Page 14 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“I thought he was Osei’s friend?”

“No, Osei’s friend said he was busy, but Deji said he could review it. Osei said we should go with Deji.”

“Do you have any questions for me?”

“When are we getting married? I need to clear my calendar and get a dress.”

“A week from tomorrow, at a church. I’ll get you all the details. I can arrange a stylist for your dress.”

“No need. My friend Jax will help me with that.” I nod. Though I want to be involved, I let it go.

“When Osei and Paula leave, we need to start getting to know each other.”

“Can we do that after I return from work tomorrow? I have the next day off, no work, and no school.” A wide, happy smilegraces her face. I like seeing her happy. “Osei has said we should go out, but I can let him know now that I’m staying in.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

“Anything else?”

I shake my head, and she opens the door and turns to me.

“It’s a beautiful ring. I promise to keep it safe. Thank you.”

“Glad you like it,” I reply as she dashes out, hollering to Osei.

I follow her out but head to my room to shower and change into lounge pants and a T-shirt. When I come out, Paula is gone. Dele’s laughing at Osei, both sitting at the dinner table. Osei has a pouty face.

“You lost, so we’re seeing the cheesiest rom-com,” she grins at him.

“I so dislike you right now,” Osei replies, pouting.

“Sore loser,” she replies with the “L” sign to my pouty brother, who knocks her hand off.

I clear my throat, and she immediately starts cleaning up the plates and heads to the kitchen sink. Osei gets up and goes to hug her.

“See you tomorrow,” he says. She doesn’t say anything. I want her to say something about tomorrow, but I remain quiet.

“Night, Luke,” he says to me.

“Night, Osei.” He leaves, and the moment he closes the door, I head to the fridge.

“We left you some food in the warmer,” she says. I nod and head to the warmer.

She quickly rinses the kitchen sink and says, “Goodnight, Luke.”

“Goodnight, Dele,” I answer, though my body craves a hug too. I stab the grilled potato.

I grudgingly finish the food and dump the plate in the dishwasher. Work is all I need now to take my mind off my future wife.

When I come out of my office, I notice her light is off. When I try to open the door, I find it locked. Explicit words explode in my head. I soon calm my mind and unlocked the door. She’s asleep with the closet light on. I move closer, kiss her forehead, then leave and lock the door.

The next morning, she’s out before I wake up. I head to work with a happy feeling that tonight will be just us, and we can talk. I’ll get my chance to know all about her. I’m happy all day and excited on my way home.

I get home, expecting to see Dele, but she’s not here. Her room is empty, with no shoes on the mat or evidence she has returned since the morning.

I grunt in frustration. I call her phone, and it goes straight to voicemail, exacerbating my annoyance at not finding her at home.

I call Osei, who answers right away.

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