Chapter 3. Marriage proposal

Nora

I watched as Maxwell Ratliff bounded up the steps. I mentally observed my house from a stranger's perspective; chipped blocks, rusty roof. A house that appeared ready to give up the ghost anytime.

His presence made me uneasy. To meet me at his workplace was one thing, to follow me home and witness my living conditions was another.

My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He halted in front of me, l peered at him.

“ Hello.” He greeted in his resonant voice.

“Hi, armored SUVs, is that not an overkill?.” I joked to hide my uneasiness.

He looked over his shoulder, "No it's not. My father was nearly unalived sometime ago. The culprits mistook him for me, so they are a necessary devil.”

My eyes widened, “You are a Mafia Lord?.”

His deep throated laughter surprised me. His scowling face yesterday made me think he was incapable of such an act.

“l'm not, but l have Mafia friends. We had a meeting that day with one of them. My dad went home while l finished up at the office. They ambushed my car and nearly offed him.”

“Jeez, you live a dangerous life. What brings you here.?” I got to my feet and eyed him quizzically.

“ Can we go inside and talk?.” He requested politely.

I hesitated for a moment. The inside of my house was as bad as the exterior. I took hesitant steps towards the door, opened it,"Come in.”

He stepped inside, his eyes roamed the interior. He opted to keep quiet, which l was grateful for. We remained standing. With his stature, his behind would sink in my old sofas, which were stuffed with old pillows.

He watched me closely before he intoned,“You and l started on the wrong foot. I'm sorry my men manhandled you. The reason I'm here is because i thought about what my mum said. I have done my research, your grandmother is very sick. I can help, but you have to help me in return.”

My mind churned, help him? How? I had nothing in the world. I wrung my hands, nervous.

“ My living conditions are bad, as you can see. Unless you are offering to lend us money, l don't see how l can help you.”

Max tossed a mysterious smile my way. “ What I have in mind doesn't involve money. You were not listening to what l said just now. I said l have thought of what my mum requested of me. I agree with her. I will marry you, but it will be a contract marriage.”

My face heated, my hands trembled, l hid them behind my back. Fury took over my senses.

“Rich people are the pits, you have money. You can help without expecting anything in return but no, you have to extract the last drop of my blood. See yourself out.”

I turned to go to my bedroom, the bedroom door slammed somewhere, a walking stick hit the floor, hard. Granny shuffled into sight.

“ I heard voices, hello young man.”

Max's baritone filled the room as he returned the greeting.

My grandmother sat down and studied Max with a keen eye. “ Take a seat, young man.”

The only seat left was the worst in the house. If Max sat there, it would take strength to haul his backside out of that sofa. Max looked at the sofa dubiously. Eventually he sat down and his butt sank right in. His long legs flew into the air and hit the floor with a thud. My hand flew to my mouth, a giggle exploded from my mouth.

Max's expression was priceless. It served him right for imposing himself in a world foreign to him.

He introduced himself, granny did the same.

“ Mrs Reidy, the reason l'm here is, l want to marry your granddaughter. It's not a common marriage. I need to get married for reasons you will know later. I'm aware you need a kidney transplant. I can help, but your daughter has to marry me first. She is giving me the run around. This is where you come in. Please, let her see that the arrangement is beneficial for both of us.”

Lord, this man was a snake. My grandmother’ s brain must be whirling with images of her under the knife, with a new body after the surgery. Good job Maxwell Ratliff. Granny monitored my reaction for sometime, l had none. My gaze fixated on the old clock on the opposite wall.

She patted the sofa, "Come, have a seat.”

I sat down and sulked. Granny’s gaze went back to Max,"Can you give us a minute?.”

Max nodded, tried to get on his feet, he could not. His backside was wedged in the hole. I grudgingly helped him up. He strode out and closed the door behind him. Granny and l sat in silence for a minute.

When it appeared she had no intention of speaking l encouraged her,"What is it granny? You sent Max out for a reason.”

She fiddled with her walking stick.

“Nora, my granddaughter, don't think l'm being selfish, but my will to live is strong. I want to live. Maxwell is giving me that chance.

l have suffered all my life.

With you being a Dr, l thought my life will change for the better. Fate had other plans for me, before you even got your certificate. l need a break. Please baby, for my sake, accept his offer. I'm begging you.”

A sharp pain assaulted my chest, my breath hitched. l put a hand on my chest to calm my spiralling emotions. Marry Maxwell, how? The man was a total stranger.

I held my granny’s frail hand in mine,

"Granny, l want you to live, that's why i'm going to work on Monday. I don't need to marry a stranger to take care of you. We will get there, don't worry.” I rubbed her hand softly.

“Baby, time is not on my side. Dialysis is taking its toll on me. l don't have much time. Please.”

I removed my hand from hers. My gaze went to her old face, crisscrossed with numerous wrinkles. At 72, she was not too old, but the hard life and sickness had aged her.

I decided to give in for this woman who gave up her middle age to raise me.

Who forfeited the chance to find love to nurture me. Who took care of me when my own mother abandoned me, for a man. My mother was alive, but her whereabouts were a mystery to me and granny.

“ I will do it granny.”

My grandmother threw the walking stick away and hugged me for a long time.

“ Bring the young man in, let's tell him the good news.”