THE DINNER PARTY 1
What have I gotten myself into?
That was the first question I asked myself. I walked away from the room quickly, hoping to meet a place full of people. At least, I would be a lot safer with many people around. That was what I thought.
I was barely close to the hall where the dinner party was held when I bumped into Mr. Greystone. I had been so lost in thoughts of my predicaments that I failed to see Mr. Greystone coming.
Unlike how many romantic movies play out that scene, there was no magical aura around us when we bumped into each other, we were not staring into each other's eyes with love and no, there was no romance!
I glared at him for being in my way and aside tricking me into a marriage contract and tying me into a tight spot, he was guilty for a lot of things.
"It's you, again." He muttered under his breath like I was some sort of nuisance he wanted to avoid. "Are your eyes for decoration?" Despite noticing how I glared at him, he said. "Did you lose your glasses? Call Cal, he will help you get a new one."
"You have some guts." His words had only made me angry. After all the documents I was forced to sign, here he was throwing jabs at me. "You are the one that should be watching your way you oaf! I came here to work as your therapist, not get traumatized!" I started ranting. "First, you demean me and made your PA force me into signing a lot of ridiculous paperworks. Now, I am married to you! You are my patient for goodness sake! How do you expect results from therapy when you have violated one professional rule?" I asked while he kept looking at me like I was some deranged animal.
"You trapped in an agreement I was not aware of and to make things worse, there is a high chance that your family is after my life!" All these was getting to me and I was getting lost in my anguish when he asked me.
"What did you say? What do you mean by someone is after your life?" He grabbed my arms to ask me urgently.
"Your family... A mother and a daughter. It seems like they carry your last name so they —" before I could finish my sentence, he asked.
"Where did you see them?" At that question and from the look on his face, I knew I was really in a life threatening situation.
"In the last room, down this hallway." I pointed the direction for him. Though I was wearing a gown that covered more than half of my body, I shivered in fear. He looked down at me with a serious dose of concern. That alone scared me to pieces.
"Who are they, Mr. Greystone?" I asked him, frightened but his only reply was.
"It is none of your business. Stay in the hall, close people if you want to survive the night." He said vaguely, increasing my anxiety that moment. He left without another word, in the direction I pointed at. I immediately obliged. Walking into the hall in haste, I stayed where there was a lot of people. Wealthy people. No one had to tell me they were all rich. It was obvious from the luxurious outfits they had on.
The hall was close to the living room. It was a very spacious hall with many paintings around decorating the walls. There were many chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling that was probably six meters above me. I looked around to see how everyone seemed to know each other. So, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
I took a drink from a maid passing by with glasses of drinks on a tray. I stayed by myself as I sipped in some of the drink. Just then, a lean looking man in brown suit walked up to me.
"You look familiar. Have we met somewhere?" He asked as he looked intently at me, with a thick british accent. He was a scrawny looking guy with blonde hair that reached his shoulders. He has a pair of brown eyes that stared.
"I am Amanda Eze." I introduced myself as I stretched my hands for a shake. It was a formal setting so I assumed that was proper. He shook my hand as he introduced himself.
"Leonard Davis." He said with his chest puffed out in pride, like his name was supposed to ring a bell. I lookedvag him clueless of his reputation.
"Alright." I said dully like I was bored before looking away to admire the styles of people's outfits.
"Uhh... What do you mean by alright? I just told you my name." He looked appalled that I still didn't recognize him. "You do not know me?"
I gave him a side glance as I asked. "We literally just introduced ourselves. How am I supposed to know you?"
"Interesting..." His face which has been filled with shock was currently filled with curiosity. "I truly can not believe a person invited to this party does not recognize me." He said sincerely. "You intrigue me, damsel. If you do not mind me asking, how are you related to the host of this party? I for one have been one of his many investors."
Now, I was not sure of what to say. The nondisclosure agreement I signed forbidden me from telling people I was his therapist.
"She is my wife, Alexander Eaton." Mr. Greystone suddenly appeared at my side and announced. At that announcement, the hall turned silent. A moment after, there were murmurs everywhere at different corners. He held my waist firmly as he brought me closer to his side. I was glaring at him for that when something clicked in my head.
"Alexander Eaton?" I asked in surprise as I turned to face the scrawny looking man. This dude had just introduced himself to me as Leonard Davis.
"Mr. Greystone. It is a pleasure to meet you and... your new wife." He said as he laughed nervously. Immediately, he scurried away like a scared cat.
"What just happened?" I asked as I looked at the retreating figure of than scrawny looking man. I wondered why he had introduced himself with s fake identity.
"He is an investor in one of my companies. Though he is sly most of the time and a coward, he is pretty much harmless. He probably lied to you about his identity, right?" Mr. Greystone asked. Before I could respond, he continued. "He usually lie about his identity when he is speaking with people he thinks are gullible. If I had not come on time, he would have made you an irresistible offer to scam you off whatever you have. He is from a prestigious family with influence so there is hardly anything you can do to retaliate after." He said with his hand still on my waist.
"Alright. He is gone now. Leave my waist alone." I subtly tried to remove his hand from my waist but I couldn't. His grip was firm.
"Very well, If that is what you want." He said as he removed his hand from my waist and placed it on my hip.
"When I said leave my—" I was about to say when he leaned close to whisper in my ear.
"As from today, we are a newly married couple. You signed those documents remember. If you do not wish to face the consequences of not complying, you had better stay still and play along. Everyone here is watching us." Immediately he said the last sentence, I peeped over his shoulder a little and noticed he was right. Everyone was keenly watching our interaction while they murmured.
"If you want to survive this night, you had better listen to me." He demanded with a subtle growl. His words would have been sexy if we were in some romantic novel but we weren't. This was real life and being all bossy with me like that after all he had done irked me.
Nevertheless, I obliged. When he pulled away to give me a goofy smile and ask me for my first dance, I agreed. I had no idea what sort of dance he was referring to, but I followed him to the dance floor.
People parted the way for us as he led me to the center of the hall, beneath the largest chandelier. I smiled to myself as planned on how I would step on his feet through out the dance.
A classical music began playing in the background as Mr. Greystone directed one of my hands on his chest before holding the other. By the time we were in position, I realized the type of dance he meant. It was not like any of the dances we had in Nigeria, which was something I was good at. It was the type you would see in movies. Something they call tango. My eyes widened as I realized there was a high possibility I would disgrace myself and my ancestors in front of many people.
"Mr. Greystone. I can not dance. " I quickly informed him but he looked down at me with a sinful smile "I know."