THE FAKE BRIDE

CHAPTER 3

"Aren't you going to work today?" Mrs Wilson walked into her daughter's room, with a bowl of water. "I don't have to," Vera mumbled sleepily. "Of course you don't," Mrs Wilson said and poured the water on her. "Mom!" Vera jumped from her bed. "This never gets old," Her brother laughed from the door. "Taira, go get ready for work too," Mrs Wilson yelled and poured the remnant of the water on him.

"Good morning Royce," Richard greeted, as they sat to have breakfast. "I have a task for you," Royce said. "That's why I'm your assistant," He replied with a smile. "I need you to find the lady from yesterday," Royce said. "Lady? Oh, do you mean your alleged girlfriend?" He asked with a grin. "We're not a couple, I don't even know who she is," Royce told him. "I knew you couldn't be dating someone and not tell me about it," Richard said confidently. "I need you to find her, where she lives or anything about her," He said and stood to his feet, with a cup in his hand. "I'll need updates before noon," He added and walked towards the stairs.

"How did your wedding go?" Taira asked his sister, as they walked down the street. "It got called off," She replied. "I heard you ran away," He said and laughed hard. "My phone looks like it will fit into your throat," She said with a grin and he immediately stopped laughing. "Why is Miss Susan calling this early?" Vera said when her phone began to ring. "Hello….. Me? What

for? Okay,"

"Is there an issue at work?" Taira asked her. "Not exactly, she said someone came to the store and was making inquiries about me," She replied. "Who did you lend money from this time?" He asked her. "Really?" Vera raised an eyebrow. "Oh true, I'm the one who does that," He said and chuckled. "I just had to be blessed with a fool as a brother," She said and walked further ahead.

"Good morning," Vera greeted, as she walked into Brown(the coffee shop she worked in). "Oh Vera, he's the man," Miss Susan pointed at a young man who sat by the window. "Okay, thank you," Vera smiled and walked towards his table. "Hello," She greeted. "Wait you?!" She looked shocked. "Oh hi," He said with a smile. "What are you doing here? Why are you looking for me? How did you know I work here?" Vera asked all at once, trying to process her thoughts. "Have a seat," He drew out the chair beside him. "Okay," She slowly sat on the chair. "I'm Richard, Royce Aston's assistant. I'm sure you remember him," He said, still smiling. "It was just yesterday we met, I can't forget so soon," She said with a frown. "Okay, good. Well, he sent me here to get you," Richard went straight to the point. "Get me?" She asked. "Yeah," He nodded. "Before I get to why, I'd like to know how you found out where I work. Are you stalking me?" Vera asked, trying her best not to sound scared. "No, I'm not," He said immediately. "I got your images from the security footage of the lobby and I asked around the hotel for anyone who remembered seeing a lady run about in a wedding dress," He said and she laughed, a bit embarrassed. "I was directed to the pastor of the church where they said your wedding took place and he said he only knew where you worked," Richard added. "Okay…. Now, why am I being summoned by your boss?" She asked, her smile fading. "I don't think I'm in the right position to explain," He told her. "I'm not going," She said and stood. "Please, don't refuse,"

Richard held her hand and begged. "You're the only one that can help him," He told her. "Only one that can help him?"

"What are you doing?" Richard asked Vera. "Oh, nothing," She said. "It's a huge company right?" He asked with a smile. "Huge is an understatement," She said, looking around in amazement. "This way," He pointed at the elevator.

"Royce," Richard called, walking into the office, with Vera following closely behind. "I see you found her," Royce said when he saw Vera. "Have a seat," He told her. "Thank you," She said quietly and took a seat across from him. "Straight to the point," He began. "I need you to be my fiance."

"What?" She asked in shock. "It's not like I have feelings for you, I just need to introduce someone to father as my fiance or I'd have to get married to someone I hate," He said with a straight face. "I don't understand my relevance to your situation," She said quickly. "You're the only lady I could think of to be my fake fiance," He said. "It won't last long, you'll just be my fake fiance till It's time for me to leave the country. I'll just tell my dad we broke up," He said again. "And what makes you think I'd agree to this?" She asked and folded her arms. "Cause I'm willing to pay. I know you're from a low-class home and you're money-minded, so I'll pay you a million dollars," Royce held up a suitcase, with a smile. "A million dollars? That could solve a lot of my family's problems," Vera thought to herself. "Wait, did he call me money minded?"

"I can't do this for you," She said out, with so much difficulty. "I'm offering a million dollars," He repeated. "I heard you," She said. "I think you should rethink your decision," Richard said to her. "What do you mean?" She asked. "The money would be of great help to your dad in the hospital," He replied. "Wait how did you know?"