She Got A Better Man novel Chapter 2

"Hey, I'm Zach. I manage stuff at a company and have a car but no house. So, are we doing this marriage thing or what?" Zach's eyes were cool, almost detached, as he laid it all out for Elvira. Tracy had filled him in on Elvira's deal and made him an offer he couldn't refuse: tie the knot with Elvira, and Tracy would finally get the surgery.

Elvira was baffled.

"Trust me, Elvira. If you marry my grandson, he'll be dead loyal to you. No ifs, ands, or buts," Tracy said, all smiles.

Facing a guy leagues hotter than Calvin and considering her own mess of a situation, Elvira went for it. "Okay, let's do it."

'Given Calvin's backstabbing, what is left to expect from love? Marrying any Joe is marrying, so why not this hottie?' she thought to herself, somewhat bitterly.

Minutes later, they were stepping out with their marriage certificate. Elvira alongside Calvin, felt a whirlwind of emotions.

Tracy couldn't stop smiling if she tried, thrilled at the sight of the marriage certificate.

"I've got things to do, so I'm off. Remember what you promised, Grandma. Pull any stunts, and I'm filing for divorce." Zach threw over his shoulder as he left.

Tracy shot a glare at Zach's retreating figure, then turned to Elvira with a mix of guilt and hope. "He doesn't get you yet, Elvira. But give it time, and he'll be head over heels."

Elvira just smiled. Zach had clued her in on the deal. Figuring her marriage could save Tracy made the whole thing easier to swallow.

"Hey, Mrs. Gilbert, how about we celebrate my big day? My treat for dinner," Elvira, genuinely fond of Tracy, suggested.

"Absolutely! Tonight, we dine like queens, no holding back," Tracy declared, all set for a girls' night out.

*****

During dinner, Elvira shared a photo of her marriage certificate and the feast on WhatsApp with the caption, [Just married!]

Elvira and Tracy chatted away, ignoring the bitter edge of the evening. Elvira drowned her sorrows in wine, Tracy letting her, understanding the weight on her shoulders.

Eventually, Elvira was a drunken mess at the table, prompting a concerned Tracy to call Zach. "Get over here and take Elvira home. I'm scheduling the surgery for this week."

Zach, though hesitant, couldn't say no to that.

Arriving at the scene, Zach found Elvira alone and wasted, Tracy conspicuously absent.

He usually disliked close contact with strangers but had no choice. "Wake up," he coaxed gently.

"Mmm, leave me alone. Just wanna sleep," Elvira slurred, too lost in her misery to care.

Elvira's quiet drunken sleep impressed Zach; he couldn't stand those who went nuts with booze.

After tucking her in, he rushed off to other commitments.

Elvira woke around 10 p.m., confused by her surroundings. The events of the day slowly came back to her, and she noticed several missed calls on her phone.

Ignoring the calls, she dialed Tracy first.

"Elvira, you up? How is the head?" Tracy asked, wishing she could be there.

"Mrs. Gilbert, I'm okay, but where am I?" Elvira asked.

"That's your new place. You were out cold, so Zach took you. He is probably at work again, the workaholic. I'll give him a piece of my mind, make him come take care of you," Tracy fumed.

"Mrs. Gilbert, no worries! I'm good. Just need a sec," Elvira cut in, hanging up and cursing her stupidity for getting plastered.

'God, I didn't make a fool of myself, did I?' Elcira fretted, swearing off getting wasted ever again.