CHAPTER 4

I can feel my head on a strong object.

am I sleeping on the rock?

Wait, why is rock breathing and why am I sleeping on the rock what is happening to me?.

I cracked one eye to feel how my pillow turned to smooth rock.

This must be a dream, " wait a minute... I'm not dreaming, it's real, and the rock is actually Dave's chest. 
I jerked at the sound of a knock on my door which makes Dave groaned from his slumbering state " sorry" I whispered while I glided his chick before heading to the door to check the disturbance.
I can't even sleep peacefully again.I made a wry face while dragging my feet to the door.

" Reya...it's me open the door,". mom confirmed 
I widened my eyes, realizing that my mom is at the door knocking and Dave is in my room.

Dave is in my room! Omg, I'm doomed. I briskly ran back to the bed to wake the slumbering Dave.
"Dave mom" I whispered and shook him vigorously.

"Wake up". I whisper yelled, He groaned, while I clasped his mouth.

" mom is at the door " I whispered still widen my eyes at him so he can realize that we are in a big jam. He jerked up from the bed at the awareness of my breaking news.

" So what should I do now " he whispered while rubbing his sleepy eyes.

" Hmmm..get inside my closet " the word came from my mouth before I even had time to process what I just said.

Nice one Reya, the best idea now in the closet. I rolled my eyes at my thoughts. " Whatever ... just get in there first let me hark to her galling," I said while rushing back to the door to open the door for her 
" Coming " I squealed.
I turn the doorknob, open the door to reveal mom dressed up. I can say she is beautiful. She was dressed in a beautiful red office gown,  hugged all the perfect shape or should I say curve in her body. I scrunched my eyes to look at her and giving her this ' why are you wearing this ' kind of face.

" You need to dress up now Reya, the EJikemes are coming over by 12 pm ok" she snapped me out of my wonderful state while she sashayed to the hallway. 
I was totally dumbfounded. She didn't even let me say anything before walking away. I shut the door and walked back to my bed. 
I sat down processing all the whole scene while a hand moving towards my mouth to close my jaw that has been hanging down unknowingly.

" Your mouth is open and fly can perch in at any time so... I decided to close it for you" Dave smirked while receiving a glare from me.

I sighed and pinched my eyes closed for a second before opening it." I mean who will be that heartless to her child" I threw my hand up in the air in a frustrated way while rolling my eyes.

" I can't say anything, I can make a choice, and I can't even leave my own damn life! " I yelled.

I scoffed " why am I even alive if I can leave my own life in my own accord? "
involuntary tears started rushing out of my eyeballs. I crouched on the bed. 
" I hate my life " I mumbled into my knees.
I can feel a hand on my back " Reey" Dave called. He raised my head and cup my face in his hands " it's ok" he said staring with concern in his eyes. 
I gulped while rubbing my teary eyes.
" Yes I know it's ok, it's actually my choice to marry that player but I can just help it" I croaked.

I sighed and reclined on the bed.
I see Dave gazing at me intensely
" It's ok Reey" he caresses my chicks before giving me a sad smile.

" What's the time? I asked.
" It's 11:30 Reey" he replied glancing over his wristwatch.

" Oh no," I groaned and jumped up from my bed.
" They are coming by 12," I said pacing around the room. Is not that am nervous, but I was just frustrated.

I opened my closet to check for anything to put on. I really don't care how I look, I know they are decision is final no matter what I do to make Daniel hate me, not that he really likes me either.

" I think I need to go back home now Reey" I heard Dave while checking out my dress in the mirror to know if I'm not that horrible.

I was satisfied with my appearance before turning my gaze back at Dave.
" Wow...you look amazingly simple" he complimented while his face lingering over my body.

I'm putting on an off-shoulder kneel length black gown which fit all the necessary curve in my body.

I sighed as I walked back to bed to join Dave and to bid him goodbye for now.

" Thank you" I mumbled as I wrapped my arms snugly around his neck.

" Reey" Dave coughed out.ok, I'm definitely choking him.

" I can't breathe," he said.

" Sorry" I gave him an apologetic smile knowing what I just did now, I almost killed my best friend in the process of hugging him, well-done Reya.
" Why are you smiling" I heard Dave pulling me out of my thoughts.

" Nothing " was .....just..you know" I faced down.
" I know " he smirked.
" I need to go before someone sees me here," he said while getting up from the bed.
I just nodded to him indicating that I understand. 
He encompassed me in his arms, gently kissed my forehead." Update me about everything ok" he mumbled while pleading with his eyes.
I nodded my head. I can't talk, I'm not happy right now and I guessed he understood since he was not bothered by the way I answered him. I smiled " he will always understand me " I mumbled to myself when he left.

I went back to the mirror to glanced through my dress, I applied small lipgloss and a silver chocker to look a little bit presentable.
I can't look ugly in front of my husband to be. I rolled my eyes at my thought before heading downstairs.
Let's the drama begins.

.................................

Climbing down the stairs, I checked my time and it was 12:05 as I snotted. I  careless.

Approaching the dining, I saw everyone exchanging greetings, mom giving Mrs. EJikeme an air kiss at the chicks and dad or Mr. Johnson, shaking hands with Mr. EJikeme.

Mom gazed up at me on the stairs, giving me a disapproving look like ' how can you wear these simple things in front of our guess? Go back and change to something classics. ' That's the look she was giving me from the dining. I instantly diverted my gaze to somewhere else, not that I care about what she wants. I don't give a damn.

I am aware that she bought some fancy clothes for me last year, In case of any big occasion or business meeting. That's all they cared about; business... business....business my foot. 
My eyes roaming around the big hall that is called the sitting room, then my eyes landed on the last person I wanted to see right now, I diverted my eyes to another place searching what I can fix my gaze on to avoid his smirk.

"Reya dear" mom called giving me a bogus smile.

" Come here, My dear sweet girl" Mrs. EJikeme called while motioning her hand for me to come.
I plastered a fake smile on my face while heading to her, I hugged her airily, then pull away from her.

We are all set at the dining. Mom sitting beside Mrs. Ejikeme, dad, and Mr. Ejikeme sitting at the two ends of the table which they are opposite each other, and Daniel and I sitting beside each other while we are opposite the moms.
I can sight Daniel smirking beside me, oh no this is going to be one of the worse days of my life.

I adjusted my sitting position to sitting upright before the conversation begins.

Dad cleared his throat " so I believe we've both spoken to the children on their marriage?" Dad asked facing Mr. Ejikeme.

I faced down," this is gonna be awkward". I crooned. I can see Daniel smiling from my side.

" Ok Christi let's go have our talk in the second sitting room, leave them here, "Mrs. Anthony said clapping hand in a girlie way.
Mom nodded and they left to the smaller sitting room.

" And we should go discuss our deal with Mr. Ryan," Dad said to Mr. EJikeme.
They both also left and now it's Daniel and me on the chair.
I scoffed knowing fully well what they are doing. I slumped back on the dining chair as I picked my phone to start charting.
Then I gazed up to see what Daniel is up to, luckily his face was glued to his phone. Nice job Daniel, you are doing well. I smiled at my own thought.

"Beep" a chat notification pops up on my phone. I decided to open it as I was welcomed with 550 messages from 30 chats. I smiled. It's been a while I chatted with my friends, seriously with all this happening, I don't even have any time to check my phone or to talk to anyone. Then I decided to be skipping through for an interesting and highly important message since I have nothing to do or to say to anyone right now and this can actually save the awkward tension rising.

I opened my chat then Dave chat popped up. I saw so many messages he has sent, probably while he was still in New York, I presumed. Then I decided to check the recent one 
" Hey babe, how is it going over there🙄🙄"

Me: " It's awkward Dave😏😏😏"

Dboy: how"

Me: Daniel and I are together but no one utters one word 🙄🙄

Dboy: 🤭🤭😂😂😂

Me: not funny Dave 🙄😏😒
Me: this is the guy they want me to spend my life with, can you imagine 🤦🤦

Dboy:. Lol...you gat no choice, you just have to do this for yourself now. you know that's it's the only way to get out of that prison as you stated... madoom😁.

Me: whateves🙄🙄.

" Hmmm, how are you?" 
A deep voice begins beside me. I swiftly raised my head up to know whom the voice belongs.

Oh! Daniel is really talking.

" I'm good and you" I mumbled 
He straightens his sitting position while resting one hand on the table, turning his whole body to my direction, plastering a wry smile on his face.

" You can't even say hi to me since I returned back from the US" he smugly sneered.

Really is he this horrible now, is that how to start a conversation with the person you wanna get married to? I facepalm at his insolence attitude.
I scoffed " is not that you really care if I say hello or not" I glowered " jerk" I baited my eyelashes before typing back on my phone.

" You know you are very rude and cheeky. As a girl or should I say ...fiance, you aren't supposed to be blabbering nonsense to me this way, you need to play nice ok" he stated while smirking.

I looked away from my phone to face him, I feel like slapping that smirk off his face. We're not even engaged before he starts bossing me around. What a bossy man.

" Really" was my simple reply while raising an eyebrow.

" Oh I should kneel down in your front and say; master Daniel it's been a long time that has seen you... oh, how I missed your stupidity and your arrogance or should I say your rudeness towards me" I said dramatically and fantasizing way.

" Wow you are really a great actress, I mean look at you" he eyed me disdainfully.

"People will think they've seen an angel coming from above with your artful and deceptive look, and a good mind, respectful girl underneath, but no...you are, disrespectful, cunning, mannerless monster indeed" he jibbed.

I curl up my lips as I banged my hand on the table as I was already seething while standing up to fully face him now.

" Hey, Mr"  I spat raising my hand up in a 'stop' sign." You can just walk with your long leg or however you came in here to taunt me in my own house, and you think I will be playing cool with it" I warned sternly.

" We both know this marriage or whatever this they are doing is not gonna work. Why can't you speak to your parent and let them call off this nonsense " I continued while folding my arms across my chest.

" I will if it's possible" he sneered.

" Seriously Daniel you know how much I hate you right?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

" Reya....yh I know. You hate me because I'm better than you" he jeered.

" I mean it dunce" he spat with a conceptual demeanor.

I let a hollow laugh." Says the C's guy or should I say brainless...Daniel. I scornfully remarked.

" Oh really" he sneered.
" At least I don't have to be controlled like a robot" he jeered.

" Oh...I mean to follow one guy  like my life depends on him....as you can see, you are just a geek and nothing more than useless trash." He spat.

" And by the way.....I can indulge myself with anything I feel like doing...choose my career, get anything I feel like getting....is like you don't get it Reya. Your life sucks" he hissed arrogantly.

" DANIEL!"  I gritted.
" You are crossing your limit" I warned, infuriating at his rude remarks.

" You are the one crossing your limit here...if you really know the ongoing  drama in your life right now, you will learn to shut that sharp lips of yours because I won't tolerate all this nasty attitude if not of my father who has to....." He stopped while exhaling and inhaling to calm himself.

He sighed, sitting back on the chair while rubbing his temple like his stressed or something.

" Look" he raised his index finger while biting his lips " I'm not interested in this marriage either but I love my parent and I have to do whatever they want me to do" he mumbled.

" We both know that they want this marriage because of their business, I don't want to tell you the reason yet but you will know sooner," he said.

I knitted my brows. "  You wanted to say something before you stopped, Can you please tell me?" I enquired swallowing the lump forming on my throat.

" Wow....gentle dear miss." He said raising his both hand defensively.

" Now you wanna put up this activity so I can tell you what I'm not supposed to say" he scoffed. " Sometimes I wonder how you can be so stupid to think you can just manipulate me to  get an answer for your dumb question." He hissed.

" Look...I can't just get married without knowing the reason behind it " I said gritted.
" You already doing that miss" he winked.

" We both know..." he was cut off by his dad.

" Daniel dear" Mr. EJikeme called.

We both looked up simultaneously in his direction.

" Mr. Ben just called me now about the.... stocks that we need to get from China and he said they've arrived". He grinned.

" Wow dad, that's good news" he sarcastically replied. I know Mr. EJikeme didn't notice the sarcasm.

" I think you guys need to meet up or something to talk better you know .....or will you meet me and your mom at home?" Mr. EJikeme asked.

"No. I mean we'll find another day to discuss better. Right Reya" Anthony asked plastering a fake smile on his face.

I nodded vigorously wearing a blank face.

" Honey we gat to go" Mr. EJikeme called.
They all came to the sitting room to join us.
" Alright David, we will be heading back home now Mr. Ben must be on his way to our house " he saluted and went outside followed by Mrs. EJikeme after giving my mom and me a tight hug then Daniel followed taking a glance at me before getting into the car.
" Don't miss me me" he mouthed while smirking.
I rolled my eyes instead of replying to him. He ignited the engine before driving out of the compound, we bid them goodbye.

I left mom and dad outside without uttering any word to them.

"What's the deal with this marriage?" Was the question I asked myself as I got to my room.