The Arrogant Husband

Chapter 3

"Mom, how can you say all that? What if the man is wicked and we don't match?" Nadia asked, almost sobbing as she realized her mother had finally accepted Mrs. Helen's offer.

"The gods will make you match. Do not worry; this is our opportunity to escape poverty, and nothing will stop us," Mrs. Diane said, quickly adding, "Come, Nadia, go to the nearest bank and deposit this check." She handed the check to her daughter.

"Hurry, and let me know if it clears before the bank closes," Mrs. Diane smiled while her neighbor, who sold slippers, asked, "Who was that rich woman, Mummy Nadia? I saw Nadia crying too."

"Oh, she's just a family friend and Nadia's future mother-in-law," Mrs. Diane said. Nadia shook her head and went to the nearest bank to deposit the check.

"Wow, so Nadia is already engaged, and I wanted my son to marry her," the neighbor remarked, while Mrs. Diane responded, "Look for another wife for your son; my daughter is already taken."

The neighbor rolled her eyes but said nothing.

****

Later that day, Mrs. Helen Kingston arrived in her mother's village. After ensuring her mother was fine, she told her brother, "Brother, I'm returning to the city tomorrow."

"Why?" asked the middle-aged man, dressed in black trousers and a blue top, as he sat on the living room couch.

"It's a family matter. I found a wife for Richmond, and I want to inform him," she said.

Her brother smiled and replied, "Do people still get married that way? There are many things to consider to know if Richmond and the young woman are compatible. Also, you know Richmond doesn't like visiting the village. What makes you think he'll accept a village girl you're preparing for him?" he asked, focusing on his only sister.

"I don't have a choice. I want him to marry a good woman, unlike those he associates with in the city," Mrs. Helen said, her face sad. Her older brother sighed, understanding her plight.

"It's okay. Mama is sleeping now, so you don't have to wake her. Have a safe journey back to the city tomorrow," he said, his handsome brown face marred with a bright smile. His sister responded, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied.

"How about Alex and Susan?" she asked about his two children.

"They're in school and not around," he replied. Although he lived in the village, he had other businesses in the city.

"Okay, brother. Thank you," Mrs. Helen smiled and went to her room in the exquisite mansion to rest.

The following day, she set off for the city after visiting her mother and saying goodbye.

Arriving in the city in the afternoon, Mrs. Helen headed to Nashville Island, where the Kingston family was based and owned many establishments.

She arrived at her husband's villa. He was at home resting in the lounge, having not accompanied her to their village. They were from the same village but different Kingsmen.

"Honey, I'm home," she said, approaching her husband, who was on a phone call with a business partner. He ended the call.

"Welcome, babe. How was your journey to the village, and how is your mother?" Mr. Steven Kingston asked, standing up to give his wife a warm hug.

"They're all fine," she replied, smiling as they embraced. The maids took her box of clothes to her room on the top floor.

"That's good. You seem happier than when you left for the village," he joked, and she smiled.

"Thank you. My brother is doing a great job taking care of Mama. She's over 70 years old, so what did you expect?" she said, joining him on the couch. He hummed, "Hmm, that's fine. Thanks to God for His mercies. So, what did you bring me from the village?" He looked at his wife fondly, and she smiled, "Good news. I found a wife for Richmond."

"What!" Jerry Kingston exclaimed as he stepped into the living room. He was the secondborn, a musician, and was very popular in their city.

"You must be joking, Mother! Haha!" Jerry burst out laughing, wearing baggy jeans and a yellow polo shirt. His ear was adorned with a golden earring, and his arms were covered in tattoos.

He was also brown-skinned and very attractive, resembling his father.

"I'm not joking, Jerry. Richmond needs to settle down and marry," Mrs. Helen insisted, looking at her son.

Jerry couldn't stop laughing as he joined them in the living room.

"Happy birthday, Mom! I came for your birthday celebration this weekend. I hadn't expected to hear this kind of good news. Haha!" Jerry laughed again, and Mrs. Helen frowned.

The door burst open again, and Rita Kingston, a 25-year-old girl, walked in. She was a top model in Nashville and smiled at her family.

"Mom! You're back!" She rushed to hug her mother. She wore a pink crop top and a blue mini skirt, revealing her butt cheeks.

"Yes, I'm back. Why are you dressed like this, Rita? Where are your manners?" Mrs. Helen asked as she separated from hugging her only daughter, who frowned and settled next to her father on the black couch.

"Mom, I'm not a child. I'm a top model here in Nashville Island. You don’t expect me to wear oversized clothes or wrap skirts like a village woman. I'm a woman of substance and class, not local. Isn't that right, Daddy?" Rita leaned beside her father on the black couch like she was the baby of the house. Mrs. Helen frowned, touching her forehead in frustration.

"This is not right!" she shouted at her only daughter for the first time in her life.

"You cannot find a good husband dressed like this, Rita! That's why none of your boyfriends take you seriously!" Mrs. Helen scolded, and Rita burst into tears. "Mommy! You're insulting me!" She stood up and went upstairs, slamming the door. Jerry, who was with them in the living room, shook his head and smiled after seeing Rita run away.

"Mom, this is the city. You can't expect us to be local. You have to accept that we're not village kids but your children," he said, looking back at his mother.

"That's fine, Jerry. But don't insult your mother in front of me!" Mr. Steven warned, and Jerry apologized, "I'm not insulting Mom; I'm just trying to make her understand."

"There's nothing for me to understand, Jerry. How many boyfriends has your sister dated? Don't you want her to be happy? Are you happy she's dated countless men, yet none have taken her seriously? I want the best for you all, and this wayward lifestyle isn't the answer. As a model, she could still dress decently when not on camera. I want change in this house, and I'm serious!" Mrs. Helen shouted. The doorbell rang, interrupting them.

Richmond Kingston walked in, wearing a black coat and trousers. He looked at his parents and younger brother in the living room, holding a bouquet of roses, knowing his mother cherished flowers.

"Good afternoon, Mom, Dad, what's going on?" Richmond asked, breaking the silence.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," Mrs. Helen smiled, glad her first son hadn’t brought another woman home like before. She walked to him and accepted the bouquet from his hands. He was taller, and she hugged him warmly.

"You got these for me?" she asked, looking up at his handsome brown face.

"Yes, mother. I heard you were back, so I came to welcome you. How's Mama in the village?" he asked, unaware of the previous conversation.

"She's fine and responding well to treatment. Uncle Donald is taking good care of her in the village," she said, placing the flowers with the rest in the living room.

"Wouldn't it be better to bring Mama here for proper treatment in the city? I don't like those village doctors treating her," Richmond suggested, sitting down while his mother joined him.

"No, son. Uncle Donald values tradition, and he's found the best doctors for her. She's doing well, which is why I returned," she smiled, and Richmond smiled back. "I see, Mom."

His phone rang, and he frowned as he saw his ex-girlfriend calling. He ended the call and shifted his attention back to his parents. "I have to head home, Mom. I'll be here on Saturday for your 53rd birthday party," he said.

"Okay," she replied. "Wait, Richmond, I have something important to discuss," she added, stopping him from leaving.

"What's that, Mom?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her nervous demeanor.