There was intense preparation in the Bimpe's home as people trooped in and out of the yard. The young men could be seen, arranging chairs under the big tree in the yard while the voices of young and aged women were heard as they chatted and laughed while surrounding the large cooking pots in the fire. Inside the room, she sat on the white plastic chair as Maiden applied makeup on her face. Bisi and two other girls were also in the room, arranging a few things on the bamboo bed. "It's almost twelve and there is still no sight of them," Bisi said from the bed where she sat. "Or, they decided to change their mind?" One of the girls asked."Better for Alex. Who needs them anyways?" Maiden asked, with her head bent towards Alex. "Please be careful with the brows. Are you really sure you can do this right? I don't want to look like a masquerade in front of everyone" She complained and they all laughed. "What are you insinuating? That I don't know my job?" Maiden frowned."You know, you just started learning this stuff a few months ago and I was surprised when you said you can do it perfectly" she said. "Shut up and let me do my job" Maiden said and they all laughed again. "Seriously, your attire is beautiful and the fabrics are quite expensive" one of the girls commented as she stretched out the red lace material on the bed. "She's marrying a billionaire and you can't expect her to dress in rags" the other girl put in and they all laughed apart from Alex."Wait, so, we're going to see Adrian wearing the same attire with you? This is still like a dream to me" Maiden said with a chuckle."Did you get to see him before today?" One of the girls asked."No, only his father came around," she replied."I guess he was against the marriage too, oh poor Lexy, I pity you a lot" Bisi said tearfully. "Hey! Stop making her feel bad," Maiden cut in."You girls should just get busy, please!" Alex yelled at once.Her heart began to beat and she became nervous at once. She had so much dreaded this day, but there was no way she could escape from it. As she began to think about what life with Adrian would mean for her, a tear escaped her eyes. "Lex, you're crying?" Maiden asked as she stopped. She stood up at once and wiped her face and stormed out of the room."Let her be, she needs a moment to herself" Maiden said to Bisi who was trying to go after her. As she walked out through the backyard, she heard voices of women who were sitting on the bench under the mango tree. "So Toyin decided to sell her daughter to slavery because of money," one of the women gossiped. "After all she has heard about that man. God forbid. I would never do such a thing to my daughter because of hunger. They don't even have plenty of children and they've begun to sell off the only one they've got, because of hunger" one of the women put in and the others laughed. "It isn't because of hunger o, she wants to show off that her daughter is married to a billionaire. She wants to be proud when walking around the village that she is an inlaw to Mateo. I pity her a lot" another one put in. "I agree with you. I just pity that girl who is going to suffer. She will suffer a lot in that marriage" the first woman said. As she heard the women speak, her heart became heavy and she walked out angrily. On sighting her, the women kept silent and they began to smile sheepishly. "Iyawo!" They hailed as she walked towards them.She hissed and walked back into the house. "Lex, please don't ruin my work with your tears, everything is going to be fine" she heard Maiden speak as she walked back into the room. She sniffed and sat on the plastic chair."Alex, all you need to do is put yourself together and prepare for the new life that awaits you. Who knows if you might get something different from what you thought" Bisi said from behind. "Please put yourself together, dear," the girls advised as they rubbed her shoulders while she sobbed.**He stood for a while, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Handsomely dressed in a black designer suit, he thought about the new life that awaits him with the poor peasant girl whom his father has taken as a bride for him.His life has been peaceful and free from stress ever since Barbara left. Their marriage had been nothing but a disaster and ever since then, he never wanted to have anything to do with those creatures called 'Women'.His eyes trailed to the small picture frame on the mirror shelf. He took hold of the frame and a wry smile appeared on his wide brown lips as he gazed at the beautiful baby girl who was smiling charmingly in the picture. A knock came on the door and he dropped the frame in its place. "Come in," he gruntled and the door opened.He saw his father walking into the room, fully donned in a black embroidered agbada and cap. "You're not yet dressed? We're late already! The kingsmen are waiting!" He said, a little alarmed. "I'm ready," he said as he walked away from the mirror.Mateo scoffed and shook his head as he looked at his son."You're not serious, are you?" He asked as he gazed at him from head to toe."What?" He asked with a frown."We're performing a traditional marriage rite and not a wedding ceremony!" He slammed. "And how is that my business? I can dress the way I want. I told you earlier that I'm not dressing up in all that shit! Let's get this done once and for all, I've got no time. I'm a businessman" he reminded as he stormed out of the room, leaving his father completely astonished.**"They're here!" Bisi's excited voice came from the door as she walked into the room where Alex was dressing up. "Jeez! We're almost done, though," Maiden said anxiously as she hastened up with her work. "I'm tired of all this makeup, please hurry up!" Alex complained."Girl, I'm going to catch a view of our handsome groom," Bisi said with excitement as she hurried out of the room.A wry smile appeared on Alex's face as she heard those words. She didn't know why she was smiling, but no doubt, she knew how handsome her groom looked as she had seen him several times in a few magazines. "I'm going to catch a view too" the girls said as they both hurried out."I would have love to go," Maiden said as she pouted her lips like a baby "Stop it, we have no time" Alex said and she giggled.Just then, Bisi stormed into the room angrily. "Wait, is that your groom that I'm actually seeing out there? Because if he is, then I think he must be mad!" She slammed as she walked to the bedside."What? What's wrong?" Alex asked anxiously from her seat."The guy is dressed like one going to the office!" She shouted. "What!" They both exclaimed."What..what is he wearing?" Alex asked curiously as she stood up from her seat."You will see for yourself. Your man is actually dressed in a suit!" Bisi shouted again. She exhaled and went back to her seat."That's his business. Maiden, please continue" she said to Maiden who was trying to peep through the curtains. "But he's handsome, though," Bisi added as she scratched the back of her hair. Alex blushed and the girls laughed."I would love to catch a glimpse," she said."Let them settle down. I need to be done with your head tie" Maiden said as she arranged the gold coloured head tie in her hand. She could hear their voices and laughter from the living room and her heart skipped. Mateo Steel's voice was the loudest and it irritated her a lot. She wondered why such a man as prestigious as he is would actually want the marriage done in a low-key way. Maybe it was at the request of his son, she thought.She tried to picture his face in her head and it gave her goosebumps. The only thing she had ever liked about him was the fact that he was handsome. "I wish he doesn't have to be mean," she muttered inaudibly."Please I'm having a headache" she complained as Maiden arranged the headtie on her head. After a few more minutes, she was fully dressed in her traditional attire which was made up of a red lace buba dress, with a golden beaded ashoke resting on her left shoulder. Her head was beautifully wrapped in a golden ashoke and her neck was adorned with a simple beaded necklace. "Our bride is ready!" Maiden exclaimed and the girls began to murmur as they looked at Alex who was staring at the mirror. "This makeup is not okay!" She slammed."What! It's beautiful, Right?" Maiden asked as she looked at Bisi and the girls who nodded sheepishly. "Oh God, right now, this man is going to hate me more than I already know he does!" She cried as she saw her reflection in the mirror. "It's fine, it's fine," Bisi put in."Gosh," she complained as she smacked her lips which had turned red."The foundation is much, the eyeshadows and the lipstick, nothing is matching!" She complained."Ok, because I'm your friend, right?" Maiden asked angrily. "Please you girls should dress up, there is no time" She said as she sat on the bed tiredly.She looked at Maiden who was sulking like a baby with her arms placed akimbo. She laughed and walked over to her. "You know how friends behave, please stop this attitude and go get dressed. You girls will follow behind me when I'm being brought out to the groom" she said tenderly as she wrapped her hands around her. "Yes, please don't mind Lexy, she is just stressed out I guess" Bisi and the other girls put in.They began to tease Maiden until she laughed.After dressing up, the girls sat together with her in the room. They were all dressed in blue coloured lace gowns and head ties. "I need to go see Mr handsome for myself" Maiden said as she stood up."Hey.." Alex tried to speak but she was gone.Maiden stood by the door and peeped through the curtain. The other girls followed behind her and they all began to giggle and murmur at the door.She became anxious and at the same time curious as she saw the girls giggling and murmuring. She needed to see his face so badly, she thought.She stood up and tiptoed towards the girls. "What? You are not supposed to see him now" Bisi frowned."Please..let me see" she pleaded as she pushed her way through them.As she peeped out of the curtain with the girls behind her, she could see a lot of people in the room. Her eyes fell on Mateo and some of his Kingsman who were all dressed expensively. They were seated at one side of the room with a lot of drinks and other items before them.As she scanned her eyes through the men, her eyes fell on her groom, sitting with his legs crossed stylishly in the midst of the men. He seemed to be busy with his phone as he cared less about anything going on in the room.Her heart skipped as she saw his handsome oblong face, coupled with a strong jawline. His neatly shaved hair and his stubble beard added to his captivating looks and she couldn't help but get lost in this god-like man sitting majestically amongst the men. "Alex, your mom is coming!" She heard Maiden's voice and they all hurried back into the room.She couldn't sit and she began to walk anxiously around the room, barefooted. Her mom walked into the room with two other women whom she recognized as her aunties. They were all fully dressed in native attires and for the first time in her life, she was seeing her mom dressed so beautifully in expensive clothes. "ọmọbinrin mi lẹwa, you are blessed" her mother praised as she placed her hands on her shoulders. The other women joined in hailing her and she forced a smile on her face."I hope you are all ready? We are coming to get the bride soon" one of the women said and the girls nodded.As the women left, she turned to her friends. "Get my shoes" she said as she walked to her chair.They could hear claps and chants outside the room as her beautiful golden heels slid into her beautiful feet and her face was covered with a red net veil . Not long after, the women returned, this time, in large numbers. "It's time" she heard one of the women say and her heart skipped again.The girls sang cheerfully behind her as she was escorted out of the room with the women leading in front. There were cheers and applause as she walked into the room which was filled to the brim with people.She was made to stand in the middle of the room with her head bowed shyly. She raised her head partially and she could see her father in-law smiling with excitement as he ate his garden eggs with joy. From where he sat, he saw her walking slowly amidst the women who were singing her praises. He let out a sigh as his eyes caught with her face which was covered with a veil. He was beginning to get disgusted by everything around this place. He couldn't believe he was brought all the way here to get married to a girl whose family couldn't even afford a television set. They seem strikingly poor and though he had no hatred for poor people,he never thought he would one day marry a girl from a poor home. As his eyes continued to feast on her body, their eyes met and his face hardened. He saw her looking away immediately and he turned his attention back to his phone. She felt shrills all over her body as she saw the stern look he gave her. Her heart began to beat fast and she pinched herself slightly.She heard the spokesman call her name and she turned her attention to him immediately. She was asked a few questions in Yoruba language and as she answered, there was a round of applause all over the room.She was made to kneel before her father and he gave her his blessings after which, she moved slowly to her groom's family. As she knelt in front of her father in-law, she could see his face beaming with smiles and she wondered why he was so excited about this marriage. He gave her his blessings, and then the veil was removed from her face.Everyone cheered as they saw her face and there was a round of applause all over the room. From where he sat, he saw her face and he let out a sigh in disgust. He couldn't believe his father had poured so much hype on this clown standing in the middle of the room. He tried to maintain his composure as he heard the spokesman direct her over to him."Don't do anything stupid, it's your moment" he heard his father whisper to him.His teeth bit on his finger as he watched her walking towards him. She knelt in front of him shyly and he remained in his position as he watched her."Lift her up!" One of his uncles whispered to him and he let out an exhale as he reached his hands towards her.She felt perspiration gather on her brows as she knelt in front of him. Her heartbeat increased and her hands began to tremble. She saw how reluctant he was to lift her up and as he reached his hand towards her, she felt relieved.As their hands touched, she developed a cold feet and she stood up immediately without waiting for him to lift her up.She felt butterflies in her stomach as she was made to sit on his legs. His strong cologne filled her nostrils and she no doubt loved the smell around him. She dared not look at his face as she could sense the rising anger within him. She kept her gaze on the crowd and at her friends who were hailing her with excitement. There was a round of applause again and everyone began to cheer. She was given a native cap in which she adorned on his head and there were chants and claps all over the room again. His jaws stiffened and he tightened his fist as she was made to sit on his legs. He wished everything would be over soon, as he felt sickened by the people around him, including the clown who was sitting comfortably on his legs.Money began to rain in the air as Mateo and his kingsmen showered money on the newly married couples. The local band present in the room began to sing his praises and he made a few dance steps which made everyone cheer.She stood up as soon as the rites were over and she proceeded into her room immediately. Her friends followed after her and they all seemed so excited."So,our baby is finally married," Maiden said with a smile as she sat on the bed."That guy is so full of himself. I'm beginning to like his father more than him. Mateo may seem like a bad person, but we all know how much of a cheerful man he is, even among people of lower statuses. He doesn't discriminate" Bisi said.Alex sighed and sat on the bed."Wait, how does it feel, sitting on his legs?" Maiden asked with excitement and a blush appeared on her cheek."He is hot!" She voiced and they all laughed."Come on girls, I'm going out to get my food" one of the girls said as she hurried out of the room and the other girls followed.She saw her mother walking into the room with a plate of food in her hand."Here, eat. Your in-laws are preparing to leave. You should get ready" she said as she sat on the bed."Mother, so soon? I'm tired" she complained."I know. But your husband is in a hurry" she said.She sighed as she removed her earrings and her scarf. She took the plate of food and began to eat slowly."Your husband is quite handsome," her mom complimented."And?" She asked with her mouth full."Nothing. I'm sorry for making you go through this. But I want you to understand that this wasn't our plan for you. We love you so much, Alex," she said with tears in her eyes. "Mom, you shouldn't be doing this right now. You should be helping me pack my bags" she said."You've already packed," her mom said as she looked at the two rolling boxes in the room."I love you Alex, and I'm going to miss you so much. I pray that the good Lord keep you alive" she cried.She gulped and dropped her spoon."I want to ask you something, mother," she said as she turned to look at her."I'm listening" she said as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief."What if it gets to a stage where he abused me almost to death? What should I do? Remain in the marriage?" She asked thoughtfully.Her mom sighed heavily."Run. Alex, run. If he tries to kill you, run" she said again. She sighed and shook her head."But one thing I want you to keep in mind is that, if you play your card very well, he might not try to hurt you. Do your own part and leave the rest" she advised."So, his first wife didn't play her cards very well then?" She asked."I don't know, we don't know what happened between them so we can't say for now," she replied."But you all once believed that he was the monster. Everyone judged him even when we didn't know his own side of the story. So what are you saying mom? Since it's the turn of your daughter, you're trying to see reasons with him? With the same man you have once condemned?" She asked thoughtfully."Alex, I'm not trying to justify his actions. I'm just advising you to play your own part as the good woman that you are" her mom stressed."And you think all that is going to matter? You didn't see all his reactions out there? How he didn't even try to lift me up, how he didn't even touch me while I was sitting on his legs. Don't you see how he's just so full of himself?" She asked with the pitch of her tone rising high."I saw everything. You just have to be patient, and tolerable" her mom said again."Fine, I've heard you. I will" she said as she stood up."I need a bath" she said as she tried to unzip her dress.
