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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Are you certain this is a good idea?” The parish priest, Father Daniel quizzed with a skeptical look.
Jonathan and Regina's eyes met where they sat nervously across each other in the small, dimly lit room of the parish priest's office, the scent of incense hung in the air. Jonathan studied Regina, “Yes, we are sure.” he said firmly.
Father Daniel doesn't look convinced by Jonathan's answer, “You understand what you're requesting I do right?”
It had been Jonathan's idea to marry Regina in secret. Despite his wish to declare to the world his love, and claim her, he couldn't. Not with Regina's disapproving family, breathing down their necks. This was the only hope for their relationship, and Regina suggested Father Daniel to help them. The priest has been with Regina throughout her entire growth until now and has Regina's trust.
“Father, please do this for us,” Regina spoke up when she caught sight of doubt filling his eyes. This was their last resort and she needed badly for Father Daniel to agree.
“We love each other, sir, please,” Jonathan pleaded earnestly.
Father Daniel knew It wasn't a good idea but could he turn his back on these poor children? He rose from his chair, to move to the altar at the side of his office, then knelt.
Jonathan and Regina watched anxiously for what felt like an eternity and when Father Daniel finally stood, he turned to the nervous couple,
“Before I proceed,” he began, his voice firm and yet filled with compassion, “Let me remind you that marriage is a sacred bond, one that shouldn't be taken lightly but I admire your love and courage, and I choose to believe in the sanctity of your union. I've decided to join you both.”
Relief washed over the couple as tears filled Regina’s eyes. “Thank you, Father,” her voice choked with emotion.
The ceremony happened almost immediately, with Father Daniel doing just as he had promised. The wedding was brief, with only the priest as witnesses to their vows. Father Daniel watched the lovebirds exchange rings and promises, and a sense of peace filled him, making him know he made the right decision.
“I pronounce man and wife,” Father Daniel declared, “You may kiss the bride.”
Their kiss sealed the union and Father Daniel was smiling as he handed them a marriage certificate, the proof of their commitment.
“So what next, newlyweds?” Father Daniel quizzed.
Jonathan beamed, hugging his new wife to his side, “I booked us a place for later, sir. But I thank you again, none of this would be possible without you.”
Regina stepped forward to hug Father Daniel, “Thank you so much, I will never forget this.”
Father Daniel patted her back and pulled away, “I am glad I could help.”
That night, the couple checked into a modest hotel, celebrating their new life together, and discussing dreams and hopes.
…
Morning came too quickly for the newlyweds, and the reality of their lives flooded back. The drive back to Regina’s home was quiet, and when Jonathan parked the car outside Regina's large family house,
“I don't want to go in,” Regina admitted.
Jonathan nodded in understanding and reached for her hand. “You won't have to deal with anything alone, I'll be here for you henceforth.”
They both comforted each other before stepping out of the car, Regina sensed something was wrong as she stepped into her house to find her family gathered in the living room, with an unfamiliar, wealthy-looking man seated with them causing her fear. Regina’s family fixed them with a piercing gaze.
Mary, Regina’s eldest sister frowned, “Jonathan, how many times will I have to tell you not to drive my car around? I need it washed now, I have places to be.” she ordered, not hiding her disdain.
Jonathan glanced at Regina before leaving and once Jonathan left, Regina’s mother then gestured towards the stranger. “This is Jackson.”
Regina eyed Jackson suspiciously, “Is anything wrong?”
“Remember our discussion on finding someone, well we finally did.” Regina's father announced.
Regina’s heart sank as she looked at Jackson, who smiled smugly.
Regina's mother smiled, “You don't have to worry yourself, honey, Jackson is very capable and will take good care of you.”
Regina frowned, “But I can't.”
Regina's father frowned, “Did you say something?”
“I can't,” she gulped, “I can't betray my husband.”
The room fell silent before Regina's mother chuckled, “Is this a joke to you?”
Regina shook her head, “I love him.”
Mary laughed, “I’m expecting you to laugh and say it's a joke.”
“It's true,” Regina opened her bag and brought out a certificate.
Mary gasped, “Is that what I think it is? The husband isn't Jonathan, right?” Regina's mother slammed her hand on the table, “Mary go get Jonathan.”
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Outside of Regina's mansion was Jonathan doing the duty that had been assigned to him, his face scrunched up into a worried frown. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the task at hand, his mind kept racing with thoughts of what might be happening inside and if Regina was doing alright, who was that man sitting beside Regina's mum? What could he possibly want with the family? There was an unsettling feeling bubbling up inside of him. He wondered if Regina's family was serious about marrying their daughter to a random man like she was an object. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden vibration from his breast pocket, reaching for it he fished it out and flinched when he saw the name flashed on the screen. His brows furrowed into a frown, something was wrong. Mr. Hales wouldn't be calling his private line if it weren't for something of importance. He wiped his hands with his jeans and then picked up his call, “Mr. Hales,” he said into his phone, he looked around subtly to make
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Mary regained her stability with her mouth agape from shock. She couldn't believe this just happened, immediately gathering her composure, “I'll go after him,” Mary said and without waiting for a reply, rushed after Jackson.“This is all your fault, how dare you take advantage of my daughter?” Regina's father yelled, storming toward Jonathan looking ready to kill. Regina gasped and tossed her bag to the ground, rushing to stop her father before he could reach Jonathan. She stood between her father and Jonathan, blocking the pathway, “Daddy, no, please,” she said between sobs, contemplating touching her father but quickly deciding against it. She couldn't risk it.Regina's father scoffed, “Get out of my way, you useless child. All you had to do was one thing, just one thing,” her father repeated, raising his voice, causing her to flinch from fear and surprise as his voice echoed through the house. “How could you let that good for nothing get to you, allow him to poison your mind and
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All eyes turned to Regina, including Jonathan, although he wasn't so surprised with the news because Regina had hinted it weeks ago which had also promoted his decision to marry up Regina before he would have to watch her slip through his fingers. He felt hurt that his wife just revealed a news that was considered great news but he couldn't reach out to hug her or tell her he was delighted that she was going to be the mother of his child. Regina’s mother's face was twisted with fury, while her father looked ready to explode. “You can't be serious.” Her father yelled.Regina flinched back and Jonathan didn't waste time, taking advantage of Regina's mother being distracted and crossed over to grab Regina, pulling her to his side. “Don't touch my daughter, you filthy piece of trash,” Regina's mother yelled, pulling her away from Jonathan.“Be gentle with her, please,” Jonathan grumbled as his hand slipped off Regina's wrist and he watched her get pushed behind her mother, who stood li
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Jonathan stood in front of the hospital pacing with a worried expression. He glanced at the empty car park, at the spot where Regina's father's car had been packed minutes ago, and then sighed deeply. What had he expected actually? Regina's family only got angry despite his promise to secure the contract that they would rather sell their daughter for than lose. Regina's parents left the hospital with Regina but not before slamming the door to the car to the face and Regina's father yelling angrily to his face that he was fired from his job. it wasn't like he was expecting Regina's family to accept him with open arms anyway. The problem now was not acceptance which could come later or probably never come but he was already in the mess, and the worst part was that it was at the risk of his child, how was he going to save Regina without the involvement of his family and their connection?A small red car pulled over in front of the hospital and Jonathan knew it was there for him, he roll
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As Jonathan finished, William shook his head with sympathy. "As much as I would love to help, I can't. Fredrick Anthony took over my operation, months ago."Jonathan looked up surprised and with his eyes narrowed, *What do you mean you can't help me?”“Take a chill pill bro, you know if I could help I would not hesitate to but then there is nothing I can do at this moment. I am no longer in control of my father's business,” Williams admitted with a frown.Jonathan's frown only deepened and his confusion grew by the second, “It was Fredrick Antony, but I thought you told me you could take him, that he couldn't rob you of your family's company? What changed?”Williams gave him a strange look, “You haven't been in touch with home, have you?”Jonathan's frown deepened, but no one ever told him that anything was bad when he called home, “What happened?” “The Redmond family happened,” Williams said bitterly.“The who?” He asked, confused.Williams' face palmed himself, with a growl, “Jesus
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As Jonathan watched Regina lament, his heart ached and a surge of courage to protect his family, so he made a decision in his mind. Regina frowned looking at Jonathan with a confused frown, “Why are you so quiet? What's wrong? Are you changing your mind already?”“No, of course not. That will never happen,” he said trying to sound reassuring despite the turmoil going on inside him. Regina doesn't look convinced and instead, her eyes welled with tears, fat drops of tears trailing down her face. “It does not seem like it, is it the baby? You don't want it, do you? Did it scare you away? Or you just do not want me anymore,” she concluded and burst into tears.Jonathan quickly covered the small distance between them, pulling her into a hug and letting his chest swallow up her cries. He didn't need any of her family members coming here to find them together. “Shush baby, you are fine and just stressed, that is why you are thinking those things. Remember you are my wife now and I wouldn't
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Jonathan heaved a sigh as he put his signature onto the piece of paper. When Mr. Hales had said to come at any time Jonathan came as fast as he could and so immediately he dropped the call, dressed up, and got his driver to pick him up. He studied his signature on the paper and he gulped down nothing, he was unsure of how to feel about it despite it being his only chance. He doesn't mind coming back to this boring job, taking the hectic responsibility once again just as long as his family is safe, he wouldn't risk anything with his growing family. As long as they are safe then he wouldn't mind doing anything.He glanced up and his gaze met with Mr. Hales who sat at the other end of the desk watching with a wide smile and eyes glittering with accomplishment. “I always knew this day would come, I never suspected you getting a wife would make my work faster, if I did I would have gotten you married long ago,” Mr. Hales teased.Jonathan's face remained passive. It was obvious he wasn't ha
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Regina pulled away to shower his face with kisses, hugging him like it was the last time she would see him. Jonathan grumbled something under his breath and grabbed her face then crashed his lips on hers, kissing her deeply.“I haven't kissed your lips for days, I'm starved. I wonder how I survived that long without my lips.”Regina giggled then rolled her eyes, “Worry not, you have me all to yourself.”Jonathan smirked then gave her another kiss. "You did it!" Regina exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. "You really got in touch with the representative, I'm sorry I doubted you, I shouldn't have but I was just under so much pressure,” she glanced down from embarrassment.Jonathan smiled and used a finger to tilt her head back up so he was looking deep into her dazzling eyes, “It's alright. I understand perfectly. And if it helps you feel better you should know that If I had been in your situation I would doubt me too.”Regina chuckled with an eye roll, “But how did you do it? What
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Regina kept studying her parents as they rejoiced with a look of revolt and displeasure, it was at the tip of her tongue to remind her parents that they should be grateful to Jonathan because none of this would have been possible without him but she kept her mouth instead. It was better she kept that piece of information to herself, she wouldn't want to make her parents angry again right after Jonathan had just successfully kept them calm. Regina's mother glanced at her daughter and frowned on seeing the expression on her face. “And what is with the stupid look on your face?”Regina took her gaze from her parents to the ground, she couldn't dare talk back, especially with everything at stake, her baby's safety. And she couldn't destroy all the progress not after Jonathan had done everything to make it happen. “I will correct that face with a slap if you don't rearrange your face,” Regina's mother continued.Regina's jaw clenched but she dared not say anything.“You should be lucky t
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Regina's tears dried up instantly and her chest lightened with hope, maybe it was Keith who was calling to save her, although she had no idea how she trusted her husband enough to know that he would do anything to save her and their marriage from this predicament. If there was anything that made Regina so weary was the child inside her. Her family was being so cruel with their choices because of the contract they lost. As much as Regina wanted to hate her family for what they were putting her through she couldn't bring herself to. She wondered if they would have made the same choices if there was no contract involved, and how they would react then when she revealed everything at her pace, would they still ask her to abort the innocent child that had nothing to do with this mess?Regina's heart quickened as she watched her father press the phone against his ears, the moment his eyes widened she almost fainted, what if Jonathan had given up on her? Or what if he had not found any soluti
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“Mr. Hales, you have to do something,” Jonathan said hurriedly immediately Mr. Hales picked up the call. He had called him after Regina's father hung up, he had no time left.“Calm down, boy. What is the problem this time?” Mr. Hales said with a frown, “I was expecting the problem to be solved by now or is it that your in-laws are too big to be involved with our company?”Jonathan shook his head, “It’s the opposite actually, they are amongst the people desperate to join the company and it appears that they've overdid it because they claimed the company threatened to cause them bankruptcy if they try again.”“Ohh the special cases,” Mr. Hales said, with a chuckle. “You should be mindful of your in-laws, they had to be a reason they were put in the black book.”“I will be mindful later, Mr. Hales, but now you need to get their names out of the black book,” Jonathan said hastily, glancing at the wall clock hanging on the wall.“Well yes but that doesn't entirely mean they would still sub
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Jonathan heaved a sigh as he put his signature onto the piece of paper. When Mr. Hales had said to come at any time Jonathan came as fast as he could and so immediately he dropped the call, dressed up, and got his driver to pick him up. He studied his signature on the paper and he gulped down nothing, he was unsure of how to feel about it despite it being his only chance. He doesn't mind coming back to this boring job, taking the hectic responsibility once again just as long as his family is safe, he wouldn't risk anything with his growing family. As long as they are safe then he wouldn't mind doing anything.He glanced up and his gaze met with Mr. Hales who sat at the other end of the desk watching with a wide smile and eyes glittering with accomplishment. “I always knew this day would come, I never suspected you getting a wife would make my work faster, if I did I would have gotten you married long ago,” Mr. Hales teased.Jonathan's face remained passive. It was obvious he wasn't ha
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The next day, Jonathan paced in front of Redmond's business, taking in the large building before him. It couldn't say it was comparable but it was commendable.He sucked in a deep breath and summoned every last bit of courage he had then marched into the building, his heart pounding in his chest.Jonathan took in the luxurious inside and would have been swept off by its beauty if it weren't that he was already used to places like this. He made his way to the receptionist.“Good afternoon,” he cleared his throat to get her attention. The plump woman looked up with her brow raised, eyeing him suspiciously, "Can I help you?" Jonathan took a deep breath, “I need to see, Mr. Jackson. It is really important.”The receptionist stared impassively, “Did you set an appointment?”“I just need to see him urgently, it won't take long I promise.”The woman frowned, glancing over his shoulder probably at the security, “You can't go in without an appointment, sir.”“And when is he free?”“In a coup
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As Jonathan watched Regina lament, his heart ached and a surge of courage to protect his family, so he made a decision in his mind. Regina frowned looking at Jonathan with a confused frown, “Why are you so quiet? What's wrong? Are you changing your mind already?”“No, of course not. That will never happen,” he said trying to sound reassuring despite the turmoil going on inside him. Regina doesn't look convinced and instead, her eyes welled with tears, fat drops of tears trailing down her face. “It does not seem like it, is it the baby? You don't want it, do you? Did it scare you away? Or you just do not want me anymore,” she concluded and burst into tears.Jonathan quickly covered the small distance between them, pulling her into a hug and letting his chest swallow up her cries. He didn't need any of her family members coming here to find them together. “Shush baby, you are fine and just stressed, that is why you are thinking those things. Remember you are my wife now and I wouldn't
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As Jonathan finished, William shook his head with sympathy. "As much as I would love to help, I can't. Fredrick Anthony took over my operation, months ago."Jonathan looked up surprised and with his eyes narrowed, *What do you mean you can't help me?”“Take a chill pill bro, you know if I could help I would not hesitate to but then there is nothing I can do at this moment. I am no longer in control of my father's business,” Williams admitted with a frown.Jonathan's frown only deepened and his confusion grew by the second, “It was Fredrick Antony, but I thought you told me you could take him, that he couldn't rob you of your family's company? What changed?”Williams gave him a strange look, “You haven't been in touch with home, have you?”Jonathan's frown deepened, but no one ever told him that anything was bad when he called home, “What happened?” “The Redmond family happened,” Williams said bitterly.“The who?” He asked, confused.Williams' face palmed himself, with a growl, “Jesus
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Chapter 5
Jonathan stood in front of the hospital pacing with a worried expression. He glanced at the empty car park, at the spot where Regina's father's car had been packed minutes ago, and then sighed deeply. What had he expected actually? Regina's family only got angry despite his promise to secure the contract that they would rather sell their daughter for than lose. Regina's parents left the hospital with Regina but not before slamming the door to the car to the face and Regina's father yelling angrily to his face that he was fired from his job. it wasn't like he was expecting Regina's family to accept him with open arms anyway. The problem now was not acceptance which could come later or probably never come but he was already in the mess, and the worst part was that it was at the risk of his child, how was he going to save Regina without the involvement of his family and their connection?A small red car pulled over in front of the hospital and Jonathan knew it was there for him, he roll