The Billionaire's Real Wife

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Suitor

I stood behind my window waiting for the suitor my family arranged for me. My eyes were puffy because I cried myself to sleep last night. I kept rubbing my hand on my eyes as tears continued flowing like a stream.

"Your eyes are puffy already and you aggravate it more when you rub your palms on them. Mia, you are not alone! I'm with you," Anna, my childhood friend said, bringing my hand down. Anna was also adopted but her family loves her so much.

"I will accompany you to his house and will always visit you from time to time. Remember, self-solemnization without legal solemnization isn't recognized as a legal marriage. You can leave him any time you feel like it. He has no right over you until both of you perform the legal solemnization. You just need to get away from your family, they have threatened you enough," Anna said.

I wiped my tears when I saw a two-door old wagon in our driveway. My eyes widened in bewilderment.

"At least he has a moving car," Anna burst into laughter. I looked at her with my puffy eyes and turned my face again. She quickly stifled the laughter with her palm.

I was so eager to see the man that came in with the rattletrap. My heart began to race, shortening my breath. I wondered what stopped him from coming out of the car.

Anna couldn't stop laughing when the man began to wrestle with the door of his car. He wound the glass down and put his head and hand out, trying to locate the door handle.

His hair and eyebrows were as white as snow. His skin was quite pale and his eyes were light.

"Is he an albino?" Anna asked, placing her left palm on my shoulder. I couldn't answer the question because I was short of words.

One of the security guards Queenie assigned to my parents, walked towards the car and helped him out. He struggled out, grinned, and waved at the guard.

We fixed our gaze on the obese old man with a flabby stomach. I fell to the floor and began to cry as I imagined how life on the street would be. Anna kept encouraging me.

I grabbed my bag that was on the bed and stomped out of my room angrily. Anna ran after me, trying to hold me back.

"Mia!" Dad called me when he saw me walking towards the grand foyer. I halted and slowly turned my head. The old man fixed his shaky eyes on me.

"Meet your husband and please show him you are well raised. Do you understand?" Dad said. I handed my bag over to Anna.

"Please, wait outside, I'll join you," I said, and began to walk towards the lounge proddingly.

"Sit!" Dad shouted as though I had a hearing problem. I sat on one of the sofas and fixed my eyes on the old man who would be in his sixties.

"Mr. Gregory, please continue," dad said.

"I'm here on behalf of my brother. He is sick and couldn't come. I'm going to take you to him; If you like him, you can proceed with your wedding or civil marriage, whichever you want."

"Who is talking about like? She has no choice! Tell your brother to do whatever he wants. Mia is his wife. I wish him a quick recovery. Please, do not invite us to your wedding, we are not coming," dad said and stood up.

"I have a gift for you, sir," Mr. Gregory said, searching all the pockets on his shirt and baggy pants. He squeezed out a few Riel. Dad sighed and walked away.

"You have a choice, my dear, and you are not owing anyone," the old man grinned at me, ignoring my dad. "Shall we?" He offered me his right hand.

I wouldn't have followed him, but letting me know I had a choice motivated me. I stood up and began to walk towards the entrance. He walked silently behind me.

"Anna, please go with my bag; I'll come for it later," I whispered into my friend's ear.

"Are you going with him?" Anna asked, frowning her face.

"He said his brother sent him. I want to meet him and if they look alike, I'm going to live on the street," I whispered again.

"They are definitely going to look alike, Mia. How old is his brother?"

"I don't know, he didn't tell me," I responded as we fixed our eyes on Mr. Gregory who was trying to open the door of his car.

"Who is going to help you out of that car?" Anna asked with a worried tone.

"Honestly, Anna, I… don't…know," I sputtered.

"Mia, are you aware that Queenie's royal wedding comes up in December?" Mom said behind us. We quickly turned and faced her.

"No one told me," I responded.

"We didn't because you are not needed. What would you do there? I..mean Queenie said you are not her sister. I'll advise you to focus on your marriage…"

"Why are you telling me then?" I asked, sighed, and turned away.

"You need to know you are not invited," Mom said.

"Oh…thank god!" Mr. Gregory screamed happily when he succeeded in opening the car doors. He gestured towards the passenger side of the car. Mom grinned mockingly and shrugged.

A sudden urge to make the best out of what people see as nothing came on me. I swallowed hard, lifted my head, and began to walk towards the passenger side of the old wagon. I waved at Anna and hopped into the car.

"Don't shut the door yet!" Mr. Gregory shouted with a smile. I frowned and looked at him. "Would you help me push the car?" He said, tilting his head. I got down without saying a word and began to push the car. Anna joined me and we kept pushing until the engine picked up. Anna waved at me with tears in her eyes, I waved back and entered the car. Mr. Gregory drove away slowly. I began to imagine what his brother looked like. "There is no way his brother would look different. They must have some similar features," I said to myself.

"How old is your brother?" I asked after some minutes of silence.

"How old do you want him to be?" Mr. Gregory grinned and looked at me. He looks horrible when he smiles. I wondered if his brother looked the same.

"Is he chubby like you?" I asked.

"No," he responded and I heaved a loud sigh of relief. Mr. Gregory threw his head backward and gave out a great peal of infectious laughter. I smiled and looked away. I was so curious about his age, so I began to twist my questions.

"Is he your immediate younger brother?"

"No"

"Your elder brother?"

"No"

"Is he a divorcee?"

"No, he has a wife, you are going to be his second wife."

"No…way…drop me!" I said jokingly because I knew he was kidding and we giggled.

"Remember, you can choose not to marry him after meeting him, but I will be happy if you marry him," he said with a calm tone and I could detect the seriousness in his tone.

"Alright," I said and rested my head on the headrest. Mr. Gregory looked like a nice person and I became a bit relaxed.

It was a long journey to RockRing Estate which was located in the northern outskirt of Phnom Penh.