“Let’s go,” like an icy wind. Alex’s words went through her flesh, and she nodded. Like a lost puppy, she followed him into the house.Relax, Anita; they won’t kill you. What’s the worst that could happen? His family might not like you, but that’s his problem, not yours. Maybe he will let you go if his family disapproves of you. She kept repeating this as a mantra as she walked through the doors.As they entered through the front door, there was a grand hallway. The wallpaper was some Roman and Greek themes in the frieze on the ceilings and walls. She entered the foyer and gazed around at the beauty displayed before her. White walls, golden chandeliers, and antique furniture graced her, making her wonder if her feet were clean enough to walk on the shiny floor and carpets, undoubtedly made from the finest materials. The house looked like a cut-out from Architectural Digest magazine.Everything seemed to be the color white, the floors, sofas, and house interiors. The hallway flowed int
“Oh, you were so busy?” His Grandmother Mocked Alex. “Of course, he was busy as he had to convince, threaten and finally blackmail this poor girl into being his wife” Michael tossed in a grenade and sat back to watch the drama unfold while everyone in the room gasped in shock.“You forced her?” His Grandfather asked through clenched teeth.“No, I helped her with a family from shame and humiliation, saved them from society’s impunity, and got their pride back.” “That’s some top performance bullshit, Sir. Let me proudly inform you that your Grandson is ruthless, heartless, arrogant, and evil as a demon.” She then turned to her husband and jabbed a finger at his chest. “You didn’t save my life but successfully ruined it, you selfish bastard.” Anita’s face turned red with wrath, and his little eyes blazed with fury.A heavy silence fell upon the room. It sucked every molecule of air out of the room as if everyone had stopped breathing. Anita breathed heavily as the winner of the fight c
"How do you propose we call this off?" Questioned the woman with the bright red lipstick.Anita meets her gaze, flashing her a megawatt smile. God has finally woken up and heard her out."It's easy-peasy. No one was present at our wedding except my parents, the creepy groom, his friend Michael and Daniel, who officiated the wedding. There were no photographers, no witnesses. No marriage license. This marriage is not even legally valid." Anita took a deep breath and continued, "Just say, 'Get out and never to show my face again in your life,' and poof, my family and I will disappear from the face of the earth. All I need is a promise." "A promise? I knew there was a catch. A poor girl always marries the man for money." Snarled the woman in lipstick."No, Mam, you seem to speak from experience, but neither do I need your money or wealth. Please keep that to yourself. I can earn my money. Yes, I need a promise. A promise that Mr. Money-Bags, aka Mr. Satan, will not come near my family o
“Let’s do a little recap. My grandson twisted your hands and married you, and you want out of this relationship with a guarantee that he will not harm you or your family. Did I get it correctly?” “Totally. Mam, the paper?” “You seem keen to sign the paper?” “I can’t wait to run out of this house and out of your grandson’s sight, Mam.” “Do you know with whom you are talking? You seem to have an attitude, and you know that, don’t you?” “No offense Mam, if a stranger turns your life upside down, then I guess you will be livid too. This man not only turned my life upside down but put a wedge between my parents and me. I’m a girl who lost everything to an arrogant man.” “Are you sure you will sign the paper and leave? What’s the guarantee you won’t show back and blackmail us?” The only one with attitude here is the woman with the bright lipstick. Is that the stranger’s mother? Maybe both their perspectives suck. She lacks empathy and focuses only on the money. That’s one reason she h
Alex was looking right at her, eyebrows lifted in challenge. "Challenge accepted." Alex's Grandmother came in between Alex and Anita. "Sweethearts, can we solve this like grown-ups?" "Grown-ups?" Whispered Anita in shock. "Before we discuss, I want to introduce my family to you, Anita." Anita gasped and took a step back, "Mam, there is no need to introduce a stranger. I thought you were on my side?" she sounded like an upset child. Alex's Grandmother threw back her head and laughed. "Anita, do you know my grandson is not only the richest man but also plans meticulously, lays out his plan in his head a million times before he executes it? Everything he does is fine-cut to perfection. He is an excellent manipulator and negotiator. Everyone Businessman in our circle walks on eggshells around him, as he knows everyone's dirty laundry and when and how to use it. That is why he is the King in the business world." With yet another slow and weary shake of her head, Anita released a
"No way. Mam, I made one mistake. One mistake. From 16, I have been the sole breadwinner for my family. My father's freckle's ability to keep his job made it difficult to put food on the table or a roof over our heads. I gave up my studies and worked on my bones. I put my sister through college. But ever since I turned twenty-five, my parents started nagging me to get married. Just to get rid of them, I agreed to marry Ken. Ken is a close friend of my mother's sister-in-law; also, he claimed he was in love with me, or so he said. Everything became too real when the wedding date approached, and I got scared. I didn't want to marry Ken, but I took a loan, and we invited all my relatives for the reception, which was due in two days and planned in California, where most of my family lives. But God was on my side, or so I thought when I heard Ken was missing and his family followed his tail. I assumed he got cold feet. You couldn't imagine my happiness until your grandson walked in and r
His Grandmother stepped forward in a panic. "Are you threatening her?" "Just stating the facts." "What about keeping your wedding a secret for a year?" Her Grandmother demanded. "Mom, like Alex, mentioned, introducing her to our social circle will overwhelm Anita. Let us give her a chance to get to know us without pressure. Then we will jump to the next step by introducing her to everyone. Let's give her some space to breathe." My father-in-law defended, and Anita can't thank him enough for his compassion and thoughtfulness. "I'm sorry, Sir. But I don't want to stay here, and I'm not the right person to be called your daughter-in-law." "Anita, why do you hate my grandson so much? He is not that bad." "With all due respect, mam, may I ask you a
She held his Grandmother’s hands. “For every good reason, there is to lie, but there is a better reason to tell the truth. Please, I want to know the truth. I want to know why he married me. I don’t have time to play sherlock. Ask him to tell me the truth.”Everyone looked at Alex but remained silent, and his gaze didn’t waver from Anita. “Worse than telling a lie is spending your whole life staying true to a lie. Tell us the truth, Alex.” Demanded his grandfather. “Why?” Questioned Alex as he crossed his arms. “What do you mean why? She deserves to know the truth.” “Then you agree it’s between my wife and me. You and grandma were behind my life to get married, and when I get married, you want drama. I’m sorry, I won’t make a scene with my wife as the center of your drama.” “Tell me the truth” Anita stepped forward. “The truth is none of us are easy to be with. We all suffer from something. So when you meet someone willing to stay committed to understanding you and wanting to gr