Set for a new Life

Back in her space, Tracy, seated on her bed with her back leaning against her bed frame, was looking at absolutely nothing.

‘Won't be bad to presume Angela would eventually have a chance to live the type of life she wishes for if I sign this contract. I don't have much time to think this over, but I hope it ends well’

She whispered to herself as she stood from the bed to grab a glass of water. Lady Gene walked in, smiling at her as she walked close

“How was it? What did he say?”

Tracy, pulling up a grin as she took water from the dispenser.

“It’s a whole lot, I mean, a whole lot. You aren't prepared for it if the scenes on the dinner still feel unreal to you.”

Proceeding to drink her water

“Let's have the gist, baby girl. Let's have it!!”

You can tell she'sready to give every iota of attentionin her to Tracy, landing mischievously on Tracy’s bed. Tracy entered with a majestic stride, curling her fingers in a regal gesture like a queen approaching her king gimmick

“Mark wants us to get married tomorrow. And he can't wait.”

She uttered as she blushed with so much joy in her ribs.

“What??? Are you?...t How come? Y'all been pulling the most unimaginable strings these days, making me feel Mark is under a spell or something. Tell me you're kidding me? Or did you by any chance have this whole thing running without my notice?”

Lady Gene, looking confused and anxious to hear from Tracy as her curiosity piqued.

“Nah nah nah naahh… You are like my mother, I wouldn't keep such a thing from you if it were to be. I'm as surprised as you are. I don't know specifically what he's up to, but he wants a contract marriage, promising to make me not regret my decision to oblige and I'm sure you know what that means”

Raising her eyebrows and giving some funny kind of gesture signalling a sweet sign which Lady Gene seemed to recognise as she reciprocated.

“Ohhhhhhhh…. Yeah, of course I know what that means. Mrs Ava's enemy has eventually come for her. I overheard her arguing wih Mark the other day and Mark doesn't seem to give a damn about her. Walking out on her, even. It's getting nastier everyday”

"Really??? Must have been about this same issue."

Lady Gene, nodding her head in a positive sign showing she got it as she looks even more excited

“So…. What's your response? Are you…”

Raising her eyebrows in curiosity

“I don't know yet, I have tomorrow to consider every circumstance and condition to give him my answers. He doesn't seem patient with the tantrums. The marriage seems knotty and I don't even know what the purpose is”

This time, she raised a moody face again, contemplating what the whole thing is all about.

“You are strong, girl. Whatever decision you make is the best for your life. Believe me”

Trying to make sure she doesn't get lost in the midst of trying to make her decision.

“I would sign....For the sake of Angela. That's the whole thing that matters to me now”

Holding her cup firmly as she stood from the bed, turning her face from Lady Gene.

“And…. Harold, the animal? Done away with him?”

“It's a new phase of my life, omitting abusers and worthless creatures out of it. I'm sure he knows I've moved on from his snares”

She calmly said as she drank her water

“Very nice my dear, very nice. Wasn't trying to pry into your life, could have given a million reasons why you shouldn't be with that reptile”

They both laughed out loud as Tracy eventually turned back to her face. Lady Gene, using that medium to hold her hands after the whole laughter went down.

“It's truly a new phase, my dear. Cherish it and spend it wisely. Mark must be blessed to have you”

She said as she proceeded to give her a hug.

“I gotta go now, give him the response and get the whole thing rolling”

“I will”

Tracy responded as they gave each other a deep hug.

A knock on the door, this time it was Mark's door as he was seated comfortably on his sofa, still on his cellphone.

“You may come in”

Dropping his phone as he was ready to give full attention to whoever the person at the back of the door was. Tracy walked in and sat without being given permission.

“You're welcome, Tracy. So….”

With a cold response, giving his attention back to his device…

“I have a condition”

Tracy, holding the contract with both hands, pushing her lips forward like she was gonna kiss a toddler with an inquisitive look. This prompted Mark to look up as he raised his eyebrows

“Go on”

“I have a sister at the hospital, she's suffering from a kidney disease and I want to be assured her bills can be sorted at the expense of signing this contract”

Holding her lips together with a leap of faith in her face as she stares at Mark.

“It's done. Give an estimation tomorrow and I'd double it”

He calmly said, nonchalantly as he didn't take his eyes off his screen.

“So you're signing now?”

“Yeah…. I'm signing it”

As she draws near the stool beside her sofa, placing the sheet on it and signs the Contract.

“Very well. Get yourself stuff ready tomorrow, we are leaving the city. I'd make arrangements for your sister too, she'd be checked into a standard hotel.”

With amazement all over her face.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, tomorrow. And stop stressing your jaw. Close it”

He callously said as he faced his phone, this made Tracy look bemused as she closed her mouth. He picked up his wallet and brought out a card, handling it over to Tracy.

“Here's your card, go get yourself a new dress. Today. And if you exhaust it, call me. Give me your phone”

He stretched his hand to her, with a bony face as Tracy handed her phone over. Dialled his phone number and gave the phone back to her

“That's my number, save it up and call or prolly a text. I'd be ready to pick you tomorrow”

Tracy still can't remain solid as the joy in her was so overwhelming. She jumped on Mark to hug him which surely was impulsive, Mark wasn't having any of it as he stood like a wood, looking pissed. The dopamine rush was so uncontrollable but it wasn't flowing on both sides.

“Don’t try that again”

He said in a condescending tone, as the whole heat of the moment died down. Tracy figured out she was crossing the line and withdrew all the joy rush, trapping it back in the box

“I'm sorry”

“Be ready tomorrow, you can take your leave now”

He calmly said, shifting his gaze from her.

“Okay…. Sir”

In a jittery tone, with a haste to vanish from his sight…

‘This guy must be tapped, who finds fault in a harmless hug, and… am I not supposed to be his wife? All good though, finally, Angela is gonna find relief. Who cares if he likes me, I never liked him either’

She said in her heart, grabbing the contract as she was set to take her leave

“You forgot something”

This halted her movement as she stood, refraining from turning around

‘What does he want again? This place is hell already, I can't last the next 30 seconds in here’

Whispering to herself as she slowly turns back

“The contract, drop it over there”

Pointing at the table

“Okay sir, apologies”

She dropped the sheet on the table and headed for the door. Pausing and looking back at Mark, who doesn't seem to notice her leaving as his attention is totally sucked into his device. She exhales then squeezed her lower lip with the upper and then took her leave.