PAPER VOWS Novel Chapter 15

My mother has been talking for the past ten minutes nonstop. She wants to know when and how I met this billionaire man that I am trending about. She wants to know why I didn’t update the family, so they don’t get surprised when I start trending. I am listening to her talk about how her church group called her early in the morning, telling her about me. Only if she knew that I was just as shocked. When I fell asleep last night, I didn’t expect my face to be all over as it is today.

Dante and I went out, happened to kiss while at it, now I am on every paper. I get that he is a billionaire, but this is too much. I even gained a million Facebook followers just for going out with Dante Lyon. A million people are a lot of people. This shows how much influence that man has. Even Gomez was kissing my arse because of that man.

When Dante was driving me home, he told me that this would be my life. A part of me still doesn’t like the spotlight, but then a part of me is starting to love it. He was right, it does grow on someone. A million people followed me. They are all commenting positively on my pictures, telling me how lucky I am to be with The Dante Lyon. I swear, Dante and I broke the internet when he posted that picture of me in the car.

“Jade Marshal, I am talking to you,” Mom’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I didn’t get anything she said.

“I’m sorry, Mom, what did you say? It has been a very long day.”

Mom sucks her teeth, shaking her head, “She wakes up trending and suddenly you cannot hear what we say.”

“Mom give her a break. She has been single for six years and finally found a man. It’s not her fault that the man is rich and famous,” Giselle comes to my rescue. “You should be happy that your daughter is happy. It shouldn’t matter if he is famous or not.”

“You know I don’t care about the money and fame,” Mom answers. Dad is looking unbothered. I know he doesn’t care about all this. Mom is the one making a big deal out of nothing. I also know that she really doesn’t care about money. My father works at the bank and makes good money.

“We should all be happy for Jade,” says Giselle. I know she will always have my back, and I love her for that.

“I am happy for her. I just want to know how we got here. My daughter is on the newspaper, of course, I will ask questions,” says Mom. She has every right to ask.

I clear my throat, sitting upright. This is my family; they deserve a little bit of truth. “I met Dante at a club. I was too drunk to drive home, so he took me with him to his house. I promise he didn’t take advantage of me. We slept in different rooms. The next day, he told me his intentions with me, and now we are dating.”

I know I said they deserve the truth – not the entire truth though. My car crosses my mind. I need to ask Dante about my car. If I am not going to be using it, then I can give it to Giselle. My sister doesn’t have a car – as I said before, her man does everything for her. James is an accountant and makes a good buck.

I make sure to add, “In all honesty, I didn’t know Dante was famous or a billionaire. I found out today, to me, he was just a man who approached me.”

“Maybe he wanted you to like him for him,” Dad finally says. I think this is just a waste of his time. He would rather be watching a soccer game than be here.

“Are you going to introduce this man to us?” Mom asks. I promise that we are going to have dinner with Dante sometime soon.

“I told you there is nothing to be worried about, Jade is a responsible adult,” says Dad. If there is someone who is always on my side, it’s my father and Giselle. “These children trend all the time, it will dial down, don’t worry.”

“I had to come and double-check. She is my daughter after all,” says Mom.

“Can we go now and leave the children alone?” says Dad, already getting off the couch. He says children like we are still teens. He hugs Giselle and then hugs me, “I hope you are okay with losing your job and all.”

I say after hugging my father. “I am fine, Dad. Actually, Gomez called me and apologised. I think it has to do with my being with Dante. He even offered me a better position – I said I will think about it.”

“He is just scared for his reputation, don’t fall for it,” Mom says and then hugs me. “We will talk on the phone, okay? I love you!”

“I love you too, Mom.”

My parents say their goodbyes and leave. Giselle walks them out. I know they just want to talk about me. I lie on the couch facing the ceiling, going through my social media. I have so many messages I don’t even know where to start. Dante told me to update him after I talk to my parents, so I call him.

Dante: Jade Marshal!

Me: Hey, just talked to my parents, I think we are good.

Dante: That’s good to hear.

Me: Where is my car, Mr Lyon?

Dante: At your apartment parking area. The keys are in that bowl on the table. There were other keys there – I put them there.

I quickly sit up to check if my cars are there – they are. Did he bring the car when he brought me breakfast or when he came for the date?

Me: You didn’t bother to tell me, Mr Lyon?

Dante: Slipped my mind, apologies. How do you feel about your new online presence?

Me: It’s slowly growing on me.

Dante: I am glad because I will need you there more. Can you do that?

Me: When you say need me there more, what do you mean?

Dante: Post about yourself, our relationship, everything you do.

Me: I don’t want to end up losing myself in all this.

Dante: I promise it’s nothing extreme, just the same things that women usually post. You would be surprised how much you will love it.

Me: Let’s see how it works.

Dante: We can work with that. I need you to keep in mind that you are my woman. Remember, I said you represent me.

Me: Noted, Mr Lyon.

Dante: Come on now, don’t be too formal. I think we should upgrade to sweetheart or love.

I chuckle. I didn’t expect him to say that.

Me: I like the sound of that.

Dante: I will also do my part, Jade Marshal. Love isn’t really my thing, but I will try to do right by you.

I smile, blushing, Dante Lyon will try. I love that.

Me: We can work with that.

Dante: Elis will be driving you everywhere you need to go. I will give you Anne’s number. She will connect you with people who will help you with all you need. Restaurants, Salons, Spas, Boutiques – you name it.

Me: Does that come with dating Dante Lyon?

Dante: Yes. Elis is downstairs with your new phone and card. Go shopping and tell me if you need anything else.

Me: Since you are doing all this for me, what are you getting?

Dante: I get to have you as my wife. That is enough for me.

Me: A wife that you don’t love – you did say love is not your thing.

Dante: I said I will try, sweetheart. Have a little faith in me.

He called me sweetheart!

Me: Okay then.

The door opens, and Giselle walks in. She is carrying a large bouquet and a white bag. I bet that’s all from James.

I tell Dante that I will call him back and say to Giselle, “Lovely flowers. Are they from James?”

“I wish. These are for you. After I walked Mom and Dad out, a man named Elis said to give you this, from Mr Lyon.”

I walk towards Giselle and take the flowers. I have never gotten flowers this big in my life. “Do we even have a vase in here?”

“Yeah, we have a few, leg me grab one for you.”

As Giselle goes to get the vase, I look into the white bag. There is a phone and a small box. I open the small box first – it has a black card with my name. How did this man manage to open a bank account for me?

“He got me a new phone and gave me a bank card to use,” I say to Giselle, who just came back with a vase.

“I am going to start hanging out at clubs, maybe I might score myself a man like Dante.”

I chuckle and say, “You already have Jame, why are you complaining?”

“You are right. James is a lovely partner.”

I put my flowers in a vase and then take a cute picture. I upload it on my Instagram and Facebook with a caption ‘Flowers from my man’. I watch the likes flood in – do these people live on the internet? And why does all this feel so good?