THE RENTED BRIDE

I was the prettiest bride walking down the aisle, I was getting married to "Michael Fisher".. "The Michael Fisher," apart from the fact that his grandmother is the richest in the country, he has been my crush since forever. I had seen him on billboards and Tv. I was an aspiring actress, but I never got a major role, and now I got the role of being the wife to the heir to the FISHERS WORLD.

2 WEEKS EARLIER

"Leah......leah...." My name echoed in the balcony of the house, the sound of the voice was familiar, the landlord.

I shared a one bedroom apartment with my family; my dad, brother, two cousins, and my nephews. It was a very tiny room, broken ceiling, and not enough ventilation, even though I was in my mid-twenties one could tell I was the breadwinner of my family. I worked multiply jobs, which didn't stop me from going for auditions, I wanted to get a major role in my acting career. I would say the industry wasn't fair to poor people .

"Leah.. Come out now," the landlord was persistent. We were all half awake at this point.

"Oh no, brother.. wake up...wake up .... Dad... wake up.. wake up..." I tapped all of them. It was chaotic. With the last ounce of confidence in me I opened the door to listen to the landlord yell about rent.

"Good morninggg," we all said to the landlord simultaneously.

"What's so good about the morning?" He snapped.

"Pay your rents now! If you can't afford to pay there are rooms on the streets for the likes of you," he retorted.

"Please Mr Johnson.. have a heart, or at least give us an extension," my dad pleaded.

"Oh really? I would if your rent was a month old, but you owe me six months!" He shouted.

It was so embarrassing for me, now the whole building knows we owe rent for six months.

"If you don't pay me by next week..I'll be forced to throw you out," he said, closing the door on our faces.

"Do we have to move again?" James my little nephew said, breaking the silence in the room.

"Oh no, dont you worry...I'll keep auditioning until I land a major role and get a job.. and get paid a ton... Is the Craig family giving up now?" I asked optimistically, trying to lighten our moods.

"Never..we will never," they all said, giggling.

"Group hug everyone". Just then my phone rang, interrupting the sweet month. It was Hannah, my bestie and partner in crime.

"Hey bestieee... I've got great news.." Hannah said over the phone chuckling.

"We have an audition to prepare for tomorrow".

"Bestie, I'm not sure about this, I have other things to take care of," I said, dismissively.

"Trust me, you can't say no to this," she seemed so confident that I wouldn't refuse, made me more curious.

"It's Michael fisher! He's looking for a girl to play the lead in his upcoming commercial... arghhhhh" She screamed excitedly over the phone.

OMG!!! Michael??? The Michael fisher ?!… I asked rhetorically, swinging my waist from side to side .

“Wait, really?! Are you sure?!” My voice rose in excitement.

“Totally, I heard from someone who knows someone, “ she said, chuckling. “This is our chance girl, we’ve got to go for it! “

“Girl… I need to start looking for what to wear!!! I’m so excited, catch you tomorrow!!” I was screaming at the top of my voice like I won a lottery.

MICHAEL'S POV

“We need to hit the club the tonight Michael,” Louis who has been my friend since high school, suggested.

Louis and Trey has been with me for over a decade. We were Inseparable since high school and now they are my business partners. Honestly, without them life wouldn’t be fun.

“Yeah… your grandma is releasing your trust fund tomorrow.. we need to celebrate!! We’re rich Michael, “ Trey chimed in, patting my shoulders.

“Guys.. guys obviously we’re gonna party tonight, “ I replied enthusiastically. “I just broke up with Sylvia… she’s been a torn in my flesh.. I can’t even cheat in peace, “ I grabbed three cups from my bar poured drink and handed it over to them, “ cheers to breaking up with a nagging bitch, “.

“Cheers!!” They responded.

I’ve always been known to use and dump girls, once my relationship with a woman surpasses four months, I end it instantly. Sylvia wasn’t an exception. I’m the heir to the “Fisher’s World” I could do anything and get away with. I don’t believe in love or forever.

So, there I was, walking into the club, the bass pounding in my chest. It was electric, you know? Louis and Trey were already in their element, laughing with a group of people. I scanned the room, looking for someone, anyone, to make the night interesting. Then I saw her.

She was at the bar, a captivating smile playing on her lips. I nudged Louis, who gave me that knowing grin, like he could see what I was thinking. "Let's go talk to her," I said, feeling that familiar surge of confidence.

I walked up to the bar, flashing my best smile. "Hey, I'm Michael. What's your name?"

“Yes yes… Michael Fisher!!! I’m a huge fan, “ I had gotten used to the attention already, it felt boring.

“So how much for the night?” We left the club together drunk, kicked her out in the morning, now it was time to see my lawyer to possess my trust fund and of course I wasn’t going without my besties.

We were so excited, we would be able to change our lives with this money. I was sitted waiting for my lawyer.

“Good morning gentlemen, Mr Fisher, your trust fund is ready.. but! There’s a new development,” I exchanged a curious look with Trey and Louis before responding.

“What’s the new development?” I asked scanning holding the document and scanning it with my eyes looking for answers.

“Your grandma stated that you have to be married before you can have access to the money in your trust fund now that you’re twenty five, “ he said, nonchalantly while arranging the scattered documents on the desk.

“Uhm… there must be a mistake somewhere, “ Louis added.

I was shocked and surprised, I pick up my phone and called my grandma, hoping she’d tell me it was just a prank.

"Why didn't you tell me about this this stupid development Grandma!!" I asked angrily, immediately she answered the phone.

“It wasn't a mistake Michael, once you bring a girl you want to get married to within a week you can access your trust fund, easy, you have a girlfriend right? Sylvia, and besides I told you over the phone last night.. you were probably too drunk to understand .. do the needful !” She hung up before I could say anything.

Louis and Trey escorted me out of the office.

“So what are we going to do guys? We all know Michael doesn’t have good history with any of his exes, they all hate him! How are we going to pay our debts?” Trey asked hopelessly, I could hear the hopelessly in his voice. Somehow it was funny to me.

Louis yelled, “ I have an idea!” He said holding my shoulders and shaking them vigorously with a smile on his face. “Since Michael here is influential.., why don’t we hold an audition to pick a girl that can play the role of being his wife for a week, we do a fake civil marriage.. after he takes the money in his trust fund, he divorces the actress!!!! Easy !!! “ he exclaimed with his mischievous sinister smile.

“Brilliant!!!” I clapped and kept clapping, Trey couldn’t help but join “ You’re a genius,” I said kissing his forehead.

“Audition starts tomorrow.. remember guys, grandma Fisher shouldn’t have the slightest idea or we kiss my trust fund goodbye!”