Sitting on his bed," I'm married once more, but she asked that no one know? I need her with me to help me so I won't hear those voices any longer. But for that to happen, she has to come through the door, and I know all eyes will be looking at us more closely now. I will just need to be patient. I know what Jeff had said when she left, but was it because he didn't expect her to return? Shawney is right, we must keep this marriage a secret until the family accepts her."
Lying on the bed, "At least she is here in the house. I can see her, hear her talking and laughing with me, but does she still need time to fall in love with me?"
Torren ponders, within his heart, recalling her hesitation the night we got married. '"I realised then that she hasn't fully fallen in love with me the way I am in love with her. But with the way she always strokes my face? I know she cares a lot about me, and in due time, that will grow into love."
Closing his eyes, thinking, 'I must just prove my love to her, she spoke about the people her father brought to her, how they wanted what she had. I want what she has, but not as they did. I want her love, and to get that, I will give her what I have.'
Two days later, Torren had his lawyer draw up a will, sitting in the office so she won't be able to see him. He had Mr Noel send word for her to come. Hearing her enter the office, the lawyer asks her to sit. "I am a bit busy, so can you please explain to me why you need to see me?"
"Ma'am, I am your husband's lawyer!"
Seeing that she stood up immediately, she checked to see if anyone was around before she locked the door. Confused, he was curious to know why she was looking at the door. When she returned and took a seat, she said quietly, "You could continue now."
"Ma'am, I am here because your husband had made this document ready for you to sign."
"And who are you again? I'm sorry I didn't hear clearly what you said the first time."
"I am your husband's lawyer, Mr Noel, and I am here for you to read these documents carefully before you sign them."
Torren sits silently, waiting anxiously for her response. I know she was very curious to know what document I wanted her to sign.
She is not stupid; she knows about business. When she did speak, all she said was, "I know my husband loves me, but why did he make this will?"
"Ma'am, as you know, he isn't that well; he wants to ensure that you are well taken care of."
"Thanks, that won't be necessary!"
Torren heard, paper being shredded, the shock I heard in my lawyer's voice when he said, "Ma'am, why did you do that? If something were to happen to him, you would be left undone, and what will your husband say when he asks?"
"Will you keep your tone of voice low, please, and stop saying husband, just in case someone is listening. And for your information, he doesn't need to know. You did what he instructed you to do. Now he will think that all has been signed over to me.
So there's no need for him to know anything that transpired here. I am very busy and need to be excused. So I will be leaving first."
Hearing the click and the door open, then close, I came out from behind the filing cabinet. Observing the expression of shock still on his face, with his mouth still open.
I smile, thinking she tends to do that to people. "Sir, I am so sorry, but she shredded every piece of paper."
"It's alright, Noel, draw up another plan for me, and state that all I have belongs to her."
"Sir, that will take a few days before I have it in order again."
"You take your time, I am in no hurry." When he left, I sat quietly. 'She knows I love her, but why did she tear up the document?
Was she testing my love, or was she angry when I told her I had given to my family? Nah, she is too caring for such trivial things. Dad said these things don't bother her, she loves flowers and being in the open.'
A week later, Dad and I had just come home from the factory. And the children's room was open. Hearing voices, I approached slowly. Shawney and Candis were disagreeing about something.
Listening carefully to what was being discussed, when Candis said, "Shawney, you don't have to play that you love the children, no one will know?"
Recalling the very same way they used to provoke Dalia. Now, she is doing the same with Shawney. Listening to how softly and politely Shawney respond to Candis.
"Have I done something to offend you or displease you, Candis? It seems as though you have a problem with me being here and spending time with the children?"
"I don't have a problem with you being with the children, Shawney."
"I see, so what you are saying is, my being here is the problem, or are you afraid that I am getting too close to your brother?"
Hearing her laugh softly, "Candis, I now see what the real problem is. Do you despise your brother so much that you don't like to see him happy?"
Torren heard her rage as though Shawney had struck a nerve when she snapped, saying, "What nonsense you are talking, you feel you are clever, but soon he will see what your schemes are?"
Loving the way she chuckles as she responds so calmly to Candis, "I now understand what the real problem is, Candis?"