As far as she knew, only she had enough motive to frame her, except she had other enemies. She broke into a sweat. Did she ha
The couple turned back to look at her."What is wrong with her look?" The president asked."She looks…" Danna Sherrod struggled for a word. "Inelegant, plain GAUDY." She shrieked. "She looks stunning to me." Skylar cut in. "More elegant than SOME PEOPLE with their extravagant makeup." She did not look at Thalia but everyone knew who she was talking about. Thalia had on layers of red lipstick, bright, bright highlighter and her cleavage was bare and bouncy.Steffan looked at Racheal who was close to tears now. She did not know why her mother-in-law hated her so much. She had not even made any effort to get to know her first. "Do you like your dress?" Steffan asked."Yes.""Good. Let's go." He turned to walk away with her."But I can change my outfit if your mother prefers." She said trying to keep up with his long legs."No." He said strongly. The force behind the one word silenced her.She quietly let him lead her, hand in hand to the convoy waiting outside. The security guards we
Racheal drank from a cup of tea. Thankfully it was sweet, the way she liked her tea. She might as well enjoy it, lunch was still far away. But as she finally finished her tea, she looked up to see the assistant return with a tray.He set it before them and Racheal gasped in shock. The tray contained toast and jam, a cup of cappuccino, yoghurt, nicely chopped fruits, scrambled eggs, two cupcakes and water."Here? The press conference will start in a few minutes." She could not help blurting out. "I will not watch you starve." He said. "I had them postpone the event for another hour. Eat!" He peeled open a finger of banana for her. "No unauthorized person will come here. This is a private waiting area."Racheal wanted to die of embarrassment. He must think her a glutton. And he said something about starving. If only he knew she had mastered the art. Her stepmother had starved her non-stop after all."Why are you smiling?" He asked Racheal shook her head. "Thank you." She replied i
After that it was commotion. The crowd went wild trying to defend Racheal. Some attempted to grab at the old woman after the guards handed her over to the cops who pulled her through the crowd.Racheal was partially blind from the sting of the chicken blood in her eye. Her dress was completely ruined and her hair and face felt sticky. Steffan guided her into the car, and she could feel his anger even without seeing him. They drove hard and fast back home. She heard Steffan rummaging through the fridge in the car. Then he leaned in close and she felt something cold on her face. “Don’t move.” He commanded and Racheal stayed still. She felt him gently wiping her eyelids and her brows. “I cannot do much.” She heard him say in frustration. She said nothing. With the brief wipe he did, she was able to open her eyes a few inches. But soon, the mess from her hair began streaming down her face again. She quickly shut her eyes close. As soon as their cars pulled in through the presid
Racheal went with the intelligence officer, while wondering why her father called so soon.It was not like he cared about her, or even missed her. Perhaps he was trying to put on an appearance for her in-laws, because she could not imagine him calling just to check up on her and ask how well she was settling in.She scoffed. “This way please.” The intelligence officer said, showing her around a bend. And then they were standing in front of a heavy glass door.Racheal gently pushed the door open and found herself standing in a huge hall with people seated at cubicles working on computers and whispering into their headphones. “Come ma'am.” The intelligence officer said and began walking ahead, down the hall. She finally stopped in front of a chair facing three men in suits who were staring intently at her.“Please take a seat.” One of the men said. Racheal sat down, all the while wondering if she was really going to sit and have a phone conversation in front of these people. The i
“What has come over you?” Racheal heard the first lady ask in a puzzled voice. “We are your family.”“And she is my wife. I have a responsibility to her.” Steffan's deep voice boomed and Racheal could not help shiver.But she smiled a little. She had barely known this man for a few days but he was so protective of her.“A wife we chose for you.” His mother shouted, slamming something that sounded like a table. “Oh, wait. Are you beginning to fall for the girl?”Racheal held her breath. “Oh, Don't be ridiculous. What makes you think that is ever possible?” Steffan responded quickly. Too quickly. Racheal felt her throat contract and her chest beginning to beat faster. She turned away from the door.“I simply want you to…” Steffan continued but she tuned out his voice, and began running back towards the main hallway. She had heard enough. She should not have listened. Maybe it was better to, because why was she feeling hurt if she had not begun to harbour hope in her heart. Hope th
“Please.” Racheal pleaded with the woman who was gloating at her with disgust. She dreaded whatever would happen at the meeting with the Coterie. Even if she was only interviewed, she understood how quickly she could get in trouble by saying one wrong word.Danna Sherrod simply sneered at her. Suddenly, Racheal began to struggle with breathing. This had only happened a few times in her life. Her eyes blurred and she knocked a chair over as she fell to her knees.She was having a panic attack. The worst she had ever had. The noise her lungs made as she struggled to drag air through it and breathe, was ugly even to her own ears. Her eyes watered and she began to panic even more instead of trying to remain calm.She was scared she would soon pass out and this woman would do nothing to save her. “Ma'am, please.” She said making great efforts to push the two words out of her throat. She reached out to hold the woman's leg for support but Danna Sherrod stepped back quickly, causing R
Racheal blushed. “Skylar.” She said wide eyed at the young woman's audacity. “Is it so strange to imagine? You both are married and he has been falling over himself for you.” Skylar said.Racheal made a face. Really? Falling over himself?It was true that he was exceptionally kind and attentive to her needs. But she would not allow herself to think anything special of it, because she had heard those words from him earlier today.She smiled at Skylar. “Yes. Your brother is so kind.”Skylar was looking at her with surprise. “You don't know? Steffan likes you.”Racheal shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “He doesn't.”“What?”Racheal went ahead to tell her about the conversation she had overheard and then had to eavesdrop on earlier that day.Skylar was stunned and sat silently for a while. “That's strange, Because he has always…” She was saying when Steffan walked into the bedroom.Whatever happened to knocking?“Your maids said you were both in here.” Steffan said.“Oh.” Racheal relax