Chapter 6

Collin's pov

I saw her clearly. She has a tiny stature with a waist that seems to break the next second. If I stood close, I am sure her head would be below my shoulder. She stood a few steps away from me as she admired the beautiful garden. But who is she? I thought. I greatly admire her long hair, curly and sparkling in the sunlight. The breeze gently adds rhythm to the curly hair. She let out a soft smile and I immediately felt drawn. I started to move closer; one resounding step after the other and just when I was about to reach her....

"Collins", I heard someone call my name and turned sleepily.

"Collins! Collins" I heard again, feeling a hand gently tapping me.

I glanced up and saw Fred standing over me. 

Oh! I've been dreaming. What the hell! I wish Fred hadn't interrupted at that moment, I was so close to discovering who she was.

"Hey man, you've got to wake up" he said persistently. 

I yawned and murmured "What is it, Fred?"

It's not unusual for Fred to come wake me up, I thought. But what's unusual is the urgency in his tone.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, getting up from the bed with a stretch.

"I'm afraid you have to meet your arranged bride today" he said, with a concerned look. 

Well, that's no news, I thought. 

"Yeah I know. Dad and I talked about it yesterday," I replied, making for the bathroom. 

Fred's next comment stopped me halfway. "She's here" he said, and my eyes popped open.

"What?" I said in disbelief, glancing up at the wall clock. 

"Why is she here so early, it's not even eight yet?" I inquired, my face turning into a frown.

"Well, your dad asked her to come over early" he replied.

"He has an outing, and he wants to get this done as quickly as possible, you know" he added, rolling his eyes at me.

"I don't know why he's like that, Fred," I said, falling back on the bed.

"Well, that's your dad for you. You've got to dress up real quick to join them downstairs man" he said, making for the door.

"Doesn't look like I care" I retorted, gazing after him as he slipped out of the room.

I sighed. "Let's go find out about the girl anyway. I'm sure she's nothing compared to my Anne," I said to myself, and started to unbutton my shirt. 

I hurried with my bath and put on a sky blue shirt with white strips running down vertically. I found a jean trouser, one of those I wear casually, and pulled it on.

Standing before the mirror, I scanned myself. I smiled at myself, seeing the image before me. 

Little wonder why ladies usually spun to catch a glimpse of me, I thought and smirked.

I stepped out and made my way to the living room.

I'm sure dad would be assuring her that she'd been chosen already, I thought as I marched down the stairs. 

I let out a sigh and muttered "Well, good for them both, so far they both stick to my terms of the contract. It's fine".

The lady was sipping juice and didn't seem to notice me as I stepped into the living room. 

"I know she would be a low-class girl from the slums who would jump at the offer to marry into a wealthy house" I said to myself, clearly disgusted.

I cleared my throat purposely to announce my presence, and she turned to face me, but I was shocked by the face that met my gaze.

"What!" I screamed, widening my eyes at her.

"You!" I asked with a disgusted face, staring at her.

"Whoa! What a small world" I said, advancing dangerously towards her. 

I saw her panicking on her feet and moving backwards.

"You remember telling me to get some manners, right?" I said, still moving towards her. She shifted until there was no place to shift to, then she stopped.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about" she said.

That was funny. I let out a loud laugh "Look at you. What a good pretender you are?"

"Now that you're at my mercy, you want to deny insulting me yesterday, right?" I shook her frail stature vehemently while she struggled to free herself.

What's with the pretentious look on her face? I asked myself.

This was the same lady I almost hit yesterday and in trying to help her, she insulted me as if her life depended on the insult. Why is she acting innocent all of a sudden? I felt a growing rage in me and I gritted my teeth.

"What's going on here?" I heard dad inquire.

*** *** ***

Vivian's pov

"Now that you're at my mercy, you want to deny insulting me yesterday, right?" he said, shaking me violently.

There's so much rage in his eyes that I fear he's going to hit me.

Is he drunk? I've never met him in my life, so what's he saying? I thought, deepening the frown on my face.

I saw Mr Johnson and his wife descending the stairs and felt a flicker of relief. 

"What's going on here?" Mr Johnson asked, stepping fully into the sitting room with his wife closely beside him. Collins let go, and he straightened up his muffled shirt. He stared hard at me and I wondered why he is acting like a brute. 

"This bitch is so getting on my nerves", I heard him swear silently.

"Have a seat" Mr Johnson said, gesturing at the seat I had stood up from.

"Have you two met before" Mrs Catherine asked, sitting beside her husband on the chair opposite me.

"We've..." I started but Collins cut in.

"No mum, we haven't met before, have we?" 

He turned to me and said with a smile showing the two dimples perfectly sitting on his cheeks. "Young lady, sorry for my actions earlier, I still haven't recovered from the shock of my fiancée's disappearance, I hope it's understandable." 

I stared at him in disbelief, and he smirked at me. 

This guy is up to no good, I thought as I sat down reluctantly. 

Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. I remember Cynthia told me yesterday that she almost got hit.

Oh goodness, he has definitely mistaken me for Cynthia. I muttered.

I touched where he had gripped me and winced. It hurts.

What had Cynthia said to him to make him so aggressive? I wondered.