S I X.

THE PLAN.

Philip.

As soon as that statement left my lips, my father looked like he had seen a clown; an unamusing one that is.

"What? what do you mean by that?" He demanded.

"I'll get married," I clarified.

"And how do you intend doing that? This is a marriage we're talking about, not some game."

"I know. Actually, I've had someone in mind for quite some time now. I'll propose soon," I half-lied.

"I hope it's not one of your bimbos? or are you hiring someone?" He questioned with a frown, lips set in a thin line.

"No and no. In fact, she's someone you know. However, I won't tell you yet. It will be a surprise," I disclosed, a smile playing on my lips as her pretty face invaded my thoughts once again.

"Oh my God! you have someone already?" mom asked in an excited tone, coming to sit beside my father.

I nodded in response while she shrieked.

"I'm so happy," she gushed.

"So when do you plan on getting married?" Dad asked.

"In a month," I answered.

"So many surprises at once, I can't believe I'll be a grandmother soon." Mom said sniffing.

Always so dramatic. I almost rolled my eyes.

"Mom, I've not even proposed yet, how am I sure she'll accept?"

"She will, no one can reject my baby. I just hope you're still not so arrogant" she asked seriously.

"I'm not mum trust me," I smiled. Nodding gleefully, she raved on how she was going to take her future daughter-in-law on a shopping spree and how she was going to spoil her grandchildren with toys and chocolates while my father chuckled in amusement.

"It's late already, you should head home," He said.

"Alright, I will take care. Before I forget when will Isa and Ana arrive?" I inquired.

Isabelle and Anabelle are my younger sisters. I am older than them for five years. They are schooling in England and are almost totally inseparable so they attend the same University.

Isabelle is studying Business Administration and Anabelle is studying Civil engineering at Westville college, Canterbury England. They are identical twins with grey eyes similar to my Dad and me and dirty blonde hair like mom.

I love my sisters very much and it's been a while since I saw them, so I miss them.

"They're coming in two weeks so they'll be around for your wedding," Dad replied.

"That's good then, Inform me when they arrive so that I can go get them myself. I should get going now then, goodnight Dad and Mom," I added, hugging both of them then I left.

I arrived back at the penthouse at nine pm on the dot. After freshening up, I laid on my bed trying to sleep. My mind kept drifting off to the chestnut brown-eyed woman and how to make her agree to my proposal.

The look on my mom's face when I informed her of my intentions to get married was deeply imprinted on my mind.

With determination not to let my parents down, I spent twenty minutes thinking of what to do.

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to my friends. Robinson and Andrew.

Rob, Drew and I had been friends since we were little. We did everything together. They were the only people I felt comfortable around.

Rob lost his parents when we were teenagers, so Dad and Mom took him in and trained him like their own child. We were literally brothers. Drew was also my cousin- he was Mom's elder brother's last son.

The three of us knew everything about each other. While I was quiet, observant, and harsh he was easy going, funny, and soft-spoken but has always been a big-time playboy. Drew was quiet too but could be lousy when he wanted to be. All the same, we were best friends and brothers.

I did not want to call Drew because he's a family man now so I called Rob instead.

Before the call went through properly, he had answered.

"Yo, what's up man, how come you remembered I was still alive?" He chirped.

"Allow the phone to ring first would you?" I chided.

"Nah, not happening. So how come you remembered that I am still alive?" He questioned.

"Actually I wanted to confirm if you were dead so I called but unfortunately you are not."

"Of course I'm dead. You're talking to my spirit," he joked.

"Hahaha so funny," I dead-panned and he laughed aloud.

"Why did you call me by this time, Phil? Or is there someone who has occupied your heart and mind lately?" He teased.

"As a matter of fact, yes. That's why I called," I replied.

"Woah Woah Woah really?! The great Philip Forbes is in love?! Impossible!" he exclaimed

"Shut it, asshole. I'm not in love with anybody."

He sighed from the other end.

"Alright spill. What's bothering you to the extent that it couldn't wait till tomorrow?" He inquired in a serious tone.

I explained everything about Giordana and the encounter with my parents, omitting her name.

"Man, I think I have a plan," he said.

"What's the plan?" I asked.

He went ahead to explain in detail, the plan he came up with.

"That's a brilliant one man! I knew you'd be able to help me," I exclaimed.

"Phil is everything alright? You've been saying weird stuff this night. That girl has got you whipped."

"Shut up," I said with clenched teeth.

"Chill, I'm just kidding," he laughed.

"So what is my compensation for this brilliant idea?"

"Oh don't flatter yourself because you managed to make sense for the first time in history."

"Ouch I'm hurt," he sighed.

"Wait. What if she finds out?" I asked.

"I advice you to tell her from the beginning so that she'll know what she's getting herself into and if she does not agree then find another person."

'I won't tell her then, if I do she'll decline,' I thought to myself.

"Good night man, thanks for the idea."

"Whoa he's even saying thanks, I really need to meet this girl," he replied.

"Shut up Rob, good night," I quipped and hung up.

'Finally a solution.'

With my mind at peace, I fell into a deep slumber, a smile playing on my lips as I thought about her.