Married At Nineteen

Chapter Nine

All through the night I wasn't asleep, I just couldn't close an eyelid. I wasn't feeling secure at all and I was thinking of how to sum up just enough cash to pay off the huge debt.

At around 5pm, sleep came hovering around but I beat it as I took a book from Chris' table to read.

The cover of the page was enticing. A blonde with closed eyes, tears falling down her face and torn clothes that only covered her waist down as she used her arms to wrap around her bare chest, stood in front of the cover page. Her background had dark painted all over with red streaks falling in uneven lines down the black background.

I didn't even wait to check what the book title was. On random opening, something slipped out of one of the pages unto the floor since I sat at the edge of the bed.

A normal sized picture laid face down on the spot. I bent over towards the picture, picking it up.

My eyes brightened when I saw the image in the picture. She was young and beautiful.

I recognized her immediately. She was Amarachi - Chris' girlfriend. Maybe this picture was taken a few years back because she looks a lot younger than when I last saw her, probably 18 years old or so.

I sat, admiring her picture so much. Does Chris love her so much? It could be.

" Just wait a little more, Chris is coming. Don't worry I won't steal him away from you, he's all yours " I whispered to the girl in the photo.

Sounds of movement came from the couch, making me look up at where Chris laid. He turned over, now laying on his stomach facing the floor as his left arm was folded under him but his right hung slackly by his side towards the ground.

I thank God he wasn't a snorer or night drawler.

I put the picture back to its place and continued reading until 6 o'clock in the morning.

When I heard sounds outside the door, I assumed the maids were out to work. I closed the book, returning it to its place at the table.

I brushed and took a hot bath before I left the room tidied trying as much as possible not to wake Chris up.

I was right, the maids were working and I really wanted to help them out since I was too bored.

My legs just took me to the kitchen where I saw the chief cook ordering some other few cooks around in the high class kitchen.

"All these for just a family, huh " I thought.

" Good morning young ma'am " they all chorused.

" Good morning all, I'm pleased to meet you " I returned their greeting trying to hide my quiver.

The chief cook showed me around the kitchen which soon enough, I persuaded her to let me cook the breakfast.

With the help of other chefs, I prepared all the breakfasts for that day, which the chef said was tasty.

Because I was shy, I told the chief chef to lie all because of me.

Parents-in-law found their way into the dinning where they caught me setting the table with some maids.

They smiled as they hugged me passionately - a good morning. Even after breakfast was set, Chris didn't show up.

" Eddy darling, do you perhaps know if Chris is coming for breakfast? " she asked.

Just as I was to explode for loss of words, Chris walked in, taking a sit next to me.

" sorry I'm late " he sat, covering his laps with a large white cloth.

When they ate the food, everyone including Chris shifted on his seat.

Mother-in-law sat savouring the food.

" Mmm what delicious food. Honey please pass me the sausage " she said, waiting for her husband to pass the sausage.

" Thank you. Chef Nina, who cooked these, I mean why is the food tasting so different today? " she said while getting the sausage from father-in-law.

"oh madam, it's because we made it special for an extra special person or let me say new young mistress " said the chief cook who stood close to her.

I felt covered and relieved that my name wasn't mentioned for anything.

Chris didn't even look at me throughout breakfast and I was feeling free for the first time.

In few minutes time, he finished eating his portion, dabbing his mouth clean. Without a waste of time, Chris stood up and left without a single word.

There was an awkward silence, making me feel really uneasy. I didn't lift my eyes off my plate due to the fact that I was scared.

I lost my appetite. I forced myself up, thanking his parents for the food. They smiled at me and nodded, especially his mom. I left without uttering a single word after.