Chapter 9
Leo sipped his expensive champagne watching the football match on the flat screen TV in his parlour. He had already checked on his mother a while ago, she was deep in sleep. A s for his sister, she had gone out. Soliloquizing, he would like to think that his father was proud of him and he took xare of his family. The only glitch now was this talk of arranged marriage. his mother had told him that it was his father’s wish and God he loved that nan.
Finishing the last of his drink, his phone blared up. So he picked it. It was williams.
“Hey brosef, it’s been ages. How are you doing?!”
“I’m good man, choosing to ignore that annoying name williams never ceased to quit calling him. It made reference go one men’s club movie williams had been obsessed with.”
“So because I know we have a lot to catch up on. I’m leaving my house now to yours. I’ll be there in 5.” Williams hung up.
Leo was lost in thought. He wondered why his thoughts always went to his new P. A. Was it her pretty face. No he had met and been with far more beautiful women. Maybe it was how resilient and hardworking she was. He also enjoyed the slight tic in her jaw whenever she was trying to keep her cool in the office. He chuckled.
Williams walked in the door. He hugged Leo and they both sat down with a glass of wine each.
“Get your stinky feet off my couch man. It’s unbecoming ” little things like this always disgusted Leo. Who knows where his feet had been.
“You mean these angelic looking legs” williams giggled. He had been counting the minutes till Leo commented on how he laid on one end of the couch.
“Yes, I mean it williams. ” Leo’s eyes flashed. He had always had OCD.
Williams took down his legs from the pristine couch. He was sure Leo’s cleaning services were top notch.
“Anyways, how’s your mum and sister?” Williams wiggled his eye brows at the last word. He loved to tease Leo about his sister. The man thought every male had the hots for her. Princess was pretty but he definitely didn’t like her that way. She was just his best friend’s sister to him.
Leo shoved williams a bit. ” My mom and sister are fine. Mom’s sleeping and princess went out.” His eyes promised fire.
“How have you been man?” Williams sipped his wine. It was a damn good one. Leo had always had good taste.
“Just the normal man, work has been the same. What about you?” Leo scratched his head.
“The same with you man. How’s Rachel? Did you later hire her?” Williams fired the questions dismissively.
“I hired her” leo drawled.
“Seriously, I told you she’s a damn good worker. How good is she? Has she wowed you yet?” Williams was so happy to hear this.
“Rachel is hardworking ands resilient and that’s why I had to hire her”. Leo said
“But I think something big happened to her. That’s why she’s this good now”
Williams had always known the kind of person Rachel is. Leo hadn’t noticed. That’s all.
“She had always been like this you just failed to notice”
“That’s not true. I tell you she has changed.” Leo reasoned.
Williams missed Rachel. He promises Leo to check subtly if she has changed as he assumed to which Leo doesn’t agree. But williams persists, they had a lot more catching up to do anyways. Leo gives up.
Leo brought pizza and beet from the fridge. The two friends ate while making sparse comments on the football match they were both engaged in.
“Babygirl please come out and have breakfast at least” madeline was feeling concerned. Rachel hadn’t come out since last night. After the conversation they had. She went upstairs in a fit.
“Go away mum. I’m not hungry” Rachel was so mad at her mom.
Madeline left to go downstairs. She decided to let Rachel come out in her own time.
Rachel needed to vent to someone. She called Celine.
” Hey b. What’s up?” Celine greeted.
“How are you babes?”
“I’m fine you?”
“Can you imagine my parents. They want me to get married to someone I don’t know . I can’t believe they would do this to me!” Rachel cried.
“Seriously? When was this?” Celine questioned . Rachel could hear the anger in her friend’s voice.
“It was last night. Mom prepared spaghetti and meat balls. I know my favourite. I even had ice-cream for desert. I figured she just wanted to butter me up for a harmless favour. Not this!” Rachel was screaming now.
“Babes it’s gonna be okay. Just calm down.” Celine shushed. Celine was just trying to keep her coll because Rachel was already mad. We arranged marriage! She thought. It was such a ridiculous and ludicrous idea.
“How is that gonna happen? I’m a broodmare!” Rachel lamented.
Celine laughed admist her self. Rachel was just too dramatic. Her drama was well deserved though. Who could have thought arranged marriages were still a thing.
“Is this the 80s or something? I thought this was outdated!”
“You know what babes. I’m going to march down and demand a detailed explanation from my mother. Bye babes.” Rachel had to talk to her mom ASAP.
“Bye babygirl . I’ll call you later.”
Madeline was saying at a point on the wall. She looked lost. Rachel could see light streaks of tears on her eyes. Her heart broke for her bereaved mother. This had become a regular occurrence after her husband died. Madeline was still beautiful though, Rachel thought looking at her beautiful peripheral pined by only a few wrinkles. Rachel walked to her mother and sat on the couch near her.
“Hey mom” rachel quipped snapping madeline out of her reverie.
“Hey darling. Come here babygirl. I’m sorry for causing a rift between us last night.” Madeline apologised hugging Rachel. Rachel hugged her back. She could feel that her mom had lost weight. I need to feed her more Rachel thought.
“It’s okay mom. Don’t cry” Rachel shushed. ” I just need an explanation because I kinda feel like a broodmare now and that’s not a good feeling ” Rachel tried to tease her mom.
“I’ll explain everything baby. Just come eat first” madeline led Rachel to the dining table which had her favourite breakfast foods on it. There was bacon, eggs, bread and a steaming mug of coffee. Madeline had already eaten
Mother and daughters ate their food. Madeline ate because Rachel coerced her to, commenting on her lost weight. Rachel loved the food. My mom is such a good cook she thought. Madeline could name any meal exotic.
Rachel washed the dishes. Afterwards, they adjourned to the sitting room with Rachel still nursing her coffee.
“Mom tell me why you guys thought of this crazy idea?’ Madeline queried.
“IT was your dad that brought up the idea. At first I was skeptical but I later understood his reasons after we spoke at length about it. The family you’re marrying into is a loving family. ”
” I don’t exactly care if they’re loving or not. I have you don’t I? . I’m not even ready for marriage not to talk of entering into a loveless one with a stranger. What of love mom?!” Rachel was shouting now.
“I don’t want to get married. Periodtt!” Rachel finished the last of her coffee. This whole thing was just stressing her. She thanked God she today was weekend and she still had tomorrow to sleep off this crazy.
“You would grow to love him Rachel. He’s a wonderful man you’ll see.” Madeline stated calmly. She knew Rachel would find this idea ugly but not this ugly. She wished Kevin was here to help her explain this to their daughter. Kevin had always been better at this type of thing.
“Mom!”
“It’s okay love” madeline smoothed Rachel’s hair. She didn’t want to do this to her only child but she had no other choice . She had to make sure her husband’s dying with was fulfilled.
“Rachel, this was your dad’s last wish. I want you to fulfill it, think about it. You would have a beautiful man r
to love and support you when I’m no longer.” Madeline begged.
Rachel loved her parents and she didn’t want to fight anymore. She hugged her mother and went to her room to have a much needed sleep.
Celine called her later and they spoke at length. She had always enjoyed talking to her friend, she wad such a cool person.
Rachel spent her day sleeping, waking up and working on her e-mails. After which she watched TV till 6pm.
Rachel thought hard about her mother’s point of view. She could understand where her parent’s were coming from but she just could think the idea feasible.