The fill-in wife - Episode 10

 

Maya:

"Will you marry me, sweet girl?"
"What?! Are you kidding me or----
Oh no, I'm dreaming this up! Maya, you and your wild dreams!"  Derrick gives me that smile that makes my knees weak and It looks real. I have to wipe my eyes twice to make sure I'm not dreaming this up.
"It's not a dream sweet girl." My eyes open and yup, he's still on his knees, ring out and his smile still in place.
"Oh my God. I'm not dreaming."
"Nope . It's time to get what you deserve sweet girl. Let me take care of you Maya." He takes my hand and slip the ring unto my finger.
"Wait, I don't remember saying yes!"
"It's no longer a request." He stands up then brush his lips against my knuckles, completely taking my breath away.
"This-- no I mean I--- would it---" I don't even know what to say.
"Shhh. Get dressed. I'll be outside." He press a kiss to my forehead before striding out of the room.
"Maya? Don't wake up from this dream ok?" I pinch my nose and it hurts. Things don't hurt in dreams right? I look down at the bigger than life diamond on my finger. Even I can't dream that up!
"Oh my God, it's real! He loves me! He just proposed! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" I do a little victory dance around the table out of giddiness.
"Maya? Are you getting dressed or what? We don't have all day!" He yells from outside and I quickly do as he says and pull on my crappy dress.

Derrick:

"We'll be there by 6pm and I hope you'll have everything ready." I say into the phone

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-fill-in-wife

. He doesn't argue with me about my rush. With the money I just forwarded to his account, he would get it done.
"I'm sure I can get that arranged." He tells me and I nod.
"Good. By the way, I want you to increase the money she'll be getting to 6million." I say before I end the call. I want this over and done with before Maya changes her mind. It's now or never.
"Maya? Are you getting dressed or what? We don't have all day!" I yell and hope she hears me.
Maya finally comes out few minutes later.
"Finally. Come on sweet girl." I take her hand and pull towards the road where we get a cab.

Maya:

"Pinch me Beatrice!"
"Ouch!, not that hard!" I rub my cheek to alleviate the sting. My eyes meet the mirror and I still can't comprehend how that is really me. I raise one brow and the stunning woman in the mirror does the same.
"You are getting married." My best friend mutter for the hundredth time. I'd thought after the proposal, Derrick will at least introduce me to his family or something like that. Instead, he drags me to a salon where I've had my nails done, facials and even my hair which has always been a tangled mess got special treatments too. We also visited a bridal shop where he bought a simple yet elegant white dress and our wedding rings. Everything is happening so fast. Just this morning, Derrick was freaking out about sleeping with me and now, we're going to get married in court?
"You are so lucky Maya! I mean look at this ring! God, I'm so jealous. I believe in fairy tales now. Send my own prince charming. Amen." She says and we both burst out laughing.
"I'm just glad I called him to meet you last night." She says.
"Wait, you were the one who told him where I was last night?"
"Of course! I'm a genius right?" She wiggle her brow at me and giggle.
"I can safely say I'm the godmother of this Cinderella story." She says seriously pleased with herself.
"More like the manipulator." I grumble.
"Say what? You are very grateful to have me as your friend and would love me till eternity? Awww. No need to thank me. What are friends for after all if not to play matchmaker."
"You made us umm we kinda--"
"Omg! You're blushing. What did you do Maya Claire Johnson!" I shrug noncommittally and she narrow her eyes at me.
"You kissed!" She jump up and down excitedly.
"If only it were just that." I say silently and she pause. Big eyes peruse me before going wide in realisation.
"You slept with him! Christ! How did you go from kiss virgin to a nonvirgin all together?" She scream and the whole store start staring.
"Bring your voice down!" I whisper yell.
"Hey! I can't believe you had so much fun without me." She pouts and I shake my head at my impossible friend.
"Was it bad, good, very good or amazing?"
"Well... It was...." I let it hang while she looks like the answer could save her life.
"Maya! Spit it out!"
"Fine! It was.....none of your business." I deadpan.
"Crap! That sounded like it suck. Maybe I could teach Prince charming a thing or two."
"Don't you dare think it!" I spit out.
"I'm sorry Mrs Derrick." She drawl.
"Wait, is this why he's so in a hurry to marry you?" She ask and I frown.
"Can't it just be because I am beautiful and he loves me?" I spit out.
"Don't be naive Maya. Don't you think something is fishy? This seemed so rushed! There was no dating, nothing. You just met days ago. Think about it. This is marriage. A lifetime deal. If it's pity he feels for you, will that carry you till death do you part?" At the mention of pity, I'm already clenching my fist tightly.
"That's enough Beatrice." I bite out.
"I'm sorry Maya."
"Look in that mirror. I'm beautiful. Derrick just realized that he wouldn't want yo waste time and risk losing me." I say, more to myself than to her.
"You're right. You are absolutely stunning."
"Hey sweet girl!" Beatrice and I both whip our heads to the door at the same time. Derrick is spotting a navy blue tuxedo and he looks absolutely lickable. The ladies in the salon all have their eyes on him as he strides to where I'm sitting. His eyes doesn't even stray from me.
"He looks enamored by you." Beatrice whisper and I nod. That's more like it. That doesn't look like pity to me.
"Sweet girl." He whispers as he reaches my side and brush a kiss against my forehead. My eyes flutter close in pure bliss.
"Ready to say I do?" He whispers into my ear and I nod.
"Good." He squeeze my hand reassuringly then look up at Beatrice.
"You must be the infamous best friend." He pecks both her cheeks before coming back to stand beside me.
"Take care of my friend,boss. Or I might just poison your meal one day then quit." Beatrice says sweetly and I groan, frustrated.
"I'll always remember that." Derrick says.
"We should be on our way now, sweet girl. Our ride's outside. Your friend can ride with my friend. They are both here to act as witnesses." He explains and I nod.
"Shall we?" He gives me his hand which I gladly take. He lift me off my chair then circle his hand around my waist. I feel so safe in his arms as we both walk out of the salon.

******
The doors of the courthouse open and I see Derrick standing in front of the judge, smiling broadly at me. I take a deep breath to settle my nerves. I feel like puking and running away and at the same time, I feel like running into Derrick's arms and saying I do. This must be a serious case of cold feet before a wedding. My eyes scan the room to see a total of three guests. Beatrice is standing beside Derrick's friend, I think Xavier is his name. He's stunning in an almost identical tuxedo like that of Derrick's. That leaves one more guest who's standing behind my friend. He's Derrick's lawyer. I didn't get his name earlier.
I push down my nervousness and start my walk towards Derrick. His hand is already waiting for me to take it. And hold it forever.
This is a big step Maya. You can just turn around right now and leave. I look behind me at the door then back at Derrick. This is totally unfair! He's giving me that smile. I feel my legs gravitate to him as I slip my hand into his.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you are, sweet girl?" He whisper into my ear and I shiver at his breath against my ear. He did tell me multiple times after my makeover.
I nod.
"Well I'll say it again. You look absolutely stunning sweet girl."
I blush a bright shade of red.
"You don't look so bad yourself." I say and he winks.
"So we are gathered here today for the joining of........" The judge zones on and on with the proceedings. Soon, the proceeding is over. I sign a series of documents after Derrick. The rings are exchanged and short vows are said.
"You may now kiss the bride!"Beatrice yell and I throw her a dirty look. I'm blushing beet red. Derrick notice my stiffness and his hand tangle around mine.

Read " Beautiful Mask " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. He lift it up and brush his lips across my knuckles. He has all my attention now. I've completely forgotten about the other people in he room.
"I want you to trust me to make you feel good from now on." He whispers to me. Our eyes are locked on each other. A trailer load of butterflies start an orchestra in my tummy and I feel like I'm going to melt into a puddle of happy goo.
"I trust you. With all of my heart" I whisper back. I see something flash in his eyes but it's gone so quick I think I might have imagined it.
"My sweet girl." His lips come down and my eyes flutter close in anticipation. I feel his lips brush my forehead lightly instead before kissing both corners of my lips. I feel like I'm going to combust any second from this torture. I move my lips a little so his kisses would touch just where I want them. I flick my tongue out and brush his lips.
"My sweet girl's going to be the end of me." Derrick murmurs before he press his lips firmly on mine and deepen the kiss.