In a flash, Olisa darted upstairs, sulking like a scolded child. Meanwhile, Olaedo burst out laughing, unable to contain herself.
The sound stunned Chibuzor. It was the first time he had heard her laugh so freely and genuinely. It was… nice. His gaze lingered on her for several moments, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through him. When she noticed his expression and looked up curiously, he quickly turned away, feigning calmness.
Olaedo shook her head, bemused. 'I must have imagined that.'
She picked up her phone and saw that Olisa had saved his number as "Your escape plan, coolest big brother Olisa"
Once again, she burst out laughing, a sound so free and genuine that it left Chibuzor feeling a twinge of frustration. Twice now, she had laughed like this, and both times, it was thanks to Olisa. What did he have that drew such reactions from her?
---
The Next Day
Olisa had left the previous night but not without saying goodbye. He had even encouraged her to call him anytime, his cheeky grin still fresh in her mind.
In the early hours of the morning, sitting in her quiet study, Olaedo put her meticulously crafted plan into motion.
Her company was in desperate need of financial support, and she needed to regain control. Buying shares was the way forward, both to stabilize her company and to reassert her authority. She had decided to dip into her personal savings and combine them with the 10 million naira salary she had been receiving from her current "job."
This move would allow her to purchase a substantial number of shares in the company she built. It was a strategy with dual benefits: the infusion of cash would help cover some of the gaps in the company's finances, and slowly amassing shares would solidify her position over time.
Her plan was simple but effective. She would reinvest the dividends paid biannually and continue purchasing shares incrementally. Over the years, as her shareholding increased, she would be able to buy back shares from current board members, regaining full control piece by piece.
To maintain the secrecy of her strategy, Olaedo decided not to disclose her identity as one of the new shareholders to the board, at least not yet. She would wait until she had a significant holding before revealing the truth.
The plan was almost flawless, but she couldn't help but still be worried since even one percent flaw was more than enough to ruin everything. 'I wonder if this will be enough to hold those sharks off....'
With Chibuzor having sent this month's salary the night before, she wasted no time. She combined the funds with her previous salaries, part of her savings and got to work in the stock market, purchasing the shares under a carefully created alias.
After hours of meticulous work, she glanced at the time and hurried to get ready for the day. Freshening up, she headed downstairs, determined not to keep Chibuzor waiting.
At breakfast, something unexpected happened. For the first time in three months, The housekeeper asked her preference for the morning meal. The incident that took place the previous day had really changed his perspective of her.
After they finished eating, the couple parted ways, each diving into the work that awaited them, both deeply engrossed in matters of business.
Since their marriage had not been announced yet, Chibuzor and Olaedo acted like strangers outside the estate, taking separate cars to their respective destinations.
At Olaedo's company.
Her secretary greeted her with news that made her groan inwardly.
"There's another board meeting scheduled at noon, ma'am."
Olaedo sighed in frustration, muttering to herself, "How exhausting! I just finished a 'board meeting' with Chibuzor over the weekend, and now this pops up?!"
She entered her office, settling into her chair. Occasionally, her eyes flicked to her phone, checking updates on the shares she had purchased earlier that morning. These shares would be one of her aces during the meeting.
Amid her tasks, she paused, realizing something. She hadn't spent quality time with Nnenna in the past three months. There had been the occasional chat here and there, but that was it. Keeping her fake marriage a secret from her best friend wasn't because she didn't trust her, it was more about Nnenna's fiery temper.
'Knowing her, she would blow a fuse and deal with Chibuzor in her own...creative ways.' Olaedo thought with a wry smile. 'Who would take kindly to hearing their best friend got married to a stranger?'
With the family ball on Saturday officially introducing her as Mrs. Arinze, she knew the secret wouldn't stay hidden for long. By then, everyone, including Nnenna and her family, would know.
Olaedo frowned. 'They're going to be furious when they find out.'
But as she pondered the inevitable confrontation, a solution began to take form in her mind. She straightened in her chair, a glint of determination flashing in her eyes.
'What if I tell them before Saturday? I could spin it into something believable: Chibuzor loved me before, but I rejected him and chose Maduabuchi. When I was betrayed, Chibuzor stepped in to support me, proving his sincerity, and I eventually agreed to marry him after a month. It's neat, fits the timeline, and even aligns with the story we told his parents!'
Excited, she immediately dialed Chibuzor and shared her plan. He agreed, appreciating how seamlessly it tied everything together. They arranged to visit her family on Thursday evening.
Picking up her phone again, Olaedo dialed her mother.
"Hi Mom!" she greeted, her tone cheerful and light.
Hearing her daughter's bright voice, Mrs. Anozie felt a wave of relief. She had been calling regularly over the past three months to check on Olaedo, offer support and ask her when she would come and visit them. Today, her daughter sounded better than ever.
"Hi, honey! How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Mom. How's everyone at home?"
"We're all good here. What's up?"
"There's someone I would like to introduce to you all on Thursday evening," Olaedo said, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "Could you ask Emeka and Emmanuel to come home this evening? Just for a few hours. I'll also invite Nnenna."