Prolouge

"No I'm not." I told her bluntly. I was not going to be the devil's workshop in some sort of conspiracy because I wanted to stay in another man's country.

"Lorena I know you want this, look at this as a grand opportunity, stop fighting it."

"How could you be so impossible, you yourself know we hate our guts."

"I thought you hated him first?"

"We are not compatible." I reminded her. Janet needed to stop persuading me into things I hate it irritates me.

"That's why he is the perfect fit."

"How does that relates with me not wanting to get married to him." 

"He hates you, you hate him. He wants a fake wife and you want citizenship."

"Are you saying I am a gold digger?" 

"Never Lorena. I can never call you that, you are my friend and I love you that will be so low of me to think or say."

"Then what's your point?" I asked Janet, she was now getting on my nerves with her constantly pressuring me to marry Freddy as my chance to keep staying in the country.

"Do you want to return to your country?" She asked me.

"No." I answered immediately. I want to continue here and still take care of my mother and siblings. I love it here things were great and less dramatic, I don't want to resume my struggles back in Nigeria.

"Then this is your chance Lora."

I looked at my friend weighing her advice and my choice. This is a difficult choice to make, what if I regret it in the end. I mean marrying someone because you want something usually turn out bad.

"But he is my boss." I confessed my worries to Janet but she insisted it was safe and no complications will arise.

"So what, when you are married to him you can still work there or quit. Money isn't going to be a problem for you." She spoke like it was something that could easily be handled.

"I'll think about it." I told her. I needed to think this through before I go ahead and accept the proposal. According to her many girls laid down applications which shows how desperate there are for money but I am not for the money am I any better than the other girls?.

"Better make up your mind now sister, time waits for no one. You will see many other girls are willing to go extra mile for this but you are the lucky one as it comes straight on your table like sugar."

"I will think about please let's drop it now." I suggested feeling my head ache a bit.

"If you say so but remember the clock is still ticking there is no time to think." 

She went to sleep on her bed leaving me to make my decision. God help me I have no idea what path to choose and if I follow the path chosen for me will I regret it.

**************************************

"Father and mother great news." I took out my ash jacket hanging it on the coat hanger. My day just went better than I expected and I feel like I am in need for a celebration.

"What's the news that made you wake us by this time? Don't you know it is late already?" Mother spoke as she emerges from the stairs.

"I am sorry mother I didn't mean to wake you up but I feel too excited to sleep and I want to share it with you."

"What are you doing in my house?" I glanced up there he was my old man casting a disapproving look my way. He was a man of discipline from the years I knew him, he never joke or take back his words always the man he is.

"Father I was just talking to mother about something important."

"That doesn't answer my question what are you doing here in my house. And who gave you the keys."

"I have spare ones father remember." I jiggled my spare keys to him showing I was not planning anything funny I came for something more serious.

"Okay, start talking you got us all up we don't have time to mess around." He demanded and I know when he says such he means it. No time to cut corners I need to get straight to the point.

"Can we talk in a more proper way please." I requested. Mom had no issue about it but dad did, he eyed me with his piercing brown eyes which have become more squinted from old age.

"Yes, babe let's go to the kitchen we can talk and have a nice warm cup of coffee."

"Mom, that would be nice but can we talk more in a more safer environment that has no sharp objects flying around."

She looked at me then back at dad, she must have understood the tension going on between dad and I and in order to keep us safe from each other she needed to play it wise with dad.

"We'll talk in the coffee room with no walking sticks or souvenir to throw understood?" Her words were directed to dad waiting for his confirmation before proceeding.

"Yes."

"Good." I let out a breath now we can converse without killing each other. Mom led us to dad coffee room and sat on a single sofa in the middle, there were only three sofas I sat on the one at the right dad sat on the left.

"So.."

"Beat it." He snapped.

"Easy babe, let him take his time." Mom scolds dad. She gave him a warning to stop been hard on me.

"Just get on with this." He told us.

"Why are you so mean to me instead? You aren't like this to Elsa." I complained.

"Go on or I'll leave."

I rolled my knuckles to hold back the anger inside me. I saw mom give me a sad look, she never liked the way dad treats me but she still do what she can to make me happy that's why I love her.

"I'm getting married." Blurt out after calculating my words.

"What?" Mom exclaimed but dad had a calm look he did not seem fazed, shock or happy his facials were blank.

**************************************

At the court house...

"Love is magical-"

"Magical my foot." I muttered so no one was hearing.

"And can happen to anyone like these two -"

I scoffed and rolled my eyes

"As we gather today to join this wonderful blessed couple today standing-"

"Wonderful couple my foot." I let out a mocking sigh at each words the priest utter.

My ears weren't listening so was my mind. All this was fake in the end but I signed the contract which said I will get my paper work done so I can have my permanent stay here in the land flowing with milk and honey. No goodies, soon I will be able to get mom Moshope and David here maybe they too will have permanent stay here.

"The bride. The bride." 

I felt someone tap me from behind. God I nearly forgot I was still at the ceremony my mind drift off not too long but far off to miss the whole thing.

"What?" I whispered to the person behind me who tapped me.

"You need to turn."

"Turn where?" If not for the veil covering my face I'm sure my expression would put me to shame in front of the guests. It was a small wedding with only a few members excluding my family. 

Lord will mother forgive me for this choice I made. Will I be able to show my face to her and boldly tell her I have done this, what are my morals lord?.

"You've drifted off again. Wake up Lora." I recognize the voice as Janet. How did you get here and how did I? Wait am I talking to myself.

"You may kiss the bride." That was the last thing I heard before everything started to go hazy and went dark.