A forced kiss for marriage

I looked at the radio house I had just walked out from and cursed them, its enough of their rejections already I was fed up with all these stupid rejections as though I was the only person with problems in this world, I hissed as I walked out of the building carrying my file, it has always been one story to another.

My name is Anastasia Christopher, and I consider myself to be cursed, first I do not have a father because he was wicked enough to allow himself die when I was barely 6 months old leaving I and my mother alone in this stingy world to carter for ourselves, I majored in English Language but of what use is it if I cannot get a common job to fed my mother with, I stared at the building of the radio house bitting my lips, the security man was staring at me wondering what was going on in my mind but I could only think of punching him in the face, I was trained up by my widowed single mother and lastly I am super single, Yes I am a single bird.

I dated Obinna back then in school and he disvirgined me promising me heaven on earth and when He got tired of me he walked out of my life without any sign, then William came along and had the guts to cheat on me with my best friend, I was still thinking about my life when my phone rang and I could see it was my mom calling "mummy" I said as I picked up "Nne how far, any show yet?" she asked me "Nothing at all mummy, me I'm tired oh" I said into the phone, "come home ok, God will do his work" She said and I put my phone back in my purse and stood up from the place I sat.

I was about to cross over to the bus stop when a car drove past me fast almost hitting me "this one is mad o" I said cleaning the water he splashed on me with my handkerchief, He reversed when I was doing that and got down from his car "I'm so sorry Miss, that wasn't intentional" he said and I hissed "all of you that have cars just feel its normal to go on insulting people, look at what you did now" I said not looking at him, "because you feel you are rich, you can stupidly drive and splash water on anybody you feel, Oga please go" I said to him "But I said sorry" was all he could say "so what, sorry would dry up my trouser right? please go before I scream and tell people you want to kidnap me" He only shook his head and walked back to his car and started it, I was angry and now he just made sure I was more angry.

I boarded a bus going back to my house, and kept on lamenting about how my life would have been if i had a father, I was beautiful, yet not successful, I was intelligent yet without a job my life was the most unfair thing right now, I dropped at my bus stop and collected my change from the conductor. I walked down to my house not bothering to even greet anyone sitting outside because they always gossiped and laughed at me calling me a graduate without a cap. I walked into the house and saw my mother selecting beans "mummy good evening" I greeted her dropping my purse and file and going into the kitchen to get water to drink, "welcome" was all she said I knew she was fed up of taking care of me but couldn't say so, I worked in a fancy restaurant at least I made little cash from there. Lifting my purse up I took up my file and went into the room to change.

Work at the restaurant was a joy, we took orders here and there and it was fun, I really need to get a job soon so all this suffering will stop. I was thinking about all this when I carried a plate of food to go serve food to a customer who has been waiting I was lost in thought when I bumped into somebody.

"so sorry" i said trying to pick up the plate from the floor and he stood looking at me, what kind of a human being is this, we bumped into each other the least he could do is help me out, I suddenly became angry and stood up "the least you could do is help me Mr and you are just there operating your phone and laughing at some silly ass thing" I said cleaning my hand on my apron. I suddenly decided to look up to see the face of the idiot standing in front of me and that was when i realized it was him. The man who splashed water on me this morning, I hadn't noticed his handsomeness until now, his blue eyes with a hair full of sporty waves, I felt wetness in my pants, how could a human being feel wet just staring at another, but i needed to teach him a lesson maybe with my mouth "You were sent to me today right?" I fired "Hello to you too young lady" he said smiling "now I'll get straight with you, I see your mouth runs as fast as a tap and i do not like insults, you insulted me in the afternoon and that was bad enough, right now one more word I'll get you out of this job" He said I only stared, this man was the tormenting me both with words and his body and he knew it, he knew i was not finding it easy standing close to him i dropped the tray i was with now drawing attention to where we were standing the whole people in the restaurant stared at us "Now listen, all you people who are rich feel you can trample on the poor, but I'll give you some advise learn some attitude, i could give you a lesson or two, you are so dumb thinking with your fine self you could insult any woman you see" I said to him causing people to roar in laughter and applause, i wanted to see his reaction and the reaction u got was shocking he grabbed my hands held them tight and kissed me deep, i finally got to set myself free from him and sent a thundering slap to him face, "now that is to learn to keep your mouth shut young lady" with that he walked out of the door and i felt i could receive more.

"girl you did a good job there" I turned to back to see my friend Laura standing behind me "but he is a fine man ooooo, tell me how was the kiss, how did it taste" she asked me teasing me "why not kiss him to find out, don't worry me please" I said cleaning the sink where i cleared and washed the dishes, "babes what is it?" she asked me, she didn't know how angry I was at that moment. I suddenly wished I was lucky like those who had fathers "Laura forgive me, but I'm not feeling well at all" I said almost crying, I wasn't happy at all and she knew it "sweetheart, don't work yourself out, be happy something will come up soon, least i remember i have something for you" she said as she brought out her phone and showed me a vacancy from a company in need of a secretary, "you can go on Monday" I hugged her holding her tightly "you are the best i said happily" she kissed my cheek and smiled "I knew this could cheer you up, I love you hope you know that" she said "I love you more". Soon we ended our shift and went home, we were lucky because we were usually given two thousand naira everyday before the end of the month, we walked home everyday because we felt it was cheaper, I had always felt my life would have been easier, once i completed my studies I'll have so many companies calling me for jobs, but there was no way because it wasn't so perfect, we said our goodbyes hugging each other as i walked home to face the grumpiness of my mother, sometimes i felt she was happy with me other times i see pain in her eyes, pain that doesn't disappear i wanted her pain to disappear that is why i really need a paying job, i looked at the vacancy Laura sent to my phone and decided not to wait till Monday anymore instead I'll go tomorrow, if it warranted crying and begging I'll do that as long as i get the job, I walked inside the room i shared with my mom and met her fast asleep and there i promised to make her a queen she deserved to be.

"Grandpa how can you say this now?" I asked fuming in anger "Look at yourself Nelson, 30 and yet to be married, when do I have to carry my grandchildren in my arms? I had your father when i was 27 young man" I tried to move my legs just to escape this horror i found myself in "Can i go now grandpa, I have an appointment" I said already moving "stop there, with who? Samantha, or Linda, Or Gabby which one of them?" I laughed at my grandfather "ok lets talk grandpa, what do you want?" I asked him knowing fully well what he wants already, "I want you to get Married in three months, else I'll seize

your inheritance and make sure you get no job in this country.

"Grandpa? are you for real right now" I asked following him up to his room now as he stood up "go on Nelson your appointment is waiting for you, but remember three months" How could this man do this to me now I had never thought of marriage it sucked, my parents were both divorced, no love was ever built between the both of them now my grandpa wants me to enter into that shit hole, who fucking does that. "Fine! I'll do it, I'll challenge you grandpa. I said and left the house, picking up my phone i dialed Felix's number "whatsup bro" he spoke "I need your help right now, meet me up at the Dominos pizza" I told him, I needed to look for a solution because I have never been broke and I choose not to start now.

I carefully parked in front of Dominos Pizza and checked for Felix I walked towards him when i finally took notice of him "You asked me out on a date today" He said laughing at my face, "can you ever be serious?" I asked him, "dude I'm in deep mess right now" I said to him as we walked into the eatery "what is it?" he asked me, I beckoned to the waiter to come so we could place an order. "my grandfather wants me to get married in three months if not he would take back my inheritance and make sure I do not get any job in this country ever again" He laughed loudly at me, "I warned you right, I just hope one day you don't get infected with any STIs he said still laughing, I was in pain and he was laughing "now I'll advise you refrain from mocking me" I said to him "why don't you pick up most of this girls you fuck" He asked me and i stared at him annoyed "does Samantha look like a wife material, or Linda does or does Sandra look like one?" He laughed at me and I knew he was mocking me.

"So tell me what do I do?" I asked him now in a plea "bro why don't you hire someone for that?" he asked "hire someone how? like get into a contract?" I asked him "yes i thinks that should be the best" Felix said, "it would only be in contract you don't need to pay a bride price or anything" I laughed at Felix because it was funny how he didn't know my grandfather doesn't joke with traditions "if i am to get married Felix it would include traditional, and a civil marriage for my grandpa to believe me" better then you can do that and after one year you both call it quits.

I suddenly found reasoning to what he just said, but finding her would be difficult so i called my secretary to put up a vacancy sign for a female worker. "all done now I'll see you later dude" I said as I brought out my wallet and dropped the bill on the table for the waiter to come get it, I drove down to the office trying to meet up with a client whom i had fixed my appointment with that day, after then I'll call Sandra to meet me up so we could have dinner and also have some rolling on my bed, at least I could have few bedroom practices before i enter into my hell, I thought, as I drove so fast not considering if I going to hit someone, but i did meet someone that captivated the down part of my soul because immediately i splashed the water on her and she cursed me, my third sense became so hard that it wanted to explode.

Her hips were curved and large giving her the coca-cola bottled shape, I got down to apologize to her and of course give her my card but all I could get were insults, I drove off praying to meet her again because i had that urge to make her mine, until i met her that night and forcefully kissed her not minding she was a cheap waiter, I left the restaurant feeling relieved and called Sandra asking her to meet me at home instead because this little devil had spoilt my evening just like my grandpa sent her to me. I drove off to the house to meet the little lolipop waiting for me.

Sleeping with ladies has always been something I fancied without caring what people thought of me, At Least at one point i too believed there was love until a certain someone toyed with my heart, right now i see love as a shaft. Today was the day I'll meet that special someone who would be my trophy wife, I just hope she was worth it. Felix had come in earlier than usual to help me interview the ladies meant for the job and they were all a disappointment. I had given up all hopes when she walked in, i could swear I still remember how she smelt, we locked eyes as I placed my palm on my jaw and smiled "what a small world" I said she was shaking up right now and I loved what i did to het, she couldn't speak, "sit my dear" Felix said to her and offered her a glass of water, I smiled with my eyes fixed on her, "what is your name?" Felix asked her, "Anastasia Sir" she said avoiding every glance that we might share, "no need for the long talks Felix, Miss Loud mouth, I'll be straight up with you, I need a wife and that is what you are applying for" I said to her and she burst out laughing, I actually thought i had defeated her but no she was back and I loved her spirit.

"So a man with all this fame can't get his own wife" She said and i smiled, she stared at me right now as she took up her things and was about to leave the office when i said "500 thousand naira every month for one year" she stopped and stared at me, Felix quietly stared at us not speaking "you see you already called me a kidnapper at least you won't have to work in that shit hole restaurant ever again, think about it and give me a call, here is my card" I said handing my card to her. She took it without saying a word as she left the office not looking back. "I want her and i must have her" I said to Felix who shook his head and didn't say anything.

I liked her, and I knew she would be back but the problem was when she would, I sat for a while with the glass of whisky in my hand to think about the fact that my dad got married young still had nothing to show for it apart from me, I was barely three when my mother left him and I was left to stay with him and my grandpa left all of his legacy to me after my father left the country, i basically grew up with just nannies and only knew my grandpa to be my father and the man is all I've got. I gulped in more glasses of the whisky and took my keys to go home, i needed my peace of mind right now, sometimes I think about why people get married if they only end up leaving the marriage earlier than they should if I was God I'll just cancel the union between man and woman, i drove home thinking about my problems and also thinking about the restaurant girl who is soon going to be my wife. Driving my phone rang and i ignored but it kept on ringing and I picked up the call surprised at the voice i heard, all I heard her say was, "we need to meet" she said "sure mama where do you want to me" I asked her "at the restaurant, I'll be off my shift soon" was all she said and she ended the call, I knew she would come around but i wasn't going to get my hopes high.

I told my mum about the proposal i got today and as a normal mum she kicked against it but i knew i was going to go through with it, we needed to get out of this mess we are in, love marriages sucked and i wasn't even interested in getting married.

On getting to the restaurant i called Linda to a corner "What is it?" She asked looking curious "ok I'll explain every single thing to you now" I took my time to explain to her how the incident of today went and she laughed at me almost falling to the fall "stop now, I'm serious" i said holding my laughter now, "babes you mean the job vacancy was actually a wife vacancy" she roared with laughter and I laughed with her "seriously what do you advice i do" I asked her and she was quite for a while and then she spoke "babes see ehn I'll be sincere, if i were you I'll go for it" she said, and i nodded and thought about it for a while "did you tell mumsy? and what did she say?" she asked "normal na, she said no, and said its a sin" i replied "but i think I'll go for it, i have suffered o this is an opportunity, 500 thousand naira per month, it would change our situation forever" I said "babes seriously i wish i was in your situation right now, why don't i do it and you look for another job" I laughed at my dear friend whose sense of humour was greater than my sadness "well my friend you are not, come on joor lets go in" I motioned her to come in.

It was 8pm and my shift was to end once it was 9pm so I called him asking him to meet me here at the restaurant because I didn't trust him at all, he was a flirt with the way he stared at me and the way he kissed me the other night. Once it was 9pm i stood outside waiting for his car and also for Linda to join me after five minutes Linda joined me and we waited for him together.

"Hop in so we can take a drive" He said as he honked "No Sir" I said pinching Linda who was dragging my hand for us to go to him "Come down so we could stand here to talk" I said to him "Oh i forgot i was going to kidnap you and use you for money ritual, Its so bad today isn't our meeting day" He said to me laughing "I don't trust you one bit Mr whatever" I said "fine you can come in with your friend" My eyes lightened up and i dragged Linda to the car "but she sits at the back" He said and I eyed him.

"So tell me why did you request to meet here?" He asked me almost coming close to me like he was trying to kiss me "you are such a man whore Mr man" I said as i slapped me on his face "now listen, I'll take up your offer but I'll have to draft out my conditions then we are all set" He laughed touching his face "You want to give me conditions?" He asked me looking more serious right now "yes i do else there will be no deal" He looked at Linda who was watching us like she was watching a telenovela and laughed "why do you want to give me conditions?" He asked "so I'll be sure you don't cross your limits or boundaries".

"Anastasia right? I pay you, not with your money but with mine, so if you really want to do this it would be on my terms and not yours...understood?" I was getting upset already at the fact that he just insulted me, "Linda lets go, you know where to find me and how to reach me if you are ready, Mr rich man" I said and came out from his car. "remember its 500 thousand for a month" He said and I bluntly snobbed him walking as though nobody was talking.

"Why did you do that Ana?" Linda asked on our way home "See ehn Babes if you don't get smart with men they will use your head" I said handing her the her share of the groundnuts we bought "so what conditions do you want to give him now?" I looked at her and smiled sheepishly "patience sweetie, patience, soon you'll find out because you will be my witness when the time comes" I said "My only issue now is how to convince my mother" I said when we got to my compound as we said our goodbyes, "I'll call you later ok" I said giving her a hug.

"Mummy good evening" i said pulling off my shoes "Evening welcome" I went in to get water to drink "Nne we need to talk" I stopped and suddenly prayed she doesn't talk about me not going through with the contract "ok mummy, talk to me" I said sitting close to her she held my hands in hers "I'm so sorry if I have ever made you feel tired of staying here, look sometimes i might be frustrating but I love you. I don't want you to get into anything that would be of danger to you, like marrying a stranger you don't know" She said and i suddenly felt pity for her because she was already crying I pulled her into me and hugged her consoling her "mummy I'm doing this for us ok, with this I'll be able to take care of you, and there would be a traditional payment of bride price, trust me I'll make sure of it" I said reassuring her "But Nne at least take a month or two to know him better" I could see fear in her eyes now and i felt for her "sure mummy I'll, and remember I'm 25 and I'm a big girl so trust me ok, In fact you are going to help me draw up the conditions I'll give to him" She got up went into her room and came out with a pen and paper and i laughed, because this was the first time in how many years I've seen my mother smile or laugh she was the only source of joy for me.

I ran out of the bathroom with water all over my body and soap almost entering inside my eyes "I've told you to always tie a towel whenever you run out of the shower Ana" my mother shouted from the room as i went to pick up my ringing phone, "hello" i said not looking at the I.D "how far has he called?" I finally took a look at the caller "you almost gave me a high B.P madam, no he has not called" I said disappointed because this call wasn't what i expected "then call him yourself" She said "hell no i won't babes, it would make me look cheap don't worry he is desperate, he would call" I said, "Ana you are still naked" my mother still shouting "are you really naked now?" Linda asked me laughing "i ran out of the shower to pick up your call so what do you think, besides Mummy its just the both of us in this house" i said also laughing "did she agree?" she asked "sure she has she even helped me draw out the conditions, I'm cold now babes I'll call you once he calls, goodnight" I said and hung up and ran back into the bathroom to complete my bathing.

I was done bathing and was busy playing a game with my phone when his call came in, it rang the first time i ignored and the second till it got to the fourth. "hi" I said after i picked up "hello, small person" he said "don't call me that again" he laughed, i could see he was making fun of me but that was his business "why is our royal majesty calling me?" I asked him "I want you at my office tomorrow at exactly 8:00am" He said "is that supposed to be an order or a plea" i asked him "not only do you have a loud mouth, you are also very stubborn Anastasia" was all he could say and i almost laughed out loud "are you going to say please or do I hang up?" I asked him "fine, please Miss Anastasia, would you come by the office tomorrow at exactly 8:00am" I laughed at this rude beast beginning to get tamed "sure I'll be there, good night". I said and hung up. I texted Linda shortly after i hung up the call with Mr Nelson asking her to accompany me to his office tomorrow morning, i slept off soon after texting and that was one of the most peaceful sleep I had ever had in years.