Three months later.

SHE SLIPPED ON her sneakers with a sigh.
She was done with work for the day. Picking  up her backpack, she bade her colleagues goodbye.

"Matilda!". She heard behind her.

She instantly recognised the voice.... Dayo

She turned sharply to him

" You didn't say goodbye ". He said with a grin.

Dayo  was a colleague of hers.  He could be described as neither ugly nor handsome, he was nice, cool and very intelligent. And, he's been having a huge crush on her for months now.  He had openly told everyone at a party they had few months ago. 

"I said goodbye". She said.

He cleared his throat"How about we watch today's Football match and...

She cut him short " I'm really busy today... Maybe some other time".

"oh... I wasn't expecting you to reply anyways"

With that,  he walked away.

She heaved a sigh of relief. She felt as though a huge load has been lifted up her shoulders.

Her phone buzzed. She groaned.

"Hello "

"Matilda,  I need you to do something, it's very urgent "

She arched a brow " what?"

"Can you get me peppermint and ginger?, I'm feeling nauseated. "

She chuckled "wait oh,  who is pregnant and who is suffering?". Matilda asked sarcastically.

"it's for the baby". 

"Don't you have a maid?".

" She's gone to the village to visit her sick mother "

"And your driver?"

"He has driven Gray to work "

"Can't Gray get it for you?"

"He'll be back late... Oh God,  Matilda,  do you want me to throw up everywhere?". Cassandra asked raising her voice.

"Alright... Fine!". She snapped.

*****

SHE OPENED the door to the large sitting room.

"Cassie... I didn't know you're a good liar,  your driver is outside gisting with your maid...

She stopped when she saw cassandra smiling smugly.  Her eyes darted around the room.

There was a male figure sitting comfortably  sitting on a sofa,  his leg crossed over the other.

Rory?

Before she could think, cassandra walked to her, a devilish grin on her lips. She grabbed the polythene nylon that Matilda held before heading upstairs, leaving her alone with Rory.

She stood there, arm crossed against her chest staring expressionlessly at him, inwardly berating herself for looking so unkempt not that she cared about what anyone thought of her, but Rory had that smug look on his face that could make someone like her seem invisible.
    
The silence stretched longer than was convenient for her liking, she had counted one to hundred for the third time in her head. Sighing, she thought she was good at this, but damn Rory definitely deserved an award.

Sipping his drink Rory watched her shift her foot from one to another.

"  Hmm... feeling restless already?" he smiled baring white perfect teeth, he knew he was torturing her with the silence, not by choice of course but he was Rory and Rory does as he pleases.

He wanted to get beneath her skin.

Oh lordy Lord!

It will be a walk to remember... Yea he could see her frown, her eyes shot daggers at him, her breathing changed rapidly.

Now is the time.

Giving her his prominent smile but unfortunately it wasn't working on her.  she was a challenge and a mystery he definitely would break, dismantle, win and go to hell to make her yield or beg the moon if that was even possible, he was Rory and Rory damn got whatever he liked.

"Matilda?, You should sit". He said motioning to the seat beside him.

Matilda was too angry to speak after playing dumb and deaf with her now he wants to talk? Well she was going to play mute, she didn't respond instead she wiped off imaginary dust from her nails, she would show him she could equally play this game.

Rory saw she wasn't going to respond, he smiled inwardly and brought out a file, he noticed her eyes narrowed, he caught her staring and she immediately averted her eyes trying to freign disinterest.

Rolling her eyes she just couldn't help wondering what was going on, she knew he wanted her to ask but she would be damned before she utter a word.

"I want you to read this and give me a favorable response before the end of the month" Rory said as he stood up to leave.

She watched him from the corner of her eyes as he walked towards the door with such gait and alarming speed, he turned abruptly.

"You definitely would make a ravishing bride"

With that he slipped out of the door silently.

Matilda hurried towards the file and read through the document, feeling weird and faint she nearly choked from anger, all her body system changed, she suddenly began to sweat despite the powered air conditioner.

"Damn you Rory"she shrieked flinging the document which mistakenly fell at cassandra feet.

"Whatever is the matter darling?" cassandra asked worriedly.

"Oh! don't play dumb here Cassie" Matilda frowned pacing back and forth.

"I don't get you"cassandra frowned

"That blasted thing is what is wrong" Matilda said walking out angrily.

Cassandra picked the documents and read through, this was sounding like fun, she smiled.

******

It's been two weeks since Matilda had literally disowned her older sister, she refused to pick her calls and even any strange numbers for that matter. She had declared war and she was sticking to her part even if she felt outnumbered.

Sighing, she put on the radio in her living room for a change, and tried to shut her  eyes to sleep, but the sound of a knock brought her back to her senses. Wondering who it could be at this time of the day, she bit her lips. She wasn't ready for useless chitchat.

Cassandra knocked continuously, she wondered what was taking her sister so long to open the door. These days she gets easily tired, and emotional...Diary of a pregnant woman.

Matilda opened the door and closed it immediately frowning.

"Go home!" Matilda shouted.

Total silence ensured  and then she heard incessant coughing from outside.

Cassandra was out of options and she had one unused card which she would try, smiling she kept on coughing loud enough for Matilda's  ears. Counting one... Two.... Three... Four.. Five... Six in her mind.

"Cassie are you okay?" Matilda was already worried.

"It's the baby" Cassie said moving her hands over her tummy.

"Spare me that Cassie, I might not be pregnant but I know a lot about pregnancy besides you are just three months gone, and pregnancy does not come with cough"

"I don't know,  guess it's what I ate, won't you let me in am so tired"

"Never! Not after the stunt you pulled at me"

"Okay, I guess my baby  and I are not welcome then"

Rolling her eyes, Matilda opened the door wide. She saw her sister smile and for a moment she felt like throwing her out. Keeping her cool she marched into the living room and put off the radio.

"You must be really upset" Cassandra said sitting down as well as arranging her ruffled skirt in order before she took her time to cross her legs.

Matilda had always envied her sister charismatic behaviour, she was a feminine all through, she was docile as a lamb and as fresh like an olive plant. She had tried to be like her, walk and talk like her but it had ended as a failure.

"Of course I'm mad, I'm  angry. Why the hell did you do that?"

"Did you go through the document?... It's not such a bad deal, it's not like you would be married to him forever, it's just a six months contract and there are benefits to it"

Matilda snapped "I am not getting married  to Rory!"

"What do you want?"

Matilda was speechless and finally she whispered " I sincerely don't know"

"That's the document " Cassandra dropped it on the table

"I don't want  to see that filthy thing!"

"You don't know what you want, why not keep it till you do and then you would be sure of your choice. I understand  your fears, there's no perfect  relationship or marriage, though I've not been married  for long, I know you are both attracted  to each other, and that's a start, besides you are adamant about falling in love after Jude escapade and this should suit you. You won't fall in love, you would be rich, though I know you don't care for riches, good connection and a child might come out of it. To be honest, being a forever spinster can be agonizing, and life is throwing this at you, I hope you can think this through and make the best out of it."

"I'm not attracted to him." Matilda muttered

"if you say so darling sis, I have to go, hubby calls" Cassie said turning her phone on

*****
Later that night, Matilda kept rolling in bed.

LOVE...

A beautiful feeling,  something she believed she shared with Jude, the man of her dream.

' Nope' She thought

Not until he turned out to be a mama's boy, his mom had called her gay and he had turned his back on her after seven years of relationship. Hot tears tricked down her cheeks as she hugged her pillow tightly.

Oh, how she loved him.

Their plans, their dreams were shattered. And, he didn't even say goodbye instead he flew out of the country, changed his number.

Men... Men....

   Men can be cruel. She wanted to be loved Cassie was wrong on that count.

    Sometimes she thought she was cursed. she wanted a happy ending too, she wanted those passionate kiss that happens in k-dramas, she wanted to find solace when she was weary but God had decided to elude her from the joy cassandra has gotten. She had to move on, and if this is the only way, then so be it, but not like this,.

Yes, she was desperate.  She has been termed unlovable, what choice does she have other than Rory?

*****

It took her a whole week to ponder over the situation. There's was no harm in trying and besides he was offering her a huge amount of money enough for her to establish her own Gym.

No matter how hard she thought about it, it was very unfair of Rory's parents to coerce him into getting married.

According to the documents, his inheritance would be shared, and by custom Rory should be the rightful heir but his parents decided that they'd hand over the company to his adopted brother, if Rory didn't get married in a month time.

Cassandra was right after all.

There was no harm in trying... No harm.

She signed the document.

Below the document, she saw his cellphone number. She decided it would be good to inform of her decision.

She dialed his number.

He picked at the first ring.

"Hello?". He drawled. His voice was low and sexy. He had a smooth drawling voice. She paused.  He sounded really different over the phone.

"Matilda speaking "

She heard a sudden movement

"Matilda?"

"I've made my decision... You must be really busy. Send your driver to come pick up the document". She said formally.

He chuckled"Alright"

Without any more word, she hung up.

There  was a knock on the door.  Instinct told her it was Rory's driver. She wasn't  expecting anyone for the day. Besides,  she rarely had visitors.

She picked up the document and strode to the door.  She pulled up the door to see RORY.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

He was dressed in a Navy blue suit over a white shirt.  His shirt was unbuttoned to his sternum. He looked stunning.

His eyes were weary but he managed a smile. " You called me here. "

"I asked you to send your driver ". She corrected.

She handed him the document and was about to shut the door when his strong hand held the door and his right leg came in between the door frame and the door.

"What are you doing?". She queried.

She bit her lips as she felt his gaze. She glanced at him; her eyes met his. Then she stilled.

The pulse at the base of her throat leapt. He could sense the change in her breathing, he could, through the tension suddenly binding them.

He moved towards her, his eyes still locked with hers.

She struggled to breathe as she stared into his already dark and mesmerizing eyes.

He leaned towards her, his lips wrapping close to hers.

Instantly, she closed her eyes. His gentle scent filled her nostrils making thinking difficult.

He chuckled lightly,  his breath tickling her neck" Tomorrow...two o clock. You're meeting my parents "

😹😹Was she expecting a kiss?😹😹.

I'm so so sorry for the late update, I hope you forgive me, I really do.

So guys, sit back, the fun is yet to come. 😁😁

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Thanks

Dove🌹