C8 Grace gets Embarrassed (Mission Accomplished)

Dance and more activities were going on in the hall. Grace could feel how cold Alfred became all of a sudden and let loose of her grip.

This time, She could break free from his clench and though she was worried about what was going through in his mind, she did not want to ask knowing how Alfred could be sometimes towards her.

She just wanted to enjoy the party to the fullest and not ruin it in any way by trying to be a caring wife to Alfred who does not value it.

The master of the ceremony noticed how cold everywhere was getting so he had to call up the dance so people could finally sit down and also not bore the party.

"You may be seated as we welcome Mrs Agnes Jerome to give a speech," he said as everyone sat back on their sit with a bit of relief on their faces

Alfred shifted a chair and kept it well, helping Grace to sit. "Thank you," Grace responded surprised at his action. Whatever was going on down there was not the real and rude Alfred.

Alfred, in short, can be described as rude, proud, annoying and sentimental,” even Mr Jerome who has been seeing him react to Grace was surprised at how he treated Grace at the party.

"You're welcome," he responded sitting beside her. Grace felt like smiling and didn’t want to make it weird by making creepy actions like smiling and blushing to herself.

"Good evening everyone," Mr Agnes greeted as the crowd reciprocated the same.

"First of all, I'll like to thank everyone for squeezing out time out of your busy schedule to make this day special for me.

I am lucky to know the entire crowd and pull them out to contribute to my happy moment. Your presence at this celebration excites me a lot. I would like to give special thanks to my husband, Mr Jerome, the one who made it possible for all this.

We have been by each other, in good times and in the bad once, and have grown a lovely family together. Same as my sons, Alfred and David, and my lovely daughter-in-law, Amanda," she breaks and swallows.

She continues saying other things but her not mentioning Grace made the whole crowd start murmuring. Grace could hear some people sitting behind her say harsh words about her but she could not react.

Grace was also as surprised as they were as she did not mention her but that did not really bother her as to err is human.

She continues keeping up her smile though she felt a little down not being mentioned in her speech after all the contributions she gives out for the successful party.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I need to talk to you upstairs," The old laundry man said to Grace panting as Grace did not hesitate to join him.

"Is everything okay sir?" Grace asked seeing that his body was trembling."If you are sick, feel free to go, I'll cover up for you," Grace added, turning to walk away.

"I’m not sick, I am really fine I just want to help you ma’am being that you are a good woman. I have heard a lot today and I want to share it with you,” he said as Grace turns to stare at him.

Though Grace does not buy gossip the old trembling man could not give her any false information so she inquired “What did you hear about me,”

"Cynthia has a plan against you, whatever the plan is, Alfred knows the same as his best friend Parry," the old man said.

Grace was surprised of hearing this. It sounded like a joke but since it was coming from an elderly person, she found it hard to disbelieve.

"Do you mean Cynthia, my husband's business partner?" Grace asked eagerly to know more.

"Ma'am, I am not sure that she is your husband’s business partner. I guess they share something more than just business.

I am afraid I am wrong but I need to warn you about what I heard. If nothing happens, do not hate me for it, I am only trying to help.

The Cynthia you mention should be your husband’s mistress without a doubt. I know what I heard in the laundry room,” the old man lamented.

"So what do you want me to do now?" She asked.

"I don't know, I am just informing you that there is a conspiracy against you," the old man said walking down the stair.

Grace could not stop wondering what the old man was saying. It sounded like a movie or unreal. Alfred was just friendly towards her some moments ago and cannot change her like that.

Grace standing by the stairs remembers Alfred’s words to her ‘Dad gave me no option, he said I should marry you or lose the company, doesn't it sound like a contract to you? Oh I forgot one thing, every contract has an expiry date, you never know, today might be yours’ something fishy about those lines but she could not figure it out.

".......... Once again I would like to say.......... " Mrs Agnes stops hearing a loud cry in the midst of the crowd.

"Who is he?" Everyone murmured one other as the camera turned to point at him as he makes his way forward.

Agnes had a special dislike for low-class people so seeing him approach, she got irritated already and wanted someone to stop him before he mistakenly touches her.

Alfred who knew exactly who that was could not go help while his brother who sat at the back stood up approaching the young man.

"Where are the guards?" She shouted as the man fell to his knees.

"I’m so sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to disrespect you, I was informed my wife was here," the man said.

"Isn't that the same man who came with Cynthia earlier?” Roselyn said to her husband but he gave her no response.

Even if he did not know what was going on, he just knew to himself that whatever will occur right now will not be good.

Roselyn attempted to walk forward but her husband held her back.

"I thought we had talked about his, I do not want any issues with Alfred, let this be, do not get involved,” he instructed, dragging her back with a smile as if nothing was going on between them.

"Who is your wife?" Mrs Agnes asked as he walked closer to Mr Travis, kneeling Infront of him.

"Father-in-law, how could you do this to me, I just left your daughter for a week to go hustle, coming back, my Gracia wasn't around, you took my wife and gave it to Alfred because he is rich," he said as Mr Travis turned to his friend Jerome who was also surprised to hear such.

Mr Travis felt so embarrassed, the pressmen focused their cameras on him. This news was just too broad to be given out.

"What is happening here?" Grace asked coming down the stairs and approaching the man who knelt by her father. She did remember what the old man said but could not see this being Alfred’s plan

"Dad, what is happening here?" She asked again as the man stood up kneeling before her and grabbing her two legs.

"I’m so sorry Grace, whatever I did to you, forgive me," he said standing to his feet and cleaning the tears he faked.

"Tell me why you left me, is it because of him? Grace, you have disordered my life, I waited for you to come back, called you millions of times and your number didn't go through, for two years Grace, two!" He said.

Grace could not understand how impossible this man was. She could not help turning to Alfred who stared back at her.

When her eyes met with Alfred’s, he immediately threw his gaze off her. Grace was indeed convinced this was exactly what the old man was trying to warn her about.

She turns looking at the camera which is pointed directly at her. She could not stop the tears from running down her chin.

“Alfred, what in the world is going on here,” she lamented with a shaky voice. Alfred was indeed confused about what to do as her tears held him.

He turns to Cynthia who nodded at him giving him the boldness to do as planned. Alfred who felt sober for some time changed immediately to an angry person.

"He claims to be your husband and there you are asking me what is going on. I should be the one asking you what is going on here! Why would you find pleasure in living the poor man for me, money?” He insulted as Grace’s tears intensified.

“I can believe how you could do this to this man and what you think you will gain from all this,” he added. Grace was really angry to hear this from Alfred being that she knew it was all his plan. She raises her hand giving him a hard slap as Mrs Agnes in response slapped her.

“How dare you lay your hands on my son? He spoke of how slutty you are you dare raise your hands on him?

We harboured a slut such as you for a long time but you yet have the nerves to slap my son for talking about the wrong you did,” Mr Agnes said.

“Agnes, that's enough, I do not want anyone saying one more word against Grace right now,” Mr Jerome who felt a false play going on intervened.