“How did you know I’m famished?” Rihanna asked her. “I just got back to the country a few hours ago. I didn’t even go to my apartment, I just sent someone to take my luggage to my house. And the food I was served on the plane was nothing special. Looking at it, I lost my appetite.”
Hearing from her friend that she did not even go home to rest after a few hours journey on air, Lina was very touched. Rihanna has always made her her first priority since she got to know her. Though Rihanna is two years older than her, that doesn’t matter to her. All that matters is that she took her as a younger sister.
Rihanna was an orphan. She lost her parents in a car accident some years back. She was the only child of her parents. Her parents are also wealthy during their lifetime. She was given all her parents properties according to their will. She had been managing her parents’ clothing industry since she graduated from the university two years ago. She took Lina as the sibling she never had.
She had been out of the country for two months now. They always speak to each other through video calls and voice calls. As they reached the dining area, Rihanna was the first to sit down. Looking at the food cooked by Lina, which was a three course meal, her mouth couldn’t help but water.
Taking a serving plate, she started serving herself. “Hey babe, it seems your cooking skills have improved again. This meal I’m looking at looks tantalising.”
“What did you mean by that? Even though my cooking skills are average, I’m still better than you. You can’t even make any proper meal without it getting burnt.” Lina said jokingly to her friend.
“That’s harsh,” Rihanna reprimanded as she continued eating her food.
After fifteen minutes, they finished their food. Lina took Rihanna to her bedroom so she could take a shower. She left her to do her things, as she made her way to the kitchen to tidy up and also do the dishes.
After she was done with everything, Rihanna also came out of the bedroom putting on one of Lina’s home wear she had not used before.
Looking at how her clothes fitted Rihanna well, Lina couldn’t help but murmured; “it’s like she lost more weight than I think.”
“What now, why are you staring at me like you’ve seen an alien?” Rihanna questioned. “Why don’t you tell me about your business partner?” Rihanna asked meaningfully without giving her the chance to answer her first question.
“Hmm, it’s a long story, Ria.” Lina sighed as she made her way to her bedroom balcony. Rihanna followed behind her back. “Then make it short so I can understand.”
They made their way to the chairs in the balcony as they sat facing each other with legs crossed above each other. “The morning I found out about Mira and Daniel’s plan, was also the morning I met him. Even though I knew him before, he is not someone I can meet just because I want to. I’m even still mesmerised till now that he proposed a marriage contract to me.”
“Who is the person in question? Stop keeping me in suspense Lina.” “It’s Raymond Walton, the same one you and I know.”
Bang, the sound of something colliding with the tiled floor echoed throughout the balcony. Rihanna did not know when she let go of her cell phone she was holding as she heard that name, with mouth wide agape. After a few seconds she came back to her senses.
“You are joking with me right? Are you telling me that the most eligible bachelor in the country came to propose a marriage contract with you?”
“And why would I joke with something like that?” “Ahhhh!” The next thing Lina heard was her best friend scream. “Lina, who did you save in your last life that makes you so lucky. I still can’t believe this. Did you accept the proposal? You better tell me yes or else…”
She kept nagging as Lina stared at her with a face full of bewilderment. “Yes, I accepted the proposal on impulse, I don’t even know why I accepted it. Now I’m regretting my decision.”
“Why would you say that? Did you know how many people that’s looking for this opportunity? I can’t wait to see your ex boyfriend’s face when he knows about the big fish you just attracted after leaving him.” She chuckled after saying this.
“But this isn’t real Ria, what if he proposed a marriage to me. It’s just a fake marriage. We are just pretending to be a real couple.” She said this feeling frustrated. She herself did not even realise her mood changed as she said the word “fake relationship”.
“Who told you we can’t make this fake relationship turn into a real one? Don’t you think having a life partner like Raymond, would be the best thing that has ever happened to you. He is not only rich, he is a billionaire. He is handsome, he doesn’t have any scandalous rumours about him like the other men, who messed around with women. Everything about him is perfect. And lastly he won’t have any reason to snatch your mother’s legacy from you. Which woman wouldn’t want this opportunity, Lina?” Rihanna reasoned with her as she made her understand her points.
“Ria, it’s him being clean and perfect that’s making me scared. Don’t you know people like this are the most dangerous. I don’t even know what I’m thinking before signing those papers? It’s like my mind is flooded with revenge that I don’t even think about the consequences of my actions anymore.” She said this feeling dejected.
She had been lonely for the past few days. She had been wanting to pour her mind to someone, and also vent her emotions, but she didn’t see anyone to confide in. Seeing Ria now, she doesn’t keep anything from her as she tells her about everything that has happened these few days and her fears.
“Baby girl, don’t be scared, everything will work out perfectly, trust me.” She had not finished her speech when Lina’s phone beeped indicating a message had just entered. “It’s your phone,” Rihanna said. Using this opportunity, she picked up her phone she dropped earlier. Thank goodness, it didn’t get damaged.
I HOPE YOU DID NOT FORGET WE ARE REGISTERING OUR MARRIAGE TOMORROW MORNING BY 10:00am. YOU SHOULD BE THERE ON TIME.
That was the message she saw as she opened her phone. She was in a daze as she saw this message. She had been dreaming about how her marriage life would be, but she didn’t expect all her dreams on marriage should be nothing else but fantasies. She would become a married woman tomorrow, but not with the person she loved. All this made her feel cold at heart.
Seeing her friend frozen like a statue after reading something on her phone, Rihanna’s curiosity kicked in as she snatched the phone from Lina. After reading the message, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Wow! Lina, you didn’t tell me you guys will be going to the registry. I thought it’s just a marriage contract you guys signed.” This statement woke Lina up from her reverie. “He said we have to register this marriage in order to make it real. Although I’ve signed the marriage contract, signing the marriage certificate is also important.”
As Rihanna listened to her friend, she thought about something. “Who was Raymond? He is someone that can do anything he likes. Why would he trick Lina to sign the marriage certificate with him when he can just forge one. Why make it real? Something is quite fishy about this. I have to find out his motive.” She thought to herself without informing Lina about her suspicions.
“Babe, I’m tired. I have to go to bed now.” Rihanna said as she stood up yawning. Without waiting for Lina’s reply, she made her way to the bedroom.
As Rihanna left the balcony, she took out her phone. She typed something on it as she sent it to someone. After finishing this, she smiled at herself.
Lina also left the balcony as she trailed behind Rihanna after some minutes. Since Rihanna is occupying the master bedroom, she decided not to disturb her as she made her way to the guest room.