Lillian got up from her bed and stretched. She yawned and went into the restroom. She came out minutes later and saw her mother sitting on her bed.
"Good morning Mom."
"Morning sweetheart. How was your night?" Her mom replied as she became aware of her daughter's presence.
"It was beautiful, thank you."
"Has it been long you came?" Lillian said again.
"I just came in seconds before you came out." Her mom replied and she mouthed an 'oh'.
"Come and sit, I want us to talk." Her mom said again tapping on the bed beside her.
"About?" Lillian queried with a raised brow.
"Have a seat first." Her mom replied and Lillian did as she was told.
"So, what is this about?" Lillian asked now staring directly at her mother and Mrs Helen took her hands into hers.
"Lillian......" She stressed out making Lillian more interested.
"You do know we all in the family loves you, right?" She said again and Lillian nodded slowly.
"And we would........." The door opened interrupting her.
"Good morning Lady Helen. Good morning Miss Lillian. There's someone here requesting to see Miss Lillian." The maidservant who came in said in a bow.
"And who is the person?" Mrs Helen asked as she and Lillian paid more attention.
"He said his name was Mark Norman." The maid replied and Lillian stood up immediately.
"Mark is here?" She said in a smile and not waiting for the maid to reply, she ran out. She walked hurriedly down the stairs, not minding if she trips or not. She finally got downstairs and walked forward to see the man that had always made her heart flutter during their childhood.
Mark was her childhood best friend and ever since she left Los Angeles, they've not been able to contact or see each other.
Mark stood up when he felt someone's presence behind him. He turned and there he found his little queen standing not far from him. Lillian not waiting to be told immediately jumped on him and he wrapped his arms round her, laughing and Lillian whose legs was now in the air, joined in and they both laughed like a maniac.
"Wow, my queen is finally a big lady." Mark said in a smile as he dropped her back on the floor, making Lillian laugh again.
"How did you know I was back?" She asked in a cheeky smile.
"Your brother told me about your arrival yesterday and that was why I came running this morning to confirm if it was true." He replied.
"Can't believe I'm finally seeing you after so many years. You know what? We have a lot of catching up to do. So, go upstairs, freshen up and come downstairs, we are going out." He said again making Lillian chuckle.
"I also missed you too." She replied in a sweet smile.
"Yeah, I know. Now, do as I said." He said and pushed her slightly.
"Está bien (okay)." She said in Spanish and even though Mark didn't understand what it meant, he still chuckled and Lillian ran upstairs to get prepared.
************************
IN A RESTAURANT (VIP SECTION)
Lillian occasionally stole glances at Mark and smiled as she munched on her crispy rice salad. Mark noticed this and couldn't help but to chuckle.
"You look really beautiful." He finally said breaking the silence and Lillian blushed. This was almost like the hundredth time he was saying this to her today and she has been blushing like never.
When they left her place in the morning, he took her to different places which included the couples amusement park, a museum, a video gaming store, and now they were in a restaurant.
After these, they would go to the cinema because Mark already bought their movie tickets.
"You know, we were having so much fun today that we forgot to talk about what happened in our various lives." Lillian said as she wiped her lips with the serviette.
"Yeah, you are right but I didn't forget. I just wanted us to have fun all through today then maybe we could talk about that later." Mark explained.
"But we've had enough fun." Lillian said pouting.
"Is someone tired already? Look, you better don't get tired because we're just getting started." Mark said in smile and Lillian smiled back.
"I wasn't actually tired on having fun. I just wanted us to get to know each other better." She suggested and Mark, knowing where she was headed dropped his cutlery and wiped his lips with the serviette.
"Alright." Mark said.
"So, do you have a girlfriend?" She asked the one question in her mind. She placed her two hands on the table to support her chin.
"I once had but we parted ways when we felt we were no longer compatible." Mark paused for a moment and although Lillian felt a little jealous at that instant, she still pretended to feel sorry.
"Aww! I'm so sorry about that."
"It's alright. It wasn't your fault anyways. So, what about you?"
"Me?" Lillian asked to be sure.
"Yeah. Do you have a boyfriend?" He repeated her question.
"Yes, I do." She said before busting into laughter after seeing the look on his face.
"I was joking." She corrected still laughing but Mark still wasn't satisfied with it.
"I'm serious Mark. I don't have a boyfriend and I've never had." Lillian said now serious and he heaved a sigh of relief, making Lillian bust into another round of laughter. Gosh, She never knew he would react this way.
"Why are you laughing?" Mark asked.
"Nothing but you're seriously funny." Lillian commented trying hard to suppress her laughter.
"I didn't even say anything funny." Mark defended.
"But your expression said so." Lillian stated the obvious. Her phone rang from her purse and she opened it and brought out the phone.
"Hello Mom." She said immediately she accepted the call.
"Lillian, where are you?"
"I'm in a restaurant with Mark. Any problem?"
"I want you to come home now."
"Ugghh mom, can't it wait?" Lillian said in a pout.
"No. Be home in ten minutes." Her mom said and hung up.
Huh?
"Any.... Problem?" Mark asked when Lillian dropped her phone.
"It's mom, she wants me home now." She replied as she put her phone back in her purse.
"But why?" Mark asked confused.
"I don't know but whatever it might be sounded urgent and I must go now." She replied.
"I'm sorry." She added and stood up.
"Alright then, I'll take you home." Mark said as he also stood up.
"Thank you." Lillian said in a small smile. Mark dropped some dollar notes on the table and they both left the restaurant.
SOME MINUTES LATER*
Mark drove into the compound and found a place to park.
"Thank you for the ride." Lillian said as she tried to get down but was stopped by Mark who held her arm.
"Mind if I come in with you?" Mark said as he stared into her silver coloured eyes.
"N.......n..no" Lillian stuttered out almost lost in his gaze.
"Why?" He further asked as he brought his hand to her face.
"Because I don't want to stress you." Lillian replied looking down at her purse.
"But I'm not complaining." Mark said trying to convince her.
"Umm..... please mark, I need to go now. I don't know what it is my mom needs me for." She pleaded and Mark left her.
"Alright, take care." He said as she alighted from the car. Lillian waved at him and went inside then he drove off.
She entered the living room and saw her parents sitting there but they weren't alone. There was four other people with them. It was a lady and three other men opposite her parents. The lady and one of the men were sitting while the other two were standing behind them. It seems they were all having a conversation but stopped when she entered.
Lillian took her eyes from them and focused back on her parents.
"Mom, I'm here now. What is it? You sounded so urgent." She said as she sat down on the couch beside her mom who now partially faced her.
"Yes, your dad and I want to talk to you about something important."
"Really? Then I'm all hears." Lillian said trying not to have eye contact with the people opposite her.
Her father cleared his throat and finally released the bombshell.
"You'll be getting married."
"Of course I'll get married when I'm ready dad." Lillian replied and chuckled thinking it was one of her father's joke.
"You'll be getting married Lillian and not when you're ready. Infact, as we speak, I already have someone for you, there he is." Mr Jeffrey said pointing to the man sitting on the couch.
"Dad, what are you saying? if this is a joke, please stop it. It's no longer funny." Lillian said wishing everything he said was a joke.
"I'm not joking Lillian. I mean everything I said. The man in front of you here is your soon to be husband. So, I'd advise you to try to get to know him better." Mr Jeffrey explained. Lillian turned to see the expression on her father's face and he looked dead serious.
"And as a matter of fact, you're getting married a day after tomorrow."
What?????
She immediately stood up, took her purse and stomped off without uttering a word.
"Lillian, Lillian." Mrs Helen tried calling her back but she didn't listen.
"Go and make her see reasons." Mr Jeffrey said and Mrs Helen nodded and left.
"Jeff, you know how much I hate stubborn ladies, so you better teach your daughter some manners." The man who was sitting on the opposite chair finally said.
"You don't have to worry about that Don. I promise her mother would talk some sense into her." Mr Jeffrey assured and Don scoffed.
Lillian entered the room and landed straight on her bed, dumping her purse beside her. What was her father saying? What did he mean by she was getting married? And to a person she doesn't even know? What was happening?All these questions ran through Lillian's mind and she couldn't help to badly wish her dad was joking. The door opened again and her mom came in. She paused for a moment before finally going to join Lillian on the bed."Tell me everything dad said was a joke." Lillian said immediately with pleading eyes making Mrs Helen sigh."Please, just tell me he was joking,,,,,, that he was trying to pull my legs." Lillian pleaded further, now kneeling on the bed and holding her mom's hands."I wished but........" Her mom tried saying but stopped when she saw the tears gathered in her daughter's eyes."You're truly getting married." Mrs Helen finally said what broke Lillian's heart. Lillian immediately let go of her mom's hands and got down from the bed."Even you too?" Lillian ask
Fred knocked on the door and his mom's voice was heard,"Come in.""Good morning mom, Good morning dad." He greeted when he entered the room."I came back immediately I saw your call. Is there any problem?" He said again and his father who was sitting on the bed pointed to the couch. Fred did as he was told. Mr Jeffrey also stood up and went to sit opposite him."We informed her already.""About what?" Fred said confused. "Her marriage with Don.""What the heck?!" Fred uttered as he stood up immediately."Dad, what are you talking about?" He said again."She is getting married to Don and your mother and I have concluded on this decision but we just need you to help us talk to her. We tried talking to her but........ " Mr Jeffrey trailed off."We couldn't because now, she hates us more." Mrs Helen finished with glistening eyes. She was trying so hard not to cry.Fred couldn't believe his parents. How could they have done that to Lillian? And most especially with Don of all people. St
Lillian groaned as she sat up. She groaned again and rubbed her head. She looked around where she was and found herself on a bed. She looked around again and saw it was her room. She bowed her head as if trying to recall what happened but still rubbing her head slightly. Then she remembered. She was in Mark's living room trying to call her brother but then someone covered her nose with a handkerchief and she lost consciousness.But how did she get back to her room? Needing an answer to this question, she managed to stand up from the bed and tried opening the door but it was locked.Huh? She tried again but it was still locked. What was happening? First, an anonymous brought her back here without her consent and now, the door of her room was locked. "Hello?" "Mom? Dad? Anyone there!" She said forcefully turning the knob of the door, that was when it dawned on her that she's been held hostage in her own room."Someone get me out of here!!" She yelled again hitting the door continu
Lillian walked slowly to where her father sat at the bar as she bowed her head. She was still thinking if this was the right thing for her to do. She just never wanted this but then, her mother?"Do you need anything?" Mr Jeffrey asked turning slightly to her after he noticed her presence. She took in a sharp breath and swallowed hard."When is the wedding taking place?" She asked back almost inaudibly as she gulped down again."Huh?" Mr Jeffrey said pretending not to know what she meant. Lillian closed her eyes and swallowed hard again then she opened her eyes as she folded her hands tight by her side."Is the wedding still taking place tomorrow?" She asked again, trying not to have a reconsideration."Yes." Mr Jeffrey replied in a nod as he adjusted on his seat that he could stare directly into her face."Alright." She said simply.
Lillian stared at herself with the wedding gown in the mirror as she sighed. She had asked all the makeup artist and maid to leave her alone while she ponder in her own thoughts. She just couldn't believe she would one-day wear a wedding gown with sadness in her heart. All her life, she had always dreamt of wearing this wedding gown with a big smile on her face, her mother beside her and the right man who would love and cherish her. But now, it seems all that was getting shattered.She bowed her head and wiped the tears that had gathered in her eyes and were trying to fall. She tried not to ruin her makeup, at least even if she didn't want this, her mother wanted this and she needed to fulfil a promise.Someone knocked on the door, interrupting her thoughts."Who's there?" She asked glancing at the door through the mirror."It's one of the maids ma'am and I'm here to inform you have a male visitor." The maid said and her mind drifted to Mark. She hasn't heard from him ever since sh
The limousine drove into the compound and parked well at the entrance of the huge building in it. Lillian and Don got down almost immediately as he left her behind making her scoff. So much for having a husband.He went upstairs to his room and opening the door, he met Eva on his bed stylishly sitting with leg crossed as if waiting for his arrival. He paused for a moment and finally entered, closing the door behind him."How did you get in?" He asked as he walked to the wardrobe and started pulling off his clothes."I wanted to be the first person to congratulate you on your wedding." She said instead in sarcasm and stood up."You got married today to another lady after all we've gone through together?" She asked when he didn't look like he would say anything about it. "How could you after knowing how much I love you?" She asked again but Don didn't say a word. He continued what he was doing."You didn't even care about my feelings or what my reaction would be. You didn't even.......
Lillian found her way down the stairs and met the same lady from last night on the staircase."Hey! Was just about coming to your room to call you for breakfast but now that you're here, come on." Bella stated turning back to the dinning room after sighting Lillian.Lillian followed behind her and sat at the dinning chair she pointed to. She waited patiently as the maids served her food and started eating almost immediately she was given the food. She was so famished at that moment.Bella noticed this and chuckled lightly."I'm sorry." Bella looked up at her with a puzzled look."For my action last night. I was kind of cold and harsh towards you and I sincerely apologise for that. That isn't truly who I was. I was just .........." Lillian sighed and stared at her face to see her reaction but Bella just kept a straight face."I'm sorry and I hope we could start all over again." She completed in another sigh, this time in relief."Weren't you the same person acting arrogant last night?"
DON'S BUSINESS HOUSE*Don entered into the house with his personal guards and all the boys that were waiting for him stood up immediately and greeted."Good morning boss." They all chorused as Don went to sit on his special chair."Good morning Don." Mr Martin who was also waiting for his arrival greeted when he sat down.Don signalled his boys to leave them and they all left except his personal guards."Say whatever you have to say." Don gave the go ahead."What we discussed on the phone, I came to be sure cause I don't want to have false hopes on it." Mr Martin clarified and Don scoffed."What is there to be sure about? We had an agreement already." He answered lowly."I know but can your boys handle it? You know I don't want to mess this up." Mr Martin said earning a glare from Don."If you find them incompetent Martin, then you are free to walk out of that door." Don said with a cold expression."Oh! no no. I just wanted to be sure they were capable of doing this, please don't be