Falling For My Contract Husband

Meeting an important client

I knew as soon as I signed the contract that my life would be scrutinized by the media and Sabelo's groupies. But I didn't think people would want to form friendships with me. Even people who stopped coming to my house years ago are now calling to visit. I thought those people lost my contact. But clearly not.

"Stop thinking." My mom hugged me. The hug shocks everyone. Unlike my dad, my mom hates hugs. But right now I know she's grateful I was able to save the house and extend it. So I smiled at her.

When Sabelo tells me he is outside, my brothers help me with the bowls and the present. The potential client invited us over for a braai (barbecue). They bought a new house, a house I know very well they don't need. So there's house warming. I didn't want to go empty-handed. So I made 2 bowls of salad. I hope they are enough.

Sabelo looks a little shocked when he sees the bowls and the wrapped box. I asked him to fetch me hours earlier so I could help our host when I got there. The event was set to start at 3 in the afternoon but I asked Sabelo to drop me off at 8 am. There are so many cars outside. Maybe they are halfway through or maybe they finished hours ago.

When I walk inside with a summer dress and sneakers on, most of the guests look a little shocked. Sabelo is also wearing shorts, a vest and a push-in. People are dressed to the nines. Their outfits make us look like we came to the wrong house. I asked an old maid where the kitchen was. She smiled like I complimented her. When I got there, I found Maria, our host, marinating the meat. She pauses for a minute, looking at the bowls and gifts.

I hope I haven't offended her.

She thanks me with a huge smile like I just blessed her with millions. I asked her what I could do to help while I was fastening my apron. She looks taken aback. She tells me she didn't expect help. I take her recipe book, she tells me that instead of making 4 salads we'll make 2 because I already bought 2 big bowls.

I rummage through the cupboards for the ingredients. Once I'm done with the salads, I help her with marinating the meat. When her 2 sons refuse to braai. I asked Sabelo to fetch my brothers. They'll be happy to help. My brothers would do anything as long as it means they get to see and communicate with Sabelo. I'm busy serving drinks when they get here. They don't waste any time when they take over.

Maria seemed relieved. I expected her to hire people for events. When it's almost, 3 more guests arrive. My brothers and I freshen up and change. I wore another summer dress with sandals this time. We set 2 huge tables.

Once we are done, we all sit down. I sigh when I notice that we'll have to serve the guests. Clearly, they don't want to help. I waved my brothers over and we started serving the guests.

I felt bad for calling them over, but Maria needed help. Helping people was instilled in us by our dad. I remember I once cried because we had to help whenever there was a ceremony while my cousins played. The old maid brought my gift over to the table. I suspect it was meant for gifts. I'm embarrassed because no one brought a gift.

"Were you expecting gifts?" A girl my age asked Maria. She shakes her head no. Maybe she didn't want them.

"I'm sorry. When I heard it was housewarming, I couldn't come empty handed." I apologized to Maria and her husband.

"You silly girl. Why would you apologise for being thoughtful? You have no idea how much this means." She tells me, using her fork to point out the gift, then the salads.

I smile at her. I'm glad I did.

After lunch, my brothers and I help with tidying up and serving drinks. I'm glad I bought sneakers with me. We wash the dishes and then we get ready to leave at 10 pm. I'm dog tired. It's been a long day. When we said our goodbyes, Maria looked disappointed. She tells me she wants to meet me for lunch whenever I'm free. She takes out 3 envelopes and gives them to us.

"No, we aren't taking the money." I told her.

"We were helping because you needed help. We weren't expecting anything in return." Maria and John, her husband, thanked us and we headed home.

On my way home, I realised that we were too busy. I didn't even get the chance to communicate and get to know Maria well. But I know there's going to be a next time. I liked her already. She seems so genuine. I expected a snobbish woman who would look down on me, especially since I didn't dress up like most of her guests. They looked really nice. And I looked plain. I just hope this won't be the norm. These events. I just hate it when spending time with people makes me feel like I'm lacking.

Ten minutes later, I was so sleepy I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.