CHAPTER 3: Be her stepmom

*ALANA*

        Well, that could just be a coincidence.

But then I started recalling the few things I’ve picked up from Linda and Patricia’s discussion.

Manuel Buford had been abroad for many years and was coming back to Bellbanks in a week’s time to settle down.

     Julia had told me a few things about her father. About how he and her mother who was late, had her at a young age.

Her father was in his early forties and had also been abroad for many years. She had confided in me about how she didn’t like that he was abroad, for it created a huge distance between them. They barely communicated but he always sends her huge sums of money.

  She had said they used to be very close when she was little but ever since her mother passed when she was ten, it felt like they had drifted apart as well and he went abroad when she was in high school, leaving her in the care of the butler and his wife.

   

          Patricia also mentioned the butler’s wife wanting to see me. I hurried past Patricia.

        “Lana, I’m talking to you.” She called after me but I headed to my bedroom.

Getting there, I brought out my laptop and quickly goggled Manuel Buford but to my disappointment, there was not much news about him.

Most of the news were just vague and leading nowhere. I mean if he were the richest man in the country, shouldn’t he be everywhere on the news.

  Then again, Patricia had mentioned he was mysterious and an extremely private person. Linda said she had heard rumors that he wasn’t just private, he was cold and inhumane. She said she heard he killed his ex-wife.

That was why she strongly opposed of marrying him. She didn’t want to die.

       I also didn’t want to die but my choices were limited at the moment. But having a feeling that he could be somewhat related to Julia ignited my interest in this arranged marriage.

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

   And that was how I found myself in a car, driving into Moon Manor.

Mrs Valentina had sent a driver to come get me. I stared out the window in awe.

How was this a residential property and not a resort?

It was so massive.

       I was led in by the driver and was asked to wait in the living room. I tried to appear calm and composed, but deep down I was feeling floored by how magnificent this place was.

             “Hello, my dear.” I looked up to see an elderly woman coming down the stairs.

She seemed to be in her fifties or maybe sixties.

I stood and greeted, politely. “Good morning.”

        “Alana Finnegan, right?”

         “Yes.”

          “Please sit.”

I sat down and she sat opposite to me.

        “Patricia had told me so much about you.”

I grinned.

            “But there is a bit of a problem, she said you’re twenty-two. Mr Buford didn’t request for someone that young. He had specified twenty-five and above. That was why I thought your cousin would be perfect but Patricia said Linda isn’t willing and has someone she loves.”

   I fought the urge to scoff.

Liars.

  Linda was indeed twenty-five but she didn’t have a boyfriend, she was too promiscuous to stick to one man.

            “And I only got to know of this after Harold signed the contract and I sent the money. He couldn’t refund because he had used part of it already and telling Mr Buford all that would make him lose credibility in me.” Valentina rubbed her temple and it seemed that had given her quite the headache.

It wasn’t surprising. Patricia and Harold were cunning as hell. And it seemed she didn’t know that. From what I knew, she was friends with Patricia and she thought Patricia was a good woman.

           “I wouldn’t want lies between you and Mr Buford though. Maybe you can tell him about your age after the wedding. I’m sure he wouldn’t dwell on it that much for you’re one beautiful young lady.”

I smiled, politely at that.

        “Also, I wanted to see you personally because even if Patricia said you were willing to marry him. I needed to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into and you’re prepared for it. You’re very young and he’s forty-one. It’s not exactly the normal kind of marriage you must know.  Mr Buford can be…how do I say this? Cold, hardheaded. By his words, you’d be just his nominal wife. You’re to abide by his rules and anything he says and does with no complaints.”

So he just needed a docile submissive wife.

   I never imagined ending up in a loveless marriage but I didn’t have a choice right now.

If I run away, Patricia would surely end Grandma’s treatment.

She has no heart.

   I recalled the one thing I was curious about.

         “Can I ask a question?”

         “Sure, dear.”

         “I heard Mr Buford was married before.”

        “Yes, he was. He got married at eighteen when his girlfriend at the time fell pregnant but she passed almost 12 years ago.”

         “So he has a child?”

          “Yeah. A grown daughter. But that shouldn’t bother you. Julia barely comes by the house, she loves living on her own and I think since you two are the same age, you might get along.”

Bingo.

Julia.

The same age.

There was no way this could still be a coincidence.

Manuel Buford was Julia’s father?!

I was currently being arranged to marry her father?!

  If that happens, I’d be her stepmom?!

If that happens, I’d be the wife of the person Eugene wants an investment from?

Hmm...interesting.

         “So are you ready for everything that comes with marrying Manuel Buford?” Valentina asked.

I stared at her, squarely and nodded. “Yes. I am.”