Chapter 6

“Will you please relax? I'm sure my staff just wanted to do something nice.” Zachery said.

The room was painted a beautiful blend of blue and white. It was the color she loved but what got her on edge was the bed was decorated for lovers, with candles, wine and flowers. Roses.

“I had to reconstruct my room and so a blue decor for you” He said

“Reconstruct?”

“Yes” He moved to the door by the right and opened it. “This here is my room but I had to divide it into two for you. We need an adjoining room. I would not want the maid to think we slept apart or have my granddad find out.” He explained.

“I hope you won't come here unannounced,” She stated.

“Get some rest. We are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning. Ask Rose if you need anything.” With that, he left.

Anita was more than grateful to be left on her own. She opened the door on the left to see a beautiful white bathroom. On side was a large bath separated from the water system by a white see through glass door. She gasped at the sight of it. It was like the kind of bathroom she only saw in movies. She placed on leg gingerly after the other as she moved closer to the bath. She climbed in and saw a screen where instructions for the bath were to be put. She clicked on cold foamy bath and cold foamy water gushed out into the bath. The icy sting of the water was relaxing. She relaxed in it and let it soothe her.

After spending about twenty minutes in the bath, she retired to the plum bed.

~*~

“Anita! Anita!!” Anita could hear her name. The voice calling seemed like it was coming from afar. Soon, she felt a strong muscular arm shaking her shoulders, it felt dreamlike. She wanted to get up but she could not, she was too tired to open her eyes. The hand continued rocking her arms. For a few minutes, the rocking stopped only to be replaced by a sprinkle of cold water on her skin. She jumped up from the bed, rubbing her eyes from sleep. She finally opened her eyes to Zachary looking down at her with icy brown eyes laced with fear.

“What kind of sleep is this, Anita?” He asked. He looked visibly shaken.

Anita was clueless about what he was talking about, why was he disturbing her sleep? She noticed she was still wrapping the towel from last night. The thoughts of having Zachary see her bare shoulders filled her with terror and she stood and dashed into the bathroom. Zachary looked on, confused.

“What's this about? I have been trying to wake you up for the past five minutes and now you just run in there like I'm some scary ghost?” He asked, his surprise slowly transmitting into irritation.

No answer.

Anita came out in a bathrobe. “I'm sorry sir. Good morning.”

Zachary looked on, sizing her up from head to toe. “What's this you're wearing? Do you realize we have a flight to catch in about thirty minutes?” He asked.

It was then it dawned on Anita that Zachary was dressed for the airport. She ran her hand through her hair and groaned. “I'll be ready in a few minutes, so sorry”.

She dashed into the bathroom and came out five minutes later to dress and fix her hair which was a total mess. She contemplated whether to wear make up on her face or not and decided to. She would not like Zachary to embarrass her for not doing so.

Zachary was sitting in the private living room when she got out. He glanced at her and nodded his head “Shall we?”.

“Good morning Sir and Ma” Rose greeted

“Good morning.” Anita replied curtly.

The dining table was already laid with bowls of cereal and jars of milk. As they sat to eat, her mind wandered to Zachary waking her up. She thought about how long he had been trying to wake her up for him to have fear written all over his face.

“Were you scared?” She blurted out, her eyes on the cereal. Zachary looked up at her.

“Scared?”

“I mean you were screaming my name and shaking me brutally like you thought I was dead”

“I was not scared. I was just worried we would miss our flight and you were not getting up. Who kind of person sleeps like they are dead. If I had not woken you I bet you would still be sleeping. I wonder how you managed to get to work early?” he said with his eyebrows raised.

“Well, I'm not usually like that” She said, embarrassed

“That's none of my business. Hurry up and let's leave here” He said getting up from the table.

Anita followed. She didn't want him to think she delayed him any further.

The ride to the Airport was a smooth one. Anita enjoyed the cold air that glazed her face and the beautiful landscape on the way. As they got to the airport, a man in Black suit came over to welcome them.

“Hello Mr Smith” He greeted, extending his hand for a handshake.

“Why are you here? Is my grandfather going on a trip?” Zachery asked, clasping the man's hand in his briefly. That was when Anita remembered the man to be Sir Smith's driver.

“No. He came to say goodbye to you” the man replied, smiling and motioned to lead them to where Sir Smith was waiting in the car. He came out on seeing them.

“Good morning sir” Anita greeted, bowing slightly in respect.

“Morning darling. How are you feeling today?” Sir Smith replied

“Why do you have to come all the way here, granddad?” Zachary asked. He wasn't amused by the fact that his granddad was in the airport.

“Well, I came to see you off, to make sure you are well treated here” He replied and chuckled.

It dawned on Anita that the old man had little or no trust in his grandson. Zachary was right. His granddad would not rest until he sees that they were truly going on the honeymoon.

“We are adults and we can take care of ourselves. I don't like this, granddad” Zachary said.

“I didn't say you would like it. Now go on, your flight will soon take off.” He said gesturing to the airplanes in sight. He looked at Anita with a knowing smile and she smiled back, wryly.

As they moved to the airplane, she pundered on the meaning of the smile the old man gave her. Was he aware of that their marriage was fake or simply suspicious? She looked back to catch his gaze still on them meanwhile they were walking with such a distance that suggests they were strangers between them. She locked her arm with Zachary's and moved closer to him. He was shocked at the gesture but was quick to get the message. He kissed her forehead and pulled her even closer, their bodies touching as they got on the plane.

She cautioned herself as she noticed the way her heart fluttered at the contact. Be still my heart.