"Okay," she said simply. "That's a relief."
Chibuzor blinked. 'A relief?' He had expected anger, not this calm acceptance.
Olaedo thought back to his peculiar method of choosing a wife and couldn't suppress a small smile. "Is everything a business to you? You made a list, came up with a catchy proposal, wrote a loophole proof contract, and arranged a marriage process that should've taken a month in just one day."
Chibuzor caught her amused expression and pursed his lips. 'What's so funny about being organized?'
Organization was a normal way of life, or so he thought.
"It's normal to stay organized at all times. I've always wondered how people manage without planning. It's probably why the top feels so spacious, while the bottom is crowded. People dream big but aren't willing to plan toward achieving those dreams."
Olaedo nodded thoughtfully. "It's true. I may seem like a disorganized person, but when it comes to my work, I make time to plan years ahead. After all, if you aren't consciously planning to succeed, you're unconsciously planning to fail, and fail hard."
"Exactly!" Chibuzor's face lit up. It was refreshing to connect with someone who understood this. He had grown tired of explaining to people why they remained stagnant year after year. This was different, two successful CEOs speaking the same language.
Olaedo began packing quickly, aware that it was getting late. Everything added up to three boxes. Chibuzor quietly carried two of them downstairs. She thanked him, picked up the remaining box, and locked her door before following him to the car.
As Chibuzor drove toward his house, his thoughts drifted back to the pile of ashes he had seen earlier. He couldn't suppress a shiver. "Olaedo, why was there a pile of ashes in front of your bedroom door?"
Olaedo pursed her lips, staring out of the window. She remained silent, unwilling to answer. Chibuzor decided to drop the topic; after all, everyone had things they preferred not to talk about.
The steady breeze through the open window eventually lulled Olaedo into much needed sleep.
Noticing this, Chibuzor eased his foot off the accelerator and drove more slowly. As they passed through a gate, the security guards greeted him in unison, but he gestured for them to keep their voices down.
He parked the car in a medium sized warehouse, where five other luxury vehicles were neatly lined up. Now, a new problem emerged: what was he supposed to do with the sleeping woman beside him?
'Should I leave her in the car and come back for her later? There's no way I'm carrying her, it's against the contract. Not to mention, I don't even want to!'
Chibuzor sighed, deciding to wait. He pulled out his laptop, plugged in his earphones, and resumed working.
He glanced at Olaedo, noting how her neck was twisted at an awkward angle that would undoubtedly cause pain later. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to intervene, it would be an unnecessary breach of their agreement.
'I'll get her a massage cream later,' he thought, brushing away any guilt.
------------------------------
Five hours later.
Olaedo stirred awake, immediately feeling the stiff ache in her neck. She blinked at her surroundings, her gaze landing on the gleaming rows of luxury cars. Each one seemed more expensive than the last.
The rhythmic sound of fingers typing drew her attention. She turned to Chibuzor, still sitting in the driver's seat, his laptop balanced on his lap.
"What's happening?" she asked groggily.
Chibuzor looked up, offering her a weary smile that bordered on unsettling. "You sleep like a log."
Only then did Olaedo realize that the windows were pitch black, indicating the lateness of the hour. "How long did I sleep?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.
"Five hours," Chibuzor replied. "Five hours in such an uncomfortable position. You must be really tired."
Olaedo's jaw dropped in shock. Then, gradually, she nodded in reluctant agreement. The past week had been anything but easy.
Wait...
"You knew the position was uncomfortable and still left me like that?!" she demanded, her fury igniting.
Chibuzor nodded calmly, his expression unrepentant. "I did nothing wrong. I just followed the rules of the contract."
Smash!
Olaedo's fist connected with his arm, making Chibuzor yelp in shock.
"Have some of my pain, you heartless man!" she snapped.
Clutching his arm, Chibuzor groaned. "Are your hands made of iron? How can they hurt this much?!"
Olaedo snorted as she opened the car door, stepping out while rubbing her aching neck.
Of course her hands hurt. She had dedicated years to mastering kung fu.
Chibuzor packed his laptop and followed her out begrudgingly. 'If I had known she was this strong, I would've put her on the list, the list of women the housekeeper must avoid at all costs. I would even circle her picture with a red marker for emphasis.'
'Is it too late to end this marriage?'
He decided to let it go. 'I won't stoop to her level.'
Olaedo, meanwhile, was busy trying to haul her suitcase out of the car. Clearly unbothered by his thoughts, she moved to carry it herself when Chibuzor stopped her.
"Up for some light exercise?" he asked.
Olaedo blinked in surprise. 'Light exercise?' Still, she nodded.
Chibuzor calmly left her suitcase in the car's boot. "We'll walk up to the main house. The housekeeper will send someone later with a car cart to get your things. It's something I like doing. Is that okay with you?"
She nodded again and followed him out of the warehouse.
What she saw next left her stunned. The entire compound was bathed in beautiful, warm light, but above, the sky remained pitch black, adorned by a full moon.
Olaedo quickly checked her phone. The time read 3 a.m.
Her steps faltered as she processed the realization: this man had stayed in the car with her until 3 a.m.!
She glanced at Chibuzor, who didn't seem the least bit bothered. He walked ahead, calmly typing something on his phone, as if sitting in a car for five hours was completely normal.