My Contract Marriage

Chapter four : Our first encounter

Michael's POV

I had drained myself into looking at all the paperwork I had to finish before Monday, I looked at my watch and it was past 6:30 pm, s**t! I needed to text Lisa the name of the restaurant I quickly dialled Anna’s extension line.

“Hello, Anna speaking!” She answered,

“Please could send a driver to pick up Miss Williams and take her to the restaurant. I will be there shortly” I told her,

“I already sent her the location of the restaurant and she said the hotel where she’s staying is a couple of minutes away” She informed me

“Thank you anna,” I said cutting the line, I got my car keys and phone before leaving the office.

“If there any documents just leave them on my desk, I will work on them tomorrow,” I told her walking past her.

I got to the car park and decided to give her a call before I started off,

“You are late as always! I will be waiting” She said as soon as she answered, I felt bad hearing those words. Before I could say anything, she had already cut the call. I started the car and drove off going to the Restaurant. I parked the car and went inside the restaurant.

I reached by the reception when the lady saw me, she stood still staring at me. “I had a table reserved for two, Miss Williams has already arrived please show me to the table,” I told her, she quickly checked on their system, “It’s this way,” she said leading me to the table. I saw Lisa sitting there looking at her watch every second, “I thought you didn’t mind waiting” after I reached the table.

“Hey, you! Looking all smart and handsome” She said smiling widely, she looked gorgeous in a burgundy off-shoulder dress with nude sandals she looked the same like the last day I saw her leave the country.

“You look beautiful,” I said going close for a hug, I squeezed her so tight that I thought I was not going to let her go but she broke the hugs instead.

“It’s good to see you am sorry I had to be late on first time meeting after such a long time,” I said to her pulling her chair to help her sit down.

“It’s alright since I managed to get you out of the office. It’s a rare privilege” she said I could tell what she met by that.

“Anyway, how was your flight>?” the waiter came and pulled wine for us in glasses.

“chateau de lussac! You remembered” she said sounding sad,

“I have never forgotten, it’s your favourite after all” I replied, she simply looked down.

“Who about we order something to eat? What would you like to order?” I said as the waiter was pouring the wine waiting for our orders

“Sure, for the starter I will have Squid with Chilli Garlic & Parsley and the main course can I have the Chateaubriand?” she said I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You still the same person, I will have the same please,” I told the waiter,

“So, tell me, how was it in France?” I asked her

“It was hard living but I managed to get through it,” she answered

“how has it been with you? Have you been well?” she asked me I wanted to tell her how much I missed her, wanted to kiss her lips and hold her but decided not to least I make her feel uncomfortable.

“It’s been okay, have my bad and good days,” I said starting to eat our starter.

Our conversation went well as we enjoyed our meal we joked about old times. I had started dating Lisa when I was still in college, she was from an average class family but I, on the other hand, came from one of the richest family in New York, but after my father fell ill, I took over from him and become CEO. It took most of my time and I stopped paying attention to her. we fought argued over petty things.

one day I was supposed to be at her art gallery opening but I had been in meetings from morning till midnight that I had forgotten I was to attend it when I finally went to her home with flowers, she had already made up her mind concerning our relationship. I pleaded with her but it was already over for us. Some months later, she left for France to pursue her career and she only came back now. We kept in touch but there was no future for us, I came back to reality and she was sitting there telling me about her life in France.

“there’s something I need to tell you’’ she said and my phone rang it was a very important client.

“I need to take this!” I said standing up leaving the table, I talked on the phone and agreed to meet the client in a months’ time.

“you wanted to tell me something!” I said as soon as I got to the table.

“Hey, honey!” I heard a familiar voice shout, Lisa looked at him and smiled. I was quietly hoping maybe it was because we were close friends in college. “Michael Sanders! The young billionaire” he shouted and I just smiled. “Anthony Jackson! Good to see you man, where have you been?”

“I have been here and there! I just got back from Francis” he replied no

“Oh really? What were you doing there? Did you start your own company?” I asked him,

“Lisa didn't tell you?” she asked while smiling I shook my head

“We are together now and we have art galleries in France, actually we are planning on getting married,” he said rubbing it in. “No, she forgot to mention that,” I said looking at Lisa who seemed uncomfortable with what was happening.

“Am happy to hear that, please excuse me I have to go somewhere?” I said wanting to leave them as fast as possible.

“It was great seeing you again, we should meet soon for a drink,” he said still smiling

“Please help yourselves to anything the bill will be on me,” I said walking out of there.

Anthony Jackson of all men! Couldn't she go for another man than Anthony, I walked thinking to myself I got in the car and drove all the way home thinking about Lisa, I didn't even realize that the car in front of me had stopped I went straight and hit into the back of the car. f**k! I shouted hitting the steering wheel, I got out of the car and went to check the damage. “Hey man, you okay? You could have almost killed us!” He shouted, “Why are you not saying anything? Am calling the cops on your sorry ass” he continued shouting.

“Please forgive me, I didn't see that the lights had changed. “Will your apologies fix my car?” he asked

I saw the girlfriend came out as well out of the car “Hey, calm down. The gentleman has apologized let me handle this” she said coming to check the damage as well,

“Sir, please give us your number so that we can call you to discuss the details of how you will pay for the damages,” the young lady said, I quickly checked my jacket and I had nothing on me. I went to the car found my cards had finished.

“I can't find my cards, please get my number and call me,” I told them, she got her phone and quickly dialled the number.

“What name should I save?” I asked,

“Gabriella Brooks,” she said and went back in the car pulling her boyfriend.

“I will be in touch with you miss brooks,” I said also getting in my car.