Chapter five

As expected, she looked nervous. Standing clumsily, trying to straighten a dress that obviously didn't need straightening. She tried as much as possible to avoid his gaze, instead, eyeing her reflection on the mirror-like window. But he cared less about all that. He was Michael Verrati afterall. Who wouldn't be nervous around him? But he was loosing patience with her muteness. He hoped she didn't just come to stare at him. As if Zach noticed his growing impatience, he coughed to draw her attention. "Yo! you ain't dumb right? why the fuck are you here?" His rudeness was just the perfect tongue loosener because she caught herself and spoke.

             "Mr Verrati. The wedding is about the begin. But your bride hasn't arrived. All plans to reach her too, has proved abortive." It took him a while to understand. Then he stood up abruptly. "What d'you mean? She hasn't arrived?" She nodded fearfully. He checked his watch. It was almost time to process in. "Odogwu!" he called loudly. The giant man quickly rushed in. "Gimme my phones". He handed the phones and immediately left. He placed a call to her. It was switched off. He called her bodyguards, none picked up. Immediately, a text notification appeared on his screen. He reread the text, to ensure he wasn't loosing his sight. 

     "I CHANGED MY MIND. I DON'T WANNA GET MARRIED."

               kisses... Amanda.

    He was shocked. Astonished. He sat dumfounded. Zach wasn't doing better. He was in worse state. "What? That bitch!!" He shouted. "She'd pay for this. She'd never get away with this. How dare she do this to you Mike? Oh goodness!!" He shouted again, holding his head in his hands. Michael sat quietly. Thoughts flying through his mind. He couldn't cancel the wedding. It'd be a national embarrassment. What will he tell his guests? To think this wedding was to be on national TV. He didn't know what to do. What to say. But he only knew one thing. He had to get married. And married he must be. 

               "What do we do now Mike?" Receiving no answer, he turned towards the now dumb wedding planner. "What else d'you want? Bounce. Get out!!" He shouted. She turned quickly, fearfully to leave. "No wait! Don't leave." Michael cut in. She stopped as if hypnotized, although reluctantly. "Don't leave," he repeated. She nodded, walking back in slowly, as if dragging her feet. "Zach excuse us." He said almost rudely. "Really Mike?" He protested. "Yeah... just give us a moment." Nodding, he stood up reluctantly. Glaring at her, he walked out.

                   Now alone with her, he stood up. Arranged his suit and walked closer to her. He held her gaze, as he stood before her. "What's your name?" He asked, noticing her amber eyes were darker now. "I'm savannah," she answered. "Nice. Will you marry me?" She stepped back immediately, shocked. Her mouth hung open. "Wh.. Wha... What?" She stammered. "Will you marry me?" He repeated. She was beyond shocked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her eyeballs popping out of it's socket as if he had suddenly developed horns. "C'mon." He urged. "You don't need to look that shocked. I need to get married. My bride just ditched me. I need a bride and I want you to be my bride. I'm ready to pay anything."

                   She suddenly looked disgusted. She had expected his condescending pride. One she knew most billionaires inevitably had. But she was disgusted he sounded so sure money was just enough to convince her. "I don't need your money. What d'you think I am? What d'you take me for? A bride on sale?" He scratched his head regretfully. "I didn't mean it like that..." "Of course you didn't," she cut in sarcastically.