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Wedded To A Stranger 38
At his response, Andra stayed silent. She lacked words. She tried to speak but ended up swallowing hard. Then she cleared her throat and managed to find her voice.“Why would you do that?” she asked.“Why not?” he asked. “Are you not an attractive woman?”Her cheeks flushed at his compliment and she fought to look unaffected by it. She lost the fight and ended up with a faint smile of pleasure. Dominic was pleased to see it.“I thought I was a boy.” She said meaningfully and he laughed, remembering how he called her that sometimes because of her tomboy outfits.Andra joined in his laughter and after a few seconds of shared laughter, they suddenly stopped. It was as if, they were being cautious of the major reason why they were living together in the first place. They were not friends. They were there to honor a contract.“Goodnight, Mr. Dominic.” She said, using an official address. She was using that to help her stay with the goal of the contract.“Goodnight, Miss Andra.” He responde
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Andra ended up at the gate and could not get it to open on time. Dominic’s long strides brought him over to her position, cornering her. She surrendered and leaned back against the gate.“Sorry.” She quickly apologized as he crowded her with his presence. “I said I’m sorry. Can’t someone joke with you?”His palms came up and rested on either side of her head, trapping her before him.“I don’t believe you’re sorry.” His gaze was intense upon hers.“But I am.” She assured him. “Besides, I was only playing with you.”“I know you deliberately taunted me but I’m serious. Don’t do that again.”“Fine.”“Now you can say sorry and mean it.”She stared at him challengingly for a few seconds and noticed he was not backing down, his expression remaining stern and expectant.“Okay, I’m sorry.”“Apology accepted.” He said but made no move to release her.“Release me.” She demanded.“If you really wish to be free, there are many ways, Andra. I’m not holding you, am I?”“Why do I need to try differen
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Andra reasoned that Molly was right. Dominic was only executing his job description. “I guess so.” She half conceded. “But still, I find it annoying.” “Look on the bright side of things,” Molly remarked, earning an unpleasant look from Andra. “There you go again with your annoying optimism.” Molly wasn’t affected by her countenance. She was used to it in similar situations. “There is a bright side, Andra.” She insisted. “I don’t see it,” Andra stated. “Other than the fact that I’m generating attention with the wedding. I mean, partying gets me on the media but the wedding thing seems to generate more noise.” “So, in the end, it’s a win for you as well,” Molly remarked. “People are making noise about me.” “The point is what kind of noise are they making about you?” At Andra’s questioning but curious look, she smiled. “I’m all ears, Molly.” Andra didn’t return the smile. For once she was interested in hearing the reason behind what she considered Molly’s episode of annoying po
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“Oh right, my bad, sorry,” The coordinator said, drawing their attention back to him.“It’s all right,” Dominic responded.All attention was riveted on James and his wife. It was as though, no one knew how to react, especially the families involved in the ceremony.Duke finally snapped out of his surprise and speechlessness. He rose and approached the couple, taking Carla with him.“My esteemed regards Prime Minister.” He greeted. “I am so happy you’re here. This is my wife, Carla.”James extended his hand and shared a formal handshake with the couple. His wife followed suit.As they exchanged awkward greetings, Dominic took Andra’s hand and led her aside so they could talk privately.“How are they here?” she asked quietly. “I’m surprised.”“I invited them.” He answered quietly, mirroring her voice so they were out of earshot.”“But they refused your invitation.” She reminded him.“Yeah, I guess they changed their mind.”“So, what now?”“We have to greet them. So please come with me.
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At Duke’s words, Dominic and Andra’s eyes met in surprise.“Yes,” Duke said emphatically, bringing their gazes back to his. “But frankly, with the whole scenario now playing out, I mean especially with the arrival of your parents, I have become overcome with guilt.”Once again, Andra and Dominic’s gaze locked in surprise, then immediately returned to Duke.“I am sorry I let my emotions drive me into starting this whole complicated story. It was my mistake and I believe that I had no right to do what I did.”“Dad?” Molly could not believe what she was hearing from her father. More so, she didn’t know why his words were causing her a heavy heart instead of elation. It was difficult to understand and somewhat alarming.Dominic listened to Duke, unbelieving. He examined his emotions, seeking relief but finding emptiness and disappointment. It was disturbing that he could not understand or determine his present emotions. One glance at Andra told him, she was suffering the same fate. Even
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Dominic was pleased with Andra’s verbal confirmation.“And your finances?”“I will survive.”“Good.” He said. “Now, let’s go and continue with the contract.”She nodded in agreement and seconds later, they were back to Duke with decided looks on their faces.“So, tell me, what have you both decided?” he asked.The couple exchanged glances before facing Duke with their response.“We are still in.” they chorused and watched Duke’s eyes expand.“What?” he exclaimed under his breath. He could not believe his ears and before he could speak further, Dominic was whisking his daughter away and slowly heading back to the church.“We are late, Mr. Duke. We have come too far to quit. And we cannot keep the people waiting. Neither can we drop a bombshell on them at this hour. But most importantly, we’re still in.”“Out of our own volition,” Andra added. “So, let’s finish what you started.”“Exactly,” Dominic added supportively as they went.Duke stood there, confused for a while. He finally snapp
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Andra stared at him, speechless and unable to believe what she was hearing. His determination scared her to silence. Her mind delved into a sea of anxiety as she wondered how to eat her cake and still have it.“You will no longer eat your cake and have it in this house.” He pronounced as though reading her mind. And with those words, he killed her hope.Andra considered her next move. Initially, she had wanted to go on the offensive, so he would just leave her alone but she had known him long enough to understand that it would not work. She had only wanted to try. Why, oh why did her father bump into him and choose him? She often regretted it, especially in times such as this.Andra let go of her regret as she thought of a fast solution to her immediate problem. This was not the time to regret. It was the time to think. She decided to protest his pronouncement. It was her last resort.“But…” she began.“I cannot keep eating out or buying take-homes.” He interrupted curtly, silencing h
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Andra considered Molly’s words for a few seconds. She could not exactly understand her point. “What kind of change?” she asked. “The change is that you are…becoming more responsible.” She chuckled and Andra hissed, unappreciative of the humor. “Please just tell me what to do. I need the allowance.” “Hmm. Didn’t you bet with him that you will fend for yourself?” Molly reminded her. “I guess I failed already. Besides I was not really serious. Just give me a solution to my current trouble and leave the past behind.” Molly shrugged. Andra was right. It was better to solve the current issue instead of wasting time talking. “I suggest we go to the market and get the necessary ingredients. Then I will show you how to make the food and store everything in the fridge. We’ll leave out the one you guys will have for dinner when he is back. The day is still young, so we can make it on time.” She smiled as she watched Andra’s countenance light up. “No way.” “Why not?” Andra flashed her lo
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