Chapter 5: Mrs. Devinsky

“ Right now, yes. The Devinsky’s sons just informed us that their uncle needs a bride.”

Just when I thought I had escaped. “ Is it alright for me to be the one. I mean, this is the wealthiest family in the country. What if they find out that I'm not really your daughter…”

“ Don't worry. Aaron Devinsky might be a difficult man to deal with, but I'm certain he must have run a background check before coming." Lisa's mom replied.

I nodded, but it struck me like lightening. " Aaron is here."

I stepped out to meet the brothers, but he was there with them. Clad in gold, he turned and and the world stood still. I froze. 

Would he accept me? What man would marry a girl who was once paid to bed him?

" Nicki." His voice dropped low.

“ You know each other?” Lisa's mother asked.

“ We met…”

“ She's my woman,” he cut in and took my hand without another word to them. I walked stiffly by his side.

“ That was harsh,” I told him, voice a little above a whisper.

“ Is that so?” 

“ Mm-hmm.”

“ Well then, shall we go back and apologize since they're your new parents?”

“ Aaron…”

His eyes softened and glazed over me like the world only has he and I.

“ I was adopted to replace Lisa. She obviously didn't wait to know the identity of the man she's to marry…”

“ And you didn't care?”

“ I was soon going to be homeless either way. It didn't matter. Also, she needed my help.”

He joked about how I have been ditched. The flow of our conversation made me feel like we have known each other for ages.

“ What I'm trying to say is that I don't have any influential family name, or a trust fund to my name."

"I'm no one.”

We got inside, and he tapped on a cushion by the door. I sat down before he joined me, legs crossed away from any contact. “ What are you afraid of Nicki?”

I lowered my head. “ I know this marriage is just a deal, but you might regret taking me as a wife. I suggest a prenup. At least, that would give you some peace of mind in the event of a divorce…”

“ Divorce?” He narrowed his eyes. “ Do you plan on running off with a younger man later on?”

“ No…no. It's just that your family might not accept me,” I said, digging out the Rolex from the handbag Lisa's father bought for me from the dowry. I only have the shoes and the bag now that Lisa has switched our dresses.

He rubbed my back gently. It felt like he was putting a baby to sleep. “ We will worry about that tomorrow. Right now, we will marry,” he said and helped me up to the front.

Lisa's eyes widened the instant she saw us together. “ What are you doing?” She mouthed. 

I wanted to stop and explain everything to her, but Aaron gave me a gentle nudge forward.

Minutes later, with every procedure concluded, I dashed out of the registry to meet Lisa.

She was gone, and so were her parents.

Aaron met me outside, wearing an expressionless face.

I apologized for leaving him inside. “ I hoped to explain everything to her.”

He nodded. “ Looks like your new parents forgot that they have two daughters now.”

I didn't expect them to abandon me so soon. I dialed her mother's number. Her answer was curt.

“ You're married now. You should take care.” 

I muffled the speaker hoping Aaron hadn't heard her.

Turning back to him after the call ended, I made a ridiculous request.

“ Can you keep our marriage a secret?” 

“ What?” He frowned. “ What are you intentions, Mrs. Devinsky?”

Butterflies fluttered their wings in my belly. My head swooned with momentary infatuation. The way he said it made my cheeks feel hot.

“ I…I…” I stammered. “ I will be starting college tomorrow at The Royale college. I want a normal college experience.”

He grunted. “ Is being with me abnormal?”

“ No…not that. My friends may not feel comfortable around me because of your status.”

“ You mean Lisa may not feel comfortable around you? And why should I care about that?”

I took a deep breath. “ I don't think it's a big deal for someone like you. “ I complained and muttered,” I was thinking he would be glad to keep it a secret.”

“ Well, he's not. So keep up,” he strutted off to a familiar limo I hadn't noticed.

In the car, we argued over the same issue. I pleaded, while he maintained his stand, until his patience thinned into invisible lines.

“ One day with you and I have said so many words than I have in the last three decades of my life.”

I smiled. “ You're thirty?”

“ Do you want to call me old now?”

“ Aaron!” I yelled at him, and quickly covered my mouth. I expected him to be angry. Instead he appeared amused.

“ If I agree, what do I get in return?”

“ I'm not done…” I interrupted.

“ Alright, honey…”

I felt my panties dampen. Words stuck in my throat. Parched from thirst, I swallowed hard and turned towards the window.

“ You had another request. Let's hear it."

I kept my eyes on the path. The trees faded quickly as the driver sped up. 

I followed each until it was lost to my sight. “ There's someone I would like to raise. She's two years younger than I, but I would like to adopt her as mine.”

I thought about Maya and all she will go through in my absence. She is too fragile for any experience of abuse.

“ What's her name?”

I gave him every detail I know about her. “ Let her know that sister Nicki sent you to her. Else, she may not accept.”

He typed in his phone. Once done, he dropped the device and exhaled.

“ So, what's in it for me?”

“ Pardon!”

“ Nicki, I'm a business man. You make your proposal, I make mine. 

You want me to raise a child for you, a teen that's probably too annoying to handle. No offence. She will be your kid. So, you have to tell me how many kids you plan to have for me.”

I gulped down.

“ Also, you want me to keep our marriage a secret. What assurance do you give me that you won't run off with a college boyfriend?”