TESSA’S POV
“ Good morning principal Sanders “ I greeted our principal lazily as I entered her office and sat down in front of her. She looked at me with her brows furrowed and sighed afterward before she began to speak.“ You are normally the first student to pay your school fees and now your final exams will soon come to an end but you still haven't paid. I tried calling your mum several times but she wouldn't take my calls '' Principal Sanders complained.Well, I didn't blame her, Not everyone knew that my dad died due to the frustration of his bankrupt company and the threats from the bank.He was coming back home drunk and left his car at the bar he drank at, in the process of crossing the road a trailer hit him and he died on the spot.Nobody knew this aside from Kace and Drake's parents and my mom suggested we keep it that way. All she does is brood over how she can't live her lavish lifestyle anymore.“ We'll pay you soon Mrs. Sanders, my mom’s bank account is having issues right now but once it's rectified we'll pay, “ I said and she nodded her head.“ Alright, then that'll be all. You can leave “ She said as she pointed to the door. I stood up to leave her office but my steps slowed down when I reached her office door and I finally stopped, feeling dispirited due to everything that has transpired this morning.“ Principal Sanders, please can I take today off from school? I'm not feeling too well, “ I said as I turned back to face Principal Sanders.She looked at me in contemplation for a while before she then said “ Just for today Tess and it's clear because I can see you aren't okay, it's written all over your face “.She signed a permission letter and gave it to me which I collected gratefully.“ Thank you ma, “ I said and finally left her office. When I closed her door and raised my head, I was startled to see Drake and Triss standing in front of me with their hands folded on their chests.“ What are you guys doing here, if principal Sanders finds out you both aren't in class you'll both get detention “ I whispered and dragged them to a corner after the hallway that led to principal Sanders's office.“ What's going on Tess, you've been acting weird since I saw you today… Drake said and continued speaking but I couldn't pay attention to him because I was trying to listen to what Triss was saying at the same time.“ I saw you get down the school bus which you've never been on before and now you are coming out from principal Sander's office I… “ Triss continued talking and so was Drake, they were saying different things at the same time.“ I'm getting married to Kace!! “ I yelled as I covered my ears hoping that’ll stop their non-stop talking and of course it did. They stood there frozen with their eyes widened and their mouths agape.At the rate at which Drake's eyes widened, I thought his eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets. While Triss shook her head, as though she was trying to clear the thoughts that were in her head thinking they were all lies.Triss wanted to talk but Drake stopped her with a wave of his hands and walked to stand directly in front of me.“ Repeat what you just said if it's true, “ He said with a serious and dark expression on his face.“ I'm getting married to Kace, my father's company went bankrupt and we owe the bank, your family has refused to help us unless I get married to Kace and I have no choice but to do that. I just came out of Principal Sander's office because I haven't paid my school fees “ I said and couldn't stop the tears that began rolling continuously down my face.“ We are broke!! “ I conpleted while sobbing and saw the sorry look they had on their faces.I felt ashamed and pathetic, the way they looked at me when I finished explaining made me feel like I was an object of sympathy. I ran away from them heading for the school gate even though I heard them calling out to me.I showed the permit letter to our gatekeeper before he allowed me to go out and he too was looking at me with concern evident on his face.I continued running till I reached the bus stop close to my college, luckily no one was there so I cried to my satisfaction. The sound of a bus stopping in front of me made me instantly clean the tears on my face and got on the bus.While on the bus I thought of my situation and weighed everything before finally deciding that I would go ahead with the marriage. I was deeply hurt because after I told Drake everything he still couldn't confess his feelings for me.Secondly, I knew that I had to save my dad's company, he worked hard to build it and make it popular. If agreeing to this marriage would save my father's company and our name I would do it, this is the least I could do in honor of my dad.I sucked in some air and calmed down a bit, planning that when I get home I'll get some rest, then go to the Crawfords manor with my mom to tell them of my decision.I got down from the bus and walked home, luckily it was a short walk from my house to the bus stop in our Area. When I got into our house, I didn't see my mom so, I went straight to my room and crashed on my bed falling asleep instantly with my uniform still on.***********************************************I woke up a few minutes past four in the evening feeling better and headed straight to mom’s room. I opened the door without knocking and saw her crying silently in her room.She rushed to clean her face but she was too late I had already seen her crying. For the first time since all this, I took time to put myself in her place and know how I would be feeling, it was only then that I knew that the pains she was going through were equivalent to or more than mine.I took long strides toward her and hugged her, that was all it took for her to break down and wail while crying. I couldn't help but join her in crying it was like we were letting our tears speak for us, we were pouring our anger, sadness, and all the unspoken words we had in our hearts out as tears.I braced myself and detached myself from the embrace. One of us had to be strong to console the other. I placed my hands on her shoulder and she looked up at me with her hazel eyes staring and piercing into my soul.“ Mom, clean your tears and get dressed, we are going to Crawfords Manor to get this over with. I have decided to marry Kace “ I said trying to keep a determined look and hoping I did it well.“ Really baby? “ She asked as she sniffed and cleaned her face with a look of hope coming back on her face. I was satisfied that at least she wasn't crying anymore which made me more sure that marrying Kace was what I should do.“ Yes mom, now go take a shower and get dressed while I do the same, “ I said and patted her shoulders before standing up to leave. I hadn't taken three steps when she called out to me and I turned.“ Thank you honey “ Was all she said smiling sadly before she entered her bathroom. I sighed and went to my room to shower and dress up.When I was done bathing? I packed my red hair in a messy bun and chose to put on simple shorts and a polo shirt, This visit wasn't anything important to me, I was only doing this because I didn't have a choice.When I was done dressing up, I wanted to carry my phone from my bedside table but that was when I realized I had left my bag in school and my phone was in it.I left my room after deciding to ask Drake if he helped me to carry it from school. The time I left my room and closed my door was the exact time my mom was coming out of hers too.“ Ready? “ She asked as she walked to me and held my hand and I nodded after releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding.We left our house and hailed a cab which drove off heading for the Crawfords Manor.***********************************************************We alighted from the cab and my mom paid the cab driver. We were walking towards the manor gate when I saw Kace's car drive into the manor with speed.I rolled my eyes after observing the fact that he is a rough driver. My mom and I just quietly walked behind his car and it seemed he didn't notice us.Far ahead I saw Drake standing still putting on his school uniform with his hands folded on his chest, he didn't look happy at all. What surprised me more was that when Kace got out of his car Drake rushed to him and jacked Kace on the collar.I instantly ran towards them at full speed and stood beside them but they didn't notice me. I reached them early enough to hear Drake ask Kace why he wanted to marry me when he told Kace of his plans for me.I was perplexed and curious at the same time, what plan did Drake have for me? And why would he disrespect his elder brother this way because of me?“ What plans? “ I asked looking confused at the both of them as my mom walked to stand beside me. Kace and Drake's heads immediately snapped in my direction.Drake immediately took long strides toward me as he held my hand and brought me in for a hug.“ Please I love you, Tess, don't get married to Kace. I’m sorry that it took me this long to realize it to tell you but the truth is that I love you so much “ Drake said as he hugged me tighter.I just stood there utterly speechless and frozen on the spot I stood where Drake was hugging me but I didn't return the hug and he didn't care anyway.I looked at Kace who stood looking at Drake with furrowed brows and his head tilted a bit to the side. There was something about the way he was looking at the scenario that I couldn't fathom yet. I didn't know if his look was that of worry or surprise.My mom on the other looked at Drake warily but didn't alter a word. There was once a time that Drake confessing his feelings for me was all I wished for but now it was too late, I didn't even know how react to him but heaven knows I still loved him.I wished his parents would let me get married to him instead of Kace. What's the difference, Kace and Drake were both the sons of Crawford It'll make no difference as long as I am getting married into their family, so why were they insisting that I get married to Kace?“ Get off her Drake “ A baritone voice which wasn't Kace's voice ordered.KACE’S POV“ What plans? “ Tessa asked, looking confused at both Drake and me as her mom walked to stand beside her.Before I got the chance to utter a word Drake took long strides to Tessa and confessed love to her. I was flabbergasted. In all my years of living, I didn't know Drake could lie this much.When did he become this insensitive? This poor girl already lost so much and now Drake is lying to her just to lure her to his bed? What pissed me off the most is that this girl had been his close friend since childhood.“He is lying, Tessa!! don't believe him!! “ I wanted to tell Tessa but decided to keep my mouth shut. It would be best if she finds out by herself.I just stood looking at the whole scenario with furrowed brows and saw that Tessa’s mom was looking at Drake warily. Thank goodness at least her mom is sharp in thinking, I thought to myself.I felt sorry for Tessa, if it were within my powers to help her without this arranged marriage thing I would, but I could only acce
TESSA’S POV“ Get your hands off her Drake “ A baritone voice that wasn't Kace's order with thunderous voice. We all turned in the direction in which the voice came and saw that it was Drakes dad that said it.They worked to where we stood and began talking but I couldn't register what they were saying. I was too numb at the moment, the only thing I could say I heard was Drake telling them he loved me.I had been waiting for this moment all my life when he would say these words to me but it came at the wrong time. He was too late and the thought alone broke me beyond measure.All these that happened were too much for me to process. I know I came here ready to get married to Kace but hearing Drake tell me he loves me made me indecisive. So I ran as fast as my legs could carry while crying.Before I knew it I was in front of our mansions gate, is there what heartbreak can't make someone do? Because on a normal day, I can never run from the Crawford manor to our mansion.I ran inside an
TESSA’S POVWhen I felt a tap on my shoulders, I turned to see our college's most renowned troublemaker female group. I rolled my eyes as I turned to face them with my hands akimbo ready for whatever it is they wanted.“ Sorry Tessa, I just wanted to ask if this is true, “ Bianca, their leader, said as she showed me a video playing on her phone.I looked closely and saw that it was a video of when I was explaining my predicament to Triss and Drake after I came out of Principal Sanders's office yesterday. Could this day get any worse? Who made this Video and how did it go Viral?“ Oops sorry no need to ask since I saw him drop you off, broke girl!! “ Bianca said and began laughing at me while her other friends joined her in laughing at me. It was clear they were mocking.“ And so? What if she is getting married to Kace? If it's that easy, do you have any suitors yet? Fuck off before I tell the whole school your secret “ Triss said trying to defend me because I just stood there speechles
KACE’S POV“ Wake up Kace “ I heard a voice that sounded like Tessa’s and I immediately sprang up from bed. Only to find out that it was my alarm. I checked the time and saw it was six in the morning. I quickly showered and headed straight to Tessa’s house to pick her up for school.While driving, I wondered if she'll be okay judging from how she ran off yesterday. I bet she must have cried her eyes out, I thought to myself and sighed.But why on earth did my alarm sound like Tessa's voice to me and why the hell has she been on my mind lately!!I accelerated my speed and arrived at her house fifteen minutes later. I walked to the threshold of their mansion, I have to confess that the Montgomery’s had great taste in ornaments and trending house designs. Before I could knock on the door Tessa's mom opened the door with a smiling face.“ Good morning Ma “ I greeted and bowed my head slightly showing respect.“ Oh come on!! You can call me Adelle. You'll be my son-in-law very soon after
KACE’S POV“ What the hell do you think you are doing Drake? “ I asked Drake as I angrily rushed to where he was.“ I'm taking Tess for us to go get our marriage certificate whether you all like it or not, “ Drake said to us.“ Well sorry to disappoint you, Drake, I'm now married to Kace, “ Tessa said for the first time I have seen her today with a broad smile on her face.“ Babe, come over here, we need to rest before dinner time, I’m tired, “ Tessa said to me to everyone's surprise.Dad, Mom, Tessa’s mom and I were all looking at her like she wasn't okay. Did she just call me babe? And did I just like the fact that she did? What's wrong with me?But then again why the sudden change in attitude towards Drake, this is someone she has always loved. This convinced me beyond doubt that something happened between them that Tess doesn't want to spill out.“ Babe? “ Tess called again bringing me back from my train of thoughts as she stretched her hands forward to me to hold.I walked to her
TESSA’S POVWhen I heard the clicking of heels, I thought maybe Mrs. Crawford invited one of her friends but when I raised my head I saw Triss walking over to our table with a long strapless dress that showed her cleavage's and had a slit at the front of the dress which exposed her thighs a lot.Looking at her walking to us at the table, I wanted to tell her to get out of our house but decided against it since it wasn't my house.The dress she wore was made her body way too exposed and then it dawned on me that the poor girl might have come to seduce Kace. Seeing her tonight made me sure of the amount of hatred I have developed for her.But the most important question is who invited her over?“ Thank you, Mrs. Crawford, for inviting me over for dinner, “ Triss said with a smile trying to look innocent and likable but that didn't work on me anymore.“ Triss my darling you are welcome to have a seat, “Kace's mom said beaming with smiles as she gestured for Triss to have a seat. That's o
TESSA’S POV“ Who's she? “ I asked him and he looked at me confused.“ Who's who? “ he asked back with creased brows.“ The lady you were talking to on the phone, “ I asked with a straight face.“ Did the deal also include us prying into each other's private life? “ He asked with one of his brows raised. I should have known, why didn't I even think about it?It's impossible for someone as handsome as Kace not to be in a relationship. I felt a tinge of jealousy at the thought.“ I'm now your wife even though we aren't in love, I still have the right to know. However, since you have a mistress outside, I hope you won't complain if I have a lover too. “ I answered trying to clarify but saw his expression darken when I mentioned having a lover outside our marriage.“ Read your books and focus on your study Tessa, “ He said and left the room. From the way he called me Tessa, I knew he was upset.I sighed and tried to get my mind away from what happened. I read for the exams I would be havi
TESSA’S POV“ Baby please take me home, I’m having a headache, “ I said to Kace. Not knowing I was going to meet another big and shocking discovery.“ Alright Love, but I need to say something to Triss “ He answered as we stood up from our wanting to leave Principal Sanders's Office.“ Next time you try this kind of thing with my wife, you'll have me to contend with. I didn't say anything today because I wanted to warn you first “ He said with a deadly look on his face that I began to think if he was acting like we agreed to or if he was being real.“ Do you understand me, Miss Lincoln? “ He asked“ Yes, Kace I do “ Triss replied not being able to look Kace in the face.“ You’ll address me as Mr. Crawford. I can't remember being on a first-name basis with you “ He answered with a straight face.Triss was speechless as she looked away totally embarrassed and Kace walked out of the Office. But before I followed behind him, I smirked at Triss before closing the door.When we entered Kace