Mates With Benefits

 Bright and colourful lights illuminated the William's family extravagant mansion.

Tonight was the 75th birthday banquet of the head of the family,Lord Williams.

His Children, grandchildren and their spouses gathered round him to present their luxurious gifts.

"Grandfather,I brought you a house in the fishing village in Jurmo since you love fishing".

"Lovely grandfather,I got you these lovely antique baseball cards.They are worth up to three million dollars".

Four years ago,his ailing father had suddenly declared that he had found a suitable suitor for his favourite granddaughter, Evelyn.Everyone had been happy with the decision except Evelyn thinking she was marrying one of the richest and arrogant young master.Nobody suspected any foul play from the old man when he said he wanted an elegant but small wedding ceremony for Evelyn until they all saw the groom,Adam.

  A year later,Lord Williams ailing father had passed away and since then everyone in the Williams family had tried to kick him out of the family but he wouldn't budge.Adam had always spent his days in the Williams family quietly as a live-in-son-law despite the insults and ridicule.

  Adam had always tried not to ask for help from the Williams but he was at his wits end and had to plead with Lord Williams today when his sister got diagnosed and needed a surgery.

  His sister,Amanda is his only family member left for him after his parents death five years ago He even had to do menial jobs just to keep his sister by his side,he could not bear seeing his sister been taken to welfare homes.

With disdain in his expression,Lord Williams spoke,"Are you her to celebrate my birthday or disgust me" 

Evelyn quickly step forward and interjected,"Grandpa, Adam is not in his right senses, forgive him.

Almost immediately,Lois, Evelyn's cousin sneered in disdain,"Yeah,he must not be thinking straight.Evelyn, look at the piece of trash you married.I and Jude are not yet married and he's already gifted Grandpa a house.Since you've been married to this useless man,when has he ever given Grandpa a birthday gift.He even had the nerve to ask for money from Grandpa today of all days".

  "Yes m, you've been married for years and still could not even give anything to Grandpa.I and Lois are not yet married and I have given more than you could ever imagine and I plan to do more" boasted Jude Donald's,son of one of the wealthy families in town.

 Although Jude was about to marry Lois,he could not help but wish Evelyn was his fiancee because she is the town's number one beauty compared to Lois.

"I think it is best we send him out of here".

"Yes! perhaps he is just here to spoil Grandpa's joyous mood" another chided.

Various accusations were thrown his ways,but he suppressed the fury building up in him and said,"Grandpa,help me,I beg o you.I will look for a job and refund it".

 "Grandpa, don't mind him.If he wants to help his sister,he should look for a job and save money.What did you take Grandpa for? said Steve, Lois brother.

The duo brother and sister had always attack Adam and Evelyn at any chance they could seize because of their prejudice against Evelyn who surpasses them in all aspects.

"Grandpa, Adam's parents died five years ago.The only family he is left with is his sister, please help him",Evelyn could not help but say.

Lord Williams smiled cruelly and replied,"Ok,but if I will help him you have to divorce him now and marry Mr Henry.If you can do that I will even give him three million dollars right now!"

The Mr Henry been referred to is non other than Henry Johnson,who  was always pursuing Evelyn regardless of her marital status.Henry is a member of the Johnson's,one of the prominent families in the upper circle of Lagos.The Johnsons are more powerful than the Williams and Lord Williams wanted a collaboration with them.

At this moment, the butler entered carrying a covered procelain glass and said,"Mr Henry sent you a birthday gift,my lord.It is a rainbow lattice sunstone known for its instrinsic beauty and otherly perculiar and it is worth five million dollars ......."

"Let me see it",Lord Williams full of smiles could not help blurt out and carefully snatched it from the butler's hand.

Loud gasp and exclamation went across the room immediately Lord Williams brought the rainbow lattice sunstone out of the glass.

On seeing the sunstone, Adam knew it was a fake but kept quiet because he knew anything he said will be seen as lies.

"It will be a dream come through if he were to be my grandson-in-law",said Lord Williams.

Facing Evelyn,"Do you agree to my terms and conditions",he said.

"What,no grandpa,I will never divorce Adam", replied Evelyn.

Immediately, Lord Williams lifted his eyes filled with contempt at Adam and shouted angrily,"You bastard, what have you done to Evelyn.How dare you turn her heart against me.What have you fed her with,she has never disobeyed me before.Now you two get out of here this instant".

Adam was could feel his fury building up but he held it down because he did not want to embarrass Evelyn the more.He looked at Evelyn and said "Enjoy the dinner,I will be off to the hospital,I will see you later".

"I'll go with you", Evelyn said quickly.She looked at her grandfather and said "Grandpa,we are going".

Lord Williams narrowed his eyes at her and replied in anger "Go ahead,since you've grown wings.You should take your mother and father along and never come back".

Shocked, Evelyn could not help but stare at her grandfather who was unyielding.Helpless she turned to Adam.

Adam looked at her and said,"Don't worry,stay and I'll go".

As he was going,Lois could not help but blurt out mockingly,"Dear brother-in-law,am sure you have never seen food as delicious as this,why don't you pick one and eat on your way out,you must be starving".

Everyone bursted into laughter except Evelyn and her parents who could not help feel conflicted about the situation.They kept on throwing jabs at him as he was going.

Adam left the house without looking back even though he was fuming with anger.