Chapter 3

Valerie.

"And now everyone, please welcome Mr. Collins and his beautiful wife Mrs Valerie." Dorian the manager said.

My heart was beating fast as we walked into the hall room to meet the Chinese investors. The words of Collins were still ringing in my ear.

'These men just want to see you beside me and you can leave' 

If that was to be the case then I am simply going to have to greet them and move along even without looking again.

"Is this your wife?" One of the Chinese investors asked after Collins had greeted him. 

"Indeed." 

"She is so beautiful." He said and shook my hand firmly. "It is great to see you have good family views. A lot of rich billionaires these days just want to hang out with girls at the club."

They shared a good laugh, while I was itching to leave the room.

After the fond greetings, it was time to get to business. I whispered to Collins that I would be leaving and he permitted me.

"Where is she going?" 

I stopped. 

The Chinese man who shook my hand asked.

"I figured this was a meeting between us. She doesn't have to be here to listen." Collins argued.

"That is nonsense. She is your wife Collins. That is the purpose of marriage. The both of you have to stay together and do everything together." 

The look on Collins's face was one of frustration. 

Seeing that the Chinese man was insisting, I walked over to the chair and sat down next to Collins. 

I gently tapped him under the table and gave him a reassuring smile and he latched onto the gesture.

"So let's get back to business then," Collins said and the Chinese men agreed.

They talked about shared and what they could stand to gain. It was a long-hour argument on where to reach the clause and agreement.

"I will only accept this offer if your wife can somehow manage to convince me about it." The Chinese man argued.

"Mr. Wong. Are you here to see my wife or are you here to talk business?" Collins asked.

"Collins. Let your wife talk about the agreement. I am giving you this option because I don't like what you are bringing. Let's see if Mrs. Collins will have a better offer." 

My heart began to beat fast as they turned their gaze to me. I slightly turned my neck to Collins and noticed the look of frustration in his eyes.

"The shares are worth twenty million and Collins wants us to get them for thirty five million. Give us one reason we should acquire them." Mr. Wong demanded.

So many options ran through my mind and despite the gesture from Collins beside me, I still didn't know what to say.

"Mrs. Collins. We don't have all the time."

"A good deal I have to admit. Collins is a hard-working man and I am sure whatever he proposes he will do it. He is a master of good deals." 

There was a brief silence after my words. From my peripheral vision, Collins clutched his forehead in frustration.

Maybe I was not built for this after all.

Mr. Wong took a deep breath, picked up the paper on the table and a pen and signed the contract.

"Congratulations Mr. Collins the deal has now been finalized. Thanks to your beautiful wife. She is so confident about you and that is all we wanted to see." He revealed.

I wanted to leap with joy and excitement but I contained myself. Beside me Collins was filled with so much smile.

The Chinese men rose to their feet and once again everyone exchanged pleasantries before they finally walked out of the room.

"I knew I wasn't making a mistake picking you to be my bride for this moment," Collins said, taking further steps to reach me.

"I had to do what was necessary."

"And I am going to reward you for that." He said and pulled out a check from his pocket. 

I stopped him before he could continue. "I didn't do this because of the check. I figured you needed this contract more than anything else."

"The first woman to have rejected my cheque. There must be something special about you then." He said.

I was going to say something when his phone began to ring heavily. 

"Hello?"

"Yea. I know. I have gotten the deal. Yea. I will bring her to see you mom." He said and hung up afterwards.

"It's my mom. She wants to see my supposed bride." He said.

"But that wasn't part of the deal," I argued.

"I know. Someone from the company told her that I found a new wife and she hasn't stopped disturbing me." He said.

"So you want us to go check her?" I asked.

"Yes. That is the last thing you are going to do I promise." He replied with pleading eyes.

"Fine. Let's go then."  

**

The trip to Collins parents house was a long and nervy one. They lived in the outskirts of New York City.

  

A massive building towered over our head and the most fascinating aspect was the fact that it was built on stones.

How much wealth did Collins even acquire?

We arrived at the gates and were allowed into the building. "Welcome to my family house." He said.

Collins helped me out of the car and we approached the living room. I was nervous and it felt like I was going to see my in-laws once again.

The door opened and my eyes landed on a grey haired woman and a man who had reading glasses on.

"Great to see you once again son." His mother said, embracing him in a warm hug. 

Her eyes landed on me and she let go from the hug. "Is this the woman?" She asked and he nods his head.

"This is Valerie. My new bride." 

She embraced me in a warm hug and while we remained in that position, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. 

Greg appeared in sight and I froze the moment we locked gaze with each other.