FIVE

I tapped on the keyboard of the desktop hard, enjoying the clicking sound it made to calm my nerve. I typed the last few words, deleting and typing before the words had stuck too much in my head and I had saved it.

I exhaled as I leaned back against the chair I thought about what Grace had informed me about yesterday. My plan was to work for as much as I had time, request for a month or two to renew my passport and return but it seemed like life struck worry at a hard time.

One more year and I would have been legible to apply for citizenship but with the immigration policy, you can only be a citizen by birth, investment or marriage. The South African had gone home since her Visa was expiring in two days and the Latina was deported because she was an immigrant yet to complete her papers.

“You look like you’re in distraught.” I heard a sassy voice as I looked up from the computer screen to the first Asian I’ve seen in this company or on this floor.

She was cute, long black wavy hair that bounced on her shoulders, cat eyes with black orbs, red lips created by her lipstick and tall for the average Asian women. She didn’t look so Asian just her eyes and her accent was very original, maybe she grew up in the South.

“It’s nothing.” I said as my eyes went to her employee ID. “Miss Chang.”

“Oh just call me Lily. You must be the new co-worker the guys wouldn’t stop talking about.” She said confidently as she leaned against the desk while I smiled.

“You can call me Ebony.”

“Just Ebony.”

“You could try the names on my papers but listen to the ID.” I joked as she laughed before she threw her head back.

“You’re so funny.”

“I know that’s why she wants me.” I joked as she shook her head.  “So how may I help you Lily?” I asked as she pushed her hair back.

My eyes went to the wedding ring on her finger and it was then I actually realized she was pregnant. It was like God was taunting me ‘it is time.’

“Soooo, I came to invite you for lunch. I’ve wanted to talk to you after my delivery but company policies make maternal leave as early as six months with good child care and I’m ready to take a break from Sheryl and her compulsive habits to make CEO Azzaro satisfied with her services.”

Birth. That was strike three.

“You are the first normie I’m seeing around here.”

“We have a few but we’re not allowed to make too much contact with clients but who won’t be kinky if CEO Azzaro’s in charge.” She growled as I laughed and covered my face.

“You’re being ridiculous. Konstantin isn’t kinky, he is the kink.” I responded before I realized I said his first name.

Lily stared at me and I stared at her as my smile fell before I placed my hand on my neck and she covered her mouth in disbelief then pointed at me and the office.

“Are you and CEO…”

“Nothing like that. He was our investor when I was working in Lopaz.” I explained curtly as she sighed.

“Shame if he’s gay. The ladies would be disappointed even though it’ll satisfy me.”

“Aren’t you married?” I asked.

“So?” She asked as I shook my head. She was far from stereotypical Asians and in a weird way, reminded me of Grace.

“You wanted to invite me to lunch.” I said and she clapped her hand.

“I knew I was forgetting something.” She said before she hugged her tummy. “So you’re coming?”

“Yeah since you invited me.” I replied before I winked and heard the alarm of my wristwatch. “I’d love to stay and chat but this is the time I go pick up Mr. Azzaro’s coffee before I head to my department.”

“Okay Ebony, see you later.” Lily said before she walked to the direction I believed she came from.

The first normie I meet has too much energy for a pregnant woman even if she has that glow. This company is really something.

Lunch was fun until I heard that someone in the company was a citizen before the ban is fully operational. Worst, I received a text from my father who found out the policy from the international news channel and it was disappointing.

I was powerless and even if my family had enough money to meet the requirements of the investments, my father would have me married off before I set foot here ever again. I wasn’t ready to go back and it only reminded me that I had only one option.

Marriage. I had to marry someone who was already a citizen but I felt like I was proving my father that I needed a man to be successful. That was far from the down play; I needed a man to stay.

Nigeria is my home but America was my life. It was what I had built with little support, my intelligence, hard work and charms. I didn’t want to abandon it especially when…

My hand went to my bag as I pulled out the folder Konstantin gave me a few days ago. I opened the folder reading through as my fist clenched tighter and tighter as I read each word.

This isn’t what I want but it’s what I need, it’s my only hope.

Konstantin’s office door opened and I stood up and quickly hid the folder but it seemed he knew what I was reading.

“Can I get you anything sir?” I asked in a low voice.

Konstantin appeared like he had something to say but his mouth made no movement to satisfy my motion.

“No.” He replied. Konstantin was going to close the door but I stood up quickly and raised my hand.

“Can I talk to you sir? It is about what we discussed the day I came to give you a response for the job.” I informed him as Konstantin nodded.

He stood way from the door as I left my station with the folder and stared into his eyes before I breathed in softly and stepped into the office.

I sincerely hope I am not making a wrong decision

**********

I sat down with the folder wide open as Konstantin crossed his legs with his hands on his knee. I hated how relaxed he was like he knew one way or the other, I would yield.

“What do you have to say Miss Ebony?” Konstantin asked as I squirmed in my chair at the way he called my name. My heart should be panicked but the way he was looking at me made me too scared to fear and disappoint him so I breathed and held my composure.

“I read the contract and thought about what you said… about marrying you.” I said as I raised my eyes to meet his. “I’ve put much thought into it and I accept your marriage proposal Mr. Azzaro.”

Konstantin smirked before it fell and he dropped his legs and faced me. “However what?” He asked as though he could read my mind, my thoughts exposed to a man I had a vague concept of.

“However, I decide when we divorce and the motive of divorce.”

“What makes you think you are in a position for making demands?”

“I am not but this is a business relationship we are coating with intimacy; it’s not above terms, demands and conditions especially to make profit.”

“And what will you be profiting from decision of divorce?”

“Assurance that you will honor this contract.” It is a reminder not to delusion our marriage for my romantic satisfaction.

“Very well.” Konstantin said as he pulled out a calligraphic pen from his pocket and took the papers in front of me. I watched as he smoothly traced my condition underneath the conditions before he pushed the folder and his pen to me.

“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 released a shaky breath as my knees quivered in weakness before I felt Konstantin’s large hand on mine and I wondered when he had moved from his chair to my side.

My eyes trailed from his hand to the shades of his eyes that left a deep sense of security that had my shoulders slump in relief. I hadn’t noticed he had taken the pen from my hand until he withdrew our eyes contact and signed on the space with his name under.

“I’ll have my lawyer sign as a third party but before then I wish to ask what changed your mind Miss Ebony?” Konstantin asked the question that I had expected him to ask.

I was still recovering from his warmth being around me and pondered if the truth was what should be said. I was spending six months of my life with him so there was no point in lying or risk breaching the contract.

“It was seven years ago before I came to America; I made a deal with my father that gender doesn’t limit capabilities and I don’t need a husband to succeed more than my brothers so my father gave me six years to prove that.”

“I thought that belief was ancient.”

“Apparently my father is one of those ancients. He was a little before the war and culture still had its roots then.” I explained. “So far, I’ve been successful but I still have one more year left or I will be forced to marry a random male my parents like because I’m not getting any younger, they know our family friend and he comes from a respectable family.”

I sighed as I played with my thumb. “Trump has made a new immigration law that banned specific countries from flying in unless by birth, investment and marriage but my family can’t come here unless they had visas that aren’t expiring. My visa will expire in less than three months.”

Konstantin said nothing as he relaxed on the couch and nodded his head.

“I sympathize with you. I supposed now we have made this decision, we will have to rush the procedure, go on a few dates to attract the public’s attention, meet my family and have a simple wedding and if possible, court.”

“You only wear a white dress once Konstantin; I’m having my wedding in a church if my family is invited.” I stated before he raised a brow.

“The arrangement isn’t important; it’s having my name as your last name… Mrs. Azzaro.”