The Arranged Fiancé

Chapter 2

Dedication to Irenejames. Thanks for reading.

Lenora rang the doorbell of the two storeyed house and waited as she fidgetted her fingers nervously. Wow now she acted like a teenager waiting to reveal her love to her crush. She couldn't help but snicker at that thought.

Why was she nervous? It is Winston we are talking about. He will understand and help her sort out her situation.

The door opened to reveal a confused looking Winston dressed only in his tight jeans that hung too low on his waist. He was handsome that she could stare all day. She dragged her eyes over his lean torso and toned chest before meeting his grey eyes. There was now a smirk plastered on his lips indicating that he had caught her staring. Her cheeks warmed at that thought.

"Hey baby, what are you doing here early in the morning?" He asked not bothering to hide the surprise in his tone.

"Hm.. Hm.. Came to dicuss some things" she sputtered tightening the sweater over her as the cold morning wind waved over her.

She felt a slight relief that he had not caught on her red puffy eyes and dark circles. She had not got an ounce of sleep last night. She had gasped when she saw herself in the mirror in the morning. Even her maid had asked her if something was bothering her.

Discuss?. Winston tried his best not to grimace at that word. Sure by 'dicuss' she didn't mean to make him sit down to listen to her rants and rants about the wedding as most women did, or did she? He hoped not, as sure in hell he wants nothing to do with their wedding plans. She can do it solely for all he care. He tried not to already regret his decision of proposing to her. But he needed her, needed her last name and business tricks to climb up the ladder.

"Okay then, come in" he gestured with his hand inviting her in. The moment the door closed behind them he turned her around before planting his lips on her. Caught off guard she stumbled but Winston caught her waist steadying her. Now being able to stand without wobbling she eagerly responded to the kiss, happy that she had Winston to share her worries.

Once the kiss was over he guided her to the living room and both of them sat down on the plush sofa that she was all too familiar. By that she meant all those movie nights they had cuddling together and yes not the dirty thoughts as some may think of.

"So what is it?" he asked while handing her a chilled coke from the fridge. She would have preferred a steaming cup of coffee this early morning.

Lenora turned to face his curious face. Taking in a deep breath she kept the bottle on the table and took Winston's hand in hers. She played with his fingers and started to tell him about the situation.

"So dad called and I told him about us" she traced her index finger over his palm.

"And-" he prompted, his curiosity peeking over.

"It didn't go well. He was angr-'' Lenora was surprised as Winston suddenly yanked his hand out of her grasp. There was a look of frustration on his face that bothered her.

''Explain what happened Lenora'' he demanded impatiently while running his hand through his hair.

Not wanting to hold the news anymore from him she explained all about her conversation with her dad not daring to look at his face even once afraid to see his reaction. Once she finished she lifted her head and looked directly at Winston.

He gaped at her, his eyes bulging out and his face looked like someone had punched him on his stomach. Lenora put her hand on his knee and shook him to get him out of his trance.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, no words coming out of his mouth. 'Disowned her' . No, no this can't be happening now. What is he going to do? How is he supposed to get all those money and shares and enlarge his business if he wasn't the son-in-law of the multi millionaire Stanford. Yes the only reason that he proposed her and acted all lovey-dovey was to use her dad's name and money to enlarge his business and make a name for himself in the business world. Now this bitch has to go and ruin everything. He felt like strangling her and her dad with his bare hands.

Lenora was confused by Winston's reaction. Where was the hug and soothing words that she expected? Instead he was sitting there gaping like a fish. She shook on his knee once again and murmured his name to gain his attention.

It seemed to work for the next moment he jerked her hand off his knee and muttered the first lie that came onto his tongue. ''I have to attend a meeting at 9 in the morning. I will see you later.''

Lenora hid her disappointment and nodded in agreement believing him. Winston always found it easy to lie to her. Whatever sh*t he pulled on her she believed him like the perfect girlfriend she was. Pathetic right?

''May be we could have lunch together'' Lenora suggested as she leaned forward to swipe the hair out of his eyes.

Winston gritted his teeth in annoyance. God she is becoming clingy. Why can't she get the hint.

Winston rejected her with another one of his lies but eventually agreed to meet up for dinner. Lenora brushed her lips against him but pulled back immediately noticing his lack of response.

It hurt her that Winston had dismissed her so easily. But she couldn't blame him for being devoted to his work. He was working so hard to make his business stable. She always thought of asking her father to guide him in his business after their marriage.

After completing her business courses Winston had persuaded her to join his business and be his partner which she politely rejected. If she wanted to have a career in business it will sure be with her father then.

Winston's business was no where near the Sandford's. Winston was just a rising bud when it came to business. But as usual she didn't care. It was his personality that attracted her to him, not his riches.

Lenora purposefully avoided the topic of her moving in with Winston. Even without her father's help she could move into a decent house with her savings and her income from her art gallery. Yes she loved arts- painting and drawing. The art gallery in the centre of the city belonged to her. If it wasn't for her father's constant nagging and persuasions to take those various business courses, she would have had a stable career by now.

She decided to spent her rest of the rest at the art gallery.

On her way her thoughts drifted towards revealing the news of her engagement to her other family members. Will they act differently to her when she will no longer be a Sanford?

Her father's and mother's family was huge with many of their brothers and sisters but sadly she didn't have one. But she was happy to have many cousins of her age. Nowadays she wasn't in contact with many of them as all where busy with their jobs. But she enjoyed their company whenever they had a get-together once in a while.

Mia, her 23 year old cousin was her favourite and the only one who knows about Winston. She will be the first one Lenora will break the news to.

She spent the rest of her day at the art gallery taking note of the new paintings, monitoring the orders and having a meeting regarding the new exhibition that the organisers have planned. And as usual she forgot about the mess that was her life.