2. KELVIN

KELVIN POV

The news was already spreading, my bride had ran away before she even walked down the aisle.

My hand tightened on my phone, I was calling Vanessa for yet the fifth time, no response.

“I just confirmed she was on the last flight out of the country, boss” James voice sounded behind me

The guests were waiting, the wedding was being streamed live, the next news would be I was abandoned on my wedding day.

“I don't want this to go viral, find me a bride.” I turned to James, my assistant and right hand man.

“Sir, any lady will kill to be your bride…”

I zoned out, as my eyes scanned the room, guests were starting to stand to their feet to leave the venue.

I noticed a chubby lady dressed in a white gown was trying to stop them from leaving

“The bride will be here shortly-”

“Nonsense, haven't you seen the rumour about her leaving the country?”

“She dumped a billionaire, he must really be a maniac…” another guest injected

The guests' talk was getting louder and even so the uproar on social media.

“She is trying on her beautiful dress designed by AB designs," the lady smiled, her chubby cheeks flushing red.

That chubby lady we met a month ago…

One month ago, after the meeting with the shareholders had ended in a heated argument and conclusion that I had to get married.

I was in my penthouse when my mother called, “Kelvin, this marriage will make you not lose the company.” Eleanor reminded me over the phone

“Mother, can we not talk about this?” I responded, loosening my tie and taking off my shirt.

“Son, I know you don't want the marriage with Vannessa—”

“I don't want marriage with anyone” I corrected

“I know, but Vannessa is the best fit, she is from a reputable family…” my mother went on about what my responsibility as a married CEO of kosh corp could result into.

She also made the consequences clear as if I wasn’t aware, the door bell ringing at that moment was enough reason to get off the call.

“Mom, I have to go, someone is at my door”

I walked to the door shirtless and when the door flung open a chubby lady was standing there looking at me.

“Uhh…I…am-” her lips moved to speak

I know I had that effect on ladies.

Suddenly, her hand lost grip of the box she was carrying, causing a loud sound and everything inside rolled on the ground.

“Shit, shit” she cursed, looking at the content of the box now littered around “First impression matters, Betty”

She looked at me like she wanted to undo what had just happened “I will pick those up later”

A small smile spread on her face as she straightened up and cleared her throat “I am not always clumsy, please don't give me a bad review”

I knitted my brow in confusion “Who are you and what are you doing on my property?”

“Oh” she chuckled, steadying her weight but her legs got hit by one of the tools on the ground “Ouch” she exclaimed

So much for someone who claimed not to be clumsy.

“I am really sorry again for that” she titled her head to my direction “I am Betty Thompson, I work at AB designs and I am here for consultations and to take your measurement for your tuxedo.”

Most of my suits were custom made by home based designers.

“You are the designer?” I scoffed

“Ah, yes sir.” she smiled not taking offense at my tone “I will just pack up all these now” she smiled again bowing low to gather all the tools clumsily into the box.

I almost caught myself laughing at the way she was acting but I haven't done that in a while, not after the brown envelope the doctor had given me months ago about my health.

“All done sir,” she stood to her full height. “May I know your name?”

“That is the first thing you should know, are you just another incompetent designer here to seduce me?”

“Seduce you?” she scoffed “Please, don't flatter yourself, I am engaged” she showed me her ring on her finger.

I hated how she responded, if she wanted good reviews she could at least try to impress me shouldn't she?

“Sir, is this perhaps the wrong time?” she asked "I have other clients to attend to, maybe we could reschedule?”

I wanted to tell her I didn't want her services, I would request for another designer but there wasn’t enough reason to do that aside from how she had responded earlier.

A grin spread on my face, stepping aside from the door way “No, come in”

Betty or whatever she had said her name was, walked in with her tools box.

“This will be quick, I can tell your size already just by looking at you.”she said, taking out her measuring tape from the box.

“Then why do you want to still take my measurements, you just want to touch my body don’t you?” My eyes narrowed at her, nothing sexy, I have always known how to stir clear from women.

“Look if you are not comfortable with me, you can request another designer to make your tuxedo,” she snapped “But don't give me a bad review because I could lose my job for that,”

I folded my hands around my bare chest “Use whatever size you think fits,”

“Are you serious, sir?”

“Yes, besides I don't care about the wedding” I shrugged.

“But it's my job to take your measurement, I don't want any mistakes happening during the fitting on your wedding day”

She was concerned about my wedding more than I was.

“I have to get paid by my boss” she continued like she could read my mind “Its none of your concern but my sister’s doctor just called about her bone surgery”

“Work ethics—why are you sharing your personal life?" I growled

“Im sorry…sorry, sir” she responded quickly, “Forget that I even said that.” she forced a smile

I hated the word “doctor”, maybe because each time it reminded me that my Doctor had told me I had limited time to live.

Nobody knew about my diagnosis, not even my mother.

“You better leave now.”one more word from you I will leave a bad review for your services.”

She scurried to leave, but she turned to face me “I know you literally told me shut up but…” she smiled, a broad smile “Congratulations on your wedding,”

Ugh! Who the hell is this loud mouth?

I opened my mouth to speak but she quickly left and closed the door behind her, before I could say another word.

“Hey,” I called after her when I realized she had left behind her measuring tape.

Later on, customer care of AB designs had called in for me to rate the service of Betty Thompson.

What I wanted to say, she was unprofessional, clumsy and had a loud mouth.

James voice pulled me out of my thoughts, back to my wedding,“Boss, if this wedding doesn’t hold today, the shareholders are—”

“There wouldn’t be a need to bother,” I tilted my head to him “I have a plan,”

I took steps closer to the chubby lady, she was engaged the last time and probably married now.

She belonged to another man. She didn’t see me coming. I pulled her by her waist, drew her closer and kissed the corner of her lips.

I expected that she would shrink away from me, probably push me and slap me in front of everyone.

From our first conversation she was uncurt, clumsy and literally carefree.

It would be a low blow to my public profile but all my life I have been taking risks in business and kissing a stranger was nothing compared to it.

I pulled away from her and announced “She is my bride”

The guests were looking at us with confusion.

I was this close to getting away with my lie but she cleared her throat to speak and I knew it would be a disaster.

“Oh, no I am not.” she started, laughing nervously at the guests and filming phones “This must be a mistake, this is the back up dress, I don’t even know…”