CHAPTER 19 & 20 : Tensions Between May and Sally
● BROOKS RESIDENCE ~ EVENING ●
Teddy strode in to find Genova waiting in his study and Judging by the look on her face, Teddy could tell that something is wrong.
“What happen?” Teddy ask, taking his seat.
“We’ve got a problem. Xavier is getting married” Genova said.
“Really? Are you sure?”.
“I heard him talking with his secretary, she’s the one he wants to get married to” Genova reveal, doing her best to hide the anger and jealousy she felt.
“If that is so then it’s going to ruin our plan” Teddy said wistfully.
“That’s right! Our plan will be ruin if he gets married to her, we need to do something” Genova said in a rush.
“I know that I have to do something to stop that boy marriage from taking place but you…you seem more unedge” Teddy said, giving her a suspicious look.
“Unedge? Am just worried about our plan”.
“I hope so. I hope it’s our plan you are worried about and not Xavier. I made it clear to you that you can’t fall in love with him or have you?” Teddy ask.
“Of course not! Xavier Landon is an enemy and it will keep staying that way. I promise” Genova said, hating herself for the lie.
“Good then. Since Xavier is trying to do things that will ruin our plan, we need to be ahead of him” Teddy said, standing up to stare out through the window.
“Desiree Landon is the one am after but it will be fun messing with her grandson” Teddy said, turning to catch a glimpse of Pity on Genova’s face.
“Don’t feel sorry for the Landon family, thanks to them I also lost everything I love most in this world. You vow to help me Abigail, can I still trust you on that?” Teddy ask, using her real name.
“Like you said,I made a vow and I will stick to it till my last breath”.
“Good. So for our plan, you will be paying someone a visit” Teddy began.
● CHIC & CLASSIC RESTAURANT●
“Cheers to our newest newbie for bringing in the best exclusive” Max, the director of TBC NEWS said, raising up his glass and everyone including May cheers to it.
“How did you manage to get that info about the president? I just can’t seem to get how you achieve it?” A colleague of May ask the newbie.
“Well, I kind of have a friend working in the white house and she got me the info I need” The girl said which earn her praise from everyone.
May sat still, sipping her drink without saying a word and that got her being notice by Max.
“Did you see that May? She’s just a newbie and yet she brought in the best exclusive there is meanwhile, you only bring to us news which aren’t worthwhile” Max said.
“Am actually working….”.
“Oh save that crap! You say it all the time and still your news are terrible. Why don’t you get some lesson from the newbie here, she might have some advice to give to that head of yours” Max said making everyone laugh.
“Or the newbie can just take over her job while she takes the newbie place”
“That will be demoting her and that’s not bad” Max said, everyone laughing again.
As time went by, May got less attention from her colleague and so, she slip off to the restroom.
She stood for a while, starring at herself in the wall mirror while thinking of the things her colleague said.
Shaking off the feeling of self pity, she left the ladies room only to see James waiting for her.
“Thought you were crying in there” he said, moving away from the wall he was leaning on.
“What are you doing here? Did you follow me?” May ask, wondering if he had witness the ridicule from earlier.
“Why couldn’t you say a thing when those people you work with were bullying you. You don’t strike me as the type people bully or are you like that to me alone?” James ask.
“So you were eavesdropping?”
“I can hardly call it eavesdropping when that man has the voice of a hulk” James said and that got May smiling.
“That’s good. You shouldn’t let their words put you down and you look pretty when you smile” James said WHICH got May giving him a wary look.
“Seriously, what exactly do you want from me?” May ask.
“I already told you right. I want to know your secret, the one you and Sally share but that aside. Come with me” he said, taking hold of her hand.
“Where are we going? I have to go back to my….”.
“If you want a piece of news that will get those colleague of yours shutting up then come with me” James said, taking hold of her hand again and pulling her to the vip section.
They got into a room and he pull her towards the back of a couch to hide behind it.
“What are you….”
“Shhh….very soon you will be getting a little exclusive, take out your phone and put it in recording”
May did as he said and a while later, Andrew walk in with two men.
“That’s the creep who dump Sally after she did everything for him” May said softly.
“Keep quiet and stay focus” James said grimly.
“Is there something I can smoke or better yet, did you bring the drug?” Andrew ask one of the men with him.
“You know as a famous model you aren’t meant to be doing drugs?” The man with him said.
“Who cares? The main point here is that people ask for me no matter what unlike that Landon guy, am still going to make him pay for kicking me into the pool” Andrew said.
“Don’t get on anyone bad side. Just keep being the sweet and cute model everyone rave about”
“Whatever. Just give me the drug” Andrew said and as soon as they gave him, he poured some on the table and sniff it.
At that moment, a waitress walk in, bringing in their drinks.
While she sets it down, Andrew touch her @ss and immediately, the girl move away.
“Don’t you like it?” Andrew ask.
“I don’t sir and I hope you refrain from doing that” the girl said.
“What did you just say? Do you know who I am? Do you know how popular I am? I can ruin you in just a blink of an eye” Andrew said, getting up.
“I know who you are and that doesn’t give you the right to touch me” the waitress said only for him to slap her twice.
“Bitch like you are meant to be beaten as f**k” Andrew said, completely high.
The waitress had to run out of the room when he launch for her again.
“Hope there’s no camera in here. I wouldn’t want my sweet, cute image tainted” Andrew said as they all laugh.
When they left sometime later, James and May quickly got out of the room.
“Did you record enough?” James ask.
“I did and it’s enough to ruin that bastard image. How did you know that he’s going to show up?”
“Am a regular. Happy to get an exclusive?” James ask.
“It’s not really an exclusive since Andrew isn’t that known but still, it’s something. Thanks” May said, smiling at him again.
“If you are grateful then invite me out to dinner tomorrow night” James suggest.
“But….”
“Just say yes and remember that I have to get close to you to know your secret, this will give me a chance to do that. See you tomorrow” James said, turning to leave while May watch him, a smile slowly forming on her lips.
● RESTAURANT●
“What are you doing here, Xavier?” Desiree ask, surprise to see her grandson.
Instead of replying, he strode towards Sally and handed her his car keys.
“Wait for me outside, I will join you soon” he said and walk her out of the room.
Sally was too worried about her earlier statement to be wondering what he had to say to his grandmother.
She found his car in the parking lot and stood against it, thinking of ways to tell him that she didn’t mean the marriage thing but when he showed up, she couldn’t even bring herself to say a thing since he look a bit sad and hurt.
“Get in ” he said, motioning her into his car.
“About what I said earlier, I didn’t mean it. I can’t marry you” Sally said as he drive out of the restaurant parking lot.
“I thought as much but the problem here is that you’ve made my grandmother believe we are getting married and I kind of made it clear to her that we will be getting married as soon as possible” .
“Oh no! You shouldn’t have done that”.
“I had to. Don’t you know that this thing between us began the moment you told her you are going to marry me? We can’t go back on our word” Xavier said.
Sally thought about what he said, this is her fault, she should never have spoken in anger, she should have just….
“That’s not the route to my house” Sally said when he made a turn.
“I know, am taking you to my apartment. We need to talk”
“About what?”
“If we are getting married then we have to know more about each other. We can’t keep being strangers ” Xavier reply.
They got to his apartment and while she tried to make herself comfortable in his home, he went to change.
“Here, you must be thirsty” Xavier showed up, handing her a fruit juice.
“Thanks” she said, wondering why he look different in plain clothes, it made him look more attractive.
Did she just consider him attractive? What the hell is wrong with her? She thought as she sip the juice.
“By the way, what’s going on between you and Adam Parker?” He ask.
“Nothing. I hardly even know the guy, why do you ask?”
“Cause for one, I don’t want him around you and two, I get extremely jealous” Xavier reply.
“I get the first one but I don’t with the second one. Why get jealous when you feel nothing for me?” Sally ask and that got him leaning over her, pinning her against the black leather sofa.
“Cause I plan on making our marriage work”.
“And when I say work, I mean we will do everything a couple do, including sharing a bed, understand?” He said and that got Sally spilling the rest of the juice on herself.
● SNEAK PEEK TO THE FUTURE ●
“And so, to what do I owe this visit?” Desiree Landon ask as Genova sat on the sofa, crossing her legs before flashing Desiree a devious smile.
“I want you to help me get married to Xavier” Genova said……
CHAPTER 21 & 22 : A Marriage of Convenience
● XAVIER APARTMENT ~ STILL THE SAME DAY ●
“And when I say work, I mean we will do everything a couple do, including sharing a bed, understand?” He said and that got Sally spilling the rest of the juice on herself.
“Oh my gosh!” Sally stood up, her dress drench with the juice.
“You are all wet, you will need a change of clothe. Come with me” Xavier said, taking hold of her hand.
Together they went upstairs and he led her into a room which seem to be his.
“Take off the dress while I look for a dry clothe for you, you can use the bathroom” he said pointing to a door and immediately, Sally went into it.
Trying her best to calm her racing heart. What the hell is wrong with that guy? Why will he just say something like that to her? Sally thought as she stood leaning against the wall.
“Sally, I got you a shirt of mine, you can use it till your dress get dry”hehe Xavier told her at the door.
She open the door and took the shirt from him, shutting the door on his face before he could say more.
“Err…I will be downstairs in case you need anything” he said and left.
Sally change into the shirt he gave her and after washing the juice off her dress, she place it somewhere so it can dry, she hope it dry on time so she can leave.
Sally went downstairs feeling self conscious. Though his shirt covered her arms and neck, it did nothing to cover her thigh which made her self conscious.
“In here, Sally” Xavier called from the kitchen and she strode in to see him slicing some vegetable with an apron hanging on his neck.
“So you cook?” Sally ask, surprise by this revelation.
“Having a husband who cook will be one of the benefit you get when we get married” Xavier said, his concentration on the onion he is slicing.
“Xavier about what you said earlier, I think we should….” Sally’s word trail off when he stop cutting the onion and strode around the counter to stand in front of her.
“Were you expecting our marriage to just be in paper only? Don’t you think people around us, especially my grandmother will find it weird?” Xavier ask.
“But they don’t have to know about it”.
“They don’t but I want a child, maybe two or three and I want things to work out between us, I want a real marriage” Xavier said, trapping her against the kitchen counter.
“You know a real marriage is impossible. We don’t mean a thing to each other, we don’t even love each other” Sally said.
“What does love have to do with it. When there’s compatibility between the couple then things are destined to work out”.
“Well to me love is the ultimate key. Compatibility doesn’t work” Sally said.
“Should we put your statement to test?” He ask, mischief lurking in his eyes.
“How do you plan to….” Sally didn’t get to finish her question cause Xavier claim her lips.
Sally was shock at first and when she tried to pull away, he wrap his arms around her, drawing her into his embrace while plunging into her lips.
Soon, Sally was feeling heady and limp from his kisses. For a man who have always been shut in by his grandmother, he do know how to kiss, Sally thought as she return his kiss wondering why it made her inside flutter.
“Do you still think being compatible is not enough?” Xavier ask when he ended the kiss.
When Sally said nothing, he let her go and went back to cooking.
Suddenly feeling shy, she left the kitchen and stayed in the sitting room until he finish cooking.
When he came to call her to the dinning room, Sally was back to herself.
“Smells good” Sally said, taking a seat.
“I hope you like it. Have never cook for anyone before”
Sally taste a mouthful of the soup and found herself loving the taste.
“Where on earth did you learn how to cook?” Sally ask in between mouthful.
“My grandmother hired a chef to train me. I had to learn since I was hardly given a chance to eat out” he said, a sad expression crossing his face.
“I didn’t make this food just for us to talk about my sad past. I was hoping you can tell me more about yourself since we will be married we need to know about each other” Xavier added quickly and that got Sally talking.
“What about you? ” Sally ask when she finish telling him about herself.
“I thought you knew everything about me already” He reply, referring to his being deaf and all.
“I only know about your disability. I don’t know much about the man seated beside me” Sally insist.
“What will you like to know then?”
“Everything. We can start with who is Genova to you?” Sally ask before she could stop herself.
“Genova is a friend” .
“Really? She gave me the impression that you two are a…thing” Sally added and that earn her a look from Xavier.
“What do you think? Are we a thing?” He direct the question back at her.
“How can I know that? You should tell me since you are the one involve with her” Sally said and he laugh.
The next thing he did surprise her, he took hold of hand and gave it a light kiss.
“Aside from being a friend. Genova mean nothing to me, you can be rest assured that I won’t be cheating on you when we get married”
“Whatever” Sally said, pulling her hand out of his, she stood up.
“Am going” .
“But your dress isn’t dry yet. Just spend the night here”.
“Spend the night? What do you think of me?”
“It’s just a harmless suggestion and beside It’s too late for you to go home “.
“I don’t care. Am going home ” Sally said, walking past him.
She had just made it out of the dinning room when he caught up to her, lifting her into arms bridal style.
“Xavier!” Sally cry out in shock.
“If you are scared that am going to exert my husband rights on you then you shouldn’t be. The day I exert that right will be on our wedding night, so just stay the night, I won’t touch you and for your peace of mind, I will be using the guest room” he said, assuring her.
Sally didn’t protest as he took her to his room and lay her on the bed, she quietly watch him put the duvet around her and then he gave her a brief kiss on the forehead and turn off the lights before leaving the room.
A smile appear on Sally’s face as sleep claim her.
● NEXT DAY ~ MORNING ~ SALLY’S APARTMENT ●
Marie got up at the crack of dawn to get something to drink.
She was heading for the kitchen when she notice Mathew on the sofa, quietly she went towards him and pull the fallen sheet over him and instead of leaving, she stood there starring down at him.
The arrival of a car got her walking to the window to see who it is and she was surprise to see Sally getting out of car.
As Sally walk up to the apartment, Marie burst out, running towards her.
“Who brought you just now? Your lover? Why didn’t you let him in? I will have like to meet him” Marie bombard her with questions.
“For now, that guy is none of your business. Give me a hug, you dummy” Sally said and Marie hug her.
“I miss you so much”.
“Me too, what about Matt?” Sally ask as they walk in.
“Over here” Mathew said, walking towards them to give Sally a hug.
“I can’t believe you two are this tall. When I last saw you, you were shorter than me” Sally said playfully.
“Time flies sis and besides you hardly come home ever since your argument with Mom” Marie said while Mathew gave her a look to shut up.
“It’s okay. We all know that argument made me leave home anyway, how is she?” Sally ask.
“Still the same. You know your mom ” Mathew answered and Sally wrap her arms around them.
“It’s so good having you two here. Hope you stay for a long time” Sally said.
“Oh! Glad you are back. You need to see this” May said, coming downstairs to show her the video she took of Andrew.
“Is this….”.
“Saw him last night during my team outing and video it. This will definitely ruin his career, payback for what he did to you” May said and Sally did a high five with her.
“Your the best” Sally said, laughing at the comments written about Andrew online.
Mathew and Marie join them, wanting to take a look and Sally got a call from Claire.
“Are you free today?” Claire ask.
“I am”.
“I’m wondering that since it’s the weekend, why don’t we meet up. There are some things I want to buy at the mall and I don’t want to go alone, say you will come, please” Claire plead.
“Okay, what time?”
● LANDON RESIDENCE ●
“You say who?”
“Miss Genova, she’s in the sitting room” the maid replied.
“She’s here to see Xavier. Let her know he isn’t here and make sure she leaves” Desiree said, getting out of her seat to leave the study.
“But she’s here to see you, madam. It was you she ask for the moment she arrive”.
“Are you sure?” Desiree ask, wondering what Genova could want from her.
A while later, Desiree went to the sitting room to find Genova waiting for her.
“And so, to what do I owe this visit?” Desiree ask as Genova sat on the sofa, crossing her legs before flashing Desiree a devious smile.
“I want you to help me get married to Xavier” Genova said.
Desiree first reaction was to laugh, she laugh as hard as she can before giving her a reply.
“And what makes you think that I will help you? You know already that I don’t like you. I only tolerated you because you are the only friend Xavier has”.
“Like wise. I also tolerate you because you are Xavier’s grandmother but am willing to put that aside as long as you help me”
“Think about it, will you have him marry a girl you don’t know or will you have him marry me? A girl you’ve known a long time ,who is willing to compromise and do your bidding?” Genova added.
“Are you trying to say that if I help you, you are willing to do everything I say and want?” Desiree ask.
“Everything” Genova reply.
“Well, it’s a tempting offer”.
“Which is why you need to give me an answer now. Will you help me or not?” Genova demanded, waiting for Desiree response……
CHAPTER 23 & 24 : A Betrayal Exposed – Sally Learns the Truth
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●
“I don’t understand what I’m doing here on a Saturday” James mutter, while bringing out some folders.
“You are here to work, I thought I made that clear when I called you this morning” Xavier reply as he sign the document in front of him.
“But I left being your secretary a week ago. Sally should be the one here” James said, bringing the folders to his boss desk.
“Then you might as well just forfeit the bonus I was planning for you” Xavier return,earning James interest.
“Why don’t we go back to earlier and forget I ever complain coming to work today. The bonus will do me a lot of good” James said quickly, opening a file to place in front of Xavier.
“You will need to get me a new secretary”.
“Secretary? Is Sally quiting?” James ask.
“Yes, once we are married I have no intention of letting my wife work”.
“Okay then I… Oh my gawd! Did you just say you and Sally are getting married!” James burst out.
“We are and you are the second person am telling about it, so make sure you keep quiet” Xavier warn.
“My mouth is sealed and though it makes me thrilled that am the second person you are telling, I can’t help but to feel a bit wary” James said.
“Wary about what?”
“About Sally. Do you think she can be trusted? I mean you only met her a week ago and suddenly you are getting married to her? I kind of find her suspicious, what if you marry her and find out that she’s not who you thought her to be, I suggest you reconsider”
“I don’t have to reconsider a thing and I trust Sally, she knows a lot about me already” Xavier replied.
“Fine then and I only said that because I know how much you hate lies and deceit. The accountant who stole from you some years ago is still serving his time in jail and that’s because you didn’t show him mercy” James reminded.
“You are right, I show no mercy to people who lie and try to deceive me but Sally isn’t like that. She is different”.
“Oohh…is it love I see glowing in your eyes” James tease and Xavier smile, a cynical smile.
“Admiration, yes but love, no. By the way, will you be willing to be my best man?” Xavier threw the question at him and when James said nothing, He look up from the document he was signing to see James starring at him, weirdly.
“Is something wrong?” Xavier ask.
“You are going to make me cry” James said, wiping his eyes.
“Do you know this is the first time you said something good to me. It feels like you and I are close already, I’d love to be your best man” James said with excitement.
“You make it sound like am proposing to you”.
“It feels like a proposal and am going to remember this day for the rest of my life” James replied, having a dreamy look on his face.
“Whatever! Today is the photoshoot right?” Xavier ask, changing the subject into one of business.
“Yeah, we’ve rent out the diamond hotel hall for the shoot and Adam Parker will be there by one for it to begin” James told him.
“Fine, once we are done here, we might as well head there to see how things are going” Xavier inform, his concentration on pile of document in front of him.
<< MALL >>
“Over here, Sally” Claire call at a distance, waving at her.
“Sorry am late. Traffic was very….”
“It’s okay. At least you are here and that’s all that matters” Claire said, hooking her arm into Sally’s.
“Why don’t we go into that cafe and get something to eat. Am famish” Claire said, pulling her into the cafe where they both order something to eat.
“What’s wrong, you keep starring at your watch?” Sally ask, noticing Claire weird behaviour.
Ever since they came to the cafe, she has been staring at the cafe entrance and then her watch, it’s like she’s waiting for someone.
“If you are expecting someone, I can….”
“Am not expecting anyone!” Claire denied too fast, making Sally suspicious.
“You are expecting someone, right?. Tell me who it is? ” Sally demanded.
“Am sorry Sally. I didn’t want to lie to you but he made me and besides, I think a date between you two will generate something, you are single,he is single, so what’s holding you back. You need to make it work between you two” Claire said, taking hold of Sally’s hand.
“Work? What are you talking about?” A confuse Sally ask.
“Adam Parker” Claire said and that got Sally out of her seat.
“Am not in the mood for a date with him and it’s never going to work between Adam and I” Sally told Claire and turn to leave only to collide into someone.
“Easy there” Adam said, holding her by the waist to steady her.
“Oh! I’m glad you are here, have fun you two” Claire said, dashing out of the cafe.
“Running away?” Adam ask as Sally pull away from him.
“Am not running away. I never should have been here in the first place” Sally reply.
“Am sorry. I told Claire to lie to you because I know that you will refuse if I ask you myself and let me remind you that you agree to go on a date with me”.
“I didn’t agree, you just assume. Look, I know it’s my fault for thinking you to be someone else and almost strangling you for it and am sorry but you shouldn’t use this date thing as an excuse to get back at me” Sally said.
“So you think that I’m using this date as an excuse to get back at you?”
“Isn’t that what it is? Cause I don’t believe a guy of your calibre has suddenly fallen for me” Sally said just as two ladies walk by.
Two of them recognize Adam and began to take pictures of him, seeing Sally discomfort, Adam carried her bag and walk her out of the cafe.
“I think it’s best I go home” Sally said, wanting to take her bag but he prevent it.
“My wrong doing today is that I used Claire to get you to come meet me but that doesn’t mean that I won’t use this chance to get my date. I have a photoshoot by one today and I want you to accompany me”.
“Adam I….”
“Please, I’d like you to be there” Adam said, wearing a serious look and Sally had no choice but to go with him.
● LAKE VALLEY COLLEGE ●
“Now that we’ve been accepted at lake valley, don’t you think this call for a celebration?” Marie ask Mathew as they left the dean office.
“Sally made it clear to us that we should head home as soon as we are done” Mathew said, reminding her of their sister instruction.
“And since when do you listen to Sally? You’ve always do what you want and so, a little sightseeing together won’t hurt, right?” Marie ask, trying to make him agree.
“Am going to get us a Popsicle and then we go for our sightseeing” Marie said, taking his silence as a yes.
She ran towards a man with a popsicle truck and got them two Popsicle.
Marie was heading back to Mathew when she saw him talking to two girls, he was laughing at something they told him and that made her boil.
She watch them exchange number and when the girls left, she walk up to him, angrily tossing him his Popsicle.
“What’s wrong?” Mathew ask noticing her anger.
“You tell me not to give out my number and yet you give yours out!”
“I didn’t give them my number. They were just asking for direction”.
“Direction my foot! You act like a cassanova while you expect me to stay a virgin forever. That’s unfair” Marie said, turning to leave but Mathew stop her.
“Is that tears I see on your face….common, Marie. Me giving out my number doesn’t have to cost your tears” Mathew said softly.
“It has! You have no idea how much I hate it. I hate it when you give out your number, I hate it when you talk to other girls and I hate you for talking to them and giving them your number!” Marie lash at him.
“Okay, I won’t….”.
“Excuse me, do you mind if I….”.
“He has a girlfriend and that is me. So go away!” Marie yell at the girl who approach them.
“Why did you tell her that, Marie?” Mathew ask, the moment the girl left.
“I don’t know, jerk!” Marie reply storming off with a confuse Mathew following behind.
● DIAMOND HOTEL ●
Sally stood beside two makeup artist along with the photographer crew, watching Adam do his thing.
While most of the girls drool over him, Sally found herself thinking about Xavier.
He would have also make a fine model, Sally thought, a smile splaying on her face.
“What’s funny?” Adam question jolt her back to the present.
“Are you done?” She ask.
“Nope. We are just taking a break to touch up my make up” Adam reply as the two makeup artist appear at his side.
“Now that you’ve seen me doing what am good at, do you find me charming enough to agree to be my girlfriend?” Adam ask, smoothing his brow but Sally’s attention was on his hand which was bleeding.
“Your bleeding” Sally said,taking hold of his hand.
“Oh this, I got scratch while putting on my watch but it’s nothing. I only have to clean it….”
“Don’t you know that an open wound is bound to get germs. The earlier you have this thing covered, the better for you” Sally said, still holding onto his hand.
“Be on standby Adam” the photographer said.
“Sorry but he has to attend to this” Sally said before Adam could speak.
“But we don’t have much time” the photographer insist.
“So what? If this injury worsen are you going to do something about it? All I ask for is an extra time for him to get it taken care of” Sally return and the photographer had no choice but to agree.
Sally took him to his changing room and help cover up the wound.
“Done” Sally said, letting go of Adam hand to see him starring at her.
“What?”
“For the first time in my life, I find a woman to be very very attractive” Adam said, leaning towards her.
“Am glad it isn’t me” Sally said, trying to move away but he took hold of her hand.
“Sally, how about dating me for real?”
“Huh?”
“I want you to be my girlfriend and am serious about it ” Adam said.
The two were focus on each other that they fail to notice the arrival of someone else.
“I don’t think that will be possible” Xavier said, bringing their attention to him.
“Cause you see, the lady is mine” he added, marking his territory to predators like Adam……