Bands of the Unpaid Dowry

Chapter 22

"Kwaku, my son. How are you?" Millicent winced at the sweet tangy voice of her mother. She was now tucked in bed playing the sick, but they had agreed not to voice her presence in the home until her mother asked.

Regina smiled kindly when the handsome young man allowed her in and took the items she was carrying. Looking at his muscular build, fair and well groomed skin, his eyes and finally his hair, she was certain that he could be the one for her daughter. She just wanted to find out what he did for a living and that would bolster her decision. Her mouth broadened when he set the bag on the counter after they entered the kitchen.

"Ah, Kwaku, I'm sure that child forgot to make you food. Let me get you something." Her eyes gleamed when she noticed his anxious face and somewhere in her bed, Millicent only grumbled at her mother downplaying her importance in the kitchen.

Jace, being highly amused and also nervous of the older version of the woman he liked, responded, "I'm the one who cannot be trusted in the kitchen, auntie." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck when the scrutinizing gaze of Regina intensified on his face.

Regina was only taking time to comprehend the words that were clouded in his accent. Once she comprehended, she clapped her hands together and clicked her tongue. She walked around to where he stood with a very satisfied look.

"Love always defends." She gently patted his back and craned her neck to see him. Regina was tall but over the years a little stoutness had taken over her body which made her seem shorter than she was. She was content with the young man who was yet to marry her daughter.

"No haste, my son but when is the family going to be introduced?" Millicent sat up suddenly and stiffly after hearing those words. Her door was cracked open so she could hear their faint voices. The older woman lightly laughed, oblivious to the reddening ears of the young man and the compromising situation. When Jace failed to answer but only stared back at her with wide eyes, she added, "You see, we have to be certain and settled to ward off other men when they ask of her but because you've not come formally..." Her sage eyes lit with the knowledge that only she was cognizant of after her lowered voice informed him. She leaned behind the counter as he stood tall in front of her.

If possible, Jace stood even taller - his way of possessing the bond between him and Millicent - and without dithering, responded in a firm way, "It will happen soon." He hadn't known he liked the woman so much that his mind could not materialize her with any other person.

Regina nodded when she assessed the conviction on the now hard features of his face. "Okay. Now, let me make you some good home food. I hope you can eat it." With an expectant look she moved around to start her preparation.

"Yes please. My mother taught me to eat all our delicacies." Jace spoke, stepping to the side and allowing her to work. He remembered something that unsettled him. "I'm so sorry, would you like anything to drink?" Regina smiled inwardly, impressed by the man's reception to culture.

"That's alright. I'll make this and go clear out that busy child's room. By the way..." She was cut off by his rushed voice.

"Oh, she's home. She wasn't feeling well today." Millicent puffed in relief at the timely answer.

"Sick?" She heard the usual heavy footsteps of her mother when she was concerned, rushing to her room. Her door opened and the woman badged in with Jace in tow. Regina had creases of worry on her forehead and around her eyes. Jace hid a snicker behind the back of his hand when she squeezed her face in pseudo pain and looking right at her he could detect the little glare in the depth of her squinted brown eyes.

Millicent quickly picked out the thermometer that Jace placed in the hot water under her bed and placed it in her armpit. She signaled with her eyes for her man to get moving in the act they were portraying.