Chapter 5 I Need A Wife

'How would I be able to afford money for the surgery' Alisha thought within herself as she walked down the street to the bar.

Anna and her dad were her only family, according to her. To her, her mom was dead. She decided to see her boss before the start of work to take a loan, there was no way he was not going to give it to her, she had been working for him dutifully for the last two years, she had not taken a break or given him any form of concern.

Her excellence in mixing drinks and welcoming attitude has increased and kept his customers, so there was no way he was going to refuse her, all she needed was a loan of one million us dollar, even if she had no idea on how she was going to pay back.

'I'm sorry Alisha, but money is low right now, I can't afford to give you such an amount, but I could give you two months advance' Steve had said the moment she had mentioned the loan to him.

Was he kidding her, two months' salary was barely 0.5% of the loan she was requesting from him, how was she going to save Anna's life?'

'Leonardo' his grandma called out to him excitedly as he got into the house.

'Hello Nana'

'You look so pale my boy, have you been feeding well?'

'Hmm, not exactly' he replied, knowing that he has been losing nutrients from his sexual adventures and hasn't been giving his health any concern for a few weeks now, probably that was why he was feeling week the previous day and Alisha had pointed out that he was pale earlier that day.

'Sit, you must get enough to eat before you go see your grandpa Alex in his study'

'I think I should see him first, he must be eagerly waiting for me, it sounded serious'

'If it is serious then I think you will not get a chance to eat when you are done, besides nothing is so important than feeding you first'

He knew he was not going to win a fight against his Nana, so he sat at the table and allowed her serve him dinner.

'So'

'Nana, so what?' he asked as he devoured some bread alongside his soup

'Have you found a woman yet?'

'Hell no Nana, gezz, I've told you over and over again, I don't do love, if love really existed my asshole of a father would not have gotten mom pregnant and vanished and left her to suffer alone with me, now she is gone and I have just you too, I hope he is dead too'

'Leo dear, do not let anger and bitterness rule you, do not let your mother's story define yours, your mom loved your dad, and she loved him everyday even after he left her, she never gave up on love.'

'She never gave up on love Nana, and that was what killed her, she allowed her unreciprocated love for that man, cause her to slowly fade away.'

'Leonardo'

'No Nana, I don't want to hear any more of it, thanks for dinner, it was amazing as always. I will go see grandpa now'

'Running away like he always does'

'I love you too Nana' he said and escaped to Alexandra's study.

'You know your Nana is right, instead of focusing on how love between your parents failed, why not focus on the amazing bond your Nana and I share' Alex said the moment he got into the study.

'Not you too' he groaned as he collapsed into a chair.

'Listen to me Leonardo, it is time you stop being reckless and take responsibility'

'I am sure that was not why you called me here Grandpa, so why not you, go straight to the business at hand, I have an early night to catch'

'You meant you have a skinny woman waiting on your bed?'

Leonardo massaged his temple; this man was giving him a headache. 'Why was he a pain in his neck?"'

'Let's strike a deal'

'I don't think I want to do that with you, you are so mean towards me lately'

'Maybe because I have come to realize that I have spoilt you and given you too much freedom while you were growing up'

'You can't change that anymore'

'I think I might have found a way out of this your recklessness and your irresponsibility'

'I can sense that this is a bad idea already' he stormed out of the house, not wanting to hear what he had to say.

Leonardo did not go to the bar that night; instead he drank from home and went to sleep

The next morning Leonardo pushed his ass off the bed and got ready for work, it was going to be a long day, he had stormed out of his grandpa, and he was sure Grandpa Alex was not going to let that behavior slide.

Nevertheless, what would he have done? He had had it up to here. They were on his case, pushing him to see love, what was love if not nonsense?

He arrived at the office and found Grandpa Alexandra sitting on his chair, 'Sit Leo, let's talk'

'What if I do not want to talk?'

'You do not have a choice, listen to me I cannot take this attitude of yours any longer' Grandpa Alexandra started to say, anger building up in his voice, he hardly got angry with Leo, but when he did, only Nana could calm him down and save Leo, but Nana was not here.

'What would you have me do Grandpa?'

'Get married Leo, maybe that would stop you from being reckless'

'No way Grandpa that is not even an option'

'It is not negotiable'

'No way am I getting married sir'

'Three months Leonardo Giovanni Legend, you have an ultimatum of three months to present a wife, or else you lose everything' Grandpa Alexandra ranted at him that morning.

'You want me to get a wife?

No problem, you'll have my marriage certificate one month from now' he said with a confidence that surprised even him.

'Don't think you can be tricky about this, you are my only heir and you've been reckless, if you don't get married in a month, I will donate all your inheritance to charity.

And don't think you can get divorced immediately after marriage, for each year you stay married, you get half of your inheritance, so you will have to be married for not less than three years without divorce to be able to get all your inheritance.

The last part of the inheritance will come when you have a legitimate child from the marriage.'

'You cannot be serious grandpa; you can't leave me without an inheritance'

'I can, watch me do it if you do not meet up with my ultimatum' Grandpa Alex concluded, adjusted his glasses and left Leonardo's office.

'Fuck, what is wrong with that man' Leonardo yelled at his office walls

The entire day was ruined for Leonardo as he thought of the ultimatum and how he was going to meet up.

'How do I get a woman to marry me for three years?'

He could lose the last part of the inheritance because he did not want kids, especially because he did not want any attachment with any woman. If he could get a woman to pose as his wife for three years, he could place her on a monthly salary, and if she got pregnant, which was not going to be possible, he could pay her off and keep the child.

All he needed to do was prepare a contract form, and get a presentable and reasonable woman to sign it.

He had four weeks to get a woman, and marry her.

At the close of work, he went to the bar as usual. 'Did you see a ghost?' Alisha asked him the moment he sat on a stool.

'Why would you ask me that?' he asked giving her a look that said he was not in the mood for any conversation.

'You look like you've seen one'

'I need a wife' he said taking a long drink from the glass Alisha had placed before him. Alisha burst out laughing, 'Is this your first drink, or you've been to a bar before you came here?' she asked trying to contain her laughter.

Leonardo ignored her and continued with his drink, he did not feel like carrying any woman to his bed tonight. All he wanted to do was drink and figure out a way of the net he has been caught in.

'Wait, you are serious?' Alisha asked when he was on his third glass and was mute, not even paying attention to the women that came his way.

'I do not have time for jokes'

'I don't think there is any woman out there that wants to get married to you except for your money'

'I do not care the reason she chooses, I just need her to come by quickly'

'Why not publish in the papers, 'Eligible Bachelor Leonardo Legend seeks a bride' then include the qualities you seek in her' Alisha mocked him as she poured him another drink which she swore was the last she was going to serve him for the night.

She had been able to convince him overtime that the reason she cared about the amount of alcohol he consumed over all other customers was because he gave her the largest tip, if he gets drunk and drive, he might have an accident and end up in the hospital and he would not patronize the bar for a long tip.

'So it's all for your personal gain?' he had asked her once

'Yes' she had proudly smiled

'I think that is a good idea' Leonardo said, interrupting her thought

'What is a good idea?'

'The publication'

'No, don't do that'

'Of course I will, good night Alisha' he got up excited that he had found a solution, as he paid her and left.

Leonardo practically danced his way out of the elevator to his office the next morning, excited that he had a plan.

'What are you doing here Chloe?' he stopped in his tracks

'Working sir'

'I'm sorry about your loss, I asked you to take as much time as you need off'

'I'd rather occupy my mind with work than sit at home all day and grieve'

'Great then, we have work to do, let's go to my office'

'Chloe, I need a wife and I need her as soon as this week'

'Sir?' Chloe asked, to be sure she had heard him correctly the first time.

'You heard right Chloe, I need a wife'

'What for sir?'

'What do people need wife's for'

'You are different sir, I do not see you as a man that wants to get married and have children'

'Chloe, advertise an interview, we are hiring a wife for me'

'What would I call the job description sir?'

'Post for a personal maid, I don't want the media and most especially grandpa to know what I am up to'

'Okay sir'

'One more thing, please indicate ages between 23-27, I don't want a old lady applying'

'Yes sir'

Alisha walked the streets looking for a place she could get a daytime job, she needed money badly to send to her dad for her sister's surgery, she was determined to do anything, as long as it was going to make her money to save her sister's life.

'We could call your mom' her father had suggested the previous night

'I do not have a mom, she is dead, and how do you call a dead person?' her father did not respond to her question, he knew what she meant, he knew she was still hurting from what her mother did to them.