Chapter Seven
"You need to be considerate, Sir. I don't have any other source of income. Please… you can add it to what I'm to pay you, but I need to make that payment as soon as possible so I don't lose my sister," Calista felt helpless at this point.
Orion had told her that she would be his wife for a minimum of One year, and if he wasn't satisfied with her attitude at the end of the slated time, he would extend her stay with him. She pleaded with him to loan her some money to sort out Lyra's bill, telling him to add it to whatever she owed him since she wasn't permitted to do her previous job while married to him.
"Fine, I will give you the money for her bill, add it to what you owe me, and extend your stay as my wife to a year and six months. That's the best I can do for you, so if you're ready sign here," he passed the agreement paper to her and she signed.
A few moments later, he gave her another paper showing the extension of the hire period and the reasons. Below it was also the basic rules of the union as expected by Orion.
Relieved that Lyra would start chemotherapy immediately, she quickly signed the papers without reading them properly.
Orion retrieved them with a small smile.
"So, what's next," she asked.
"Wow, don't tell me you didn't read through it. Okay, you'll call your friend or anyone you know to stand in as a witness for you. My friend is already on his way here.
"What? Are we getting married today?" shocked Calista asked with her eyes popping out of their sockets.
"Yeah. I didn't plan to have a big wedding with you. We've signed the agreement, what else should we be waiting for?" Orion asked.
"It's just, I thought I'd have some time to plan, you know, get a better dress and inform my friend properly."
"All that isn't necessary, Calista. Your dress is okay, we don't need to take pictures if you're not cool with what you're wearing. But if you want, I can get you something else on our way out. You should call your friend right away, if she's not available, I can ask my assistant to get us a witness for you."
Calista came back into Orion's office after speaking with Thalia.
"So, you'll move in with me immediately after the wedding," Orion said to Calista who was still wearing a straight face.
"Today?" she asked.
"Of course, you shouldn't have any problem with that."
"What's the hurry for? Were you already desperately looking for a wife before we met?" She asked.
"Well, I have my reasons for asking you to be my wife, but I don't owe you any explanation so I won't explain myself," he said calmly but his voice was cold.
"Hmmm! Can I at least go home to get my things first before moving in with you?" she asked, not wanting to argue with him about his decisions.
"Last I checked you didn't have a house. You told me you were squatting, so what… never mind. We'll go to my place today. I need you to get acquainted with some things because I'll be introducing you to my family in a week. You can go pick up your things later, any other day but not today." Orion deadpanned.
"Since we're doing things this way, shouldn't you make the payment to my account right away too? I'll feel better knowing my sister is being attended to."
"I would have insisted on doing that after the wedding since that's what the agreement states but because I know you can't leave here without my permission, I'll do it now. That way, you won't pin the blame on me if the sick girl dies. You need my money, yet you've been dragging your feet, delaying a positive response," Orion said, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"Put down your bank details on a piece of paper and take it to the office opposite mine, I'll tell her what to do when you're there," Orion ordered.
Calista simply nodded and did as she was told. She was careful not to sound upset or rude, she didn't want any penalties before the marriage started.
Jaxon and Thalia soon showed up and the wedding was done. Thalia found It difficult to wear a smile, but Calista had warned her not to be confrontational with Orion as that might get her into more trouble. She promised to visit her in a few days so that they could talk things over.
Calista was asked to stay in the guest room and given nightwear alongside a few outing clothes.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, we'll discuss a few things before I leave for work. Note that we'll be visiting my family in two days," Orion said.
"But… you earlier said I needed to be here for some grooming, and in two days I could go get my things, while we'll visit your family in a week," Calista said, wondering if he didn't remember their earlier plans, but Orion seemed unbothered.
"Well, plans have changed, you can go get your things after the visit to my family house or better still go next week, after all, you have some new clothes you didn't pay for at your disposal. You can wear those for now." He turned and went to his room, leaving her standing by her room door speechless.
Orion had a cool shower and sat on his bed, feeling on top of the world. He called his friend to find out if he got home safely, but it rang out.
"I wanted to scare the lady who caused me a lot of trouble by slashing my tyres but when I found out about her unconventional means of income, I hatched a plan and gave her an ultimatum. Now that we're married, I hope my sister will look at me differently," he muttered.
"I was too uncomfortable with the frequent advances she made at me. She has refused to see me as her brother because she knows she was adopted, but I see her as my kid sister. I have to protect her as much as I can and do what an older brother would do for his kid sister, not get into a romantic relationship with her. I find that insane, forbidden," Orion hissed heavily as he stared at his marriage certificate.
"I can imagine the shock on their faces when they realise I'm now a married man," he huffed.
"They will be disappointed I had a secret wedding, but I'm only bothered about my father, he's been very understanding and supportive, unlike my mother who is a control freak, and my kid sister, who wants me in her bed at all cost."
"I hope my dad understands, even though he didn't pressure me, he wanted me to get married soon. Now I've brought a wife home, I hope he accepts her, at least for as long as it lasts," he took a deep breath and lay on his bed, adjusting his pillow to keep his head in a comfortable position.