Bands of the Unpaid Dowry

Chapter 11

"Mom!" Jace called out excitedly, gently tugging Millicent who stood frozen at the sight of his mother. His mother watched him with a distasteful smile.

"So, you know your mother? I thought Manuela had become your mother. You know the things you want to do is the reason you left me in that big house alone." Reaching her, Jace walked over to hug his mother. Unlike other people in the country, he was presently in, he grew up with a lot of physical touch and basked in that form of affection.

"I missed you too, mom." His mother pulled back to take in his entire body to calculate the state of his health. Manuela moved to stand beside her friend while her aunt greeted Jace.

"How'd it go?" She murmured to Millicent, making sure she stood as close as the hairs of their arms could touch to keep the conversation between them.

"You'll be surprised." Millicent responded and smiled while keeping her eyes on Jace and his mother. She had yet to acknowledge her.

"Just so you know. She knows you guys are married. She doesn't know it's fake. S-" Manuela's words were swallowed back when her aunt finally called out to Millicent.

"And who is this with you?" Millicent then realized the sophistication that hovered around his mom even in the African print maxi dress she wore. She looked regal. Her natural hair was put in a sleep gelled form with a braided extension attached as a pony tail. She was almost as tall as her son but that could be an advantage her two-inch wedge heel that peeked out of her dress offered.

"This is Millicent. She is, uh, Manu's best friend." Millicent saw the ends of the woman's lips curl up in a sly way. Manuela just shook her head but was also surprised at her aunt's calmness.

"Is that so?" Jace doubled trying to call Manuela with his eyes, but the latter was reassuring her friend who didn't know what to do. "Let's go inside. We can't stand out here forever."

"Uh, yes, Mimi is my friend, aunt Josephine." Manuela spoke while she ushered Millicent into the house after her aunt and cousin entered. Josephine just hummed to acknowledge what she heard. They all settled in the blue leather couches in the living room.

"So what is this I hear about getting married in Las Vegas." Jace's complexion paled, stiffly sat up and let out a quick laugh. He turned to his cousin who watched in mirth but nodded all the same to his questioning look. He turned his head to Millicent who for the first time looked more composed than he did. He relaxed his form and found his mother's waiting gaze. She had fully crossed her leg and leaned back elegantly in her seat.

"Yes mom, I got married to a girl I like." His mother silently watched Millicent who kept her watchful gaze on the woman but had yet to talk. Both of them seemed to be assessing the other.

"Introduce us then."

"That's it? You aren't going to roar?" She watched her son amusingly. Because he grew abroad he seemed to be lacking knowledge of their culture. No family would accept the marriage until the dowry or the bride price was fully accounted for. She thought the girl should know better. Looking now, she saw her son's gaze resting on Millicent. He wasn't aware of how his eyes searched for her so she knew it was an attraction and nothing more. But she was happy he had found someone she would probably like.

"When did you two meet?" Millicent and Jace's matching grins went unnoticed by their company as they simultaneously responded, "In 2023." Manuela stilled and shook her head in wonder with her mouth agape as she looked from one to the other. They were crazy.

"And where did you meet?" Josephine interrogated further.

"On Instagram."

"Facebook." A breathy laugh escaped Manuela. The two just went head straight into the plan without any plan. Which was surprising for someone like Jace who was usually calculating.