UNEXPECTED TURN

" Martin! Martin!! Martin!!! I'm talking to you, what did you mean by you can't hurt her? You can't hurt her but you want to hurt me, right?" Evelyn said angrily after Martin as they walked into the bedroom.

" Evelyn, please calm down," Martin said as he tried to hold her but she pushed him away.

" Don't tell me that! Don't tell me to calm down, Martin; you want to divorce me to be with her?" Evelyn asked, looking furious.

" Evelyn, believe me, I wouldn't be doing this if I had an option," Martin said calmly.

" You have an option, Martin; she can't keep walking in and out of your life," Evelyn said angrily.

" She's here to stay this time, she has promised," Martins said.

" Wow! But you told me you love me, Martin. Have you been lying to me all this while?" Evelyn asked, almost tearing up.

" I never lied to you. I meant it when I said I love you, I love you, Evelyn." Martin said, trying to hold her but she flared up.

" Don't touch me! You love me yet you're about to divorce me to go be with a lady who keeps walking in and out of your life?" Evelyn asked.

" She has promised to stay this time," Martin said.

" Shut the fuck up! Why did you make me fall in love with you when you knew you were going to go back to her?" Evelyn asked in tears.

" I'm sorry, but I can't end things with her; I will be on the losing end, and you know it," Martin said calmly.

" I don't care! I won't sign any divorce papers when you bring them to me." Evelyn said firmly.

" Evelyn, what are you saying? Our initial agreement was to get a divorce after three years of marriage, and I'll pay you off; it's three years already." Martin said angrily.

" Yes, that was the agreement before you made me fall in love; I never wanted this, you assured me that this thing between us is real and it's for eternal. So, what are you saying?" Evelyn yelled.

" Evelyn, why are you being so selfish and inconsiderate? She has threatened to tell my dad the truth, and you know what that means; I'll lose all my inheritance if my father finds out that I've been lying to him all this while." Martin explained.

" Really? So, how do you think he will feel if he finds out we're getting a divorce? Isn't it the same thing?" Evelyn asked.

" No, it isn't the same thing. We'll go with the initial plan: you tell him that you've fallen out of love with me, and I'll pretend to be sad seeing you go. We'll have a heated argument in his presence, I'm sure that we can convince him that you've truly fallen out of love with me." Martin said

" Then, what happens to me?" Evelyn asked tearfully.

" I'll pay you off like we agreed," Martin said.

" Wow! I can't believe I fell in love with a weakling." Evelyn said.

" Don't call me a weakling!" Martin yelled.

" You're a weakling, Martin; you're not just a weakling; you're also a deceiver. You deceived me, you made me believe that you truly love me." Evelyn said.

" Evelyn! My inheritance and reputation are at stake here, what do you expect me to do?"

" I expect you to do what a real man will do," Evelyn said

" Which is?" Martin asked, looking confused.

" Tell your father the truth and we'll be together for life," Evelyn said

Martin laughed and said;

" So you think it's that easy, then? You don't know my father better than I do. He won't spare me; that man is strict, and he detests lies a lot. He will cut me off completely." Martin said.

" He's your father, you're his only son. He won't cut you off if he realises that we're truly in love. He will forgive you." She said softly.

" Evelyn, let's just stick to the initial plan." Martin disagreed.

" Which is? Please remind me again." Evelyn asked, acting like who was lost.

" Divorce you after three years of marriage and I get married to Helen," Martin said.

" Where was she when you needed her the most?" Evelyn asked furiously.

" She wasn't ready for marriage then, but my dad was too persistent, and that made Helen and I conclude paying someone to act as my fiance; we'll get married, and after three years, we will go our separate ways," Martin explained.

" I know the plan from the onset but I never planned to fall in love along the line, I agreed to act as a wife because I needed the money then, you made me fall in love with you and now you want to discard me when you know I have nobody or nowhere to go to?" Evelyn said tearfully.

" I'll pay you off, I'll pay you more than we agreed initially," Martin said.

" Money is not everything!" Evelyn yelled.

" And love is not enough either," Martin said firmly.

" Really? What if I help you tell your dad the whole truth?" Evelyn said, looking straight into his eyes.

" You will do no such thing, Evelyn!" Martin yelled.

" Then dare me," Evelyn said firmly.

" I won't dare you. What do you intend to gain, after telling my dad?" Martin asked, grabbing her by her arms.

" My home, my marriage!" Evelyn yelled.

" Gosh! It's not as easy as you think, you will be hurt after telling him, believe me. My dad is a very strict and principled man; he's only being friendly to you because you're his daughter-in-law. Trust me, you wouldn't wish to see or know the other side of him." Martin said to her.

" I don't care! At least, I'll know that I came out clean to him." Evelyn said.

" Have you forgotten that you signed an agreement? You signed an agreement never to disclose this to anyone. Can you withstand the consequences?" Martin asked firmly.

Evelyn became calm, but she burst into tears; she was heartbroken.

" I thought as much. Gosh!" Martin said and stormed out of the room.

" I wish I never met you!" Evelyn yelled after him and she began to throw tantrums.

FLASHBACK

Three years ago, Donald(Martin's father) was fed up with Martin's reckless lifestyle; he squandered the company's funds on his girlfriend, Helen and parties; though he never met Helen, he knew Martin had a girlfriend. So, he came up with a plan.

Donald invited Martin to the house for lunch. After the meal, in the living room, Donald and Martin were sitting opposite each other, Donald was looking into Martin's eyes, Martin felt uncomfortable and said reluctantly;

" Dad, it's just fifty thousand dollars, I didn't spend much this time."

" So you know you spend more daily?" Donald asked

" Dad, I did nothing wrong; I work in that company, and I have every right to spend from the company's funds," Martin said not feeling remorseful.

" Who told you, you have every right to spend from the company's funds?" Donald asked angrily.

" I said so, Dad; I'm the CEO of that company; the company belongs to me, Dad," Martin said firmly.

" Well, I'll relieve you of that because if I had squandered money the way you're squandering money now, I wouldn't be where I am today," Donald said.

" Dad, what do you mean you'll relieve me of my job? Dad, do you want to sack me?" Martin asked, looking surprised.

" Yes and no, yes because I'll be relieving you of your job and no because it isn't permanent; it depends on you, though," Donald said as he crossed his legs.

" Dad, what do you mean?" Martin asked calmly.

" You will go out there and find yourself a decent girl to settle down with; if you like to bring any girl to me pretending to be a decent girl or your fiance, I'll know; you know you can't deceive me; I'm always ahead of you," Donald said, looking away.

" What!" Martin exclaimed.

" And you have just six months to do this else I'll hand the company over to the managing director and the rest of your inheritance to charity. You know me, son, you know I don't give empty threats, but if you think I'm bluffing, then dare this old man." Donald said firmly.

"Dad!" Martin exclaimed.

" Son!" Donald responded.

" Really? Is this what we're doing now? Do you want me to settle down within six months? Dad, I'm not ready for marriage; think of another option, please." Martin said.

" Ok then, be ready to lose the company and the rest of your inheritance," Donald said and left the living room.

" No, Dad, you can't do that. Dad! Dad!! Dad!!!" Martin called after him but he ignored.

" No, this can't be happening. How am I going to survive for six months without money, Helen will dump my ass. No! I can't lose that girl, I love her so much to let her slip off my hands......... I need to call her right now, maybe this is the universe telling us to settle down." Martin said to himself aloud.

He picked up his phone, called Helen and asked her to meet him at their usual spot.

An hour later, he arrived at the lounge, Helen was already there waiting for him.

" I'm so sorry baby." He said as he kissed her and took his seat.

" What kept you so long? I've been here for over twenty minutes, why would you keep a pretty lady waiting like that?" Helen asked with a frown face.

" I'm so sorry, I passed by the company to confirm something," Martin said, holding her hands.

" It's fine! As long as it was about money, you're forgiven." Helen said with a broad smile.

" That.............. have you made orders?" Martin asked.

" How can I make orders when you're not here? You know you're the one paying, so you should be around when I'm making orders." Helen replied.

" Ok............ Helen, there's a problem." Martin said, looking into her eyes.

" A problem? Please don't tell me you're about to cancel our vacation, oh no, you are not going to buy me the Birkin bag you promised me anymore. Oh wait, you changed your mind on the all-expense paid trip you promised me to Monaco or you... ... ... ... ..."

" Enough! It's none of what you just listed." Martin said, looking pissed.

" You're even raising your voice at me," Helen said and began to fake a cry

" Helen, enough with the fake tears; let's be serious, please," Martin said, rolling his eyes.

" You're still yelling," Helen said with a tiny voice.

" I'm not yelling. OK, I'm sorry if I raised my voice at you." Martin apologised.

" Yes, you raised your voice," Helen said, looking away.

" And I said I'm sorry," Martin said, shaking his head; at that point, he was tired already.

" You're forgiven, so what did you say the problem was again?" Helen asked.

" My dad wants me to get married within six months; else he'll hand the company over to the M.D. and the rest of my inheritance to charity," Martin said calmly.

" Why would your dad come up with such a threat? Has he forgotten that you're his only child? And why didn't you tell him that you ain't ready for marriage?" Helen asked, looking pissed.

" I told him, I told him I'm not ready for marriage, but he insisted I get married or else I'll lose all my inheritance, and I know my dad, he doesn't give empty threats, he meant everything he said, that I'm sure of. I was at the company earlier; the security men didn't let me in because my dad instructed them not to let me into the premises. After all, I've been relieved of work temporarily." Martin said, looking frustrated.

" What! Did he go that far? I thought it was just a threat." Helen said, looking astonished.

" Yes, he did; it's not just a threat; he meant it," Martin said as he scratched his hair.

" So what are you going to do about it? Because I don't want anything to jeopardize the plans you have for me already." Helen said, rolling her eyes.

" Let's get married," Martin said, looking at her.

" What! You're kidding, right?" Helen asked, looking at him with her eyes wide open.

" I'm serious; that's the only way I can fulfil all my promises to you," Martin said.

" There's no way I'm doing that with you. I'm not ready for marriage yet, I'm too young to get married." Helen said, looking away.

" Helen, you're twenty-seven for God's sake," Martin said

" And so? I'm not ready for marriage, don't you get it? I'm not ready for that stress!" Helen yelled.

" How's marriage stress? You won't be doing house chores, we'll get a maid, you won't even be cooking because I know you suck at it, we'll hire a chef, or we eat out every day." Martin said calmly.

" No! I'm not ready for marriage." Helen said firmly.

" So, what would you have me do?" Martin asked, looking unhappy.

" I don't know, hire a girl to act as your fiancee or something," Helen suggested.

" Really? Didn't you hear the part where I said I'd be getting married? How do you expect me to marry a stranger, someone I don't love?" Martin asked, looking surprised.

" C'mon Martin, people do it a lot; you'll hire a lady, offer her money, you pay her half payment upfront, then you pay the rest after completion of the task and don't forget to sign an agreement so that she doesn't mess things up at the end. You know poor people are so greedy." Helen explained.

" So what's going to happen to us?" Martin said.

" Nothing, we'll still be together, she's just someone you hired to act as your wife, remember?" Helen said.

" And you think this is the best idea? What if feelings get involved along the line?" Martin asked.

" You wouldn't dare, are you trying to say that you will choose a pauper over me?" Helen asked angrily.

" You know I'll never choose anyone over you, I'm just saying," Martin said calmly.

" Then erase the thought from your head; you wouldn't even dare; you know me too well to mess with me," Helen said and looked away.

" So, how and where will I find a lady to hire? We need a very smart lady because my dad is very smart and observant, he can smell a lie when he sees one. Believe me, that old man is a physiologist." Martin said, looking unhappy.

" We can do this." She assured him

Suddenly, Helen felt a sharp pain in her stomach, initially she endured to herself, but suddenly it became unbearable, she groaned in pain;

" Ahhh! My stomach. Martin! My stomach.

" Are you okay? What did you eat?" Martin asked as he ran to her aid.

" I can't remember. Martin! The pain is becoming more unbearable, ahhh!" She groaned in pain.

" You need to see a doctor, can you walk? Never mind, I will carry you to the car." He said, and carried her on his back, carried her bag and walked hurriedly to the car.

He placed her in the back seat; soon, he reached the driver's seat, fumbled for the keys, and, with trembling hands, started the engine. The roar of the air filled the air as he sped away.

At the hospital, a doctor and nurses were attending to Helen; a nurse walked into the ward with the test results and handed them over to the doctor.

The doctor came out of the ward, Martin walked hurriedly towards him;

" Doctor, how is she now?" He said, looking worried.

" She's stable now, the test results are out." The doctor said,

" What's the problem, doctor?" Martin asked with his heart pounding fast.

" Calm down, Mr. Martin. It's just food poisoning, she ate something that wasn't good for her body system, but she'll be fine. The nurses are attending to her already." The doctor assured him.

" Ok doctor, will she be discharged today?" Martin asked, he had been relieved of his fear.

" Sure, she'll be on bed rest for a few hours and will be discharged afterwards. Come with me to my office, you have a list of drugs you need to get for her." The doctor said as he led the way.

" Ok, doctor," Martin said as he walked after him.

Later that night, Helen was discharged from the hospital. On their way out, they bumped into a lady who was crying profusely. They wondered what the problem was with her. Helen stopped to ask;

" What's the problem? Why are you crying?"

" It's my mum; she has been diagnosed with kidney disease; she needs a donor and surgery, but there's no money to pay a donor or for the surgery." The lady said, tearfully.

" What of your dad or any of her relatives? How are they trying to help in this situation?" Martin asked.

" She's a single mom, I don't know my dad, I never met him and as for her relatives, I don't know any of them, she doesn't talk about them and whenever I try to ask her, she changes the topic, so she's the only family I have." The lady said as she wailed heavily.

" What's your name?" Helen asked calmly.

" Evelyn." She said,

" Ok, Evelyn, I think we can help, but you'll do something for us in return," Helen said softly.

" What! Helen, what are you doing?" Martin asked with his eyes wide open.

" Shut up! You're the one in need of help, not me, so let me help you in the little way I can, and if it doesn't work, you sort yourself out afterwards. Evelyn, are you in?" Helen asked without a glance at her; she was looking at Martin, who was looking at her with disbelief.

" Whatever it is, I'm ready to do it, as long as it will provide the money for my mum's surgery," Evelyn said as she wiped her tears with her hands.

" Good girl. Ok, come with us to the car, we can't say it here." Helen said with a smile and she led the way.

Martin followed her, shaking his head. He wasn't buying the idea at all, but Helen wouldn't let him have a say at the moment; Evelyn also followed them to the car.

They got into the car, Helen did all the talking, Martin didn't utter a word, he hated the situation his father had put me in, he wished Helen would accept to marry him, but he knew her to be very adamant, so he already knew that she meant it when she said she wasn't ready for marriage.

After Helen was done explaining the situation and the pay that would come with it. Evelyn refused;

" So, you want to have a contract marriage with your boyfriend? What kind of girlfriend are you? If you truly love him, why not just marry him instead of hiring someone? Ain't you scared of losing him to another woman?" She asked, looking disappointed.

" Am I to be scared of losing my boyfriend? To who exactly, you? You that even afford to pay for your mum's medical bills, are you the one who is going to choose over you? Nah, my man doesn't eat trash." Helen said rudely.

" I won't sit here and watch you insult me or my mum, never! I never asked for your help; you offered to help; I thought you had a better thing to say, but you both just wasted my time. I'm out of here!" Evelyn yelled, breathing heavily.

" Not so fast," Helen said as she pressed the car lock button.

She wrote Martin's house address on a piece of paper and gave it to Evelyn;

" Just in case you change your mind, which I know will happen because you'll be a bad child if you have an opportunity to save my mum from dying but you watch her die without doing anything," Helen said and unlocked the car

Evelyn stormed out of the car angrily, without saying a word.

" That was rude, you shouldn't have spoken to her in that manner and tone," Martin said, looking away.

" So you can speak? I thought you were dumb. Just start the car and take me out of this place!" Helen yelled.

Martin started the engine and drove off without replying to her, he was too tired to begin an argument with her that night.

They were at home; it was midnight already; Martin's phone kept buzzing; his dad had been calling him, but he refused to pick up.

" Ain't you going to pick up your calls? Your phone has been buzzing all night. If I may ask, who has been calling you?" Helen asked as she lay on the couch to stretch her body.

" My dad, I'm not in for his drama tonight," Martin asked, walking into the kitchen.

" Oh, I see! But do you think it's a good idea not to pick up his calls? Why not just pick and hear what he has to say?" She advised me.

" I'm not ready to hear anything, I've had enough drama today. Maybe tomorrow I'll return his calls." Martin said at the top of his voice from the kitchen.

" Maybe? Are you... ... ... ... ... ... ..."

A knock on the door interrupted Helen, the knock came heavily from the door. Martin rushed out of the kitchen, and Helen sat upright; they were both confused.

" Who could be knocking on your door by this time? Could it be your dad?" Helen asked, looking worried.

She knew if Donald met her there, he would assume she was the lady Martin wanted to settle down with and she wasn't ready for marriage yet.

" I don't know, let me check," Martin said and tiptoed to the door.

He opened the door and he was shocked to see who was at his doorstep.