A Suitable Wife by Unoma Nwankwor

Author:Unoma Nwankwor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KevStel Productions and Publications

9

JIDENNA

Her eyes conveyed her plea.

Remembering the look my wife gave me before I followed her father to his study a few minutes ago was the only thing keeping the thread of restraint I had from being completely severed. Unlike my cousin, Cheta, I tried to hold on to my temper because when I lost it, putting it back in the bottle wasn’t always easy. Besides I couldn’t let my girls see me like that.

“I’m sure you understand I wanted better for my daughter,” Mr. Westbrook said.

Before speaking, I allowed my eyes to roam the impeccably styled room. The opulence of the space was marked by intricate carvings on the wall, the drapes, and the plush leather furniture.

“As a father myself, I understand that you have certain expectations for your daughter,” I replied evenly. My voice barely masked the anger simmering below the surface. “The speed in which we came together was something we both decided on. My parents had the same concern. But as I told them and I’m telling you…again, she is in good hands. We care about each other deeply and I give you my word that I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy.”

Two days after Zola and I returned from Las Vegas, I walked in on Zola on the phone with her parents, giving her flack about our marriage. I’d walked in through the garage and the earthy, sweet, nutty scent of oatmeal cookies floated up my nostrils. I smiled recalling her and Uju discussing their baking plans the night before. Almost immediately, my light mood gave way to anger when I neared the kitchen and saw her rubbing her temples listening to her parents.

My first instinct was to hang up her phone. But those eyes again begged me to hold on. So I did, until I couldn’t. Walking out of the kitchen, I tried to suppress my anger as I headed to my daughter’s room to inquire about her day.

The next day, I called Mr. Westbrook and conveyed my regrets for not informing him of my intent to marry his daughter. Considering his bruised ego, that was the second courtesy I’d given. This was now the third and definitely the last. It wouldn’t even be happening if he hadn’t asked to speak to me in private. I found it amusing how I was good enough to save his status among his friends, but not good enough to marry his daughter. Whatever his problem was, he needed to deal with it because this wasn’t about to be a regular occurrence. No one else was going to question me. Not even my own father.

“I didn’t hear you mention love. Do you love my daughter, or did you see our business as an opportunity and go for it? Business is business, but tying my daughter—”

I stood, set my drink down and shoved my fisted hands in my pocket, giving myself time to cool down.

“You keep throwing around your daughter title. I got one that trumps that…my wife.

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