Meeting him

Tessa walked through the hallway of the Winston mansion, still in awe of how a house could be this beautiful. It looked like heaven, she had only heard about how beautiful the villa was. But seeing it today indeed confirmed it. 

Her grandmother, Mrs. Taylor worked for the Winstons as a gardener for so many years. She has always wanted to follow her to work but her grandmother always declined saying the Winstons can be a handful and she doesn't want her precious granddaughter to be humiliated. The Winstons are the most popular and 

the wealthiest family in the city. They controlled half of the city and their powerful aura was undeniable. 

A smile suddenly crossed Tessa's face as she remembered Aaron Winston, the only son of the Winstons, she hadn't met him but she always saw him on television. She has always admired him and loved him since she could remember. Knowing that they were from two different worlds and she didn't have hope of ever meeting him, she didn't have any other option than to love him from afar. After all, he was to be married in two days to the long-time love of his life. Someone he flaunts everywhere including the media as his future wife. He was going to be someone else's husband, 

However. She was extremely happy today as she entered the mansion, it has been her wish to be here someday and finally, she was here. Deep down she prayed to see Aaron even if that would be the last time as he was going to be with someone else in a few days. She knew Aaron couldn't notice her as she wasn't anywhere near his class. Looking at him alone on the TV, he oozed a kingly aura.

Yes she was very beautiful no doubt and her curves were fascinating but that was it. She was no match for Aaron in other aspect, the granddaughter of the gardener was no match for Aaron Winston. She was just a nobody!....she didn't think for a second that Aaron would spare her a glance when he eventually met her, her dress was torn and had patches of stitches all over, But still she hoped to see him.

Her grandmother was sick and she had to go take her place at work, she had quickly suggested it immediately her grandmother talked about getting a query if she didn't show up at work. Initially, her grandmother refused to let her take her place, knowing how rudely Mrs Winston treated her workers. Nobody dared provoke her. She was like a lightened thunder that would strike at any given opportunity. Most people say she used to be a very kind and compassionate woman, not until her servant tried to destroy her marriage a few years back. She vowed not to trade sentiment with work. 

Tessa couldn't watch her grandmother get punished for not showing up at work and she really wished to see Aaron, her long-time love, perhaps it was all in her head. Her grandmother knowing Tessa wasn't going to give up easily, decided to oblige to her request"Fine you can go. But please stay out of trouble" she said, her grandmother warned her sternly before she left.

As Tessa glanced and touched the interiors of the house, lost in her own world as she tried to sink in the beautiful view of the house. Suddenly she rolled her eyes as she saw a piece of art hanging freely on the wall, she moved closer as she touched the frame excitedly, she wondered what could have inspired the artist to create such a beautiful piece. Her lips curved into a smile as she strolled her hands on the picture, staring at it like someone had just seen a ghost

She squinted her eyes in fear as she heard voices coming from the opposite room. Her mind flipped, remembering that she was instructed earlier by the bodyguard she met at the entrance of the mansion to meet the chief maid who would hand her the gardening tools. The bodyguard would have taken her to the chief maid but he got a call, he ended up pointing to a room at the left-hand side of the hall."Knock on that door and she will attend to you," he ordered. 

She knew she was not supposed to be there, remembering her grandmother's stern warnings to stay out of trouble, she made to turn back and leave the hallway but she stopped suddenly at her pace.

"Read the handwriting on the wall Aaron, Lisa is missing. She's nowhere to be found, this cannot possibly be happening now. Your wedding is in two days Aaron," came a woman's voice in the room, she seemed angry and worried.

Tessa wondered what could possibly be the problem. She had stopped when she heard the woman yell. Out of curiosity, she moved closer to the door, she peeped through the opening of the door. She saw a woman seated, then beside her was a tall handsome huge figure pacing around the room. He seemed angry and she could clearly see the hurt in his eyes. He was no other person than Aaron Winston, Tessa's crush.

She heard the woman call him Aaron and she quickly recognized him as she had seen him on TV and had stalked him on social media for a very long time. A smile crossed her lips as she stared at him. Gosh, he was way more handsome than she imagined. His pictures on his page didn't do justice to his good looks at all. He was hot! 

"But what could be the problem? And who is Lisa?" she queried inwardly, rolling her eyes like she was expecting an answer from someone 

"How do you explain to the media, our business partners, and the whole city that you can't find your bride-to-be?" the woman scoffed angrily 

Just then it dawned on Tessa that Aaron's wife-to-be was missing. But how? That was strange and weird at the same time, which woman in her right senses would escape marrying someone like Aaron, the most wanted bachelor in the city?

"I don't care how you do it but you need to find a bride Aaron, and you need to do it real quick, you have to present a bride on your wedding day," the woman yelled between gritted teeth. 

"Mom, Lisa might be in danger. She can't possibly back out from this wedding. She loves me," he screamed, rage evident in his voice, he defended Lisa irrespective of his mother's opinion. He knew better than to disappoint his mother, he needed to get a bride from anywhere as it was clear that Lisa was gone and he didn't have much time on his side. He needed a substitute bride till he found the love of his life.

Tessa's heart melted the moment she heard Aaron's voice, though he was angry but his voice sounded soothing to Tessa. She had longed to hear his voice, she felt bad for him and hoped he would find his missing bride soon. He loved him for the longest time but since she was no match for him, she could only wish him well and love him from a distance. 

As she turned to leave, she bumped into the flower vase beside the door and it fell down leaving a loud noise hovering around the place.

Her heart skipped the moment it happened, her heart was racing against its ribcage. She didn't know what to do, she bent down quietly as she picked the flower vase and kept it in place, thankful that it didn't break, she would have landed herself in big trouble. Knowing that the sound of the flower vase could raise alarm and she might be caught eavesdropping on their conversation. She tried to leave immediately but she suddenly felt a huge hand holding her firmly.

Her heart suddenly dropped as she felt like the ground should open and swallow her. She looked up to see Aaron glaring at her angrily. She loved how close they were to each other, she had never imagined that Aaron Winston would ever come an inch closer to her.  She didn't expect to meet him under such circumstances.

"What the hell are you doing here? And who are you?" Aaron half yelled, pulling her off from her thoughts. The way he stared at her, his face devoid of any emotion. 

He shot daggers at her, rage boiling within him. The look on his face was unimaginable. It felt like he was going to rip her skin into a thousand pieces. He suddenly dragged her into the room as if changing his mind after waiting and didn't get an answer from her.

"Mom, l present to you my bride,"