Rae Of Sunshine

Contractual Web

"Who is this woman?" Tinovimba Gwanzura asked his client.
Chris smiled. "You helped me run the background check on her. You tell me." He smirked. When it came to detail Tino Gwanz as he was affectionately known as by his friends never left a stone unturned. He got every last ugly detail of everything. That's why Chris had Tino personally check her out.
Tino checked the impulse to roll his eyes. "Apart from the fact that you were both born in the UK you have nothing in common. If you knew her at all I wouldn't have done such a thorough background check. Who is she to you?"
Chris smiled bemused. He didn't have a clue. That was the honest truth.
"She's a girl I like."
Tino snorted. "Like? You're giving her an ironclad prenuptial for being your girlfriend. You've protected her from yourself and your family... There's something you're not telling me. It's too early for her to be pregnant unless you did her at the last party you threw at the farm."
Chris frowned. She was there? His mind went back to the guests...he'd have remembered her with her pauchoco gear. 
Tino watched his friend. Something was going on. Chris had been weird the last few weeks. Raella was the first positive. He'd never seen Chris expose himself so much.
Apart from her baby with a Greek business man Raella was your typical church choir girl. If she'd had anymore rich boyfriend's Tinovimba would have called her a gold digger. All the other dudes were deadbeats.
Then again so was her baby daddy. He didn't pay maintenence or anything. No diapers, no formula, not even clothes for his daughter.
Tino looked at the pictures of mother and daughter together. The girl could easily be mistaken as Chris'. He could almost see why Chris had fallen for Raella Grey & her aptly named daughter.
"I found out who the father of her baby is."
Chris stiffened. He wanted Raella to be able to confide in him. If he knew too much it might ruin things. He needed to know if the man would be a threat to his future happiness though.
"Yeah?" He asked nonchalantly.
Tino grinned. Raella Grey had Christopher Black wrapped around her little finger. This was going to be fun.

Raella woke up in a great mood. Lunch with Chris had been dreamy. He was everything he promised in the contract and more.
She sighed knowing that the second she woke up from her dream she would have to face the stark reality that there was no contract, Chris was indeed out of her league and definitely not interested in her. Until then she'd carry on texting him as if they were dating. After all dreams are to be enjoyed.
She glanced at her phone. He'd sent her a text before he went to the gym at 5 am. She loved the way he said her name. He always asked after Angelica.
After lunch he'd given her a plush toy for Angelica. When Raella had gotten home she gave the toy to her daughter. Angelica smiled and took the toy saying, "Papa!"
Raella had been stunned. She still didn't know what to think of it. Angelica slept with the toy.
If only life could reflect her dreams for once. Sighing she put her outfit for the interview tomorrow on the less crowded side of her closet. Her phone rang an unknown land line number rang.
"Hello?"
"Miss Grey?" A woman she didn't recognise asked.
"Speaking."
"Ma'am, my name is Jessica Madamombe. I work at Vivanhu Interior Design. I wanted to find out what time we can meet to discuss the decor of your flatlet."
Raella's heart skipped a beat. The contract said he would provide her accommodation with security. She was tempted to pinch herself just to make sure it wasn't a dream.
She quickly went through her diary. The only really good time would be Monday if she didn't get the job at Belle Mot. She told Jessica and set the date.
Being Chris' girlfriend would afford her the luxury of not having to get up and work for some time. Her allowance was literally a salary on its own. She cringed.
She would never accept such a contract in real life. Only gold diggers dated for money. She would happily date Chris without all the monetary incentives.
A weird feeling settled in her stomach when she looked at her phone. It was Chris. She knew the dream was about to end.
"Hello?"
"Hey Rae." Somehow every time he said her name it was as if he was slowly dunking her in hot chocolate with the sole purpose of removing it with his tongue. Goose pimples covered her skin and a light flush coloured her face.
"Rae?" His voice was slightly higher pitched and filled with concern.
"Hey." She breathed.
"Did I call at a bad time?" He asked.
Raella shook her head.
"I can call back if you're busy."
"No, it's fine. What's cracking?"
Chris chuckled. "Greg would like us back at the farm for a weekend. He loves your proposal. He apologized for not meeting us. I didn't want to speak on your behalf especially since Angelica might hate me for taking you away."
She had told him about Angelica at lunch. That was not a secret she could hide. He had asked a lot about Angelica's father. Raella had tried to be as truthful as possible with as little bitterness as possible.
He had growled and muttered under his breath and she'd told him the really PG version. It had made her smile. She was still smiling. For a long time she had been told that she should have married Angelica's father and she knew that would have been disastrous.
"So...is that a no?" He asked sounding slightly disappointed. She sighed.
"How much of the weekend will be business?"

"Friday afternoon."

Raella could not remember the last time she had been on vacation. "You do realize that I don't work for you?" She teased.

"Not yet, I could do with a good PA. I pay well and give mean foot rubs. All your rights would be preserved but you'd have to promise to keep me professional. I might forget we're at work and..." his voice trailed off awkwardly. "I will do anything to have you around me as long as possible. We were an awesome team when we met with Stefan. I need someone who can be in sync with me like that."

Raella laughed and mentioned a whole list of perks she would want. "That's to make up for the inconvenience of getting caught making out with the boss after hours and the gossip."

"Okay. So, Friday? We can make it a trip for you, me, Angelica and your best friend."

"Sounds good. Email me the latest on where we're at on the proposal and we can wrap it up tonight."

"No, you have your interview tomorrow. I want you to come feeling well rested and not tired because I kept you up all night."

"Come?" Raella asked.

"Yes, you're going into town right? We can meet after your interview and do it then."

"Oh, right." Raella laughed at herself. Her heart had skipped a beat. She was really nervous about the interview.

"Are you ready for the movers on Saturday?"

'I haven't even started packing Chris. I'll see it all after we meet tomorrow."

"Rae, all you have to do is pack your delicates. They will do the rest. I don't want you tired."

"Mama! Papa!" Angelica tapped Raella's leg reaching for the phone. Raella's heart skipped a few beats.

"May I talk with her?" Chris asked softly.

It was just a dream right?  Raella smiled. "Sure." She gave her phone to Angelica.

Angelica's face lit up. "Papa! Angewica pweety!"

Raella couldn't tell what Chris had said but whatever it was made Angelica smile. Then she looked up at her mom and frowned. "No Papa!" She stamped her foot then gave the phone to her mother.

"What was that all about?" Raella asked bemused.

"Not much. I just agreed with her and asked to speak with you." He paused. "She called me 'papa'," he paused again.

"I heard. You're very lucky. She only calls men who are family that."

"Drat I was hoping I could use that as ammunition to hurry up and ask you to marry me." Chris laughed. "Now you're calling me family, i don't want to be related to you like that Rae...I want you as mine."

Raella's knees buckled and she quickly sat on the floor next to Angelica who was watching a few ants on the floor. Just as quickly he rang off saying he had a meeting to attend and he'd call later. She stared at her phone in an almost daze. She hadn't imagined the possessiveness in his voice had she? Really Raella? Going nuts over his voice deepening a notch and sounding gruff?  She chided her self. It sounded oh so sexy too though. She giggled to herself. This had to be the best dream she had in forever.

She quickly swooped Angelica up and went into the kitchen to make a mid morning snack. As she prepared the food Angelica played with her phone. "Heyo Papa!" A tear slipped down Raella's cheek.

Sometimes she wondered how she would ever explain to Angelica why her father was not around. At times like these it didn't really seem to matter. She always got anxious wondering what would happen when Angelica was older and genuinely wanted to know.

Wiping away the tear before Angelica noticed Raella finished the snack preparation and turned to Angelica with a bright smile. Angelica beamed a big grin back at her mother and ran towards her. Raella picked her daughter up and hugged Angelica. Angelica laughed and kissed her mother. "Wove you Mama!"

"Love you too baby."