FOUR

“You understand that once you sign this contract… There’s no going back Ebony.” Konstantin said as my breathing ragged and the pen in my hand quivered.

This was my only escape; this was the only option to be free of my father’s shackles. This was the only way I could stay here until things changed.

“I understand.” I replied before I signed the agreement papers.

********************

I won’t be home for dinner or at all. Cuddling with my man, kisses. I smiled weakly at the text message as I unlocked our apartment and stepped in.

I sighed as I dropped everything on the couch before going to the kitchen, picking a glass of water and chugging it before I exhaled like I had tasted the fucking best liquor of my life.

I walked to the living room and fell on the empty couch before I pulled out my phone to text my best friend.

Gotcha. I’m already home and grab me something nice especially food, love you. I texted back before my eyes went to the folder on the table that Konstantin handed to me.

“I need you to be my wife Ebony. I want you to marry me.” Konstantin’s words hit heavy in my mind as I twisted and twirled on the couch, trying hard to remove my curiosity from whatever was in the folder he was revising earlier.

“I can’t do this.” I said as I sat up before I dropped my phone beside the folder and picked the brown folder.

I slowly opened as my throat bulged before the word ‘Agreement’ was boldly written in red on top of the first page. My eyes skimmed quickly and I almost dropped the papers when my phone rang before I placed the folder on the table and picked up my phone.

I quickly forgot what I had seen when I saw ‘mom’ as the caller ID.

(The conversation between her relatives was supposed to be in a native dialect however Igbo is not a very simple language to pronounce when reading so all conversations will be English with little mother tongue.)

“Hello mommy.” I said as I stood up from the chair with my shoulders tensed.

“Mamanda. How are you?” Mom asked as I smiled.

“I’m fine. How is the family?” I asked.

“They are all fine. You’re younger brother just introduced us to his future wife.” Mom laughed as I slapped my face.

“Madame Dorcas, can we not have this conversation right now?”

“You are twenty nine mamanda; you think you are still young like all this fresh out of high school sixteen. You don’t know as you get older no man will want to marry you and you will have no one to take care of you when you get old.”

“Is it getting a husband that will do so?”

“Yes and having plenty children. You are the only daughter out of five children and the second to last; all your siblings have gotten married including Nonso(Non-so) who is going to get married and we hope you will be coming home for the wedding.” Mom said as I pouted.

“I don’t need a husband to take care of me. I like living alone, I choose to do so and if it’s about kids; I can adopt, do IVF or get pregnant. Kids are not the issue here mom, it’s the fact I am not ready to be submissive to a man.”

“The reason I didn’t bother you was because Nonso was acting like you but he has wisen up and I expect the same from you. Your father was afraid you would cross border and suddenly act white, I should have listened to him.” Mom said as she clicked her tongue.

I rolled my eyes knowing my parents love to overdramatize a situation.

“Madame Dorcas, I won’t ever forget who I am. Also, don’t say it like that they may think you’re a colorist.” I teased as mom laughed.

“This child. So tell me… How is that boy you were seeing? He was a very nice boy.” Mom asked as I nervously scratched the back of my neck.

“Gerald and I are no longer in a relationship.” I confessed and my mom was silent over the phone.

“What happened?” Mom asked.

“I wasn’t happy in the relationship anymore and I decided to end everything.” I told half the truth knowing the reason would spark an argument.

“You were not happy. Oh? Youths these days so have you found any nice man there that will marry you.” Mom asked as I chuckled.

“Mommy you are too impatient, relax. There’s someone interested in me but we will soon start to know ourselves better.” I lied again as thoughts of Konstantin’s confession played in my head and my face felt warm. “You’ll be the first to know when things are better.”

“Okay. I have to go; your father will soon be home. Try and be communicating with him, he misses his Ada(elder daughter), Okay?”

“Yes ma. Baa bye. Greet everyone o.” I said before she hummed and ended the call.

I sighed as I went back to the couch before I dropped my phone on the table and picked the contract. This wasn’t the glamorous life I was promised as an adult. My brothers flexed adulthood, teasing me and flaunting age gap respect in my face, I clocked twenty and my mom who told me if a boy touches you, you’ll get pregnant was panicking I had no interest in any man by my age. She admitted something must be wrong with my hormone but she had unconsciously drilled marriage to the least necessity.

A hundred billion dollars would be what I would gain with the marriage and divorce as well as forty percent shares of Konstantin’s properties, a private house at a country of my choice and protection from the public if they wanted to use our divorce as profit.

I could earn more than I could earn for the rest of my career for six to twelve months and all I had to do was look pretty, put on a ring and bear the last name of most sexy biracial man I have ever seen. It was a very tempting offer but if I accepted it, my father will not recognize my other accomplishment except I married a billionaire and my marriage must work with him.

I dropped the papers and stood up so I could change to my casual wear.

“Welcome to LK&A you must be Ebony CEO Azzaro’s new secretary. Hi I’m Sheryl Cobber and I am the manager.” Sheryl said as she offered her hand and I shook her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I said as Sheryl smiled and I noticed the mole under her eyes.

Sheryl was a plain looking woman with brown hair, facial lines and pink lips. However, Sheryl was a very thick white woman and it was evident her shape was from hitting the gym because she was more fit than I could ever imagine my lazy ass to be and something told me she’d be a tough woman to be the manager.

“Likewise. CEO Azzaro said I should guild you for the week since I was acting as his assistant.” She informed me as I nodded before we headed to the desk right in front of Konstantin’s office.

“CEO Azzaro likes everything being in order and he hates anything impromptu even though he has algorithms planned for unexpected events including evitable absence of employees.” She explained as she faced me.

“Which is?” I asked.

“They simply get replaced.” She said it as though it was a gleeful task.

I stared at her as she pulled out a few documents and a textbook. She tapped on the piles before she smiled at me.

“We usually have trainings for new employees but you are the first CEO Azzaro has ever requested to skip the process, read manuals and work as natural as you look.” She said as her eyes went to my shoes to my hair as though she couldn’t understand me. “If you have any questions, please call me. I left my number on your table or you could come to my office.”

She left me allow as I sighed before I placed the books on the table. I walked to the seat as I pulled the books and papers that were mostly appointment papers, management activities I needed to be informed and other things I needed to do for Konstantin.

I threw the manual in the thrash, rolling my eyes that they would tell me how to do my job before I opened the ethnics, rules and regulations book. I flipped through it lazily as I heard sound of employees greeting my new employer.

Konstantin walked to view of my office with a straight look on his face and pride that suited his status. Lord he looked sexy in that Italian suit that I found myself wishing to be the shirt that hugged his muscular frame.

I gulped as I stood up, needing to pay attention to my environment because we were not friends until shift over.

“Good morning sir.” I greeted as I gave a polite smile.

Konstantin stopped before he faced me and had a brief expression to remind him that he had hired someone to fill the empty spot outside his office. He placed his hands inside his pants pockets and came closer as his footsteps echoed.

I felt my hands tremble nervously as Konstantin approached me before he stretched his hand towards me and in response I closed my eyes. I felt his fingers, long and rough as though he was a boxer wipe the corner of my lip before I opened my eyes and he used a handkerchief to wipe what I believe was cream.

“Coffee?” He asked and I nodded.

“I like a lot of cream on a Monday morning.” I explained and I swear his lips almost twitched with a smile but he was stoic.

“I’m sure Mrs. Cobber has updated you on what I expect from your long term relationship with me.” He said as my brows twitched.

“It all depends on you sir.” I replied as I looked at the control freak.

Konstantin nodded and entered his office before I sighed at the closure of the door. I was sure it was his way of reminding me of the offer he had for me on the table pending but decision was final; NO.

Work was longer than I expected and Azzaro’s demands were more than his net worth. Mr. Ronald Smith wasn’t so busy or in need of documents at appointed dates than Konstantin.

If he wanted something coffee now, I had to get it before now. He needed a therapist to teach him that a minute after time was not a reason to restart or end a process.

I passed my neighborhood, surprised to see the introverts and hermits of the neighborhood talking with each other in whispered voices. I also noticed that the crazy Latina and her South African roommate two buildings away that always played loud music didn’t have her mother tongue songs booming in the streets or her roommate greeting me.

I entered the house and was immediately received by Grace who had her arms wrapped around me.

“Huh Grace; I love you too.” I replied and responded to the gesture but there was a look of worry on her face. “What’s wrong honey?”

“Have you looked at the news so far?” Grace asked and I shook my head.

“What happened?”

“I think its better you read it yourself.” She handed me her phone as I read the new Trump immigration policies.

(I apologize for using an old president but my story was based during his reign.)

I quickly scrolled through the list of banned countries and my eyes widened when I saw Nigeria among. They were deporting people or rather ended visa without investments.

“What am I going to do?” I asked as my eyes met Grace’s worried eyes.

“We don’t have much to worry about right? It’s just this year left to win your freedom from an arranged marriage right?” Grace asked as I nodded but my eyes reflected my problem.

“My visa’s going to expire in two months.”

AUTHOR'S REQUEST

Hey guys, this is a new book I wrote for the CEO and me contest. I hope you're liking it so far and if it wouldn't be much trouble please tell your friends to check out my book and if possible post for people to know. Thank you so much!