Marriage Contact: Bounded To Him

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

KUNLE COMPANY'S

Adeola, a young black woman from Africa. Dressed in a pink blouse and black skirt. Her long plated hair falling on her back down to her waist. She's seated close to her desk, her brown eyes glued to her computer screen, the only sound in the room was the sound of the keyboard. "done" she said relaxing her back to her chair.

Almost immediately she turned to the left side of the office. There is Bimpe, a slim young lady, is sitting quietly very close to her desk doing some tasks assigned to her. She's such a damsel, her brown eyes, were facing her computer screen, her hands moving here and there on the keyboard, all on her desk. She is a back woman form Africa. Her short plated hair lying on her shoulder. Dressed in a short blue gown

"Hey, girl, so what about our last discussion." Adeola said to Bimpe drinking from a bottle water. Bimpe glanced at her and continue typing "are you not the one I'm talking to?" she questioned, but obviously, there were no answers. "Ok, I will leave you,"

She stood up from her sit, she moved to the left side of the office. There is Michelle. Michelle is a white lady, dressed in a yellow gown. Her long curly brown hair lying on her back. She was going through some files on her desk, where also is a set of computer.

Before she could reach to Michelle desk Bimpe said, without looking at her. "Thanks for doing that, because currently I'm busy,"

Adeola looked back and said with her hands on her hips "So you can talk now. Whatever, I only wanted a better life for you but I think you don't want it, obviously"

"Yes, you don't want it. You just need a fucking marriage for this, you will become a fucking citizen" Michelle said as Bimpe got distracted and started to shake her head. Adeola is now sitting on the edge of Michelle's desks.

"Or maybe, she's scared of marriage. There are better ways, you can go to the club, get drunk then someone will hit you. Or hook up for a night and get pregnant " Adeola said as they both burst into laughter. They really weren't making gist of her. They were good hearted ones, they meant no harm to her. Their uncontrollable laughter fill the office, the sound was gradually reducing.

"So what? See girls, I can't leave my boyfriend and get married to someone I know nothing about" They finally stopped when they heard Bimpe trying bill herself out of the mess.

"See, this is where you are getting everything mixed up and wrong, you can find a young man, and become friends, later tell him about it. Or.... I have a person you can go to, that's her business, she always has a client that wants a contract wedding" Adeola suggested.

"Yes, the client will pay you money and free accommodation and he will play the role of a fucking husband. Girl wake up" Michelle said with her voice higher than usual. She now close the file and turned to Bimpe finally. Their eyes were glued to Bimpe like an ant to sugar.

"See girl, your parents sent you here to find a job, you are their hope, girl. It's your responsibility to take care of them, do you want them to think about their past" Adeola said trying to make her remember her purpose of coming to the USA.

"I know, they are my responsibility," Bimpe said as her body couldn't move, her hands stopped moving and she buried her head down, she begins to share tears. After Bimpe graduation from a government university in Nigeria, with a first class in Accounting.

Her parent were so proud of her, she started to look for job after finishing her NYSC, Nigeria youth service corps. But she couldn't find a job that's suits her. They were lacking in her family. Her dad is a retired civil service worker, he is waiting for his gratuity and pension.

Her mom in the other hand, she's also a civil servant, she had used her salary to take loans form several Banks to Sponsor Bimpe to the USA, also for her siblings school fee. They were in hard time.

"Hey girlfriend you don't need to cry, what we've been saying, it's for your benefit, you need to think about it," Adeola said as she and Michelle walked to her and they hugged her tightly. Not like Adeola. She is from an average class family. She was only there to secure her future and to be self dependent.

Michelle release Bimpe to be pampered by Adeola as she said "It's lunchtime, let's go,"

"You like food ohhhh," Bimpe said as she burst into an uncontrollable laughter and wiping away her tears.

"Too much," Adeola said as they joined her in the laughter.

"You all know I like food, so stop blabbering let's go," Michelle said.

LOCAL FOOD RESTAURANTS

Adeola lead the way in, she suddenly stopped, she glanced at the place for a bit then she move to the left side of the room. They took a sit not far from the entrance. Adeola called the waitress. She came quickly, gave her the manual.

She went through it and said. "give us pounded yam and egusi soup"

"for us" Michelle said looking at Adeola with a Squeezed face. She continued "give me fried rice and chicken"

" Wait...try it, I promise you, you will thank us" Bimpe said

"Ok you will pay for it" Michelle said to Bimpe.

"Yes.....s" she said thinking a bit.

"Yes, we promise" Adeola said. Bimpe couldn't say a word because she wasn't having much on her, Adeola could understand what Bimpe meant by her long 'yes'. The waitress left after Michelle agreed to have the meal.

After some moment, the food had been served.

Michelle asked "so how do I eat this now"

"rinse your hands and follow my leads" Bimpe said

"Okay" Michelle said rinsing her hands. Adeola couldn't wait, she had already started eating.

After swallowing some of it. Adeola noticed Michelle shaking her head so vigorously she asked "why are you shaking your head?"

"Hummm, the food is delicious," Michelle said licking her hands without stopping.

"I told you to take the African dish," Adeola said. Bimpe didn't even say a word. All she did was she was there motionless.

"What's wrong with you," Michelle asked frowning a bit.

"Nothing, I was only thinking about what you guys told me," she said. She was lost in thought.

"You don't have to think too much about it, when you get home. Think about it and not now and here" Adeola said.

"Okay," she said.

"There's nothing to think about, it just for you to find a partner that is ready to pay," Michelle said.

"Yeah, that's true" Adeola included.

"Everything is not about money," Bimpe said as she is trying to eat out of the food.

"Yes but you need money," Michelle said as she took some meat to eat.

"Yes the money" Adeola said as she drink some water.

"Ok let's forget about it," Bimpe said reluctantly. They left after they finished their lunch.

LEWIS RESIDENCE

Earlier, Bimpe was a bit gentle and shy when she got to the office. She never talked to her office mate except from the good morning and good night greetings for a week.

Adeola been a cheerful and friendly soul, ahe will go to her whenever she was done with the work of the day. Maybe because they both were from the same country.

Michelle never cared, to Bimpe she was an arrogant personnel. Adeola was the one who made them friends.

Michelle wasn't proud to her whenever she needs help but keeping quiet always was frustrating for her.

Adeola forces her to talk in the office, whenever she was done with her work for the day, Bimpe prefer putting her head on the desk to have a deep thinking, about her family situation which was threatening to her.

Thanks to this wonderful Adeola, whom let her pour out her problems by force. It true that 'a problem shared, is half solved' maybe she would have died in her silence.

Bimpe was going through a lot with her landlord, she couldn't pay her house rent, cos she had sent part of her salary to her mother for her dad hospital bills. Adeola talked to Michelle about the situation surrounding Bimpe.

Michelle was the type that have sympathy for her fellow human. Adeola told Bimpe to explain to her herself. Michelle told her to come to their house so her dad could see her.

Whatever Michelle tells her dad he does. Michelle was a stubborn one, she gets whatever she wanted.

It's really hard when a family depends on you. She becomes so bothered at work. Michelle noticed her dullness, sadness and she was also distracted.

Michelle talked to her to calm down that her situation was under control. Bimpe asked "will she ever talk to her father about it. It's taking forever"

Adeola replied "I'm sure" The following day Michelle came to Bimpe's house. It was on their day off for the month, except Adeola. Michelle delivered her dad's message to Bimpe, and she moved in with her the following day.

Adeola was already living with Michelle and her parents, but Adeola got a marriage contract she had been expecting for about a month now. She got married a week after Bimpe moved in to the Lewis residence.

Bimpe was in the room, where she and Adeola stayed when she was still around. She was sitting on a cushioned chair, relaxing. After she had just taken bath, and having some snacks, she had not putting on any clothes but her tower round her chest.

Her phone made a buzzing noise from the stool near her, about putting a piece of chocolate in her mouth. She glanced at it, her head fell down to her hands which was supported by her knees. it was her mother calling. She reluctantly took the phone, on the stool near the chair. The call ended, and she dialed her number again after some minute.

"Hey mum, how are you doing ma?" She said, forming a fake smile on her face. Her eyes betrayed her, it was a video. Her mother could see all this but she kept quiet, she didn't want to make things worse

"My child, I'm fine, and what about you" Her mother questioned.

"I'm fine ma, don't worry about me. I'm always fine" her mum nodded severally " what of papa?" She questioned almost immediately her mom stopped nodding.

"He's getting better, but we need some money for his treatment, and drugs the doctor prescribed for him."She explained, her face was a bit frowned. Bimpe father had been suffering from heart attack when he heard about a fire outbreak at his little poultry. He has been managing this poultry for long after he got retired. This really helped the family when in need of money. This lead to his sudden illness.

"ok ma, I will get it by the end of this week" she assured her mother.

"how about your work, hope it's not stressful" she questioned. She answered a bit late, she was thinking about how she would get the money she had already promised her mother.

"yes mum, how about Yinka and Ayo education,"

"I just paid some of it, but we need more," she said with her face looking down, not at the screen of her phone. She placed her hand on her head.

"Ok ma, no problem. I will get some of it also" there was silence " huh" she broke the silence "where is dad"

"he's still in the hospital, he will be discharged tomorrow morning"

"My regards to everyone over there ma, also dad" she said as her hand climbing to the red light on her phone screen.

"ok bye, my regards to your friends, we will talk later" she said. Do she know Bimpe's mind, maybe it was because she had nothing else to say or ask. The last time Bimpe mother called her, she cut the call after a short silence which almost break the cord between her and her mother "she hanged up no me because she doesn't have our time anymore!, was my questions to much? were we asking to much from her?". She kept asking herself this questions until Ayo, Bimpe's brother convinced her "it was a network failure because of the bad weather" This really worked for the day, Bimpe wouldn't have tried it again.

"ok ma, byeeee" she waved at the screen, and her mum nodded twice. She started to think after all. She really need help which was money. The only way she could have this as her slave now is to agree to what her friends has kept emphasis on, since all this days.

'Mr. Lewis, can you lend me some money till next week' she said scratching the back of her neck.

'go pack your things and leave this house now' Mr Lewis said in anger.

'sir please, okay I don't want the money any longer' she said as she was kneeling. She shake her head "I was thinking" she said looking around "I thought it was real. That's exactly what he will do If I dare ask him for money. He accepted me into his house, not collecting a dime from me and I should go again begging for money. That's not good"

Many questions kept coming to her mind the more she kept pouring them out. But all her suggestions had a rule which it goes against.

'sir or ma can I get my salary in advance'

'okay' he or she picks up his intercom 'hello come and throw away this shit in my office' he or she said as his or her fingers were pointed straight at Bimpe. She fell to he knees and begin to cry. "I don't even know my boss gender. I don't how you will work for this months without knowing the one you are working for, everything is frustrating" she said falling her body finally to the warm chair. "No I can't get my salary in advance except I've spent five years of loyal and honest work. Oahu! What should I do? Should I go for a cleaning job? No, it's against the rules of my work"

'so you are a cleaner, miss Bimpe so you are a cleaner, the boss must know about this' a young lady said as she saw her. She brought out her phone, she snapped several pictures of bimpe then left.

'please' she said standing up. Bimpe couldn't follow her

"yes, I agreed to contract marriage. Okay, I agree, contract marriage. Let me call Adeola about it" she stood up moved gently towards the phone on the bed.

"Hey girl, where are you?" she questioned Adeola, as she sat on the bed.

"Hey girl, I'm at home with my fake husband. Where are you too?" she interrogated.

"I'm at home." They was a brief silence. "About what you told me earlier, I have agreed" she said scratching the back of her neck at the same time. She was making a video call.

"what have you just said? You agreed. Who convinced you? I'm sure, someone talked to you about it" Adeola said at the top of her voice, with smile on her face.

"what do you mean? No one talked to me about it. I decided to take the action, that's all"

"Okay, I hope you've thought about it," Adeola said.

" Hum hum, yes " she hummed.

"ok come over to my place tomorrow," Adeola said.

"Okay bye," she said.

"Yes bye," Adeola said.

LEWIS RESIDENCE

Third Room

Bimpe was still in bed. Her eyes was closed, with her blanket on her firmly, she was hiding in it. Immediately she heard the alarm from her phone which was on the edge of the bed. She raised her back from the bed with the support of her hands, pushing away the blanket from her.

"It morning already" she said with her face turned to the window looking outside, she couldn't see anything outside. She pulled the blanket back to herself. Lying back to the bed.

She took the phone to check the time, it was half pass four. She hissed placed the phone back as she pull the blanket over her head. Bimpe was woken up by her phone again, she opened her eyes but she closed them. After the sound stops then it started again. "Is it the alarm" she said from inside the blanket opening her eyes "no it can't be" she stretched out her hand from the blanket reaching the phone, it was Adeola calling her. Immediately she saw five missed calls she came out of the blanket sitting, her back was supported by the wall. She called back

"hello, are you in the midnight over there, is it not morning yet?" Adeola said at the top of her voice.

Bimpe said very low "I had a long night"

"in every condition you find yourself, you will always fine an excuse" they both were muted for some seconds "are you still interested in it"

"What is that"

"you too dey forget things ooo"

"just remind me now"

"Okay, the contract"

"Okay, I will join you at your house soon"

"okay babe, come quickly"

"Okay" she hanged up the call, she stood from the bed, stretching her hands backward and her lower back forward, while standing on her toes. She entered the bathroom.

After about thirty minutes she came out with her white tower on, wrapped around her chest and a shower cap on her head, which her hair was packed in. Bimpe was dressed neatly and smart, in a blue jean trousers and blue jean jacket with a white inner. She looked at herself in the mirror and said " ready to go ."

Living room

She climbed down the stairs. The room was a bit small, neatly furniture and organized. Mr. Lewis was seated a chair opposite the TV which it backside were facing the stairs. Mr Lewis was a middle age man, in his fifties with grey hair and having bald. Beside him was his son, Felix, Michelle elder brother, an handsome dude, in his late twenties, he always admired Bimpe a lot but he doesn't have the mind to approach her.

They looked behind to see who it was, she greeted "good morning sir"

"Good morning" Mr Lewis answered, Felix was hiding his feelings from her, all days he never treated her like an human, but rather like a shit. "good morning Felix"

"good morning" he answered after some seconds after been forced by his father. His father pinched his waist.

"sir is Michelle around?" she asked.

"she left earlier this morning to the mall"

"Okay sir, what of Mrs. Lewis?" she asked still standing.

"she went to work earlier today" Mr Lewis answered again, Felix didn't even care to look at her, rather his eyes were glued to the TV screen.

"sir I will be back soon, if not I will call Michelle to inform her"

"okay, take care dear" she moved out of the house.

OUTSIDE LEWIS CCOMPOUND.

The sun was coming out gradually from his hide out to play. She moved so quickly into the street, she tried to cross quickly to the other side of the street, She rushed into the road without looking around if any car was coming her way. She was in a hurry to get to Adeola, because she just called her some few minutes ago, threateningly. She was almost knocked down by a car. The driver hit the break so hard to stop. She stood in front of the car in shock, the man pressed the horn, she looked around her she was still in the same planet, Earth. She moved away from the car way. She stood by the other side of the street. She started to beg.

"I'm sorry sir please forgive me"

"Are you fucking blind? If you want to die, go and fucking die at your father's house. Rubbish" he said angrily, she felt embarrassed, because everyone on the street was staring at her.

SHOLA'S RESIDENCE

She got to Adeola's house not quite long. Adeola was busy making breakfast for her husband, Shola. She pressed the button at the door. Adeola's husband opened the door, not quite long. She greeted him immediately she saw him. He also greeted her back. "good morning sir"

"Good morning"

There was silence for some seconds, without a word coming out there mouths, Shola was staring at her, her faced looking at the floor then she said "where is my friend?"

"she's in the kitchen" she nodded "hum, come in," he said with some gesture, pulling the door opened wide.

"Yes," she said moving into the house. The house was well furnished, neatly organized, and beautiful not like the last time she visited there. She exclaimed "wow" it was low that's Shola didn't notice, with her mouth opened wide. Her friend came out of the kitchen after Shola called her that her friend is around looking for her. Shola left to his room.

"Hey friend, how are you doing? Adeola said cleaning her hands with a tower, she dropped it at the dinning table.

"I'm fine, what of you too?" she said looking around the house.

"I'm fine, and what are you staring at?" she questioned, with a cute smile on her cute face.

"Sit down," she said tapping the chair, she sat down. "Babe, the last time I came into this house, it was not furnished and there was no artwork like this, what is happening?"

"See, that's what I've been telling you, he's the one that bought all of this from his salary. He is the one that cloth's me and gives me money" she explained.

"Girl you are lucky oh!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, God will let you find someone that will take good care of you, like me" she prayed.

"Amen, so when are we going?" she asked.

"I'm almost done, we'll get going now. Just give me some minutes" she said.

"Okay," she said, Adeola went back to the kitchen. Bimpe relaxed on the chair. After some minute, Adeola came out of her room, moving towards bimpe on the chair smiling to her phone. Adeola was always cute in any out fit she puts on. Dress in a black top and Jean trousers with a blue jacket on it.

"I'm ready so let's get going,"

"Okay let's go," she said. They moved out of the house. Adela took one of her husband's cars, which she always use.

BIMBO'S RESIDENCE

Adeola knocks on the door. Bimpe moved near to the window. She had some arguments going on, from inside the house.

"I think some people are arguing Inside the house" she said pointing at the window.

"What?!" she exclaimed.

"come," she said with some gesture. She moved to the window, she placed her hears near it.

"Let me call her, that I'm outside with my friend," she said in a search for her phone in her bag "found it" bringing out her phone. "hello ma, I'm outside with my friend,"

"Okay, come in the door is not locked," Bimbo said from inside the house.

"Okay ma," she said and hanged up. They enter the house. Bimpe saw the man that almost knocked her down earlier that day. They exchange pleasantries. Bimpe thought he was trying to pretend that he doesn't know her or maybe he has forgotten.

"so, this is my friend she wants a marriage contract. Are you having anyone interested?" Adeola asked.

"Yes," Bimbo said.

"is he the client," Adeola said pointing at the man sitting next to Mrs. Bimbo. With Bimpe's face pale and staring deadly at him.

"Yes" Bimbo said.

"If he is the client, then I'm not interested. If you have any other client, then call my friend" Bimpe said, she stood up and left.