Chapter 3

Laura felt her stomach turn. The thought of going on a blind date with a stranger her aunt had picked out was too much to bear.

"No, thank you," she said, trying to keep her tone polite. "I'm not interested in dating right now."

Her aunt sighed. "Well, suit yourself. But you're going to regret it one day, mark my words."

Laura finished her plate of food and made her way to the door. She couldn't take it anymore. The constant pressure to settle down and get married was suffocating her.

"Where are you going?" her cousin asked, as she grabbed her coat.

"I have to go," Laura said, not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice. "I have work tomorrow."

Her cousin looked disappointed. "But we haven't even played any games yet."

"I'm sorry," Laura said. "Maybe next time."

As she left the house, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was finally free from the prying questions and judgmental comments.

But as she walked to her car, she couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. She wondered if there was something wrong with her for not wanting to get married and start a family. Was she destined to be alone forever?

She tried to push those thoughts out of her mind and focus on the present. Maybe she was different from her family members, but that didn't mean there was anything wrong with her. She was happy with her life, and that was all that mattered.

As she drove home, she made a promise to herself. She wouldn't let her family's expectations dictate her life anymore. She would live on her own terms, even if it meant going against the norm.

The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she knew she had the strength to face it. And maybe one day, her family would finally accept her for who she was,

Laura continue taking care of the old man while the son Clifton was busy with his menial job, but always come to check on his father at the hospital every evening,

When Mr Morgan was getting better, Laura was trying to familiar herself with Clifton, but Inferiority complex was worrying Clifton, he was drawing back, he doesn't want to Insulted by a rich lady like Laura, so, he kept to his lane,

Whenever Laura trying to get closer to him, Clifton was trying to avoid her and giving gap between them, Clifton doesn't want to get familiar with someone that will later snopes him, so he respects himself,

A few weeks later, the old man was discharged from the hospital, and Clifton resumed his menial jobs, and he was trying his best for his parents,

Because of Clifton, Laura was trying to familiar herself with the Morgans family, and she often go to the house under the pretends of coming to check the old man,

When Laura was expected to shoot her shot on Clifton, but unfortunately she didn't meet him at home, she waited and waited until she was tired, and decided to leave,

Meanwhile, Laura doesn't want to face the oppression and humiliation she faced when she attended the wedding anniversary of her parents,

Laura commitment to her job doesn't give her time to have a relationship, because she was very dedicated to her, and her looks seems scary and her assets seems to be driving some men away from her, and the position she held In a reputable multinational oil company was Inevitable because she earned higher and flamboyant salary, she owned a big mansion, well decorated, with beautiful views, quality and expensive furnitures, and modern kitchen equipments, with five exotic cars parked In the compound,

Now that Laura was facing oppression In the social gathering she decided to concentrate on searching for a soulmate, but she doesn't beant a irresponsible for a partner or husband, but she needs an urgent partner to accompany her to her sibling wedding,

Laura try checking dating app on social media, and she visited match maker companies, but she was not Impressed with men coming tfir her,

Laura decided to call Clifton on phone, “hi Laura” Clifton said, “how are you?“ he asked,

“I'm good” Laura retorted, “how are you doing today?“ she asked,

“I'm not fine because of the hectic of the office cum traffic on the highway make me sick and tired” Laura retorted,

“Oh, sorry about that” Clifton said,

“Where are you now?“ Laura asked,

“Hope there Is no problems?“ Clifton asked,

“Not at all, I just want to get some stuff for your dad at the supermarket” Laura explained,

“Okay, I will rush down to the house waiting for you” Clifton said,

“Where are you right now, I can pick you up so that we can go to the supermarket together” Laura said,

“I'm at work looking dirty” Clifton said,

“Don't worry about that, text the address and the description of the place, I will catch you up there” Laura said,

A few minutes later, she heard the sound of message alert on her phone, and she checked the message, It was from Clifton, and she headed to the described area,

When she arrives at the area, she saw Clifton waiting for her with his working tools, Laura was ashamed of herself, because of Clifton's appearance looks, but she can abandon him because of his looks,

Laura opened the car door, and Clifton entered Into the car while Laura drove to the supermarket, and she said, “hope you wouldn't stay In car while I gets the stuff for your dad”

“Yeah, no problems, I will” Clifton said,

Laura got more than enough groceries, beverages, drinks, assorted meat, shampoo, body wash, and she bought few quality wears for Clifton, she paid all her bills on the counter while one of the shop attendant help with all the shopping bags In the stroller, and push It to where Laura parked her car, and all the shopping bags was arranged In the while Laura drives,

Inside the car,

“sorry to ask this questions” Laura said, and she stylishly stared at him,

“Go ahead” Clifton said,

“Are you married?“ Laura asked,

“No, still single” Clifton retorted,

“Are you In a relationship?“ Laura asked,

“Yeah, but off and on relationship” Clifton said,

“What's your educational background?“ Laura asked,

“Bsc. degree” Clifton retorted,

“Did you put effort In hunting for job In your speciality?“ Laura asked,

“I'm sorry, I don't want to discuss about that” Clifton said,

“Sorry,I don't mean to hurt you with the question, I just feel concerned about you” Laura said, and she concentrate on her driving,

“I'm sorry, I don't mean to snopes you, only that I don't like discussing my personal Issues with a stranger” Clifton said,

“I'm sorry to have bothered you” Laura said, and she drove Into the Clifton's dad's compound, and she parked her car by the doorstep, and two of them came out of the car, and she opened the car boot, and brought out all the shopping bags, and she entered Into the house, and greet the Mr Morgan and Mrs Morgan, Clifton's parents, while Clifton carried all the shopping bags Into the house,

A few minutes later, Laura entered Into her car and drove to her house,

Since then, Laura has been tried to familiar herself with Clifton,