Chibuzor's jaw clenched. "And?"
Olaedo's smirk widened, sharp and victorious. "So, unless you're saying you don't see value in making sure your employees like their new Young Madam…" She let the words hang, the implication slicing through the air like a knife.
"And," she continued, her tone cutting, "unless you want to claim this isn't a joint appearance, which, as you can clearly see, it is, you're responsible for covering all expenses tonight. Salaries included."
Chibuzor froze, utterly speechless. How… how did she memorize the entire contract after reading it once? And worse, she had twisted his supposedly loophole proof terms against him. It was like stepping into a game where every move was hers to command.
He forced a stiff smile, trying to look unshaken. "Of course," he said, his voice dripping with mock enthusiasm. "Happy to support."
Olaedo's grin widened, satisfaction lighting her eyes, and she turned to walk ahead. Behind her, Chibuzor silently signaled the housekeeper to dismiss the staff, though his mind was still spinning.
Why does it feel like I just shot myself in the foot with that clause? he thought. And why does this woman have the memory of a supercomputer?
As the last of the staff filtered out, Olaedo exhaled, relief softening her features. She had narrowly avoided a full blown disaster tonight.
If only she knew she had just created another one.
Outside the short wall, whispers buzzed among the servants like bees in a hive.
"Did you see them?" a young maid squealed, eyes sparkling. "Young Master and Young Madam are so in love! And she hit him, playfully! That's real affection!"
"Yes, I saw it too!" another piped up, clasping her hands. "And the way he smiled afterward... A man who backs his wife's decisions like that must really adore her. I've always said, it's the little things that show true love."
An older maid, a chef in the kitchen, chuckled softly, shaking her head at the younger staff. "Don't get ahead of yourselves. It's just the first night. We'll see how this love story holds up in a few months, when reality sets in."
"But Aunty Ezinne," the first maid protested, eyes wide with excitement, "she doubled our salaries on her first day! Young Madam is kindhearted. That's not something fake."
"Kind and beautiful," another added, earning nods and murmurs of agreement from the others. Most of them. But a few wouldn't hear of it.
"You all are so easy to buy." One of the servants spat, "give her a few months, you'll see, her fake kindness will disappear."
Meanwhile, in the men's quarters, the conversation took a very different turn.
"Did you see her?" one of the drivers leaned back, voice filled with awe. "Young Madam is stunning! Her complexion… it's like the moon glowing on water."
"Forget her complexion," another interjected, shaking his head. "Did you see her confidence? She didn't even hesitate to speak her mind in front of Young Master. That's rare."
An older steward, who had served the Arinze family for over a decade, chuckled knowingly. "You boys are blinded by looks. True beauty is character, and from what I saw tonight, she has both. And yes," he added with a sly grin, "she's even more striking than Miss Adaugo."
Laughter erupted among the men, playful elbows nudging and teasing exchanged. Yet the older steward's smile faded into a thoughtful frown. What will happen when Miss Adaugo returns? he wondered silently.
"Don't get too comfortable though," he warned, voice firm. "It's still too early to know her fully. Kind today doesn't mean kind tomorrow. The real test comes when she's in charge for a while."
On the other side of the city, at the Arinze family's old residence, Old Master Arinze was laughing so loudly it shook the grand sitting room. His hearty chuckles echoed off the walls as he rushed to find his wife.
"Dear! I told you my grandson wouldn't lie to me. This girl he's in love with really exists! And guess what? They argue all the time, just like we do, and she always wins!"
Old Madam Arinze barely glanced up from her embroidery, one brow raised in skepticism. "Your grandson?"
The old man froze mid step, caught off guard. "Our grandson. Our grandson," he corrected hastily, cheeks reddening with sudden embarrassment.
Her eyebrow didn't drop, so he tried again. "Your grandson, your very good grandson," he added, with a touch more drama in his voice.
Finally satisfied, she nodded, a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips.
Old Master Arinze exhaled, half amused, half exasperated. When she complained about their grandson's unmarried status, he was "his grandson," but now that he had a wife, it was suddenly "her grandson." He chuckled at the double standard, but excitement quickly drowned out his irritation.
"We should have seen her," he continued, eyes sparkling. "The staff are saying she's beautiful, confident, and kind. She doubled their salaries without a second thought! Isn't that exactly the kind of woman we wanted for him?"
His wife's smile widened, warmth softening the sharpness in her gaze. "I suppose I underestimated him. Seems I don't know my grandson as well as I thought," she admitted.
The old man's chest swelled with pride. Her approval, small as it was, felt like victory. That same smile had captivated him decades ago, and even now, it held him spellbound.
"Well," he said, leaning closer with mischief in his tone, "do you think we should call them tomorrow?"
She shook her head, the teasing edge in her smile sharpening. "No. Let them come to us, for the introduction, and the traditional marriage. That's how we'll know how serious they truly are."
"Haha. You're right of course."
Old Master Arinze laughed, a deep, joyful sound that filled the room. Pride and relief mingled in his heart. Finally, the family line was in capable hands.
---
Back at the young couple's house, Chibuzor led Olaedo to her room. The door creaked open, revealing a spacious haven bathed in soft, nature inspired tones.
Olaedo's eyes roamed the room, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn't drowning in pink. Not too girly, not too flashy, just calming, sophisticated, and understated. A room she could actually breathe in.