FORCED TO LOVE

Travelling around Delta, streets such as Dukeway cannot be ignored. It has the tallest houses and biggest mansions therefore the street was named after the one man who owned a treasure, Jerome Duke, founder of Danford industries- the biggest private sector in the country.

Jerome Duke and his wife grew in love as a couple and had their children married. Mr Jerome and Mrs Agnes had two sons, Alfred and John Dickey Duke.

Alfred managed the family business being the first son of Mr Jerome while John became a beneficiary of this and had no problem anywhere.

Alfred got married through an arrangement with Grace Travis, who is now known as Mrs Duke (Jerome).

Alfred was nicknamed the devil's son because he had no respect for anyone and didn't care at all about how others felt. He was feared and respected by everyone close to him.

His hazel eyes would become fire anytime he gets angry. It is rumoured, that Alfred had killed one of his staff who objected to his decision.

After this rumour, Alfred became more terrifying to people both workers and clients but he paid deaf attention. He continued his rude and unkind attitude towards people, therefore, indenting fear in people.

If there is one man he hates, that would is none other than Donald- Grace's brother who would always oppose his decision every time they met.

Alfred despite being very discriminating and bossy wouldn't dare to say "no" to his father, a lion heart man who gave life to a cub such as Alfred.

Alfred's dad, Mr Jerome and Grace's father Mr Travis Alloy are childhood friends who swore to continue their friendship for a lifetime as their parents did a long time ago.

These two men tried something new by promising each other marriage of their first children of a different gender. Alfred, at age twenty-six, was forced to marry Grace Travis or step down as the company manager.

Grace was known for her jovial and indiscriminating character towards friends and family. Her father, Mr Travis isn't a rich man but had enough to charter for his family. Grace was the best in her town well trained and characterized.

However, Alfred was willing to step down because he didn't like being controlled by anyone and also, he was in love already with Miss Cynthia Roger, the daughter of their business partner, Sir Roger Lancelot who is the owner of a renowned enterprise by the name poblición company.

Cynthia, hearing the deal given to Alfred by his father advised Alfred not to step down from the company but should rather get married to Grace to protect his job. Alfred wasn't convinced and did not want to hurt Cynthia.

"You can't marry me if you do not have a lot of money, as you know my dad so well, he will not dare allow that. He has suffered enough to let his only child suffer the same by getting married to someone who cannot give me the standard we have been maintaining for the longest time now. The best option is to play along with your dad by getting aligned with her," Cynthia muttered.

Alfred bought the idea knowing so well that he stood no chance in have Cynthia without the company. Roger would be the last man to agree to that. Though Alfred had the conviction from what Cynthia had said, he could not help thinking of how she will feel.

"So how about us; how about the love we have for each other?" Alfred asked, scared of how things may turn out to be. "Our love can last no matter the conflict and this is a less obstacle to worry about. We would send her out when she is comfortable and not rush things, " Cynthia suggested.

Alfred after having this conversation had no option but to agree to the marriage. Mr Roger's company was The best in manufacturing rubber materials like sandals and rubber spoons- he would never accept his daughter marrying a low classed boy who could not charter for himself.

On the order hand, Alfred's younger brother, John eloped with his girlfriend Amanda. John indeed loved Amanda and would not want to have the same fate as their elder brother. He married Amanda in his hide and came back afterwards.

All Alfred felt for Grace was hate disputing the fact that they have been married for a year. He paid no attention to everything Grace was doing for him. "She prepares breakfast, especially for me; brings launch to me at work and would do similar for the whole family. She even checks my documents and corrects my errors when I am asleep. I won't deny the fact, that she is hard-working and has won the heart of her father-in-law.

She is a good cook; sanitary personnel who would stand up to do the chores living the workers at home with no work to do. Additionally, Grace is preparing to have a baby,"

"Babies!" parry Manful gasped.

"Yes babies pal," Alfred responded to Parry.

[Parry and Alfred have been friends for the longest time and his wife Roselyn has been friends with Grace too since high school.

Parry, Donald and Alfred were friends since high school while Grace, Cynthia and Roselyn were their immediate juniors in school.

They knew each other but their friendship broke when Donald and Alfred fought and Donald as always won.]

"I and my wife Roselyn aren't preparing to have kids anytime soon even if we married for two years now. What's with the rush?" Parry asked.

"She needs a baby, that is what I said. I did not tell you I was expecting anything from her. I do not want a baby and not even thinking of getting intimate with her.

"For two years? Come on Al, you have been married for two years and should have developed feelings for her. What then really occurred on your wedding night? I called you that night to hear if you'd gotten home, and you told me you were busy with your wife, do you remember?" Parry responded, confused about Alfred's question and tone.

"Do you think I'll marry Grace in my right mind? I wasn't referring to Grace when I said, my Wife. I can never accept Grace; she is just a contract to me and nothing more.

That night, I was with Cynthia; she is the only woman I can address as my wife because she is the only one that worth it," Alfred hissed as Parry's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's been a year now since you got married; you mean she has never asked for sex?" Parry questioned.

"Why would she? I think she knows I have no interest in her and by the way, Grace should be done tomorrow as I and Cynthia have a good plan that would self-chase her out.

My only worry is my mom who is in desperation for a grandchild, a male son preferable," Alfred responded.

"Wow! She thinks positively, how about John, he got married too, doesn't he want a son yet?" Parry asked.

"Do you?" Alfred responded, throwing his gaze off Parry.

"No, not really," he chuckles, "But your mum needs a grandson, and I need a nephew," Parry added with a smile.

"You only wish," Alfred gasped, laughing together with Parry."John might never have a son, his wife isn't interested in doing anything, not the house chores or anything and also, he told John last week that pregnancy would make her shapeless do she needs surrogacy," Alfred added.

"Seriously? There's nothing wrong with her and she needs a surrogate mother!" Parry exclaimed, laughing out loud and swinging his head back and forth. He stopped when he saw someone walk past.

It was unusual for his wife to walk past without greeting anyone in the living room, especially Alfred who visit their home regularly.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," parry uttered. "No problem, I will be on my way too, tomorrow will be a long full of surprises, so I need to go and sleep.

Alfred responded, standing to his feet and noticing how his wife had reacted.

"Tomorrow is your mum's birthday, we will be there," Parry responded, stretching his hand and shaking Alfred."Grace will be gone by tomorrow, wish me luck!" Alfred said.

"Good luck then," Parry said heading upstairs as Alfred went for the door.

Parry in reaching the room found his wife standing facing the mirror he could see tears falling from her eyes. At seeing her husband, she wiped her face with the back of her hand, turning to walk out of her room.

"I know you heard a lot out there and you were not supposed to, I do not get why you are crying for Grace, all I know is that one can do away with what does not favour him," Parry muttered as Roselyn turned to him.

"This only means you could do the same to me one day gossiping about it with your friend and I am sure he will defend you to go on with the divorce. If he wanted to divorce her, he would have told her to the face or do wouldn't have agreed to marry her in the first place," Roselyn yells.

"Alfred is my friend is what's ever makes him happy, I'm okay with it!" Parry exclaimed.

"Grace is my friend too and she trusts in me. He would have said no to getting married to her, but he didn't. He married her selfishly and now wants her gone?" Roselyn responded.

"That is another person's family why do you think I'll go into the matter?"

"No babe, we have to do something about this. You are a legal body and should know the influence divorce has on a woman and how she is being reacted to in the society of today.

You made a vow to me to always stand by me and I guess it is time to show it by making sure Grace does not get embarrassed in the program tomorrow," Roselyn objects.

Parry could no longer argue as he saw a point with his wife.

"Okay, we are going to try our best to help her by tomorrow, just calm down and do not mention this to Grace, you never know, Alfred may not be that heartless to do something silly on his mom's birthday," Alfred responded as Roselyn walked out of the room.