Contract Marriage; Fated Love

He hugged her! He let go of his ego, dignity and mighty status and thanked her profusely. He promised to contact his accountant to send her balance to her in a few hours.

A week later, Emily was seated in the Night’s residence. She was invited by President Night to the family celebratation. His father and his grandfather had thought it wise to invite the fashion designer who had lifted their family high after so many trials.

There were a lot of dignitaries in attendance. She sat in the garden enjoying the beautiful scenario and watching the guests. She noticed a young girl who was well dressed and her outfit made her stand out in the crowd. She wore a shouting red dinner gown and walked gracefully while holding hands tightly with a rich man. Emily could tell that the man was a stinkily rich business tycoon at a glance. Emily looked at the girl carefully and thought she knew her. She had seen the face somewhere but she couldn’t remember where and how. She racked her brain for answers but answered weren’t forthcoming. The girl passed by a second time and this time, she was alone. Emily took the chance and studied her more carefully this time. Then boom! It clicked. It flashed into her memory who this girl was. Grace Shields. Grace Shields was the daughter of Governesses Shields who had raised Emily when she was younger. She had Autism and was sent to a treatment centre owned and managed by Governesses Shields. Having recognized her, she stood up to say hello and also ask after the governess. The girl disappeared as before and Emily searched frantically for her and was able to spot her because of her conspicuous outfit. She hurried over not wanting to loose sight of her again.

“Hi!” she smiled and greeted as she got there.

Grace turned to see who it was. She saw Emily and regarded her in disdain.

“Yes?”

Emily wasn’t pleased with her reaction but she wanted some information about Governess Shields.

“I’m Emily. You are Grace Shields, right?”

“Pardon? How do you know my name?”

“We grew up together in the treatment centre owned by your mum, Governess Shields.”

“Well, whatever that means, that’s in the past now and I don’t want to know you. Excuse me.”

Emily was surprised and angry at the same time at the girl’s rude attitude. She merely wanted to say hello and ask of her mum. She didn’t even come to act familiar with her. She really wanted to know about the governess but she didn’t want to get insulted by her rude daughter. Maybe she felt on top of the world because she had a rich business tycoon by her side.

“Mtcheew. Silly girl.”

Greg, the guy she had met at the party showed up at her door a few days later. He wanted to take her out to celebrate her success. Emily didn’t want something much, so she just opted they ate lunch. Emily ordered a foreign dish of rice and chicken while Greg ate their local Chinese dish.

Emily had completely forgotten about Grace and had given up and getting any information about Governess Shields but fate hasn’t forgotten her utmost desire. It happened that Governess Shields was also having lunch in the restaurant at that time. She was with an older woman who was about five or six years older than her. It seemed like they were two friends who had reunited. They they talked and laughed heartily and ate with so much relish. They were sincerely happy to see each other.

Emily and Greg were done with lunch and were good to go. Emily stood up and stole a look around the restaurant. She spotted the two happy women and recognized Governess Shields.

“Excuse me, give me a minute,” she said to Greg and hurried over to that side.

“Good afternoon Governess.”

The Governess turned in her direction the moment she heard “Governess.” Only the children she raised at her centre in the United States called her by that name. Her eyes lit in happiness when she saw her.

“Good heavens! Emily my dear child, how are you?”

Emily was surprised that the Governess recognized her and even called her name. Despite that time span, Governess Shields could still recognize most of the kids from her treatment centre especially the ones who had come from troubled homes and were closer to her back then.

“I am fine, Governess. How about you?”

“God be praised dear child. You have grown so big.”

Emily smiled at that. The Governess was still healthy and strong despite her age.

“You just left the United States Governess and there was no trace of you.”

“Yes, I just had to leave suddenly. The situation was beyond my control.”

“I missed you Governess,” she said and hugged her. They stayed in that position for a few seconds before Emily released herself.

“Here,” the Governess said handing Emily her card.

“If you are free tomorrow, try to see me. It’s important.”C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.

“Sure Governess, I will.”

She took the card and inspected it. It contained her residential address and phone number. She tucked it safely in her bag and went back to Greg.

“Where are you heading to?” Gu Yanxi asked that afternoon.

Emily turned to the door where the voice had come from.

“And where have you been since yesterday?”

“I sent you a text. Didn’t you get it?”

“I did get your silly text which said you wouldn’t be coming home last night. The question now is this: Where were you?”

Gu Yanxi smiled as the memories of the previous night flooded her mind. She had gone to see Jessy.

“Yanxi? Why are you just smiling and not talking? Hmmmmm. There must be something fishy. Spill it. Tell me.”

“I went to see my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend? Wait. So, Yanxi’s got a man in this house and I don’t know? That’s not fair.”

Gu Yanxi sat down and patted the space next to her.

“Sit. Let me brief you.”