Emily’s Fiancé

“Hi.” Elaine immediately moved over to George who stood up from his seat and they shared a handshake just like the one she had with Fred.

“It’s been a while.” They all had their seats on the couches. George and Fred sat on the couch at Anna’s right side.

“You two know each other?” She exclaimed, looking from George to Fred. She’d somehow lost her contact with George a few weeks ago and she thought that she might not see him ever again. Not really lost contact but he’d stopped texting or returning her text. She thought that something was wrong but stopped texting.

She still felt indebted to the man for the help that he’d rendered her all this while.

“We do. He’s like a brother to me,” George replied. “I heard from him that he had business to do with you and I just decided to tag along and say hi.”

“Well, I thought that I did something wrong and it’s the reason why you never returned my texts.”

“Of course not. There is another reason for that.”

She frowned. “What reason?”

“Your husband didn’t tell you?”

Her frown deepened and she tried to think of any possible thing that Xavier might be keeping for her. She didn’t think he was keeping anything, after all, he’d promised to not keep secrets anymore. “I don’t understand.”

“Remember your last asthma attack by the roadside?”

“I do.” Her eyes grew wide at the realization. “How do you know about that?”

“I was there and I tried to help you but then he came from nowhere, beat me to a pulp, and asked me to stay away. I’m healed now but I realized that it wouldn’t be fair to you if I just went mia all of a sudden without any explanation.”

“Th…that can’t be true. He wouldn’t beat you up for just helping me. It’s crazy”

“I’ll take it that you might not know the man you’re married to. He’s possessive and sees you as an asset. I’m telling the truth.”

“I’m so sorry about that. I’m sorry.” But not really sorry because she didn’t want to react before hearing the other side of the story. Xavier had warned her about George and his way of living but still, he hadn’t done anything that could stop her from texting him. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful. “Please tell me how I can make it up to you.”

“It’s no problem. I’m healed now. You can continue the business talk with Fred here and if you don’t mind, we can have lunch a few blocks away.”

“Sure.” She agreed without batting an eyelid. It’s just lunch, right? Besides, if she didn’t trust George enough to have lunch with him, she at least trusted Fred enough. They do business together and he is trustworthy.

****

After business talk and lunch with both Fred and Geoge, Elaine received a text from Emily and at the close of the day, she hailed a cab and left for the Rock mansion.

She was surprised at the unfamiliar car parked right outside the main building as she got into the compound. It seemed that there was a visitor. She stepped further into the house, simply nodding when the servants lowered their heads and welcomed her. As she stepped into the living room, her eyes fell on the few people who sat on the couches.

She’d asked Emily on text the reason for the invite but she’d said it was a surprise.

“Elaine, you’re here, dear.” Emily rose from the couch where she sat and made her way to Elaine and pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you for honoring the invite.”

“What is going on?” She whispered into her sister’s ears. Emily blushed, her face growing red.

“I have someone to introduce to you. Come.”

She pulled away from Elaine, held her wrist, and led her to the place where their mother sat with a younger man opposite her. “Elaine, this is Jarius,” Emily began. “The one I told you about, my fiancé. Jarius, this is my sister, Elaine.”

Elaine’s mouth fell open. She gasped and raised her head to face the man, gazing at him from his thick brown hair to his well-ironed three-piece suit down to his black designer shoes. Emily sure had good eyes because the man before them was good-looking, tall with broad shoulders.

Jarius rose from the chair and shared a handshake with her. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. I’ve heard a lot of things about you.”

“Good things or….” She raised a brow, a smile stretching on her lips.

“Great things of course.”

“Wait.” Elaine registered the rest of Emily’s previous words into her head. “Did you say he’s your fiancé?” She cocked her head to the side to stare at Emily.

“You’re right.” Emily raised her fingers to Elaine whose eyes fell on the large stone that sat on her fingers. Her hands flew to her mouth and she gasped. “You’re kidding me. Oh my goodness.” She pulled her sister into her embrace. “This is such good news. Congratulations, sister. We’re going to have a wedding.” They pulled away. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? When did he propose.”

“Two days ago. I wanted it to be a surprise. How is it?”

“It’s so pretty and it looks so good on you. When is the wedding? I can’t wait.”

“It’s his first time seeing mother. We haven’t thought of a wedding date yet. Let’s sit.”

Elaine took her seat next to her mother after greetings while Emily sat beside her fiancé.

“You both, go set the dinner table,” Bianca ordered. “I want to speak to him privately.”

The girls stood up from their positions and together, they walked to the dinner table to do as their mother asked.

“You look like you want to interrogate me. What do you want to say?” Emily asked as she laid white napkins on each side of the table.

Elaine wrapped her hands around her chest and leaned on the table. “Do you love him?”

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be getting married to him if I didn’t. You know me enough, sister. I love myself way too much not to get married to someone that I love and also loves me.”

“I’m glad. We should have the wedding soon. I can’t wait to see you in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle.”

“I can’t wait either.”

“You know, while we were younger, I’d always envisioned you and Ria getting married and being a bridesgirl for you both. I wanted the best for my sisters and I’d imagined doing you both makeup and making sure that your dresses fit.” She took a deep breath and continued. “I was disheartened when I didn’t get to have all of that satisfaction at Ria’s wedding, considering how everything went with Jimmy. I’m so glad that I’ll get to experience yours in full bliss.”

“You’re right. Those times are a tragedy. I still had hope that Ria would come back home, find someone who genuinely loved her, and get married again. Jimmy ruined her. He ruined everything.”

“I agree.” Not just Ria. Jimmy would’ve ruined Elaine if it wasn’t for Xavier who’d come to her rescue in all aspects. He’d supported her and became a stepping stone for her. He’d let her use him to his satisfaction and had given her all that she wanted. He gave her the life that she wished for while growing up. He tested her better than anyone had ever treated her in her lifetime and she was the luckiest woman alive to have such a man by her side.

“We shouldn’t give up on our sister. I’ll keep up with the check on her,” Emily said. “I’ll keep on trying with my words and hopefully, she’ll come around before the wedding. I want you both to be present just as we planned while growing up. Our father is dead but that doesn’t mean we would watch Ria follow his pathway and become just like him. We need to get her out of the shell.”

“I understand.” They wanted the best for Ria even after everything. The good memories that they shared together while growing up were the only thing giving them hope for a complete family. They wished to go back to the way they used to be before life happened before Jealousy took over.

Once the table was set, both girls placed the bowl of food on the table before walking back to the living room only to see Bianca and Emily’s fiancé, their heads thrown back in laughter. It was a crazy yet pleasing sight to see as both girls hadn’t seen their mother laugh so hard like that after the incident with Albeit. Seeing the newcomer bring such joy to her mother, Elaine couldn’t help the warmth that spread in her heart, overseeing the future of their family.

Their family will finally be happy again!