Chapter 4: The proposal

Eight months passed since Cassey and Richard dated, he saw some seriousness in her and decided to take her to his mom to officially present her.

That morning, Richard was back from sports and had already taken his bath, he was waiting for his favorite series to begin when Harley worked in, he passed through the supermarket to get them some stuff, in his plastic he bought fruit, red wine, and ready-made food. Richard open the plastic to check what was inside and found it and was a little bit disappointed as his friend brought him food, he forgot to tell him that Cassey had paid something for him.

“Oh bro, you brought food forgot to tell you Cassey made something this morning, I’m sorry about that,” Richard said.

“Okay bro, I see no problem in that we can have this later, by the way, I love the way that lady takes care of you, you made a good choice dude.” Harley said while shaking hands with Richard.

“Yeah, I'm thinking of getting our relationship to the next phase,” Richard said with a smile.

“That’s great, congratulations bro.” retorted Harley.

Harley was happy hearing such news, immediately he popped a bottle of champagne which was next to him, he was excited seeing his best friend move to another stage of life.

Cassey arrived home after spending five hours at her boyfriend's house. When she entered, she remarked Chelsea wasn't comfortable seeing her, and just when she tried saying something, Chelsea took over,

“Babe I'm not happy the way you are giving yourself into this relationship, this guy would think you are giving yourself cheap to him, please control yourself,” Chelsea said,

“Chelsea why would you say such things, you know well this guy lives alone and is unable to prepare for himself, I'm his girlfriend, and I must make his meals, it's not like I slept over there, just been there for five hours and you creating scenes, common girl.” Cassey retorted.

Chelsea knew if she had insisted about Cassey’s couple, Genny would have interfered, just from the way she saw her, she knew she was about to say something so she controlled herself and went to her room.

Cassey and Genny were now left alone in the living room and they were discussing amongst sisters,

“Seriously, I don't know why Chelsea behaves in such a way, ever since I started dating Richard it has been one problem to another, I guess we need to talk about that, she's my friend maybe she just trying to be protective.” Cassey said.

“If you ask me, I'll say she's jealous.” retorted Genny.

“Don’t say such, you know she's our comrade,” Cassey said.

“Hmmmmmm, the devil presents himself as a friend and smiles, until he reveals his identity.” Genny replied.

Cassey never wanted them to continue talking about Chelsea, she asked them to change their topic, Genny told her she couldn't stop running away from that, she added saying, a day was gonna come where she'll want to discuss that with someone and there will be no one by her side.

Two days passed, Richard called Cassey over the phone they were discussing and Richard ask if he could meet her sister, and friend over a bottle of wine, Cassey never wanted to give him an answer without informing Chelsea and Genny hence, she promised to call him back once they had taken a decision, Richard accepted and dropped the call.

Cassey was alone in the living room while Genny and Chelsea we're in their respective rooms. Cassey went first to her sister to inform her about Richy's proposal, when she arrived at Genny's room she knocked as it was closed with keys, Genny asked who was knocking at her door and Cassey said she was the one. Genny rushed to open the door for her sister. Once she entered, without wanting to waste Genny’s precious time she went straight to the point and told her about Richard proposal, and Genny approved the invitation, Cassey smiled at her and told her she was going to inform Chelsea about it,

“Okay, since you've approved let me go tell Chelsea about it.” Cassey said.

“I’m sure she's not going to be happy about that, trust me,” retorted Genny.

“Please don't say much,” Cassey replied while moving out of Genny's room.

Cassey was done in Genny’s room and was now on her way to Chelsea’s room, she knocked on her door, but no response, she guessed she was sleeping and decided to tell her later.

In the night when they were all seated on the table and had taken their super, Cassey then told Chelsea about Richard’s proposal. Genny was seated and folding her arms just to get Chelsea's response about all that. Chelsea said the way things were going on she never liked them, once she said that Genny looked at her for 5 seconds and replied.

“Why do you always feel something is wrong somewhere?” Genny asked,

“Genny doesn't get things twisted, I'm not saying something is wrong, he wants to see us and instead of coming home he's inviting us out, is he ashamed of our status?” Chelsea said.

“Do you know the reason why he wants to see us all, do you know his intentions, stop acting like one counselor, we all know it doesn't fit you.” retorted Genny.

Chelsea accepted the invitation and said she was going only on Cassey's behalf and because of him, Genny left for her room, she was no longer comfortable being around Chelsea, she kissed her sister on her forehead and left. Chelsea asked Cassey to have a seat so they could discuss a little bit before going to bed. Cassey was now waiting on Chelsea to demand her questions, and of course, Chelsea had questions to ask. Looking at Cassey, she asked if she knew why Richard wanted to see them all and she said she had no idea, Chelsea tried tricking her to find out if she was telling the truth and yes, Cassey was telling the truth.

The next day, they all met at a restaurant just nearer a beach, Richard and Harley were already at the restaurant and waiting for Cassey and her family. Not long ago, Cassey arrived with Chelsea and Genny. Richard welcomed them and they took their seat, they all sat and commanded something to eat.

The way the waitress dressed their table, was completely different from that of the other tables, it sounded like they were about to celebrate something, Chelsea who was now very curious couldn't control herself.

“So what are we celebrating tonight?” Chelsea asked,

Genny was seating next to her, tapped her on her legs, and murmured into her ear not to say such.

“We would soon find out,” Richard said.

After they had eaten, Richard placed his hands into his pocket and came out with a little box and kneeled in front of Cassey and said,

“I know I’m not Mr. Perfect, would you love me with all my imperfections? Would you allow me be your lover till the end of your days on earth?” Richard asked while looking at Cassey straight into her eyes and handing a ring over her hands.

“Yes, yes, yes, a million yes. I'm ready to love you with all your imperfections.” Cassey replied.

As Cassey accepted Richards's proposal, the people around them congratulated them, they were so happy and kissed for so long.

Harley was so happy for them and got up then he embraced them, Genny got up and did the same. Chelsea wasn't smiling at this event, for no reason Genny couldn't figure out why, she ignored her and concentrated on her sister since she was the center of attention.

They were now home and Chelsea asked Cassey if she had taken time to figure out if the marriage was gonna work out, Cassey said she had a reason for everything and yes Richard was the right man for her. Chelsea told her she would have asked him to give them some time, she added saying 8 months was very short for them to get married

The next morning after Richard had proposed to Cassey, things were pulled taut. Actually, since day one, Chelsea had never loved the union of Richard and Cassey, she felt Cassey was always on the lucky side and her no, this kept the hatred she had for Cassey increase. This started when Cassey was granted a scholarship to go study at one of the best universities in the country.

Cassey was out of bed by 6 am and had a burning desire to get herself a cup of tea, entering into the kitchen, she realized Chelsea was overthinking herself, it was when she tapped her that she came back to her senses. Cassey asked what the problem and she said there was no problem, she added saying she was just lost.

As Cassey and Chelsea were discussing, Cassey’s the phone rang, when she answered, it was Richy on the phone he was calling to inform her, he'll like to visit his mother in the middle of the week and wanted her to accompany him, Cassey agreed to his proposal and he dropped the call wishing her a marvelous day.

Just as Cassey dropped the call, Chelsea asked what Richard wanted and Cassey told her he wanted her to meet his mother, Chelsea looked at her for a while

“Are you sure his mother is gonna accept you as her daughter-in-law? Hope you don't forget where you come from.” Chelsea said,

“What are you trying to say?” Cassey asked.

“All I'm trying to say is don't forget you are a daughter to nobody and above that, you are an orphan hope you get it.” Chelsea replied.

While Cassey and Chelsea were discussing the kitchen, Genny was about to enter the kitchen when she heard them talk and decided to stay behind the kitchen door to get what they were talking about. Chelsea's response to Cassey's question got her mad but she decided to control herself, she no longer entered the kitchen, she went straight to her room and a little rest.

Cassey and Chelsea were done in the kitchen and Casey left for her room while Chelsea was in the living room. Genny was about going to join Cassey in her room when she met Chelsea seated in the living room, she wanted to say something but immediately Cassey came out of her room and was now in the living room.

“Hey sis, was about getting to your room,” Cassey said while smiling at Genny.

“Okay, let's get to yours, mine is a little bit tight now.” retorted Genny.

Genny followed Cassey to her room and they both sat on her bed, Cassey told Genny that she wasn't sure to continue with the marriage plans, and Genny asked why she suddenly changed her mind, she told Genny she was afraid Richard’s mom rejects her and looking at her status, she was below standards. After Cassey said all that, Genny looked at her for a while and she could no longer bear it, she went to the living room where Chelsea was seated and talked to her while raising her voice.

“Are you a friend or a pest? Because I don't get it, why do you keep reminding Cassey of her status, you were supposed to encourage her not to break her down.” Genny said in a harsh tone.

“You talk to me with respect okay!” Chelsea said,

“Sorry miss, you deserve non.” Genny replied while going to her room.

Cassey was now out of her room and join Chelsea in the living room, she asked Chelsea to forgive her that she was still young and knew not what she was doing, Chelsea told her she was going to forgive Genny just because of her or else she wouldn't tolerate been under the same roof as Genny. Cassey thanked her and they embraced themselves.

The next day, Cassey called Richard she told him she'll like him and Harley to have dinner in their house and Richard accepted her idea. Cassey and Chelsea were now in the kitchen having something ready, they were making Richard’s favorite (white yam and fried cabbage ) they equally did rice and tomato sauce, as they were in the kitchen, Cassey asked Genny to apologize to Chelsea, but Genny refused, she told her she was not going to do such, but Cassey pleaded with her and she accepted she was gonna do that, she added, saying the apologies were not from her heart.

Chelsea entered the kitchen and she greeted them, Genny apologized instantly and Chelsea approached her and gave her a huge, Chelsea noticed they were making more than one meal and asked if they were receiving a visitor and they said they were receiving Richard and Harley. Chelsea washed her hands and joined them, they were fast about it and in Three hours they got everything done.

In an hour, Richard and Harley were at Cassey’s resident, they knocked on the door, and since Genny was seated just beside the door, she rushed and open the door. Harley was in front while Richard was behind, this was because Richard had taken so much time in the car while Harley was advancing. Harley seeing Genny in a mini white gown made him blush, her lapse were so glowing that, he felt the need of placing his hands on them, just behind Genny was Chelsea she was equally out to welcome them, while Cassey was taking her bath. Once they entered, Genny asked them to have a seat and she told them Cassey was on her way, as she was having her bath.