Adulteress; Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Party

"Good evening, Madam Okonji. I hope you are having a pleasant time." Amara said as she greeted a large elderly woman with a kiss on the cheek.

Madam Okonji was normally critical but this time, she was kind and answered Amara's greeting with a pleased laugh and a "Very much, Mrs McGregor. How d'ye do?"

"How d'ye do?" Amara responded and Mrs Okonji smiled. Desmond had taught Amara that Mrs Okonji, the owner of Bedazzle Spa, greeted everyone using those words and expected them to be replied properly. He had also taught Amara how to make a good appearance before all the guests by speaking right. Many of Desmond's friends and family all had accents due to their exposure to the western influence. Amara had grown up in a poor environment but had very good diction. Still, she had to speak slowly and pronounce every letter of her words in a grand manner. That would make up for her lack of accent. So, throughout the night, Amara had to put up with posh aristocrats and brainwashed Africans (so she called them). She couldn't wait for the night to be over.

"Amara."

Amara walked up to her mother-in-law and gave her a kiss. "Mama," she called making sure to intone it like a French damsel, not a typical Igbo girl.

Lady McGregor smiled and held her by the shoulder as she introduced her to a tall, skinny lady with a little girl holding her hand.

"Mrs Olu, this is my daughter, Amara. Amara, this is Mrs Olu, the proprietor of Springfield Academia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am," Amara said sweetly and Mrs Olu smiled.

"The pleasure is mine, dear. What a lovely dress! And your brooch is simply fabulous!" Mrs Olu complimented, moving her mouth in a manner that irritated Amara. She gently bent to the little child and gave her a smile. The child smiled back and toddled to her. She held the child and played with her.

"What a darling! My sweet Tolu likes you. That's surprising because she's usually shy," Mrs Olu said rather loudly.

"Yes, Amara is very fond of children," Lady McGregor replied Mrs Olu. Quietly, she added as she held Amara's shoulder, "If only she had her own children to be fond of."

Amara dropped the child close to her mother and smiled as she said, "Excuse me, please."

She felt the weight of her mother-in-law's eyes as she walked away to find Desmond.

She loved her mother-in-law. She just hated when the issue of her childlessness was brought up.

"It's only been a year. Our child will come," Desmond had told her. She needed him to reassure her again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?" 

Amara stared at Desmond who grabbed a flute of champagne from a waiter's tray and turned to the audience.

"I thank you all for attending this party to celebrate the newest contract of McGregor Co. and Delew's organization. Special thanks to all who made this possible. To my family and business partners, I truly appreciate. Most especially, to Mrs McGregor Amara, my..."

"Please, don't say little wife," Amara prayed quietly as Desmond's eyes met hers.

"... genius wife, the main reason for this celebration. I love you, dear."

"I love you too," Amara replied in a little whisper.

"Awwwn," the audience went and clapped. Amara smiled to hide her embarrassment. She also held her head up boldly. The heiress of McGregor must never show fear or timidity.

As they drank to Desmond's toast, Amara's heart began to pound. She knew he was here, and he was looking at her.

Quickly she made her way to her husband and locked her arm in his. He kissed her gently. "Are you enjoying yourself, sweet?"

"Yes," she said with effort and gazed at him with rapt attention. If he had looked closer, he would have noticed the nervous line below her eyes. He didn't, for he looked up and called, "Robert! Nice of you to show up late. I wanted you to make the toast on my behalf. You're good with that kind of stuff."

"Lucky me, then. I don't know how I would have delivered that last line of your toast, on your behalf," a light skinned well built man with a handsome face said in a captivating baritone.

Desmond chuckled and Amara slowly turned to face him. She feigned normalcy but her loud heartbeat must have given her away to his searching eyes.

"Robert."

"Mrs McGregor."

"Please, call me Amara," she protested, not because she wanted him to but because it would please her husband who watched them with a broad smile.

"As you wish, Amara," Robert said. He whispered her name in a manner that made her shudder. Furtively, she held tighter to her husband's arm. He noticed, for his eyes looked at her arm and his mouth let out a small smile. She saw it and swallowed. Desmond looked at them but noticed nothing.

To be continued.