CHAPTER TWELVE

The next few days passed by in a blur with Akai recovering smoothly. Mrs Keys however was acting like a spoilt brat. The woman was complaining about every little thing, from the flavour of the pudding to the hospital sheets not being white enough. She is getting on my last nerve.

Hilden would occasionally stop by the hospital to check up on us. But of course Mrs Keys would always run her mouth about her discontentment. He wouldn't pay her any mind because he knows how siding with her could change the dynamics of this whole arranged marriage.

Yesterday when he stopped by during his lunch break, the doctor announced that Akai was doing better than expected and we could leave today. He asked me out on a date thinking it was a good 'bonding' session because we don't know each other, at least not the way a married couple should.

So here l am, getting ready for a date with Mrs Keys obnoxious voice trash talking each and every outfit l put on because according her, l look like a sack of potatoes and Hilden is an Adonis. And in order for this marriage to go well, l have o look the part.

"Why don't you ever listen to anything l say?" she says exasperatedly

"Because you never listen to what l say. Don't you know that it takes two to tango?" l ask her a little smugly

"Don't be smart with me! If this wedding doesn't go as planned, l will ruin you. Do you understand me." she said threateningly

"Don't you dare use that tone on me, l don't have to put up with your nonsense. Don't forget that you need me more than l need you. I can do with a bad reputation. After all, no one knows me. Can you deal with bankruptcy, being the laughing stock of town?" l spoke a little confidently, it was good to have the upper hand. Her face visibly paled upon hearing my words. Knowing l had the power to ruin her with just the click of my fingers.

"Exactly what l thought. Now if you'll excuse me , l have a date to prepare for."  She looked like she had something to say but thought against it before turning around and walking out the room.

The nerve of her and her husband. I will teach them how to be human beings. Starting with Celia. Don't get me wrong, l am not a fan of either but at least Mrs Keys is tolerable.

I settled on a hot pink silk dress with adjustable draw strings on the thigh portion of the dress. It had a cow neck and an open back paired with white open toe tie leg spool heels. A very simple but cute outfit.

The moment l made it down the stairs, Hilden was chatting up a storm with Mr Keys about the recent economical downfall. The two were so engrossed in conversation that it took me screaming out his name for them to acknowledge my presence

"Are you ready to go?" He asked. I felt a tad bit insecure in that moment. It's not that l expected him to stare at me from head to toe a few times before looking into my eyes lovingly as if under a spell. I would then break him out of his trance. Then he would be tongue tied causing me to laugh and compliment him, giving him the encouragement he needed to finally make me feel like the prettiest girl with just a 'wow, you look beautiful'. Not in the slightest, a simple compliment would have done the trick.

"Oh darling you look stunning" praised Mrs Keys causing me to look at her with a raised eyebrow

"Don't give me that look. I do apologise for earlier" She said. I simply smiled in her direction. Her husband shifted uncomfortably by her side and it took a lot of willpower for me not to burst out laughing

"Yes" l said answering Hilden and with that l was out the door. It took him a few minutes before he reached the car unlocking it and getting into the drivers seat. Again leaving me disappointed. This time around, l did expected him to at least open the door. I guess its true what they say. Chivalry is dead.

The drive to the restaurant was awkward to say the least. The Hilden l was with now was nothing like the gentleman l have come to know or even like. Neither of us made any attempt to converse only drowning our discomfort with the multitude of romance songs playing on the radio.

The restaurant was way above my paycheque and dress code. It wasn't overly crowded but you could see the self-entitled and self righteous looks on the overly caked faces of the arm candies. The men all had similar prissy faces of superiority. This is going to be a long night.

"Reservation under Smith" He said rather rudely. The waiter didn't even flinch at the tone that was used but merely led us to a secluded section of the restaurant that was only lit up by a dozen red candles. I am not really a romantic but even l can admit that this was very cute although not really my style.

Hilden went to sit down while the waiter pulled out my chair for me to sit. I smiled in his direction while Hilden scowled at me. A weird thing l noticed about the table is that there were three seats yet two of us.

"Why are there three seats" l asked Hilden. The waiter had gone to get the menus

"That's not something you should worry about" he said dismissively. I found it weird but didn't speak on it any further. I suddenly had a bad feeling about the turn out of the evening causing me to shift uncomfortably. Thankfully the waiter came back with the menu and a gorgeous woman by his side. She was dressed in a black mid thigh body con dressed that showed off her gorgeous curves. Her make-up was done perfectly, very natural giving her an angelic look. Her hair ran down her back in waves and l felt like a potato compared to her.

"Baby" She said to Hilden going in for a kiss.