A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN

THEME: It was just a contract

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD MANSION

“Raven and Rowan are missing.”

The whole room went silent as their eyes popped out in shock. Christopher wished he could turn back the hands of time and not say a word to them. He blamed himself for asking them to meet up, he should have waited to hear from the police. The looks on their faces made him want to run far away.

“Wh… what do you mean by they are missing?” Eva stuttered, her face devoid of any color.

Christopher held his hands to the back. It’s now or never. “I wish I can explain in detail. I am sorry I lied to you all. They have both been missing since Tuesday and I can’t reach Raven up until now.”

“Will you stop this nonsense right this minute young man!” James slammed his palms on the table in anger. “Why would you joke with something as delicate as this?”

Christopher sighed. “This isn’t a joke dad! I and Raven had some kind of argument and then she left the house. I haven’t seen her or been able to contact her since then.”

Hope stood up all of a sudden. “I need to call the police. We need to announce it to the public.”

Ava joined in. “I will put their pictures up on the media. They might be in trouble.”

Running his hands through his head in frustration, Christopher shut his eyes tightly. It is now or never, he had to tell the truth. “We can’t make any publication, please. For the sake of Raven.” He blurted out.

“What the hell do you mean by that? What if my daughter and grandchild are hurt?” Eva wailed as Hope comforted her.

“Can you just say something Chris, please. What’s going on?” Matthew said.

“Is there something you are hiding from us?” Ava asked.

“Did you discover she isn’t true about her feelings?” Ashley interjected, it was the only thing she had said out loud since Christopher walked in.

Throwing his elder sister a vicious glance, he sighed. “Go to play upstairs guys.” Christopher told the children.

“You might all need to take a seat.” He muttered.

“This had better be worth it!” James warned. He was already losing his patience.

“I will like to say something and I am begging you all to please let me finish before saying anything.” His voice pleaded.

They all stared at each other making silent agreements. Christopher continued. “Actually, the marriage between myself and Raven is fake.”

Gasps erupted from the room, but they all kept mute when Christopher threw them a look.

“We had a deal. It was like… a contract marriage. I had asked her to get married to me and we would be divorced after six months. When Dad proposed I was to get married before I could become CEO it didn’t seem like a big deal to me. I had Jessica my girlfriend, so I thought. Not until she rejected my proposal. I was devastated and heart broken. I couldn’t lose on both sides, so I seek the advice of my friend Benjamin and we decided to look for a lady who will be interested in being a wife for six months for a $100, 000 and get divorced after the six months. It was a hard task as the ladies willing to do it weren’t convincing enough. Then I met Raven who was in need of an urgent money to pay for her son’s hospital bills. At first she was reluctant to accept the deal but she had to give in since she had very little time to save her son. And then we got married after I had paid her the first initial amount of $50, 000. The rest was meant to be paid after the divorce. But, I and Raven got closer in the third month of our marriage and I was beginning to fall in love with her, just as she was in love with me. We both knew we weren’t about to end the marriage in a month time, not now not ever. I was happy and contented with my marriage finally.” He looked away trying to prevent the tears in his eyes from falling.

“This is unbelievable! You both fooled all of us?” James scoffed.

“If you both already professed love to each other why all this ruckus?” Hope queried.

“It’s all Ashley’s fault.” Christopher admitted as he glared at his sister.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Ashley had her hands up. “Me? What did I do? Why are you dragging me into this?”

“Your hatred for Raven wouldn’t let you leave us. Ashley here had been texting my ex-girlfriend to come back to my life because she doesn’t trust Raven to be a true one.” A tear dropped from his eyes but he didn’t stop it this time around. “My foolish self hadn’t gotten over Jessica, a part of me still yearned for her. I got carried away and was… was… having sex with her in my office when Raven came in and saw us both.” He felt embarrassed.

They all exchanged glances.

“That’s so cheap of you bro. She already left you, why would you even let her back into your life.” Ava chided him.

“Anyways, I found out two days ago that Jessica was pregnant and needed someone to father it. And Ashley’s persistent DMs gave her the opportunity to stroll back into my life and shatter my happiness.” He stepped in front of Ashley. “I hope you are happy now? Raven is gone.” Christopher sniffed, holding his head in his hands.

Ashley’s hand shook on her knees, she could feel everyone eyeing her badly especially Matthew’s disappointment that was seeping through his whole pores. She had let her rage and anger for the betrayal she has experienced ruin her brother’s marriage. She felt sorry for Raven. She would have done worse if her child was in such condition. She felt so ugly.

“I am sorry.” She muttered. “I am so sorry. I was only trying to protect you.” Ashley stood up as she held her brother’s arms.

Christopher pulled away from her and knelt down front of Eva. “I am really sorry for causing you all this pain. It’s my fault, I should have never dragged Raven into my mess. My selfishness didn’t let me. But believe that I love Raven and Rowan so much. And I promise to do everything I can to find them. Trust me Eva. I promise.” A tear dropped from his eyes.

Eva sniffed unable to control her own tears as she put her hands on Christopher’s cheek. “I should be thanking you for loving her eventually. I have seen the both of you and I see how happy Raven eyes light up whenever she sees you. You make my baby girl happy and you saved my grandson’s life. I can’t be ungrateful to you. Also I trust you will find them.”

“Me too.” Hope said behind him as she rubbed at Christopher’s shoulder.

“Thank you.” Christopher replied in a whisper.

James cleared his throat. “Let’s all have breakfast and we would have a clear mind to begin our search. Go get the children Ava.”

Ava went upstairs to get the children and they all sat in silence making small talks as their food got served.

Christopher felt relief as the only problem left unsolved was finding his wife, the woman he loves and his step son.