A burden
“Okay, I will Nana,” Liv casually replied.
Although her new mother in law was nice to her, Seth was her biological son while she was just related to her family by marriage. Liv found it hard to believe the Browns would stand by Liv during an argument between her and her husband Seth.
That was the case of her mom’s parents in law.
Before marriage thé in laws were nothing but kind to her mum to the point that their biological daughters were jealous of the love their parents had for my mum.
But the story changed after her mum got married to my stepfather. Everytime she had a disagreement with her stepfather, Mark, her mother in law would get on her mummy’s case about not being a submissive and a dutiful wife.
In short the son is always the family, while the wife is a complete stranger.
“You must be heading to your shop, I will get Seth to bring you home for dinner.”
"Don't worry Nana, I'm sorry but I have to close up the shop late tonight so won't be able to make it for dinner," Liv said into the phone.
Nana clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Now Liv dear, it's important you and Seth start figuring things out. You're family now!"
Liv sighed. As frustrating as the situation was, she knew Nana only wanted the best. "I understand, Nana. How about we try getting together this weekend instead? My schedule should be clearer then."
"Splendid idea!" Nana exclaimed. "A nice home cooked meal is just what you two need. I'll iron out the details and let you know."
After hanging up, Liv leaned back in her chair contemplatively. Things had moved fast, and she still wasn't sure what to make of Seth or their new circumstances.
Instead of heading up straight to the bookshop, Liv sent a text to her best friend, Scarlet, that she would make it back to the shop before their rush hour.
Liv had only one thought and that is how to break the news of her marriage to her mum and move out of the house.
About five minutes later, Liv arrived at her mum’s place.
Mark had gone to work while her mum Jane was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen. Seeing that Liv was back home earlier than the usual time she comes back from the bookshop, she expressed her concern. “Why are you back earlier than usual Olivia? Is the shop closed today? What about Jessica?”
“I will go when it gets busier mum, everything is okay, Is Lily awake?”
Lily is Liv’s step sister. The little girl is currently in her terrible twos.
“No, she’s not awake yet. The house won’t be in such order if she was awake.”
Jane asked about what happened earlier in the morning before she left as Liv helped her in the kitchen.
“Livia, Mark isn’t trying to kick you out, he is just looking out for you.”
Jane clarified for her husband.
Liv kept to herself, knowing fully well that it was Mark's intention to throw her out.
Mark earned averagely as the manager of a big firm. Jane met him at a cemetery, where Jane visits her dead husband’s grave, he also visits his dead wife’s grave. When they got married he lovingly told my mum. “I will take care of you and your daughter like my own, you don’t need to work, just take care of the house and take care of yourself.”
Believing she had found the right man, Jane quitted her job and became a housewife just for him. After a year of their marriage she gave birth to Lily and had no time to balance between managing the house and caring for a child.
Jane paid no attention to herself, she’s so engrossed in household chores. Nor could she stop her housewife duties and get back to her workplace.
Jane went from a fine middle aged woman to an overweight and unkempt housewife with no time to herself because Mark had warned her never to employ a maid.
Olivia was just twenty when her father passed away in a tragic car accident. Since then she and her mother had been staying together till three years later when her mum met with Mark, they courted for a year and then got married.
The compensation from her late father’s accident would have been enough for Liv to complete her studies but her grandparents wanted a piece of it. With what was left, her mother used to set up a small store for herself.
Since the grandparents proceeded to hog the family home, Liv and her mother resorted to renting an apartment. Their renting days were finally over when her mother walked down the aisle.
Jane absolutely adored Liv and talked to her then husband-to-be about living with Liv after
marriage. The man was quick to say yes about taking Jane and Liv as a one-package deal, but his
resentment was beginning to rear its ugly head.
"I’m sorry, mum. I'm a burden to you.”
"No, Liv. Don't think that way. I'm your mum and I’m all you got."
After a brief silence, Olivia took out the marriage license and showed it to her mum. She said, "I'm married,mum, I just came back from the registry, I thought I should let you know. I will be packing up and moving out in a bit.”
“Y-you got married!?” Jane stuttered in utter shock.
Staring at Liv unbelievably she snatched the marriage certificate for a closer look. There was her daughter’s name alongside a stranger’s name on the paper. Alongside was their photograph and signature.
“What’s all this about Livia? I know you don’t have a male friend talkmore of a boyfriend.”
The man in the photo is good looking with his cold piercing gaze which are signs that he is not the easiest person to get along with.
All this while, Liv was thinking of how to cook up a story to convince her mother Jane. She answered while scratching her head, “Mum, I have been in a relationship for a while. I decided to keep it private because I was not sure of the relationship yet. His name is Seth. He is a workaholic, more reason he hasn’t made time to meet with you mum.”
Her mum scoffed, not fully convinced of the story Liv cooked up.
Liv took a deep breath. "Mom, I know this seems crazy. But please hear me out."
She then launched into a full explanation of what transpired at the registry office and how she ended up married. Her mom listened in stunned silence.
"So let me get this straight - some stranger sweet talked you into marrying him on a whim?" her mom asked incredulously.
"It wasn't like that, he was as surprised as I was!" Liv insisted.
"I know it's fast, but I truly believe Seth is worth giving a chance," Liv said earnestly.
Her mom still seemed skeptical. "You really think this man has honorable intentions?"
Liv took her mom's hands in hers. "I can't say for certain yet, but my gut tells me there's more beneath the surface with Seth.
Jane had a hard time buying the story.
She had never seen Liv with a boyfriend before. Yet Liv was telling her now that she got a ring on her finger.
Olivia must have heard the fight she had with Mark. Upset, Jane geared up and remarked, “Livia, I told Mark you paid for the groceries. Feel free to stay here with us. There’s no need to rush into marriage.”
Jane could bet with anything she owned in her life that Livia had not known her boyfriend for long. Otherwise Livia would not have waited until now to tell her.
The sudden decision to get married was because Mark believed that Livia was old enough to get married.
Olivia was in a hurry to give herself away before her mother’s marriage was on the rocks.
With a smile, Liv comforted her mother. “Mom, you and dad have nothing to do with my marriage. My relationship with Seth is strong and I got married to him out of my own will. You should be happy for me.”
Jane could not stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.
Liv hugged her mum until she cried her heart out and calmed down. Liv made a promise to her mum. “I will visit you more often mum. Seth’s house is in lekki, not far from my bookshop, it takes me ten minutes by bike.”
“How are his family? Are they rich?”
As the marriage was sealed, she had no other choice than to accept the marriage. She went on to know more about her son in law.
Liv does not know much about the Browns. Although she had known Nana for some time now. Liv never pried into the family affairs and often lent an ear to Nana. All she knew was that Seth is the last born of five children and they are not that rich too.
Seth has a job in one of the biggest firms. He was doing pretty well for himself as he owned a house and a car. Liv told the little information she knows about the Browns.
Having heard that Seth had no debt on the house, Jane asked, “ that’s his property. Livia, can you get him to add your name to the property?”
At Least Liv would be covered up if her name is included in the property papers.