Five- Thorn in his flesh

SARAH PIERCE

Did I hear him right?

Or is the universe toying with my senses again?

“Agree to the contract or forget about this union,” Nathaniel concluded.

Forget about the union? When I have risked so much and angered the devils in my life? When I have a three-year-old to protect?

But then… What is wrong with Nathaniel? Is he so deep into his fake-ass acting that he wishes to toy with me like this?

Is this what he thought of me all this while?

Like I am some sort of desperate woman who will jump at any chance of survival?

Well… yes, I am.

But nothing gives him the right to act this way when he was the one that shattered my life in the first place. If he had not left at that very crucial moment, or better still, if he had been reachable after he left, I would not be in this shit. I would not have to grovel for survival.

“Nathaniel…” I breathed out the piling emotions in my soul like a dragon preparing to rain down fire on its enemies. “These rules you speak of.” I looked away from him to gather some willpower. “I don't care about them. Bring that silly contract to me, I will sign it. But I will not allow you to insult me any more than you already have.”

His forehead creased with confusion. “I am afraid I don't understand you.”

“I don't understand what I just said either! Just do as you wish! I will do as I wish too!”

“Sarah.” He held his waist, my outburst clearly meant nothing to him. “You need to be clear. Will you sign the contract or not?”

“I said I will sign it!” I fumed and sat on the bed before I could become a bigger mess and say more confusing things. I hugged a puzzled Raya to my side. “Leave if you are done.”

“Don't you at least need to hear the rules? I-”

“Nathaniel Storm, leave.” This time, I glared into his soul. “I won't repeat myself.”

“Uhm… Sure.” With his eyes narrowed, he withdrew his steps while saying, “Our wedding is by one p.m. I employed a very good team to assist with your preparation. See you tomorrow.”

I did not reply.

Once the door closed after him, I felt rage in every part of me.

I guess Nathaniel Storm wants to keep giving me reasons to hate him.

No problem.

Fine.

I will sign that stupid contract with the stupid rules. But surely and slowly, I will make a mess of them, and I will become the thorn in his flesh- the very thorn he wants to avoid.

After my resolution, I turned my focus to Raya, who had questions she decided not to ask. And without much ado, I ordered us a very satisfactory meal. I hope our order gives Nathaniel’s rich pockets a bit of a shiver.

~~~

Our sleep over the night was super blissful, I almost cursed at the wedding team that woke us up early in the morning.

But the results of the wedding preparations were so amazing that I easily melted my grudge towards the women who were ensuring Raya and I were looking glam.

“Raya is ready,” Tatiana, the lady who showed me options for Raya's dress, announced. My make-up was paused, and I turned to look at my baby.

“Ohh… Raya.” I held my chest. The sky-blueness of her gown highlighted her features so well that I was reminded of the day I gave birth to her. As I admitted her packed hair, I said, “My beautiful baby. You look super, super gorgeous.”

“Mummy!” She giggled as she ran into my lap. “I like this dress!”

“I like it too, my baby. Mwah. Mwah.” My kisses loudly met her forehead. “You are my beautiful baby.”

“Okay, Raya,” Tatiana called while others murmured their affection for Raya's look. “Let Mummy do her make-up so she can get dressed.”

“I will be done soon,” I said to Raya. “Okay?”

“Okay, Mummy.” She followed Tatiana with ease and headed to the bed where huge alphabet blocks were waiting to be played with.

“She seems to get along with people,” my make-up artist commented.

“Not really. She must like Tatiana. She is mostly quiet with strangers.”

“Oh, that is-”

“I simply cannot believe this nonsense!” An unfamiliar voice raided the joy in the room. I looked up and identified the person to be Nathaniel's mother. She did not look very different from the pictures Nathaniel showed me years ago. Her bob was still as sharp as her jaw, and her gaze was piercing as a hawk's. “Is this why my vacation was cut short? So I can watch my son get married to this filth grubbing woman?”

I glanced at the woman next to me. “Please tell Tatiana to keep an eye on Raya.” I stood up and met the older woman at the doorstep to stop her from entering and exposing Raya to her unfiltered words.

Afterwards, I closed the door.

“Look at this little bitch disrespecting me,” she almost cried with anguish. “What is Nathaniel thinking? Why would he foolishly marry a single mother who is rude and unable to tell how lowly she is?”

“Ma’am. Your harsh words are unnecessary.”

“You are simply stupid,” her exotic accent insisted. “And very useless. How on earth did you blind my son, you fucking witch?”

Despite ducking my head slightly, I maintained a small smile. “You can call me worse names, ma’am. But, I won't back down from this even if you beg me to.”

She gasped, her lengthy fingers reaching for her pearls. “Are you… Are you nuts?!”

“I have to make sure my daughter and I survive. You cannot stop me from doing this.”

“Listen, whatever your name is, I will make your life hell. You and that daughter of yours will cry and cry till tears no longer-”

“If you have nothing else to say,” I cut her short as firmly as possible, “I will take my leave. I hope we get along.” Our eyes met. “Ma’am.”

“This fucking bitch.”

I did not wait to hear more. I walked back into the room and ignored the effects of her words.

~~~

NATHANIEL STORM

“Why did you meet Miss Pierce?” I questioned my mother before she could head to the front seat of the chapel.

Even though Sarah Pierce is a stranger, I cannot carelessly expose her to the fury of my family or hers.  So, my bodyguards have been keeping an eye on her to ensure that her life didn't become overcomplicated.

Rightfully, they reported the heated words my mother had earlier hurled at Sarah, and right now, I am struggling to keep calm because I hate it when people are insulted without reason.

“It is not too late to walk away from this madness, Nathaniel,” she replied, her eyes filled with immense fury. “You are better than this.”

Has my mother always had this terrible nature? I have never seen her act this way.

“I believe I said I won't be changing my mind,” I said while patting the fineness of my suit.

“The tabloids will have a field day when they hear about this. And what do you think people will say? This could affect our stocks.”

“As long as nobody reveals it, there is no need to worry,” I replied and finally noticed the tiredness in my voice. As I tried to find a way to escape that ridiculous moment, I looked ahead and watched the officiating priest prepare for the ceremony.

“I hate this, Nate.” I could hear her teeth clash. “I hate that woman. Rosaline Pierce was the perfect bride. This new one is just too rude. Too rude.”

“Rude or not. I am not changing my mind about Sarah Pierce. Besides,” I glanced at my mother, “I like her. She seems interesting.” Interestingly feisty.

“What?!”

The priest requested my presence, so I walked away and ignored my mother's shock. And as I walked down the aisle, thoughts of Sarah Pierce filled my entire mind against my will, especially her startling reaction to the mention of my rules and the needed contract and the ease with which she conversed with her daughter.