Chapter 13

" I respect and trust your decisions but I still need an explanation. Why does he have to go that far?"

Gerald sighed tiredly at Derrick's question. This was the umpteenth time he had been asked that question.

" I am Gerald in case you didn't know".the handsome middle-aged man stated as he took a sip from his cup of coffee.

Rolling his eyes at his reply, he adjusted his glasses as he sat next to Gerald and turned to face him.

"He tells you everything, there is no way you don't know what he's planning".

"Even if I do, why would I tell you?. You know too well that I wouldn't ".Gerald retorted but Derrick wasn't giving up.

"I know, but does he really have to go that far?"

" Yes. He might have to go deeper than this.He knew what he was getting into. Moreover, this was all part of his plan from the onset and I know only a few details".

" But would he be okay?" Derrick was a little worried.

" Geez, I can't believe you are asking that. What could ever shake Nolbett, huh?. That guy is never fazed and he should be fine." He replied but on seeing Derrick's glare he quickly added," He would be fine I promise " he said with so much conviction that Derrick could only believe him.

"Well then but...."

"Argh..... Jeez, stop being such a worrywart and just do what you're good at". Gerald exclaimed as he stood up with his coffee walking away from Derrick.

" You are lucky you are my father or else I would have....."

"You would have what?" Rex suddenly asked entering the room.

" Nothing, am off to my room now". Derrick said nervously and forced a smile before scurrying off to his room.

" What did he do wrong this time?" Rex narrowed his eyes at Derrick's retreating figure.

****

Bored to death with nothing to do, Lyka got up from her bed in search of her husband. It wasn't too early to start with the bet right?

She knew he didn't go out as they were supposed to be having their honeymoon.

She saw one of the maids passed by and she called for her.

" Um.....do you know where Nol..., I mean, my husband is?"

" He's in his study room". The maid replied respectfully.

"Oh... Um, could you take me there?"

She asked hopefully.

"Yes" she said enthusiastically and turned to lead the way but suddenly froze.

" But...." She hesitated, worry on her face as she explained.

" No one ever goes there. So I... I.....am worried that...."

"Am his wife". She stated the obvious but nonetheless the maid almost didn't budge. She then stared at Lyka with this look that Lyka interpreted as 'are you even a real couple?'

" Are you taking me there or not?" She was starting to get angry.

" Yes, am sorry". The maid apologized immediately.

They continued their journey to the study room and eventually got there.

The maid bowed in respect before she scurried off with Lyka staring at her strangely. She shrugged and proceeded to knock on the door but just before her knuckles came in contact with the door, the door suddenly opened and she felt herself stumbling forward.

The occupant of the room didn't even care to help, instead he blocked her view of the room as she struggled to maintain her balance which though narrowly, she successfully did.

Leaning backward with both embarrassment and anger, she avoided his gaze for the first few seconds.

" What are you doing here?" He asked coldly as she eventually looked up.

"I was..."

" Weren't you told that no one comes here?" He questioned, cutting her short.

" Dude, it's the first day of our married life and you are already making me feel tired of you, that's not so nice.".

" What do you want?" He ignored her complaints as he shut the door behind him.

" You said if world gets out that our marriage is fake, it could cost you and dad a lot".

"So?, Are you here to rub it in?" He questioned sarcastically

"The maids. I think they know." She told him.

" So?"

"So?" She began in disbelief," what if they reveal it to the world"

" They wouldn't do that".

" Why?" 

"Because they wouldn't." .His voice was filled with so much assurance.

" Ah....confidence. I love it"  she mocked but stopped and suddenly asked when he turned to enter," what ya doing?"

" None of your business".he replied curtly and proceeded to enter but Lyka, on impulse , briefly grabbed his arm to stop him.

Immediately realizing what she had done, she slowly dropped his arm, a nervous smile on her lips as their eyes met.

" What do you want?"

" Show me around your house. I mean we are supposed to be on honeymoon anyway so... Wait, what if people find out that we didn't go on our honeymoon,won't they be suspicious?"

Casting a very disinterested look at her, without replying to her words, he opened the door and entered, shutting the door loudly after him.

"Motherfucking son of a..... Hey Myla, 've been searching everywhere for you".She masked her curses with a lie as she approached Mila, a fake smile on.

"Mila, and why were you searching for me?" The housekeeper asked respectfully wondering what she was doing in front of Nolbett's study room.

"I um....was wondering if you could um...get me some um....." She took a quick brief glance around her and then blurted out," lemonade. Yeah, was wondering if you could get me some". She ended with her signature fake smile.

" Lemonade??"

" Yeah, I love them".

" Ok ...when...."

"Now, I need them now. Could you get them for me ?"

" Um...yes. of course". The poor maid was confused on her sudden and keen request.

"After you then". she offered gracefully as the still confused Mila  managed to smile at her before taking her leave while Lyka followed suit.

****

" Argh, it's awful. I mean, I've been with him in this house for two weeks and the last time I saw him was six days ago". She groaned in frustration.

" Is he that much of a jackass?"

"More than that. He deserves a     degree for being the most annoying snob on the planet". Lyka feigned anger.

" Am really sorry". The person on the other end sympathized.

She was on a video call with Tacha as the third of the friends was in the bathroom. Minutes into their chat, she joined the conversation, still in her robe and a towel wrapped around her head.

" Awwn baby girl, 've missed you". She cried childishly.

" Same here, honey pie". Lyka replied with equal childishness as the two friends soon burst into laughter.

The trio spent the next few minutes gisting about irrelevant things.

" Um guys, there's something I have to tell you". Lyka suddenly said with seriousness catching the other two off guard.

"Okay".they also got serious, noticing Lyka's tense mood.

" It's Nolbett and I. We um... Kinda...".

"Ahh". Chantelle gasped in realization and then asked, " Did you guys eventually had sex?"

" No, no". Lyka denied vehemently.

" Gosh, not everyone is like you Chanty". Tacha rolled her eyes at her.

" Ouch, I'll take that as a compliment ".

" What were you going to say Lyka?" She asked ignoring Chantelle.

" The thing is..." She started but suddenly remembered Nolbett's words, no one was supposed to know.

" Never mind".

" Huh??"

" Don't worry guys, I'll tell you when it is the right time". She promised.

" And that is?"

"Soon. I have to go now, I'll call you guys back. Sorry ". She said quickly and without waiting for their reply,ended the call and sprinted out of the room.

" What was that?" Tacha asked rhetorically, not being able to wrap her head around what just happened. She glanced towards Chantelle as if expecting an answer but the latter only shrugged.

****

She suddenly realized that she had only two more days before their fake honeymoon would be over. She and Nolbett would soon resume to their respective place of work and with her being a doctor ,Nolbett a business man and them not even in love, it would be quite difficult for her to win the bet.

She asked one of the maids passing where he was and luckily for her, he was nearby.

" Hey ". She yelled at the retreating figure of her husband. He was just about to leave the  house when she got there.

Nolbett paused and looked back only to find Luka hurrying towards him.

" Where are you off to?, Let me come along". She imposed.

" No, you can't ".

" Why?"

"I'll be jogging ".

" So?, Then I'll jog with you". She answered quickly as Nolbett glanced at her, scanning her from head to toe. She suddenly became self conscious as she stared down at herself. What was wrong with...oh

" So what ?, People go jogging in gowns nowadays". She defended herself, avoiding his gaze.

" I did not say anything". He countered with a lazy tone.He turned and began to walk away when he suddenly paused, damn!, He had forgotten to feed his dogs.

" Why, what's wrong?"she asked wondering why he suddenly paused.

" I need to feed Jack and Zack before I leave". He said more to himself than Lyka. He turned back in to go get something when Lyka suddenly grabbed his hand and also this time didn't realize that she did.

" By any chance, Zack and Jack aren't dogs, are they?"

" Then what are they supposed to be?, Cats?, Birds?". He questioningly replied with sarcasm as Lyka expression slightly faltered.

"Of course dogs. No one names cats or birds Zack and Jack. " She said chuckling as she took a step backwards. " I um..... I suddenly remembered, I have to go and ...um,  charge my phone. Yeah, charge my phone. I had been on a call for hours and now its almost ...."

"Are you scared of dogs?"he stared at her with suspicion.

" What?, Me?, Scared of dogs?. No,of course not, dogs are like the most friendly creature on earth, it's stupid to be scared of them". She said and laughed nervously, still taking steps away from him.

" Then you should meet these ones. They are very obedient and quite nice". He pressed on.

" No, maybe some other time. I really need to charge my phone and also... change my clothe". She declined

" You said people jog in gowns these days".

" Did I?, Oh....then why don't I remember?, Silly me,.of course no one goes jogging in gowns, it's absurd." She denied and then added,"I'll go  now". She announced and without waiting for his reply, ran off.

Staring at her fleeing figure, a little smirk forms on his lips.

'So dogs scare you. That's quite interesting '.

Another chapter ended. Thanks for staying with me. Hope you keep enjoying the story. Don't forget to like, vote and share.