Chapter five

Just get over with, Taonga thought. Either he was going to sign them or he was not.

"I need some money," she said.

Edward's defense barriers sprang up at her calm voice, and that resentment in his eyes seemed to vanish. Instead, he looked guarded. She sat down and gestured for him to follow, but he remained standing. One hand slid into his pocket, and the other clutched the papers.

"Am not giving you any cent, Taonga."

Taonga swallowed back her tension. "Please, Edward," she begged, her raspy words tumbling out too quickly. "It's not for me, it's for the Children's Home. They need some money to better their living conditions and sanitation."

He waited, his body rigid as a block, as she struggled for the words.

"I had promised them a while ago that i would help with their funds, but the right time never came. Mwama was going to give me the money after finalising the yearly budget but it never came to pass. So i figured this is the time." Fear filled her eyes as she mumbled the words, for the astonished look on Edward's face told her that he was never going to sign them.

But instead of watching his guarded expression fall from his eyes, she watched him walk away. Before Taonga knew what was happening, he had covered the first two steps to the second floor.

"Are you seriously going to walk away when am talking to you?" she bit out.

Edward stopped and reached for the handrail. He took one step forward and slung the papers over his shoulder.

Fury pumped through her veins. "You're the most greedy and disrespectful man I've ever met, Edward."

Taonga took a deep breath and wondered if the pressure of having to live with Edward had finally made her snap.

"I've had it with your intimidating attitude, thinking you're better than me when you're just a selfish, arrogant man with nothing but shame to hide. Your brother was worth not ten of you, but ten thousand. He was a man from the top of his head to the heels of his foot, and you will never be him. And as for me," she pointed a finger to her chest, "I will never accept you as my . . ."

"Enough already!!" Edward's fist smashed into the wall, splattering red drops on the shiny wall.

She had added the final mento to he's coke and she didn't realize it.

Edward lurched forward, narrowing his eyes like deathly poison and bridged the distance, "You would like it one hell of a lot better if i married Tami and done you some good. Well tough luck, Taonga, tough luck. You're married to me now, and i am not going anywhere.

I signed all the papers today, as we speak i am the current overseer of the Likiiro's property. Every peny goes out and in through me, and i am not signing those papers. If you don't like it, dear wife, you can bloody well shove it."

"Get out of my sight."

"With pleasure." He started towards his room. "But if i were you, I'd think of making peace with me. You're playing a dangerous game, with consequences, and you won't win this one, Taonga, not if it could cost me my family's money."

"Get out!" This time she growled. "And stay away from me, Edward!" Breathlessly with anger, she sneered and loped off in evident anger.