Saving The Family Name (Substitute Marriage)

Standing at the airport terminal, Thomas Fortune holds a name tag with Chris's name written big and bold.

Thomas thought it was inappropriate to send one of the ranch hands to receive the guest. He wanted to personally see who the young man Aliza was going to get married to.

Now he was regretting his decision because half an hour had already gone by and there was no sign of anyone approaching or claiming to be Chris.

Thomas was angry, tired, and frustrated, feeling pain behind his neck as he whispered to himself. "Aliza, think I just sit around doing nothing the entire day. So she has me running her foolish errands."

When he felt the numbness in his hand for the length of time he was holding up the dumb sign. Thomas drops his hand allowing the muscles to relax a bit, and for the blood to circulate momentarily.

He scopes around once more to see if anyone was waiting or anxiously on the lookout, but there wasn't anyone.

The arrival bay was almost cleared, but he raised the name tag once more, feeling a bit stupid, though, because just a few people were going about their merry business. and they glance at him with a smug smile on their faces

Ignoring that, Thomas was just hoping that whoever the person was would finally show up,so so he could reach home after a hectic day.

Observing this one particular female individual, who was sitting unconcerned, she was wearing a cream long-sleeve suit. It was a bit outdated and odd-looking.

She was also wearing a weird-looking pink wash-out cloth hat, and her face was halfway covered. 

Her left hand was in her pants pocket. While the other was resting on top of an old travelling bag with her head bent.

She does not look worried or concerned a bit, she looks quite comfortable as though she wasn't expecting anyone to receive her. In fact, she wasn't in the slightest bit bothered.

Thomas's anger rage as he called Aliza to let her know that, whoever her friend was, he was not there at the airport. Maybe he had changed his mind or even gotten his date mixed up.

"Aliza, it seems your friend either got your message mixed up or the date because he is nowhere to be seen."

Hearing her saying that her friend is a very quiet and timid person. "Oh, Tom she won't be too well dressed."

Aliza heard how angry Thomas sounded as he refuted her without any mercy, "She, oh my goodness Aliza, are you saying the person I am waiting for is a girl and all this time I was looking for a young man."

Covering her ear Aliza waited patiently for him to finish speaking then replied to his question "I am sorry Tom, I should have told you it's a girl you have to pick up."

"Why didn't you tell me that in the first instance? Instead of having me believing that it was your fiancé?"

Thomas was devastated, especially when he heard her shouting at the top of her lungs. He moved the phone away from his ear until she was completely calm down, 

"Are you done shouting? I hope you know you don't have to shout and I am not deft, so just give me her full name so I can get this done and over with."

Approaching the person only to see her raise her head, she then bends her head once again.

Noticing only then that all this time she was caught up reading a book unconcerned. Then abruptly she stood up, took her bag, and walked away.

'Did she realize I was going to meet her and she panicked? Well, who cares it seems she isn't the person I am expected to pick up anyhow?'

His eyes followed in the same direction she walked towards the public phone.

Thomas observes when she takes out something from her bag, he turns suddenly hearing the hurried footsteps approaching. 

He thought to himself as he turned around, 'This must be the person he was supposed to meet.' Seeing she was approaching him in a rush.

Thomas admires this tall and very beautiful young lady unable to take his eyes away. She; looked stunning in the baby blue tailored suit. It looked so business-like.

He thinks for a moment, 'This must be her,' but as she gets closer to him, her face seems so familiar. Observing the way she slowed down a bit, and looked at him.

She was about to walk away when her name clicked in his mind, Thomas called out to her, "Excuse me, aren't you Annette Matthew's?

"Almost saying 'Miss Popular,' as she turns back and looks at him closely.

When she said, "Ah, you are Tom, yes Thomas Fortune. I can't believe it, and you are looking so amazingly dashing in that cream suit, I can't believe how handsome you are. For a moment I thought that I was mistaken."

Thomas took a few strides forward and embraced her in his arms for a few minutes.

Then holds her at arm's length, "You, are looking so gorgeous, the last I saw you were about eight years ago."

"You are right Tom, it's certainly been some years. Tom, how about we meet sometime soon and have dinner or lunch," Annette suggested.

Still holding her hand, Thomas said, "Sit with me for a few minutes. I came to meet one of my baby sister's friends, and it seems she changed her mind."

"Ah, I see you are still an errand boy, but I am sorry Tom, my Dad has been waiting a while, my bags were misplaced and I got delayed."

Seeing her reach into her bag, "Here take my number Tom, and we could do something any day next week.

Tom, it is truly so good to see you, and Tom, just use my cell number from the card, bye Tom it was nice seeing you after so long."

"Annette, how about you come to the Gilbert Plaza tomorrow at four? My sister is getting married and we are gathering there for her reception. Her wedding is at the Pentecostal Cathedral at Nicolas Street."

Hearing she had plans, Thomas placed his call card into her hand as she hurried along.

Calling after her, "Annette, after so long you have visited, why don't you call me anytime you are free? And it is really good seeing you again?"