“So, you want to rub our union in their faces?” Dolph asked in plain terms, as that had been what I had been suggesting for the past couple of moments.“Exactly what I want…” I said, nodding in confirmation of that fact. But then, I didn't get why he was looking back at me with such a funny gaze, that almost made it look like I had been joking for the past couple of moments. “What's the matter?”“You don't know just how ridiculous that sounds.” He said, with a disapproving chuckle as he looked away. It was clear that he didn't know just how bad he made me feel at that point. “You just don't know how much this means to me…” I replied feeling a bit betrayed, as he didn't see that I was serious about what I was saying. “But then, I'm always putting up an act whenever you make the demand. Why can't you just return the favor this one time?”He was silent— probably silently reading the words for his refusal. “So, why exactly would I want to put up this act?”“Because I'm your wife… to-be…”

“Tell me you're but putting on anything provocative…” Julia said to me on the phone as I told her where our rendezvous was. “Well, it depends on what exactly you mean by provocative,” I said, as I treated my eyes to a view of the city. “Different contexts, different definitions.”“Tamika…” she called out my name like she was a mother trying to caution her errant child. “What are you trying to do?”“Nothing, really…” I said, even though I knew how exactly I was intending to get Dolph mad and unable to contain himself. He should have known better than turning down my polite request. It had me feeling even worse about myself, that I was acting that way, all because of him. But then, I wasn't going to let myself get trampled upon. That had always been one of my concrete rules of relationships, and I wasn't going to break it for anything.“Are you sure Dolph didn't do anything?” Julia knew me too well and could almost tell what my intentions were like she was some sort of magical fortune

“Make sure you look pretty good, so they know that you are living your best life.” Julia urged me passionately on the line. “If you had your way, you wouldn't even have to go see them.”“Yeah…” I said. “But then, we have to submit ourselves to the norms of the society. It is an inevitable evil which we must permit for this contract… I meant, marriage…”“Hmm… are you alright?” Julia questioned, sounding a bit suspicious about the slip-up I had made in my speech. “You know you have to be in your best state of mind for this meeting.”The day had finally come. I was going to meet my parents. With Dolph, who seemed like he was being dragged into something that he hadn't bargained for.“I'm aware of that,” I sighed as I was about to get ready to put up an act of fake smiles to get the meeting over with. I intended to make it as snappy as possible, as I couldn't bear staring into the eyes of the woman who had made my life a living hell.“And make sure you get Dolph to show them just how happ

“Aren't you supposed to be working at these hours?” Julia had me feeling quite guilty as I had snuck her into my office, right at the peak of working hours.“Well, I call the shots here, and I decide what is acceptable and what isn't…” I boasted as I was trying to cover up the guilt of having broken office protocol. Forgive me, Dolph, I whispered guiltily to myself.“I see…” she said, with her eyes scouring every detail around the office. “Nice place you've got here. I bet you're home wild l would be much better.”“I hope you get to see it for yourself… real soon,” I said, hoping she would get the subtle invitation I was offering her. “You can have a seat right here.” I pointed to a sofa not too far from where my desk was. “Don't you have work to do?” She asked as she saw me sitting beside her. “It's noon already. I've been struggling to get my mind around something since morning and I just decided to take a break for a couple of minutes.” The excitement I felt around her made me ge

“We’ll be taking our leave now…” Dolph said, grabbing my hand immediately as there seemed to be a sudden shoot of urgency in his being. “This meeting could be adjourned till I come with my parents.”“Dolph…?” Sofia came along with her ceaseless fake smiles which she never got tired of. “Don't tell me you're leaving already. The meeting just started.”“I apologize but it has ended now. But I promise I'll be back and I'll be back with my parents. That way, we could have even more meaningful conversation.” Dolph's decision to leave the meeting had me more than surprised. My eyes moved to my father who had a disappointed look on his face. It seemed like Dolph had frustrated his efforts in trying to frustrate my marriage to him. It was written all over his face.“It's quite understandable that you might not seem to be having such a good time in your family but then, I promise I'll be back soon when everything is much more stable than it is.” his gaze met that of my father who seemed to be