II

I headed downstairs after removing the paper mask and applying a different kind of mask that needed to be on longer. It was a clear gel like mixture. I was relieved to find out that the maids had already retired for the day. I went directly to the freezer and pulled out a tub of ice cream, took the scoop from the cabinet and dug in. when the first taste hit my tongue and the refreshing coldness washed through my body, I couldn't help but close my eyes and savor in the delicious feeling. I took one huge mouthful then went over to the wine cabinet. I grabbed the first bottle that caught my eye, Masseto. Hmm, Italian wine, how predictable.

"To bake or not to bake," I said out loud as I familiarized myself with his kitchen. Going through his cabinets and assessing his huge pantry. It was very well stocked i had to admit. I decided to try baking a wine cake and cream it, with ice cream!

Excited at the thought of trying out a new recipe, I giddily put music on my phone and connected it to the speaker. I quickly got down and started preparing my ingredients. Thanks to my master chef ways, I was done with everything in less than thirty minutes.

The excitement that was coursing through my veins was unbelievable. I would enjoy this little peace, let my brain relax a little bit. I found myself dancing to Troye Sivan as I set the timer for thirty minutes and cleaned up the place. Once I was done cleaning I saw that I had twelve minutes left for the cake to be ready. I turned off the music on my phone took one last scoop of ice-cream and put it back in the freezer.

I went to the sitting room and scrolled through the channels for something interesting to watch but found nothing. I left it at some weird channel for the background noise and indulged myself in my phone, replying to the various messages then I noticed the three missed calls from my mum, one from my dad and five from my aunt.

It was only 7:30. I decided to call my mum first.

"Larissa? Where have you been? I've been calling all day!"

"Did you forget your husband sold me?" i told her my voice void of any emotion. I was done protecting her feelings, acting like reality wasn't real. There was a moment of silence on her part. The oven dinged in the background.

"Ris, you know-" her voice came out all small and shaky.

"Look, mama," i interjected her not ready for whatever gob wash she wanted to let out. "I got the certificate, so you can tell papa. Anything else you need to know?" I asked her nonchalantly putting my phone on speaker as i went to check on my cake. She cleared her voice uncertainly. I pierced the cake with a toothpick and it came out clean. Yayy, it was ready. The dark cloud that was beginning to gather over my head, dissipated a little.

"Where's your hunk of a husband?" She finally asked. I rolled my eyes at the attempt of her lightening the mood.

"He's freshening up, it's our wedding night," I told her sarcastically.

"Really?" she asked sounding genuinely excited. i now saw where i got the naïve genes from.

"No, mama."

I opened the window and placed the cake by it for it to cool.

"Look, mama," I said after the silence pulled out a bit longer. "Let's catch up later, okay? Bye." i hang up without waiting for the response. I wasn't in the mood for my mood to be dampened. Deep down, I felt like she'd betrayed me.

I scrolled through my phone, and paused on my aunt's number.

Did I feel like my aunt's drama now? Nope.

I decided to look for something on forums for an interesting series online to binge-watch on Metflix. Ten minutes passed and still nothing interesting enough. It was so hard to find something interesting. I mentally screamed.

Aggravated, I put my phone down and went to check if my cake had cooled down enough. To nmy ultimate pleasure, it had cooled down completely. I shut the windows and continued to add my ice cream to complete my mega creation. Or wait, had someone already invented this…oh well, who cares.

I carefully divided my cake into two, my imagination running wild picturing myself in a busy bakery with friendly customers and the sweet cake scent surrounding all of us. My phone's loud ringtone pierced my happy bubble as I came back to reality. I finished dividing it; carefully put them on separate boards.

I looked at the caller ID and saw PAPA flashing. My brain froze for a moment as I gingerly answered the call placing it on my ear.

"Larissa, you have your marriage certificate?" he questioned grouchily immediately after I picked up.

"Didn't mama tell you, asshole?"

"Yes." I sent back matching his tone

"Good. Has the wedding been consummated?"

I fisted my hands. Chances of this wedding being consummated were menial.

"No," I continued with my monosyllabic responses. We both knew that I wouldn't get much from this marriage until it was consummated. This is why I had to come up with the perfect strategy. This man on the other side of the line, is where the opportunist in me came from.

"Hurry that up. In the meantime get a job in his office, don't slack off." he ordered and hang up. I slowly let out the breath I'd been holding and got out of my attentive stance.

Oh the plans I have for you father. But his idea was not bad. Thank you, papa.

I went back to preparing my cake, eating the ice cream as I went. Mmmh. I closed my eyes a little just savoring the taste. I love how ice cream always boosted my mood. Thank God for whoever invented it.

With my 'master' skills, i finished icing it, created space in the fridge, dumping the contents already in there on top of the other not caring about their delicacy or that i was mishandling them, and carefully placed my cake.

The waiting game begins.