Maria could barely contain her joy and pride as she watched her son hop down from the car, looking all smart and dazzling in his well-fitted white blazer.
Blaze hurried around the car to the other rear door and opened it up for his slightly timid wife, to the admiration of his grandparents. He extended his right hand towards Alia, a breathtaking smile framing his handso face, leaving him second-guessing whether this was real or all pretend.
Although a part of her yearned for this whole experience to be real, the other realistic part of her didn't see a future with him. He was simply too unstable, ruthless and arrogant. Moreover, she wanted kids and he had made it abundantly clear that he didn't want any.
Taking a deep breath, Alia accepted his hand, returning his smile with a plastered one. She promised herself that she would enjoy this part of him to the fullest after all she had paid the price for it. At least, she deserved to be happy even though it wasn't ant to last for more than the weekend.
Holding Alia's hand to his chest as though they were inseparable, Blaze led her to his awaiting family.
"She looks so beautiful, way prettier than the formal lady that dumped him." One of Blaze's female cousins stated enthusiastically.
"She also has a great sense of fashion." Another female cousin, who happens to be a fashionista, pointed out, admiring the way Alia's white long Caribbean-like lace gown sat comfortably on her fair skin, giving her a modest yet sophisticated look.
"They look so in sync with one another." Another of Blaze's maternal uncle's wife noted, alongside other complinting comnts.
While everyone gushed over the approaching couple, Henry didn't seem to fall for their elaborate act. He already knew about their contract marriage and he also knew that love was not an option for the angry young man called Blaze. He didn't want to see Alia get hurt especially with the way Blaze was going about this. He was afraid Blaze might be misleading Alia with all this affection.
"My sweetheart!" Maria stepped forward to receive her children, her sky-blue eyes brimming with a cosmic smile.
"Mum..." Blaze extended his other free hand towards his mother but she playfully pushed his hand away and said.
"I was referring to my daughter-in-law, not you."
"I feel jealous right now." Blaze grinned.
Alia chuckled sweetly as Maria scooped her away from Blaze's arm.
"How was your trip?"
"It was smooth."
Alia soaked in Maria's refreshing fruity perfu in her warm embrace while Blaze greeted his grandparents.
"Grandpa, Mamo."
"Blaze, my boy." Luther Anderson, patted him on the shoulder, making room for his emotional wife.
"My sweet Darian." Blaze's grandmother called him fondly, opening her frail arms to embrace him. She stroked his hair tenderly and kissed him softly on his cheek before releasing. "How have you been, my child?"
"Aweso, Mamo. What about you? You didn't seem to age one bit from the last ti I saw you."
"Is that flattery I sense?" Kelly arched her eyebrow.
"Not at all, Mamo. You really look great."
"Thank you. By the way, you finally got married like you promised. I'm impressed. All I need now are grandchildren from you both before I leave this world." Mamo said beaming at the young beside Maria.
A crease appeared on Blaze's forehead but they quickly disappeared.
"We will do our best...ahem!" Blaze called Alia's attention to him. "Mamo, Grandpa, I would like you both to et my wife, Alia Anderson."
"Good afternoon, ma'am, good afternoon sir. It's so good to finally et you two in person." Alia curtsied before them, smiling sweetly.
"It's Mamo and Grandpa, my darling." The old woman opened her arm and embraced Alia.
"Welco ho, my child."
"Thank you, Mamo." Alia felt completely overwheld by the tenderness of the old woman.
"I trust your journey down here wasn't stressful."
"Not at all."
"How are your family back at ho?"
"Fine." Alia smiled feverishly, praying the old woman wouldn't ask anything further about her family.
"Alia, thank you for marrying this young stubborn man." Luther Anderson bead, also engulfing his granddaughter-in-law in a tender embrace. "I do not know how he was able to capture a beautiful angel like you. But I can see you too will make such a great couple."
"I wish!" Alia was tempted to say. Rather she maintained her smile and said. "Thank you, grandpa."
One by one, Blaze introduced every mber of the family to Alia. They were all receptive towards her and welcod her into the fold.
"Attention everyone." Vera clapped her hands in the air, gaining their attention. "Since everyone is here and accounted for, let's all move to the back of the mansion."
They all chorused a response and followed her lead.
Alia looked back at Blaze, who was currently engrossed in a conversation with Eugene's elder married brother. She was amazed at how swiftly his personality had changed from an aggressive and hostile individual to soone more endearing, almost like a normal man. It felt good to see this rare side of him even though it wasn't ant to last. She turned her head to the other side and saw Henry staring longingly at her. She smiled genuinely at him and was about to join him when one of Blaze's cousins hijacked her attention.
"So Amy, tell , how did you and my cousin et? Did he scare you with his bad temper?" Olivia, Blaze's tall and super hot cousin asked in a friendly voice, interlocking her arms with Alia's.
"Nah!" Alia shook her head, admiring Olivia's captivating grey eyes up close. There was no denying the fact that beauty ran in the Anderson family, with their signature grey eyes.
"More like persistently annoying.," Alia said the first thought that ca to her mind before reverting to the revised version of her first eting with Blaze just as they had both rehearsed earlier.
More of Blaze's cousins dotted around Alia, bombarding her with more questions until Blaze ca to her rescue.
"Stay with Henry and Eugene for now. I need to be beside my mom when the ceremony comnces.
"Sure," Alia replied, smiling as Henry made his way towards her.
Reviews
All reviews (0)