My Dream Marriage

Two weeks later.

I wake up feeling well rested and in high spirits. It is earlier than my usual wake up time. I spread my bed and arrange my room before freshening up to go downstairs. I usually do this since there is nothing else to do in this mansion, every chore taken over by the house helps. I am treated like a porcelain doll and majorly like family. I don’t feel like an outsider. Sara put herself in charge of taking me to the hospital with Azila. My friend thought at first that I was joking when I told her that Aniston’s sister will be accompanying me to my checkups. I understood because their first encounter wasn’t something to be happy about after I accidentally broke her item. They had an unpleasant exchange and now, they had no choice but to overcome their differences because on one side is my best friend and on the other is somebody I could call family with the way she treats me.

Both of them think that I am carrying a baby girl. They are getting along well and I like that the people who care about me are sailing in the same boat as I am.

Sara has already started decorating the baby’s room and has even called some interior designers to do some touch ups in it. It is as if I am going to stay here forever with everything that she is doing. I am supposed to leave here as soon as I give birth, at least that is what we agreed on with Aniston, after I start working for him.

I will be going for a walk today after breakfast. I need some exercises since I don’t do any serious activities. I walk down the stairs and find Sara and Aniston already at the table.

“Neera, you look radiant this early morning, you had a good night’s rest I guess,” Sara says as I pull my seat. “Yes I had thank you, I hope you two aren’t exceptions.”

“We certainly slept well,” Aniston says. “That’s great,” I counter as a notification sounds in my phone. I unlock it and I can see it is an email but I don’t know who it is from.

“Everything okay?” Aniston asks and I think my abrupt silence after I checked my phone has piqued their curiosity. “Yes, I just received an email notification so let me check it out.”

I open the email folder and it reads:

Thank you for participating in the Annual Writing Competition. Your submission has been reviewed and approved and we are pleased to inform you that your manuscript is among the three finalists.

The final presentation will be held at the House of Citizens, be sure to attend.

Yours sincerely,

The AWC Panelist.

What? I can’t believe this is happening right now. How did this happen? I mean it was supposed to be deleted months ago when Edward found me before I could submit it. I replay the events of that particular few minutes that had me thinking that my once in a lifetime opportunity had flown out of the window. I remember pressing my fingers on the keyboard and the computer screen…Wait, did I submit it in that manner? I have seen miracles happen but this, is a major one. I even thought that the contest was over and had forgotten about it.

I have no words to say about this but my heart is so overjoyed and my mind can’t believe what I just read. I am among the top three finalists of the contest.

“Neera, you seem to be in another world. I am too curious it can kill me. Is there anything to worry about?” Sara asks and I can see the expression on her face is unsettled.

“Everything is great. It is just that I can’t believe what I just read on my phone.”

“What is that making you this amazed?”

“Let me see it.” Aniston says and stretches his hand to take my phone.

“Wow, this is awesome, your story made it to the finals.” He remarks. “For real? Neera, I never knew that you could be a creative writer. I am so happy for you.”

“What makes me surprised is that I didn’t know that my story was submitted. I didn’t even know that the competition was still ongoing and the cherry on top is that I am among the finalists.” I say, still surprised.

“How is it surprising when you are the one who did that?” Sara asks.

“Well, I had almost done that when something happened.”

“And what was that?”

“Edward found out about the story before I could submit it and we had a serious confrontation. He even deleted all of my drafts. Although I can attest that I might have submitted it because it was just a ‘press button’ away then be done. So that could be it.” I say.

“Why was Edward so cruel to you? I mean even if he didn’t love you he could have treated you well since you agreed to marry him.” Sara says.

“He told me occasionally that I was only there to replace his dead grand aunt. So he only married me to fulfill his grandfather’s wish and nothing else.”

“What has the death of his grand aunt got to do with your happiness? I don’t get why someone would hate you for that when clearly you didn’t kill her.” “It was assumed that my grandfather was the cause of her death so because they were business partners old Lawanson thought the only way my grandfather would pay was to bring a marriage agreement between the two families.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Oh, I see. But that is not reason enough to make you suffer like that. I thought Edward was a prince charming but he is the devil’s agent. I hate him,” she says. “How did your grandfather kill her?” Aniston asks. “He accidentally crushed her with a machine.” He goes into deep thought and turns to me again. “It is going to be fine. Now you just have to prepare for the prize that you are going to get. I will be sure to attend.”

“I won’t also miss for anything. I will be there to support you.” “Thank you.” I already know the dates for the final presentation from the day I read their competition advert. It is the next Friday.