Chapter 2

“The earlier the wedding, the better for me. Granddad will hand over Smith Holdings to me and this marriage can get dissolved then. Five years max”.

Anita listened as he explained his reason for the marriage. His Grandfather has refused to pass on his inheritance until he gets married.

“When am I receiving the money?” Anita asked, now interested in the money more than anything else. Fifty million dollars was no child's play.

“You will get ten million dollars when you meet my grand dad, ten million dollars when the wedding takes place and the balance will be paid across the five years we will be married” He explained.

Five years we will be married rang like a bell in Anita's head. Five years of being the wife of this thoughtless man who saw marriage as something that can be done for convenience and not love and commitment. She was not sure she wanted to do this.

“I will need some time to think this through,” She said, getting up and grabbing her handbag.

“What do you mean you need time? I thought we had a deal?” He asked

“I can't just get up one day and get married, Zachary” She replied. She was getting frustrated.

“Zachary?” He asked, raising his brows.

“Sorry sir, Mr Smith” She corrected.

“Good. That I'm asking you to marry me does not mean you will lose your respect for me. Know your place” He stated, getting up from his seat.

At that moment, all Anita could think of was getting him out of her sight. She walked away, thinking about how he would feel if she was to play hard to get.

Unknown to her, Zachary was not prepared to give her a chance to play hard to get or even give an answer to his proposal other than a yes.

~*~

“You have a guest Anita” Evelyn, her younger sister announced, peeping through her door.

It was Saturday and Anita had decided to spend most of the day in her room and in her bed. She needed to clear her head of the sudden proposal of the previous day.

“Who's it?” She asked, covering her head with her duvet. She was not expecting anyone.

“It's your boss” Evelyn replied. Anita sprang up from the bed almost immediately. What was Zachary doing in her house? She rushed into the bathroom and came out almost immediately in a two piece outfit.

“Good morning mum” She greeted her mum who was buttering a toast on the kitchen counter.

“Morning honey. Your boyfriend is here. Why didn't you tell me you were in a relationship?” Her mother, Mrs José, asked, coming over to hug her.

*Rela… a relationship? Boyfriend?” She stuttered.

“You are old enough for this” Mrs José said, all smiles.

“Mum, I…”

“Go, go, he is waiting for you” Mrs José said and slightly pushed her out of the kitchen.

She went to the small living room and saw Zachary seated comfortably, teacup in hand.

“Good morning sir. What are you doing in my house if I may ask? How did you get the address?”

“I'm here to get the answer to my proposal. As for your address, it's on your portfolio in the office database. Why do you look so tense? I'm here on a harmless visit.”

Anita did not reply. She grabbed his wrist with her tiny hand which she noticed barely covered the wrist. But as they were about to step out of the house, Mrs José emerged from the kitchen with a plate of the toasts.

“Are you leaving already?” She asked looking at Zachery

“Yes ma, my darling will pass the necessary information concerning our wedding to you” he said then proceeded to wrap his hand around Anita's waist and gently pushed her closer to himself. As their skin touched, Anita stiffened. He must have done that multiple times to be able to do it so effortlessly.

Mrs José’s eyes brightened. She was always worried about Anita finding love and getting married with the condition of her face. She could have never imagined that she would end up with a rich man like Zachary.

“Mr Zachary?!” Anita called out in a hushed harsh tone. How was he able to lie without batting an eyelid?

“Yes darling? How many times have I told you not to call me Mr Zachary when we are not at work? I like nicknames too,” he said and smirked.

Anita looked on in bewilderment. She could not believe that this was the same Zachary she was nursing feelings for. She now realized that apart from being a cold condescending boss, he was also of dubious character.

“Anita… look how much he adores you. God bless you Zachary. I will be expecting the good news” Mrs José said, who turned and went into the kitchen.

Anita dragged Zachary after her. “What was that about?” She asked once they were safe outside. Zachary was leaning on his car.

“We will be getting married soon. It is only normal that I let your family know. I can't wait for you to do any thinking or whatever it was you needed time to do. I need to get married soon.” He said.

“Wow” Anita was speechless.

“I will give you money. I mean, look at the house you live in… I can change it at the snap of a finger.”

“I don't remember telling you we are uncomfortable about our living conditions. And how dare y.…”

“Get in the car” He interrupted, already opening the door.

Anita looked on in disbelief, rooted to the spot.

“Get in.” Zachary repeated.

Just as Anita was about to protest, she noticed Evelyn and her mother secretly peering at them through the window. She went round and got into the car. She could not believe Zachary was the same boss she had a crush on even though he was always on her neck. Now that they interacted beyond work, she was finally seeing his arrogant, self indulgent side. She concluded in her mind that she was stuck with him and had to get married if not for anything but for her poor mother who she knew had always been worried about her. She could see the joy and radiance written all over her face at the prospect of her marriage to Zachary.

“Do you have to be stubborn?” Zachary asked as she got into the car. He was drumming his fingers against the steering wheel.

“I told you I was going to think this through. Did you have to show up here?”

“I could not wait and I know you were going to accept” He replied.

“I'm only accepting this marriage because my mother is already aware of it and I can't hurt her” She said.

Zachary smiled. It was probably what he wanted, putting her in a tight spot where she would have no choice but to agree.

Dear God, I hope I don't regret this decision she quietly prayed in her heart.