Contract husband

****************

Stanley pulled over at the gate of her apartment.

He had been dropping her off right from the day he volunteered to always give her a ride home after she closed from work.

” Thanks so much Stan…. Thanks for the ride.” Zoey appreciated him genuinely.

” you are welcome Zoey…” he replied with a faint smile.

He had really stressed out himself today. From the load of work piled on his desk , to the hectic traffic they had experienced on their way.

” Hope you aren’t too stressed out because of the traffic?” he asked out of concern.

Zoey smiled.

” I actually am…. And I will sure take a long bath and ensure I go to bed on time tonight, so I don’t go late to work tomorrow.”

She replied tiredly, stiffling a yawn.

He nodded.

” You deserve a good rest after the day’s work.” He emphasized.

” thanks Stan…. And you too.”

” Good bye Stan.” She said and was about opening the door, when Stanley halted her with his words.

” Zoey…. Uhm … I was thinking…. There’s this new movie I’m about to book for…. and I was thinking if you could go with me to the cinema this weekend…. Or we could probably go for a lunch in a really good eatery…. I mean more like a date… if you don’t mind.” Stanley said and lowered his gaze.

Zoey chuckled.

” I do not mind Stan… I think a date will be just perfect.” Zoey replied with a soft smile.

Stanley smile broadened.

” Thanks Zoey…. I’ve been wanting to go on a date with you for a while now…. But I wasn’t sure if you would accept.” He said truthfully.

Her smile widened.

” Well…. I have accepted.”

She replied with a chuckle.

” Thanks…. And good night Zoey.”

” Yeah…. Good night Stan.” Zoey replied and got out of the car.

*******************

” I think this fit perfectly on you more than the other gown.” Grace gave her opinion, as she sat in Omar’s bedroom and watched Omar trying to figure out the perfect gown to wear for her wedding vow renewal tomorrow.

Her bride price was paid successfully and their traditional wedding was done in Makurdi, with her father’s blessing solidly behind their union. Ife got her family a lot of gifts and they were so grateful. Among the gifts were two Range Rover SUV, which he got for her parents.

Omar’s mom danced for joy, while her father showered them with more prayers.

After the traditional rites was done.

They all travelled with Omar back to Lagos for the renewal of her wedding vow which was going to be elaborate.

” Are you sure this gown fits perfectly on me?”

Omar asked her sister.

” Come on Omar…. I tell you this gown is the perfect match.” Grace commented.

” Ok then…this is what I’ll wear.” Omar said cheerfully.

Grace sighed softly and looked at her sister.

” You got lucky after all…” She said.

Omar hung the gown in her wardrobe and turned to her sister.

” Why do you say so?” She asked.

Grace sighed.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

” After you left Omar….. our suffering tripled and everyone became desperate to survive…. But the pressure was more on me since I was next to you… and so I was expected to take up the responsibility of taking care of the family…..” she said.

” At first…. Daddy wanted me to marry Chief Ogbu since you refused to marry him and ran out of home…. But Chief Ogbu refused and continued to blame daddy for the embarrassment our family brought upon him….. so daddy began to look for a wealthy man like chief Ogbu to marry me, but we didn’t get so lucky……” She continued.

” Until one Christmas day, when I met a man from the city, who came to the village to greet his family…. He appeared to be rich and told me he had a successful business in the city… I fell for it and got pregnant for him….. when I informed him, he told me to keep the pregnancy that he wanted to go to the city to make some arrangements, after which, he would come back and marry me….. I agreed and nursed my pregnancy, until it dawned on me that he was never coming again.” Grace narrated.

Omar shook her head sadly.

” I’m really so sorry for what you went through Grace….. non of this is your fault…. You were only caught up in the circumstances of life…. But do not worry…. Your days of tears are over my sister…. I spoke to my husband yesterday and he is planning to buy Mama and Papa a property on the island…. And as for you, ….. I would give you some money so that you can start a business to empower yourself.” Omar said.

Grace wiped a tear drop and hugged her sister.

” Thank you so much Omar…. You are really a blessing to our family…… and I’m really so happy for you that you married a rich man…..” Grace said as she hugged Omar.

” Omar!” She called.

” Yes Grace.”

” please if you want to help Peter, you can buy him anything, but do not give him money…. Or else Peter will squander it on betting.” Grace advised.

Omar chuckled.

” Don’t worry Grace…. I know just how to handle Peter.” Omar assured her sister, while they hugged.

********************

The guests filled the hall in their numbers as they filed in to come and celebrate with the couple.

They all clapped and cheered as Omar and Ife shared their wedding vows once again.

Apart from the couple’s family members, some of the guests were staff of the company, while some others were acquaintances and friends from the church.

Among which was Binta and Emeka.

” Congratulations Omar…” Binta beamed with smiles.

” Thanks a lot Binta…. You have been more than a friend to me, but a sister…. May God bless you abundantly…. As you have shown me so much love.” Omar expressed her gratitude and they hugged.

It was time for photograph. And the guests surrounded the couple in their batches as they took photographs.

” Wait for me!!” Jade screamed as she held on to a cake, while she joined the couple in taking photograph.

The air was fun filled with joy, as the guests joined the couple to dance.

The End.