Page 66 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“No, not allowed.”

“Okay then, I’ll tell Mom you punched me.” I let out a frustrated sigh.

“Fucking bring two friends,” I say, defeated, as I hear him laugh.

“Good night.” I hang up on him. If he tells Mom I punched him, I will be getting a call three times a day. And our monthly dinner will become a weekly family dinner. I barely live through every other day calls from Mom. No, thanks. I’ll pay for dinner with all his friends to avoid my mom’s hovering calls trying to make peace between Osei and I.

I go back in to check on Dele. She looks tired. Looking at her, I’m glad I came home sooner. I kiss her forehead, she stirs, and I leave to find something to eat in our home. I should work. Instead, I watch TV. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact Dele was visiting my dad when I traveled. Neither Dele nor Dad mentioned it. I talked to him from the airport till I got home. He didn’t say she was there.

What the fuck is going on?

Chapter 43

LUKE

I stayed home with Dele. She agrees that she is burnt out. A few school tests and ER shifts have been brutal lately. We stayed indoors all day, talking and laughing. I work while she binges shows on Netflix. She turns her phone off after talking to her mom and dad, something I’ve noticed she tries to do daily. I do the same, and spent the evening cooking and talking about everything.

The next morning, on her way out, she promises to take things easy. I don’t want her back out yet, but she can’t miss her classes, and she won’t give up working. So, I have no choice but to let her back into the world. Martin is her driver today, regardless of how much she loves to drive her car. She has had enough Vitamin D, no need to keep walking around town.

During lunch, I decide to pay my dad a visit. We both know I’m not happy to find out my wife was visiting him, and I didn’t know about it.

Arriving at Dad’s place, I say hi to him and he nods. He’s watching a soccer game, which surprises me because that is so not my dad. We sit in silence, both of us stubbornly refusing to talk.

“Why didn’t you tell me Dele has been coming to see you?”

“Because I didn’t want you to stop her from coming,” he gruffly says.

“Why would I do that, Dad?” I ask, perplexed.

“I don’t know why you do anything these days, Luke. First, you get married without either of your parents knowing about it, to a girl I’ve never met. Fortunately, she’s a sweet girl.” His voice is rising in anger.

“I didn’t marry Dele because of you and the money. I married her because I chose her,” I snap at him. He can’t possibly think Dele is an agenda for money.

“That much I know, considering how long I've been trying to get you married, and I thought you were going to marry Nathan’s daughter, Lily. But, out of nowhere, you showed up with Dele,” he challenges.

“Lily would have been a business transaction, not a marriage,” I retort.

“I know, but given the direction you were heading, a business transaction would have sufficed. But I’m glad you made a much better choice. I don’t see Lily visiting an old man in her free time,” he adds, the tone in his voice one of acceptance. He accepts Dele.

“Not in this lifetime,” I scoff. We both know Lily would never visit him on her own. It just isn’t who she is.

“I was pleasantly surprised when Dele showed up. We talked and laughed. I do like her, and I didn’t want you to end it.” Now, he shows a side of him that I didn’t expect.

“Visiting you is good for Dele, too. She's all work and school, so time with you is good for her.”

“How did you two meet?” That's a question I didn’t think my dad would ever ask.

“She’s friends with Osei. I met her at his Halloween party last year.”

“You’ve been dating her that long and didn’t say anything?” His voice rises in disbelief.

“No, dad. I stepped back after meeting her because I thought she was dating Osei. I recently found out they're just friends,” I explain, not wanting to give him all the details. “As soon as I found out, I made my move and married her. It’s pointless wasting time when I know she’s the one.”

“Good, I knew your mother was the one the moment I met her. Don’t mess things up like I did.” I nod in agreement. “Who would have thought the child I wasn’t happy to see your mother carrying would one day bring home my lovely daughter-in-law.” He smiles and returns to watching his game. I certainly didn’t think of my meeting with Dele that way, but Dad is reforming. His focus is back on the game. I rise to leave.

“I need to head back.”

“Okay. Tell Dele to stop by.”

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