SHE BIT Her lips nervously, her lips were as pale as the baggy trousers she was wearing.

"They don't bite...my parents are really nice".

She wrinkled her nose. He was saying that for the third time now ,and she was getting really irritated. She didn't really care about what his parents would think of her, all she wanted to do was get the hell outta there.

She was in all this,ball thanks to her sister - Rory's partner in this crime. Cassandra always had her way of getting to her, she deserved kudos for that.

She smiled nervously at her supposed fiance.

She didn't really care, but the last thing she wanted was anyone insulting her dress sense.

Believe in yourself...She chanted in her mind.

He pressed the horn of his car and the gigantic gaye before them was hurled opened by the gateman.

At this point, she was beginning to tremble. A sense of deja vu overcame her sending a sizzle down her spine.

It happened this way, the day Jude's mother had told her she was having an unhealthy relationship with her son...that she was gay.

And Jude right there watching his mother insult her.

He drove into the big compound and parked .

He pushed opened the door but she stopped him. She gripped his hand.

"Wait....I'm sorry, I need to breathe"

He looked down at her little hand on his big ones. Abruptly, she took her hand off his as though she was burnt by his fire.

Taking a deep breath"Alright, go ahead"

He hopped out of the car and moved to her side to open the door.

Like a perfect gentleman

She got out and dusted her baggy pants.

Thank God!

She didn't inform her sisters of this outing, otherwise she'd be dressed in one of those skimpy dresses.

With a frown, she looked at him "thanks"

"You should smile, they might be watching us".

He sounded desperate.

So surprising that the Almighty Rory Brown was helpless.

He must be really desperate to own the company, going as far as getting married to her. He didn't complain about her dressing, all he wanted was the job to be done.

Well, she mustn't bother herself about that.

She managed a smile.

One look at the mansion,and she was in love with it.

A white mansion, it was.

It was decorated with beautiful flowers...so beautiful...so enchanting..

"You are doing a good job"

Her smile wavered.

Smiling foolishly was a piece of cake, the real job was yet to come.

*****

MRS BROWN PULLED UP the curtain and beaconed to her husband.

"What is it this time?". Her husband asked.

"Our son has finally brought a woman home but, look who he's brought"

"I think our effort is not in vain"

Just as she completed her statement, Rory and Matilda walked in.

"Hi mom"

As custom demanded, Matilda went down on her two knees to greet his parents. The three of them stared at her awkwardly.

Rory almost kicked himself, he'd forgotten to give her a very Important briefing.

His parents, especially his mother had spent most years of their lives in London, so they never really fancied Nigerian custom. In fact, his Mother didn't like those that greet too much, so considered it insincere.

And his fianceé was doing just that...

Matilda suddenly wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

The silent lasted for a minute.

Mrs Brown smiled"Get up, darling.....You know it's been I saw people do that"

She stood and gave them one of her fake smiles.

"Have your seat". Mr Brown said.

She took her seat as she looked around. The sitting room was painted green, so lovely. The cushion she was sitting on was orange along with the curtains.

Several of their family pictures were hung on the wall. In one of the pictures, two little boys were smiling at each other. The one in red , she knew he was Rory because he didn't change much, aside from the stud he wears and his height.

And the one beside Rory must be the adopted brother who seemed to have stolen his parents' love.

"Rory...come with me, we need to prepare something nice for your fianceé". His mom smiled.

Rory smiled slowly.

Prepare?

He couldn't remember the last time he prepared a meal.

They had about three house maids,who made sure he had his meal at the right time.
So, his mom bringing up preparing was definitely up to something.

He knew what it was.

It was spill it out time...

He'd make sure to drag out every details out of him.

"Alright".

He left.

"What's your name?..."he laughed"my son is so secretive, he didn't even tell us your name"

"I'm Matilda Wright"

" Nice name, so what do you do?"

"I'm a gym instructor"

He beamed" I guess we'll have a lot to talk about then"

****

RORY STARED AT THE oven. The chicken was taking too long in the oven.

He greatly hoped Matilda would get along with his father because, none of the ladies his father had seen him with had gotten his father's approval.

"Your fianceé is very beautiful"

" Thanks..you know I don't date ugly ladies"
He chuckled.

"I know". She grinned "Buh she is more beautiful than those whores you sleep with"

He blushed" Mom!"

"What?, I'm telling the truth". She giggled.

They both laughed.

"So where did you meet?, tell me all about it"

He racked his brain for stories to tell his mother but none came to his mind.

"You don't want to share?"

"Hmmm...we met at a party, a weekend party". He smiled "she was really gentle, we barely spoke but I liked her at first sight. Thereafter, we fell deeply in love"

"And you're sure she is the right one?"

"She is, mom, I don't know, I've never felt like this before". He sighed.

His mother chuckled.

"Now set the table..."

" okay"

He blew out a breath.

"Mehnn ...I'll make a good actor". He thought to himself.

" Take this to her". She handed him a tray of cookies and a glass of grape juice.

" Alright.. "

He heaved a sigh.

He badly hoped his Father liked her .... badly.

Well what difference would it make if he didn't...He was going to marry her anyways.

He walked briskly into the living room.

"You can tell my wife that because I spend hours in the thread mill...That makes her scream...you know". Mr Brown chuckled.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips.

"I think your father likes her". Mrs Brown whispered beside him.

Mission accomplished....

*****

My dad likes you". He told her in the car.

She said nothing.

She couldn't forget how his father had laughed heartily.

"We can hit the gym sometimes". He had said, grinning like a burro eating cactus.

Innocent man ...

She looked out of the window. The night was still young , but she was tired already.
Her shoulder throbbed and ached.

Closing her eyes slowly, she recalled all that had happened earlier.

Everything was so fast, faster than she expected.
Fear and doubt engulfed her.

She's getting married in a matter of weeks. She was meant to be delighted...but what's with this feeling of distaste?.

Seeing his parents was enough for today, she concluded as the car pulled out right in front of her apartment.

Without a word, she hopped out if the car.

Not ready for any sort of conversation, she unlocked the door. She could feel his presence behind her.

She pushed open the door and turned sharply to him "Goodnight". She rolled her eyes.

"Not yet". He muttered

He smiled hoping she'd give him a smile in stead of an eye-roll.

He gently took her hands off the door handle before making his way into her house. He smiled at what he saw.

The walls were painted plain white, her curtains were pure black. Her cushions were also black, giving the room a nice look . She switched on her lamp, illuminating her beautiful face and emphasizing the opacity of her brown eyes.

"I didn't invite you into my house".

He cocked his head " I invited myself"

He cleared his throat " Now that you've met my parents, we should seal our deal"

She arched a brow at him "seal?"

With one powerful stride, he was right in front of her.
Then, he cupped her chin in his hand. Her eyes widened, and he felt her stiffen. Her stiffness did nothing to discourage him. He moved in.

He brought his lips down to hers. As their lips met, his initial thought was that her lips would taste as unpleasant as she dressed, but he was wrong.  Her mouth was sweet, soft and silken, with lingering taste of grape juice she had earlier.

Just a taste of her lips and She aroused him....

She sighed in between the kiss as his fingers  reached down to unbutton her shirt.

Tears began to flow down her cheeks. She didn't know why but she felt good and miserable at the same time. She was still nursing her heartbreak, and here she was kissing a man she barely knew.

He held her cheeks, felt her tears.

He broke the kiss.

He stared at her in confusion.

He backed off.

All she heard was the door slamming shut.

When I started this book, I thought I'd be taking you on a journey...

I'm  so sorry 😔😔😞

I've not been consistent.

Apology accepted?🤗