Married To The Confused Billionaire

"I wish I had an alternative," the twenty-one-year-old miserable Rose lamented and scanned the goods in her scanty country store. Her eyes were wet at once, as they often do each time she thought of her late mother, and her compulsory summer internship which would warrant her to lock her shop for that period.

"How would I sustain myself if I...?"

"Hey! Do you have any flour that is lower in calories?" A shopper, who was in his twenties, requested and interrupted her thoughts. The repulsive voice jolted her out of her reverie, and she repressed her tears of helplessness before she smiled at the shopper. Then, she inquired, "Do you mean unripe plant ago flour?"

"Whatever. Do you have it?" The domineering son of the Group Managing Director of the Blue Sea Oil and Gas Group demanded cursorily. Meanwhile, he did not miss the opportunity to admire the beautiful, but poorly dressed damsel in front of him.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any," Rose pacified. Before she could complete her sentence, he was out of her store walked into his bucket of bolts, and drove away.

"What an arrogant man," she mumbled. The scanty store was operated by her mother until she passed on two months ago, and the management of the store rested naturally on her. Now, she looked away from the annoying car of the rude buyer, and hissed, "So what, if he is handsome." Then she walked back to her seat and faced her books. Likewise, she flipped through the pages to start her assignment. Suddenly, another shopper, Mrs. Sarah Owens, a beautiful woman about fort five years, old who looked calm like her late mother, walked in, and called out, "Hello, young lady."

Now, Rose looked up and saw a woman who reminded her of her mother and was startled.

"Good day, ma'am. How may I help you?" she greeted, with a broad smile. Now, she was off her seat and walked to the door to meet the client. Without responding to her greetings, the desperate Mrs. Owens requested, "I need two bags of unripe plant ago flour." Likewise, she ran her eyes through the mini shop. Now, Rose was despondent, and informed, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't have it, and I don't sell it, either."

At that point, the disappointed buyer gave her a dirty look as though it was an offense not to have what she wanted.

"Why don't you have it?" She asked angrily. Now, Rose was touched, and she asked further, "If I may ask, are you diabetic or something?" Before now, Sarah prepared her stuff by herself, but her mother's impromptu visit caught her unawares, and she resorted to searching for it in a suburb.

"Answer me, and stop asking questions. Do you have it?" She yelled and vented her disappointment, and her mother's ailment, to her. Now, Rose was frightened because she could not believe that her simple question could trigger such a reaction from the educated and calm-looking woman.

"Ah em no madam, but I can ...," she stammered. Nevertheless, Sarah ignored her and walked away in dejection. "Have a nice day, ma'am," she waved at the frustrated woman, who was already far away from her.

"Why is everyone looking for unripe Plantago flour today, and what did I do wrong to warrant her anger?" Rose asked herself. Then, she walked back to her seat to continue with her schoolwork, but to her chagrin, she could not concentrate.

"She looks like mom," she told herself and stared at the door. "She must be desperately in need of it," she envisaged and reminisced about the days when her mother experienced blood sugar spikes. She would crave any diet that would lower it.

"If only I knew how to contact her, I would prepare some for her," she declared with regret. Her mother suffered and died of blood sugar-related disease, and she was conversant with how to prepare her meal, which was mostly unripe Plantago.

"All the same, I will prepare a quick one tonight and keep it for her in case she checks back," she resolved and picked up her pen and book. After a few minutes, other buyers walked in, and she attended to them. Meanwhile, she was accustomed to the disturbances that she encountered from buyers during her studies, but she would always scale through.

At the Residential Area of the Blue Sea Oil and Gas Group

Mrs. Sarah Owens was the wife of the Group Managing Director, Mr. Evans Owens, and the proprietress of the Brainfields Academy. She returned to the Residential Area very dissatisfied. She had searched for her stuff in the RA's mall, but could not get one.

"Mama would make do with what I have," she resolved after her driver parked, and she walked into her house.

"Good evening, Mrs. Owens," the janitor greeted.

"Good evening," she replied without interest and walked into the kitchen.

"Good evening, Mrs. Owens," the chef greeted.

"Thank you. I can't find my mother's food. Go ahead and prepare dinner for everyone," she informed her chef.

"I got it, Mrs. Owens," the chef responded, and thereafter, she walked to her bedroom. Likewise, she sat on the bed and pulled her shoes. Then, she heaved, "Oh! What a day," and rested her back on the bed. Now, she stared at the ornate ceiling and pondered over all her activities for the day, and the thought of Rose gave her concern.

"Poor girl. I must have been hard on her," she pointed out in regret. Now, she could picture the scene at the shop, and the frightened look on her face.

"Oh! Despite my yelling, she was still calm, and cheerful. I will visit her tomorrow, and apologize for my outburst," she decided and rested on. Subsequently, her husband walked in and met her exhausted, and looking worried, then he inquired, "What's up, my dear?"

She tried to get up from the bed to hug him, but he stopped her, "You are exhausted," he indicated and lay beside her. Likewise, she gave him a faint smile, and greeted, "Welcome back, hubby. How was your day?" At that moment, her husband gave her a searching look, before he responded, "Thank you. My day was fine. And yours?"

"Fine. Have you seen my mother?" Sarah asked. Instantly, her husband's face beamed. Then, he sat up from the bed, and requested, "When did she come?"

"I can't say the time, but I met her at home when I returned from school."

"Wow! Mother-in-law and her impromptu visits," he exclaimed.

"You got it. I have looked for her food around, and found none."

"Oh! No. You must have been stressed up. Did you check the suburbs?"

"Yes. I did, but it was fruitless, too. I will check again tomorrow."

"It's all right. Cheer up."

"Thank you. What about George and Benson? Did you come with them?"

"Nope. George went to work with his bucket of bolts, and would not return with me."

"You are correct."

Nevertheless, her husband's presence gave her some boost, and she cheered up. She helped him to pull off his shoes, and afterward, they rested before the dinner. However, he was happy to see his mother-in-law when they walked to the guest room to welcome her.

"Welcome, mother-in-law," Evans greeted.

"Thank you, son. I can see that you are good," his mother-in-law responded.

"Yes. I'm fine."

"That's good."

At the Dinner Table

The couple was at the dining table when George, their successor, and Benson Owens, Evans' nephew, joined them.

"Good evening, Mom and Dad," they greeted one after the other.

"Good evening, George and Benson," the couple responded simultaneously. Now they were seated, and George looked at his grandmother, who was sitting opposite him. Then George spoke, "Welcome once again, grandma. Unfortunately, I could not get your stuff. I searched for it in the suburbs, but was not lucky."

"Did you search for it too?" His mother asked at once.

"Yes, mom. I got back from work earlier and met her, and I decided to drive around and get her food."

"That is thoughtful of you, George, I did the same thing, but my search was fruitless."

"It's okay. I will make do with what I have. Thank you for your efforts," Grandma responded. Thereafter, they had their dinner silently.

The Next day.

Just as Mrs. Owens was thinking of pacifying Rose, she was also thinking of how to quell her anger and disappointment. Although Mrs. Owens was unnecessarily angry, she did not hold it against her. She was conversant with the stress of managing an ailment. After she closed her shop that evening, she bought some plantains, and when she got home, she prepared it just the way she did for her late mother. Although it was stressful because she was determined to placate her mother's look-alike and client, she was unperturbed.

"I pray that she comes around today," she wished while leaving her house in the morning. Based on her school timetable for that day, she had to go to her shop and open for some sales before she left for school. Subsequently, she returned to her shop after her lectures for that day. Not long, Mrs. Owens, who just got off work, arrived, and she was happy to see her.

"Good day, madam," she greeted cheerfully. Now, Sarah was surprised at the warm smile on her face. She expected to see a hostile or withdrawn salesgirl. To daze her further, she announced, "Here we are, ma'am," she declared and showed her the stuff.

"The unripe Plantago you requested for yesterday," she explained.

Now, Sarah was excited. She stretched out her hand, and asked, "How come you have it today? Yesterday, you said you don't sell it, and today..."

"You are right, ma'am. I took the pain to prepare it for you," Rose interrupted.

"Oh! Really, why the pain?" Sarah, who had collected the packs from her, asked calmly.

Now, tears had gathered in Rose's eyes, and she tried to fight them back.

"Never mind, ma'am, just have them," she sobbed. Suddenly, a customer walked in, and she hurriedly attended to him while Sarah observed her calm mien.

"What's the problem? I hope I have not caused you pain?" She inquired with concern after the customer left.

"Not at all, ma'am. It's just that you remind me of my mother. Just have them, and have a nice day," Rose declared and dried the tears that flowed down her cheeks with her palms. Now, Sarah, who came to apologize to her, was distraught. She thought that she was upset because she was hard on her the previous day. Likewise, she apologized at once, "I apologize for being hard on you yesterday, my dear. I hope you understand."

Now, Rose was impressed by her level of humility. She looked into her eyes with delight, and stopped her, "Not at all, ma'am. You were not hard on me. I could feel your disappointment, ma'am."

Now, Sarah was transfixed. She wondered why a girl, who ought to be offended by her, would go out of her way to be courteous to her.

"It is okay. I'm glad that you understand."

"Consider it as nothing, ma'am."

"By the way, what is my bill?" She asked. Now, Rose locked eyes with her in astonishment, and made clear, "You have not made any purchase. Which bill are you talking about?"

Nevertheless, Sarah looked at the stuff in her hand, before she faced her, and responded, "I am talking about the bill for the flour."

"Oh!" She exclaimed, and stated, "Never mind. It's from me to you."

"Oh! My God. I'm grateful for this. Let me run along," she announced and happily walked out.

"Have a pleasant evening, ma'am," Rose greeted and concentrated on her studies.

"What a nice girl," Sarah mumbled after she took her seat in the car, and looked at the shop again.

"Let's go," she ordered her driver.

A Week Later

Sarah was delighted to have the flour which had stabilized her mother's health. Now, her mother was ready to return to her native home, and she needed to give her enough. To patronize Rose, she decided to contact her to do that. Subsequently, she visited her.

At the Suburb

It was a few weeks for her to leave for her internship, yet, she was undecided about her shop. Locking it up until further notice would not have been a problem if she had other means of meeting her needs.

"Life! How will I cope?" She bewailed. Nevertheless, destiny gave her the answer to the question at once. Instantly, Mrs. Owen walked in contentedly, and called out, "Hello, young girl."

Now, the moody Rose looked up and cheered up when her eyes fell on the visitor.

"Good day, ma'am. I'm delighted to see you again," she greeted.

"Good day, my dear. I'm delighted to see you, too. Thank you so much for your gift the other day."

"You are welcome. I hope you love it?"

"Certainly, and that is why I have come for more."

"That won't be a problem, but you would give me days to put it together."

"You don't need to worry about that. I will need it three days from now."

"That's good," Rose accepted merrily. Nevertheless, she cast a concerned look at Sarah, who was trying to make payment for the stuff with her phone, and inquired, "How do you feel now? I hope your blood sugar levels stabilized?"

"The flour was for my mother. Yes, she was relieved. Thank you, once again."

"It is my pleasure, ma'am."

"Can I have your account details for the transfer? How much will it cost you to prepare ten kilograms?"

"It wouldn't cost much because this is the season."

"You are correct. Give me your details," she requested while her attention was on her phone. Howbeit, she transferred a reasonable sum after she made her details available.

"Wow! This is much," Rose exclaimed when she got the payment. Mrs. Owens gave her a warm smile and changed the discussion.

"You are a nice girl, Rose," she pointed out. Subsequently, Rose smiled bashfully, and appreciated, "Thank you for the compliment ma'am. You have been standing, kindly take a seat," she offered, and pulled her reading chair to the entrance for her.

"Thank you, dear," she greeted and sat on the funny-looking chair. Suddenly, two shoppers walked in, she attended to them happily. Thereafter, Sarah inquired, "If I may ask, are you an attendant, or is this your family business?"

"It is my family business, ma'am."

Now, she looked at the store and imagined how the scanty shop could support a family. All the same, she was expressionless, and commended, "That is good. How about your parents? I can't remember seeing them."

Now, she observed that her countenance failed, and wondered why. Meanwhile, tears had gathered in her eyes, and she could not pretend about it.

"You are in pain, my dear. What is the matter?" Mrs. Owens requested with concern. Then, Rose composed, and explained, "I lost my mother two months ago. She died exactly a year after my father died."

"My goodness! Was she ill?"

"Yes ma'am. She had sugar disease, and died as a result of improper health care."

"Oh dear, accept my condolences, my dear," she sympathized.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Permit me to ask what about the other members of your family? I mean your siblings?"

Now, Rose bit her lower lip hard and allowed her tears to flow freely.

"I need vanilla sweet," a mother with a baby requested. Without a second thought, Sarah, who felt disturbed, dismissed her, "Sorry, it's not available."

The disappointed woman left at once with her baby for another store. Then, she faced Rose, and consoled, "Kindly stop crying. It's not good for your health."

"Thank you, ma'am. I have a sibling, but she was abducted by people we are yet to discover. I found her body by the roadside a few days after her disappearance."

Now, Sarah showed anger when she discovered that she must be under attack and resolved to help her get justice.

"Your family must be under attack," she pointed out.

"I thought as much, ma'am. That is why I relocated to this suburb to enable me to complete my school."

"School? Are you a student?"

"Yes, ma'am. At the Unity University."

"I see. How do you cope with your school?" Sarah asked and surveyed her shop again.

"That's a long story. I had to change to this environment where I couldn't be traced. Besides, I had to make ends meet to ensure that I fulfill my parents' dream."

"It's a pity. You must have gone through a lot. How do you cope with the store and your school?"

"It has not been easy, but I have been coping. I will leave for my summer internship in a couple of days. That is where I have a challenge."

"I see. So, what happens to the shop when you leave for your internship?" Sarah asked with concern.

"I don't have any choice than to lock up pending when I return."

"Or get a sales girl. Otherwise, the perishable goods will go bad while some may expire."

Now, Rose showed disapproval, and Sarah declared, "I know your fears. The Shop Attendant may not be committed. Am I right?"

"You got it."

"It's okay. I will help you monitor the shop. Will that make you happy?"

"Yes. Ma'am, you have made my day," she pointed out with relief. Now, her sorrowful eyes brightened up, and she appreciated, "Thank you so much."

Mrs. Owens cheered up too, and promised, "Never mind. If you permit me, from now on, you can count on me. I will try as much as possible to fill the vacuum that your late mother left behind."

"I can't wait to see that happen. Thank you so much, ma'am."

"Think nothing about it. I will run along. I will see you again for my mother's flour."

"It is all right. Goodbye," the relieved Sarah walked to the car and joined her driver. Rose, who could not contain her joy, stood at the door and waved happily until her car vanished.

"Wow! Fortune had smiled on me after all," she chuckled.

4 The Union 3