Chapter 15 A wedding to be hold..
Different thoughts ran through Tihana’s mind that she didn’t know the cab has gotten to her destination.
“Ma’am, we’re here.” The cab man said for the third time.
He had to honk the cab and that jolted Tihana out of her thoughts
“We’re here?” She repeated in a question.
“Yes ma’am. Please, come down.”
“I’m sorry sir.” Tihana paid him and got down.
“I’m so sorry.” She said again and the cabman drove away.
She went into the house and met a worried Diana pacing to and fro.
Diana stared at her direction and when she saw Tihana coming, she ran to her immediately.
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you but it isn’t going through.”
“It’s probably the network.” Tihana said lowly and went to the couch.
Diana came to her and sat beside her.
“What happened? Why is your face like this?”
“Was there a problem at the office?” Diana said again.
“Kind of.”
“Really, what is it?”
“I saw Aiden Turner twice today at the office.”
“And did he recognize you?”
“In the morning, no and that’s because I covered my face with my hair but this evening, I think so.” Tihana explained.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t know. He just asked if we’ve met before and I denied it.”
“So, how did you escape from him?”
“He just asked me to go.”
“He asked you to go?” Diana said slightly shocked and Tihana nodded.
“This is becoming more complicated than l thought.” Diana said and rested on the chair as she went into thoughts.
“I agree.” Tihana sighed.
BACK AT THE COMPANY*
Aiden stepped outside still trying Wayne’s number. He was already growing impatient.
How dare Wayne take his car out to God knows where and to top it all, his phone wasn’t reachable.
Wayne drove in almost immediately and Aiden turned towards the gate at the sound of the car.
Wayne came out immediately and met Aiden who had a hostile glare on.
“Before you say anything, I know you’re very angry at me but I’m sorry. I just had something to deal with.”
“With my car?” Aiden said in disbelief.
“I thought I wasn’t going to take much time but the traffic was much on my way back.”
Aiden didn’t say a word. He went to sit at the backseat and Wayne breathed a sigh of relief as he went to the driver’s seat. He started the engine and drove out of the company.
************
THE NEXT DAY*
Tihana was at her office preparing some files. She has promised herself to be quick with work today so she would go home with the rest of the workers.
She couldn’t imagine what to do when she sees Aiden Turner again today.
She took few glances at her door as she prepared the files on her desk.
The alarm rang in her office and it indicated lunch break. She packed up the files and put them under her desk.
She stood up to go for lunch with the aim of hiding from Aiden all through.
The telephone on her desk rang and she answered it.
“Hello!” She said with a brightened face but it wiped off immediately she heard the voice of whom she was scared of hearing.
“Meet me in the cafeteria now.” The call disconnected and Tihana dropped the telephone with widened eyes.
Why was the man she was trying to avoid all through the day asking to meet her in the cafeteria?
She left her office with a troubled heart and went to the cafeteria.
She eye searched for him in the cafeteria and saw him sitting with legs crossed against each other at the far end. He looked like he was doing something on his phone.
She went closer to him and sat quietly opposite him.
He took a glance at her and continued with his phone. This continued for like minutes and Tihana was beginning to think he had forgotten she was sitting there with him.
Just when she thought she has been forgotten, he dropped his phone on the table and gazed at her.
“When I asked you a question yesterday, what was your reply?”
Tihana’s heartbeat skipped twice. What was he saying? Or has he finally know?
“Sir, you asked me a lot of questions yesterday so I don’t remember which one exactly.” Tihana replied in a nervous smile.
“Alright, I’ll make it clear to you. I asked you if we’ve met before and you dismissed it…..” Aiden paused to see her reaction.
“So, I want to ask you again, have we met before?”
Tihana didn’t reply as her eyes went round the table as if looking for something.
“Will you continue to find something you didn’t keep on the table or answer me?” Aiden placed his two hands on the table.
“And don’t ever think of lying because I remember you now. I know you’re the lady that claimed to be Diana Watts on the date but what I don’t get is how you bear Tihana Scott here in the company.” Aiden shrugged as he rested back on his chair.
Tihana closed her eyes tight and clenched her hand into a fist under the table. She was busted!
She now has to face whatever was coming her way.
She opened her eyes and met his eyes directly at her face.
“I…. I em… I….. I” Tihana stuttered out aimlessly. She didn’t know what to say.
“I can see you don’t want to talk.”
“I can explain sir.”
“You know I could fire you for trying to make a fool out of me.”
“Or better still sue you for impersonation” Aiden smirked at her.
“Please don’t do that. I’m sorry for trying to trick you in the first place.” Tihana pleaded with both hands placed together.
“But I won’t do that if only you do as I say. I want you to sign this.” He said again as he shifted a paper Tihana never knew was there all these while to the middle of the table.
Tihana stared at him like a movie as he brought out a pen and dropped it on the paper.
“What am I supposed to do with it?” Tihana said hoping it wasn’t the same contract from their date.
“You aren’t blind, are you?” Aiden raised a brow at her.
“Sign that contract.” Aiden ordered. Tihana stared at him unbelievably and stood up.
“I don’t want to sign it. Don’t you get it?” Tihana said half yelling and it got the attention of the other workers in the cafeteria.
“Sit down young lady.” Aiden said in between gritted teeth but Tihana still stood her ground.
“I’m your boss here and you have to do as I say. So, sit down.” This time, Tihana obeyed.
She was already boiling in anger but what can she do? He is still her boss.
“What do you want from me?”
“To sign the damn contract and get this done with.”
“But I don’t want to.” Tihana said almost yelling again but restrained herself quickly.
“You have no other choice than to sign it because you wouldn’t want to see my reaction if you don’t sign it.” Aiden threatened and crossed his legs against each other.
Shock was an understatement for Tihana right now. She wouldn’t sit there and watch him threaten her.
She made to stand up but Aiden’s words stopped her.
“Leave here and be ready to loose your job.”
Tihana sat back on her chair.
“Good. Now, sign it.” Aiden shifted the paper and pen to her front and she stared blankly at it.
“Don’t waste my time, Miss Diana or should I say Tihana.” Aiden said with a hint of mockery laced in his voice.
Just like in a trance, Tihana took the pen with shaking hands and signed on the paper.
She couldn’t believe she was signing this outrageous contract like Diana had called it.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Aiden gave out a satisfactory smile as he watched her sign the paper.
Tihana dropped the pen back on the paper when she was done.
“This is fantabulous!” Aiden exclaimed. Now, he was sure to get his grandfather off his neck.
He stretched towards Tihana and took the pen and paper. He flicked the edge of the paper with a lopsided smile and placed the paper on his own side of the table.
“Is that all?” She managed to say lowly and Aiden smirked.
She can’t believe she just accepted the contract. She just accepted the stupid contract!
God, what has she done?
***********
Tihana stood weakly as the security opened the gate for her and she went out.
It was closing hours and just like she promised, she was going home early.
She turned to see Diana’s car parked and was taken aback a bit.
She walked towards the car and entered.
“You came to pick me up today?” Tihana said a bit surprised.
“Is there anything wrong if I come to pick up my friend?”
“Actually, no. It’s just that you haven’t done this before.”
“Well, that’s because this is your second day. You better get used to it because it would happen more often.” Diana shrugged and started the car.
“So tell me, how did your day go? Were you able to avoid that insane boss of yours all through?” Diana said breaking the silence. Tihana didn’t respond as she rested back on the car seat.
“Hey!” Diana waved a hand in front of her face and Tihana turned to stare at her.
“Tihana, where did your mind go? I was talking to you but there was no response from you.”
“I heard you but I didn’t have an answer to your question.”
“Are you okay? Is there a problem?”
“I’m good.” Tihana replied wearily.
“You know I’ve been studying you since I picked you up and I must say you don’t look good to me.”
“I’m just tired, that’s all.”
“I’m your best friend and I know when you’re lying to me. So tell me what’s bothering you.”
Tihana was reluctant for a few seconds before replying.
“He knows my true identity.”
Diana was befuddled for seconds before her expression changed to that of shock.
She parked the car at the side of the road and faced Tihana.
“Wait, he knows who you are?”
“That was what I said earlier.”
“What did he say about it?”
“Saying or do you mean doing about it.” Tihana gave a sad laugh.
“And what do you mean by that?”
“He brought out the contract issue and this time, I had no choice but to accept.”
Diana’s eyes widened in great shock as she stared at the lady in front of her.
“What are you saying?”
“You heard me right. I signed the contract.”
“Why would you do that? I thought we talked about this before.”
“My job was at stake here and I couldn’t afford to loose it, not on my second day.”
“But you could have done something to stop it.” Diana groaned.
“What could I have possibly done? I was left with no option.”
Diana sighed and bowed her head in guilt.
“Gosh, what have I put you into? Why did I make you go on that date? I should have chosen another alternative.” Diana lamented and hit the car wheels.
“This is all my fault. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. The deed is done already, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me.”
“Like I said, we’re good. I just have to wait for him to give orders and know when the deal takes off.” Tihana said again trying to act strong but deep down, she was crying.
“Start the car and let’s go.” Tihana feigned a smile.
She didn’t want Diana to feel bad. She was like the only family she’ve got now.
***********
“No worries grandfather, I will bring her to you soon.” Aiden said as he sipped his wine.
He had called grandfather on the phone to inform him about finding a contacted wife and grandfather was pressurizing him to bring her to him tomorrow but he bluntly refused, saying he was very busy.
“And when will that soon be?” Grandfather scoffed.
“Anytime.”
“Suit yourself then.”
“Thank you.” Aiden breathed out.
“I hope you know a wedding would hold.”
“But we didn’t agree on that.”
“We didn’t agree on anything.”
Aiden rolled his eyes and took another sip of his wine.
Aiden yawned and stood up with the phone still on his ear.
“Grandfather, I’m feeling sleepy now, can I go to bed? I need to go to work tomorrow.”
“I wasn’t holding you back.” Grandfather hung up. Aiden gulped down his wine and retired to bed.