Samantha's Proposal by Ruth Daniel - HTML preview

EPILOGUE

WHEN MARK entered his own lounge, his brother already had his tuxedo ready. As Goodluck helped him into his jacket, he saw Samantha's brothers enter after a brief knock. He'd expected it but not for the impact of actually looking at them. There were five of them.

Each looked like a famous Hollywood star. And the one in front, obviously the oldest, he remembered was the one in the picture with Samantha. He stepped forward.

“Mark Grinder,” Lucas greeted, extending his hand. Mark shook it. “Lucas Barigha. Thank you for not shaming her today.” The others behind nodded their assent.

While Goodluck fixed him up, Mark took the time to study the five brothers of his bride-to-be. How close he'd come to losing her again. He needed to be more careful.

“Since you're the one more eager to clobber me, I'm assuming you're the one who had me followed.”

Lucas lips curved in a smile, a very beautiful one at that. “I should have known she wasn't settling for your good looks only.” He said with pride.

“I'd say it goes both ways.”

Lucas silently requested permission to help him with his outfit his brother stepped aside. They were silent for a few minutes as Lucas righted the cravat. He could get used to having male company his own age. And an extended family to add spice.

“Be good to her.” Lucas said, stepping back when he finished.

Better, he thought. He'd value what precious gift he'd got and make it better for her each day. His hope was that the father would stop meddling in her affair now. 

“He doesn't really care about our personal lives, just the business aspect.” Lucas said, correctly discerning his thoughts.

He hoped so. “I'd really appreciate that.”

All five males were gorgeously sculptured, and he was glad his sister wasn't there because he wondered who would be holding him from killing all five males. Each had a distinct persona that reverberated through the room like ripples of awareness. All five males. Especially the one that was directly behind Lucas, who introduced himself as Theo. There was Joe, Ben, and Lesley. He'd get to know them all because they were going to be family soon.

“Ready?” Lucas asked.

Mark took in a shaky breath and nodded. Despite what had happened, they treated him like family. He was glad that they were with him. With his brother as nervous as he, he wondered how they would have managed it. Their presence was enough reassurance.

He acknowledged his own guilt also, knowing that what he kept from her and his accusations could threaten what they'd built together. He couldn't deny that if Gracie had not approached him with that proposal, he probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to know and love the woman Samantha was. And for that, he would always be grateful to Gracie. She was always a catalyst to their journey and he would have to pay her for the favor, even though her means may not have been credible.

When George Barigha had two men escort him from the bus station only days after he first met her, he had a moment's panic before he was categorically asked to marry Samantha not long after.

The anger that came to him was quick, and he'd lashed out, feeling sorry for her at the numerous people who'd go to any length to pair her off on the most available prospect. George Barigha had made him an offer. He'd negotiated. And they'd come to an agreement.

But he couldn't tell her the sacrifice he made to have her. He would have to give up practicing law but could continue to work as a desk officer, at least with the option of moving to another department and the hope of promotion every so often. Or starting up a different kind of business for himself.

He remembered part of their last conversation, one aspect that had stayed with him all this time:

“Why me? Why did you choose me?” He wanted to know.

“You’re the first one she has shown interest in, ever.” George had told him.

And he believed it.

That was the day her brother, Ben had seen him leave George Barigha's office, and he was pretty sure he'd heard enough of their argument that day.

His eyes lifted and met Ben's, who gave him a knowing smirk, like he also remembered that day, his eyes communicating sympathy and understanding. He felt gratitude that Ben had kept mute about it. But Mark hoped he wouldn't eventually tell his sister.

He took in a deep breath. There was no going back. Despite what George Barigha might think, he was marrying Samantha because he truly loved her and could not imagine a life without her. He only hoped that her father kept his own end of the bargain.

Flanking him on either side, her brothers escorted him out of the room. No matter what happened hereafter, he would spend each day proving his love for Samantha Barigha Grinder, whether there was a George Barigha in the picture or not.

THE END