“Why must she come with you? anything you want to say to Mara then say it here” Xavier instructed when Rose insisted that she came for Mara and not for Xavier.
Mara stood her ground “Don’t worry President, I’ll be back” She assured him and go with Rose. Unfortunately for her, Rose said she should follow her in her car, they were going somewhere.
The journey was annoyingly long and boring, Mara busied herself chatting with Xavier on her phone while Rose plugged in her earphones and was listening to music. “I am not the one that wanted to see you, there’s nothing to discuss between you and me, but someone else wanted to Meet you and I am taking you there” Rose said through her dizziness. But Mara was not replying. The driver just keep going until the stopped in front of an old mansion.
The mansion looked old indeed but there was sign of life there which means people are living there. Mara was looking around but keep on following Rose.
As they walked some steps from the main gate, they came up to another gate, then they headed for the garden… Mara kept quiet and followed her.
Rose stopped and bowed to someone sitting on a cruise chair, Mara was surprised but she stopped when she saw the person, it was Xavier’s aunt Mara also bowed slightly.
The woman waved Rose away and settled on Mara…. “So your name is Mara? She asked
Mara maintained her Constance, she remembered vividly how her was dried up even after killing her mother, all the memories she had wanted to forget swam back slowly….. But she didn’t react. “Yes ma’am, why did you want to meet me? She asked
Mrs Astrid gave a drink which Mara rejected politely then she started….. “Williams Kings….”She stopped Mara’s eyes widened, Williams Kings, that’s her father’s name, how did this vile and shady woman know her father’s name. She wanted to talk but Mrs Astrid shook her head as if to say no. Then she continued.
“15 years ago, Your father, Williams Kings left his home to work for the rich family, but he met their corpse instead and therefore helped their son in running the family business…..”She stopped and sipped some coffee before continuing.
“After helping him establish the bussines, he suddenly went missing and recently I got some news about him” She announced Mara cringed.
“My father is alive? He’s found? Where is he? Take me to him now” She said hurriedly. Mrs Astrid smiled, “Good job Mara, that’s what I wanted” She thought to herself.
Mara looked at her expectantly but she suddenly remembered something…. “You got some news? How come you’re the one that got the news and where did you get it? She asked.
Mrs Astrid smiled again, she had planned alot of lies and coercion to make Mara believes her.
“That family that your father works for is Xavier’s parents and their son that he helped was Xavier, so since your Mother….. You know, I have been looking out for your father so that I can make it up for you” She said pitifully.
Mara was emotional, “so this woman had some conciense after all, she even helped me find my father” She thought.
“Where had he been all these while? She asked
“That’s it! Don’t worry about where he had been, but I have arranged him to b brought to me and I’ll hand him over to you on one Condition” she said
Mara was taken aback, “She can’t do anything without even collecting anything back? What did I have to offer her?
“What Condition? Did I need any condition to see my father? Mara asked curtly
“Nothing goes for free these days Mara, everything had to be done in deals and contracts” She replied
“So what is the condition? She asked
Mrs Astrid smiled, this is the time she was waiting for, she had to get Mara out of the picture as Soon as possible
“Nothing much, Leave Xavier! Marry Gordon!! She said simply.
Mara looked at her with surprise, what is she spreading? How can she just make assumptions like that?
“What are you saying?… Mara asked again
“I am sure you heard me clearly, Marry Gordon Veriland of Immortal Fashion group and Forget about Xavier for good and you must not tell Xavier about the deal or I’ll kill your father thesame way I killed your mother” Mrs Astrid swore.
Mara was surprised, she was taken aback, she didn’t expect her to be saying all these, just then, Gordon Veriland was coming from afar smiling foolishly with a banquet of flowers in his hands, he came nearer and knelt down with one knee and proposed.
Mara stood up and backed off “What’s going on here? What are you doing? Did you think Xavier will spare you all if he knew about this? She asked
“Then tell him, I’ll present you your father’s head! and that your Xavier will desert you, or you expect him to disobey his aunt for you? Gordon Veriland asked with malice
Mara was shocked, her father’s life is in danger, these people really mean bussines then she demanded “I agree with all of you, I really agree and I’ll sign a contract with you even with my blood on it, but firstly I want to see my father!
Mrs Astrid was shocked, she didn’t prepare for that one, her father is already dead so what will she do to make her believe? Gordon was also left astounded that he stood up from his knees quickly.
Mrs Astrid quickly thought of a way out
“No my dear, we don’t run things that way, I can’t let you see your father not until you fulfill one part of the contract” She said
“And I can’t sign the contract if I don’t see my father! Mara replied
“Then I’ll take your friends, or even your so much loved Xavier… What about that? What if I arrange for him to be killed then what will you do without him? The wicked woman asked.
Mara cringed, tears were running from her face by now, she had always prided herself that she could survive any situation and that she was more smarter than anything, but this situation is out of her control.
“Why are you doing this? What exactly is your goal for doing this? Xavier is more like a son to you why are you maltreating him this way? She asked sadly. Mrs Astrid stood up from her seat angrily
“He’s not my son! Xavier is never my son, nor do I have any Intentions of making him my son! If I kill him! Nobody will ask so do your part by marrying Gordon and then you’ll see your father a d everyone will be saved including those losers you calls your friend” She said
“No I can’t! I can’t leave Xavier for you! Kill me instead, spare my father, my friends and Xavier then you’ll have your way” Mara asked of her.
“No Mara, I don’t need you, yours or your father’s or your friend’s death means nothing to me, absolutely nothing! My target is Xavier and I’ll do anything to have my way! She replied.
Mara was helpless, She can’t believe this woman is such a devil…. She can’t loose Xavier either, then with broken heart she said “bring the contract, I’ll sign but remember, if anything happens to me or to my father or my friends or even Xavier….My comeback will not be good and even if nothing happened to them, I’ll let you have your way but I’ll comeback and I’ll make you pay! She sweared.
“Your Marriage to Gordon is in three days so make sure you round Everything up within those times”Mrs Astrid notified
★★★★
Mara dragged her feet to the sitting room as she came back home because by the time she left Mrs Astrid it was over office hours.
“You’re home, come I made your favorite dishes” Xavier called from the kitchen, he was cooking when she came in
Mara walked over to him and gave him a hug, she hugged him tightly as if not wanting to let him go. Xavier was caught off guard “What has gotten to you all of a sudden? Why are you so clingy now?”He asked but Mara was tearing up already.
“Thank you… Thank you so much Xavier, Thank you for everything and I’ll make sure I remember you in everything I do and I am sorry, I am sorry I can’t be with you for long, I am sorry I had to leave you lonely again just as your parents did” Mara cried. Xavier was surprised but hugged her back
“It’s okay, you don’t have to be sorry about anything, you’re with me now isn’t it? Then you’ll be working with me forever I won’t let you go anywhere” He said as he patted her head.
Mara released him and looked into his eyes tenderly…… “I want to tell you something…. and you must promise me that you’ll do what I asked for….. promise me you won’t have other ladies in your heart but me? She asked emotionally
Xavier was getting concerned, “What’s going on? Why all these all of a sudden? I won’t have anybody in my heart but you in my whole life I promise”He said
Mara continued, “In everything you do, make sure you don’t forget me, always eat good food, smile often and always sleep well…. So answer me now, will you marry me? She asked with expectant face.
Xavier cant understand a thing of what she was saying all of a sudden “What are you saying? Will you Explain everything to me? He asked urgently
“And I say will you marry me? Will you marry me and be my husband? Will you make your promise to me in front of the Lord? She asked too
“Of course I’ll love to but why….” before he could continue, Mara grabbed him by the hand and they both ran along the streets, Xavier was overwhelmed, Mara is suddenly behaving weirdly…. He didn’t know where she was taking him but all he knows is that Mara can’t harm him.
The passes by was also wondering why they were both running like that, Xavier was wearing an apron and a slippers, with kitchen spoon in his hands while Mara was wearing Office dress and high heels.
What was happening they also don’t know…. One would have thought it was a rich girl eloping with her lover.
The stopped in front of a church… Mara dragged him inside and luckily a priest was there…. Xavier didn’t say anything but followed Mara to the alter.
Mara faced the priest, “we are here to get married, will you please, help us? She asked hurriedly, the priest looked at them, he could understand what was going on…. He smile dryly
“Yes my dear, you two are in love but your love life will face alot of obstacles and delays,but if you two keep your vow to each other, you’ll be together” He said and rang the wedding bell.
Xavier was still silent, he was waiting for what Mara was planning, thankfully, there are rings at the church for couples in case of marriages like this.
“Did you Mara Kings wish to take Xavier Klein as your lawful wedded husband, in pain and in anguish, in love and in sickness, in rain and in sun? He asked, Mara was looking so firm “Yes I do!
“Did you Xavier Klein wish to take Mara Kings as your lawful wedded wife, in pain and in anguish, in love and in sickness, in rain and in sun? He asked too.
Xavier whispered to Mara, “What are you do? I am not even wearing a coat and you’re not wearing a wedding gown, who gets married like this?, He asked
“Answer his question first” Mara replied then with straight face he replied “Yes I do!
They exchanged rings and left the church Xavier was complaining along the way, “What’s all these? I’ll be the first groom to get married in an apron and what’s with this tacky rings? Why are you doing all these?
Mara didn’t say anything but as they got home, she faced him seriously.
“We’re married now, no matter where I go, I am your wife, and no matter where you go, you’re my husband!… I love you Xavier”
“Yes, I love you more Mara … But still you haven’t told me what you’re doing? He asked coquettishly
“Let’s consummate our marriage!!!
