THE FAKE BRIDE

CHAPTER 4

"How did you know about my father?" She asked as tears welled up in her eyes. "It was discussed at the coffee shop before you arrived," He explained. "Hmmm," She sighed and a tear dropped. "Do this for me and your dad gets his surgery," Royce said and stood. "Okay," She finally agreed. "Here you go," He handed her the suitcase and walked towards the door.

"Vera!" Mrs. Wilson yelled as she ran into the hospital. "I came as soon as I read your text," She said, panting heavily. "They already started the surgery," Vera said with tears of joy. "Thank heavens," Mrs Wilson fell to her knee in tears. "How did you get the money for the treatment?" Mrs Wilson suddenly asked. "I collected my salary in advance and she collected hers and my dad added some amounts," Chloe said from behind. "Thank you so much dear, but how will we pay you and your father back?" Mrs Wilson asked her. "Don't bother Mom," Chloe said with a smile. "I need a relative of the patient," A nurse asked. "I'm his wife.." Mrs Wilson said and stood to her feet. "I'll be back," She told the girls and went after the nurse.

"Did you get paid to be his fiance? My best friend is dating a billionaire," Chloe squealed with excitement. "The same man that insulted me because he has money and I don't," Vera

reminded her. "Your phone," Chloe said. "It's Richard," She said after a glance at the phone. "The handsome assistant?" Chloe's eyes lit up. "Chloe!" Vera said and laughed. "Excuse me," She said and walked away to answer the call.

"Why do you have that look on your face?" Chloe asked when Vera was done with the call. "He said Royce wants me to go shopping with him," She said, looking very worried. "Shopping with the billionaire? Oh my goodness!!!" Chloe exclaimed. "Why are excited? You're not the one going," Vera said.

"Oh, you're here," Richard waved at Vera, as she walked into the company. "Why do I have to go shopping with your boss?" Vera asked, feeling uncomfortable with the idea. "Because, if my father sees you this way, he'd know you're from a low-class home. So I have to get you new clothes, shoes, and bags," Royce said from behind. "Do you have to keep mentioning me being of low class?" She turned and asked him. "Yes," He took a step closer to her and said to her face; "So you don't forget you're not my type, just in case you have any imagination."

"Why did he have to get so close to me?" She asked herself. "Now," He said, taking a few steps back. "Get the car ready," He faced Richard.

"Do I have to take the back seat with him?" Vera whispered to Richard as they walked to the car. "Yes," Royce whispered into her left ear, startling her. "Why do you keep doing that?" She held her chest. "Here," Richard opened the car's side for Vera. "You work for me, not her," Royce said and went into the car. "He's so annoying," She thought to herself. "Oh my God!" She suddenly screamed as she bent to enter the car. "What?!" Richard and Royce asked in fear. "I left work without permission," She said, her face looking like a baby about to cry. "I'd get fired for sure," She cried. "Just get in," Royce said.

"But…"

"Get in and call him. I'll speak to him," Richard told her. "Why?" Royce stared at him, an eyebrow raised. "She'll lose her job if I don't," He said and got into the driver's seat. "And why do you care?" Royce asked him. "It's the human thing to do," He replied and started the car's engine.

"Good morning Mr Aston," the attendees greeted as they walked into The Glam Boutique. "She needs some dresses, help her out," Royce said to them, pointing at Vera as he spoke. "Yes sir," They chorused. "Go with them," He told her.

"Your father just texted me," Richard said to Royce, as they both sat. "What did he say?" He asked. "He wants you to bring your fiance home for lunch and also asked why you're ignoring his messages," Richard narrated. "I'm not ignoring them, I just don't want to read them," Royce said and picked up the cup of coffee they had been offered. "Hello sir," An attendant walked up to them. "Yeah?" His eyes widened. "Your father just walked into the boutique, I just wanted to let you know," She said calmly. "What?!" Royce and Richard chorused in shock. "Should I let him know you're here?" She asked. "Royce! Is that you?" A voice called from the escalator. "Oh! He's here already," The lady said and walked away, leaving them shocked. "What are you doing here?" Mr. Aston asked when he had gotten close to them. "Ummm… We're here to meet

someone," Richard said quickly and Royce nodded. "Your fiance?" His eyes lit up, as he stared at Royce. "Who is she?" Royce quickly changed the topic. "Oh, She's an old friend, Mrs Cole," He introduced. "Go tell the attendant to put some makeup on Vera and bring her dressed in their most stylish dress," Royce whispered to Richard. "Could you excuse me," Richard stood like he had to take a call and left. "Nice to meet you, ma'am," Royce said with a smile.

"So, where is she?" Mr Aston asked with a huge smile. "Who?" Royce asked, avoiding eye contact. "Her," His father winked, still smiling. "Who?" Mrs Cole was curious. "His fiance," Mr Aston said excitedly. "Oh God!" Royce sighed and covered his face with his hand. "I'd love to meet her," She said with a smile. "Oh, excuse me," She said again when her phone began to ring. "No problem," Mr Aston said, as she stood and walked away. "So, when will she be here?" Mr Aston asked anxiously. "She's here," Richard said, causing them to turn. "Oh my God!" Royce stared in amazement. "She's gorgeous," Mr Aston said and rushed to her. "I'm your father-in-law," He said and held her hands. "Hello sir," Vera said in shock, as she wasn't expecting to meet Royce's father then. "Let's have our seats," Richard said, noticing she was beginning to panic. "Sure, sure," Mr Aston agreed and walked her to the chair. "You didn't tell me she was this pretty," Mr. Aston said laughing. "I also didn't know," Royce said to himself, staring at how the red dress suited her perfectly, with the little makeup that was applied to her face. "Why is he looking at me that way?" Vera became uncomfortable.

"Roy baby?" A female voice screamed. "Lisa?" Royce recognized the voice. "What are you doing here?" He asked as they all turned to look. "Who is she?" Lisa cried, pointing at Vera. "Are you cheating on my daughter?" Mrs Bridge, who was with Lisa asked. "Cheating? I wasn't even aware we were in a relationship," Royce said harshly. "Mr Aston, please explain this," She turned to his father. "He can't be dating her, I'm way prettier," Lisa said confidently. "But I am," Royce said, with a straight face. "I don't believe you," She walked up to him and said. "You don't have to," He said, as he stood and walked up to Vera. "Let's go, babe," He said to her, with what was meant to be a smile. "Me?" Vera mouthed to him, her eyes widened in shock. "Let's go," He said again and pulled her up. "I already booked a reservation for us at your favorite restaurant," He said again and held her waist. "Oh my goodness!" Richard tried not to laugh. "What is he doing," Vera thought, as she stared at his hand on her waist. "Nooo!" Lisa screamed, startling everyone. "This place is becoming too lousy for you babe, let's go," He said and began to walk towards the exit, still holding her waist. "Should I come along or will the car be able to drive itself?" Richard asked, trying to control his laughter. "Oh yeah, come on," He said and turned to look at Richard. "Alright," Richard smiled and picked up Vera's bag. "It was nice seeing you today," He said to Lisa and her mother and went after Royce. "You have a lot of explaining to do," Mrs Brigade said angrily, staring at Mr Aston like she was going to pierce through his soul. "This isn't fair," Lisa cried and fell dramatically. "Royce isn't here, so stop being dramatic," Her mother yelled.

"Oh, what's going on?" Mrs Cole walked back in to the sight a crying girl. "Nothing," Mr Aston said with a smile. "I thought your son was here," She looked around. "Oh yeah, he just left with his fiance," He replied, still smiling. "Did I miss them?" She asked, disappointed. "I think your

phone's ringing again," Mr Aston pointed at it. "Hello…" She picked the call. "Daniel, calm down. Don't worry, mommy's coming," She said again and left.

"Let's go, babe," Richard said laughing, as they got to the car park. "Ha ha, very funny," Royce said and let go of Vera. "Touching me wasn't part of the deal," Vera said upset. "You didn't seem to have an issue with holding me yesterday at the lobby," He told her. "Stop bringing that up," She felt embarrassed. "Besides, he did nothing wrong, he was just holding his fiance," Richard said with a smile. "Fake fiance," Royce corrected. "Then you shouldn't have held her," Richard said and folded his arms. "Thank you," Vera said, satisfied. "Shouldn't you be on my side?" Royce asked him. "It's not part of your job as your assistant," He replied and laughed. "Do you mind if I took a cab? I'll have to head to work now," Vera spoke. "We can drop you off," Richard suggested. "It'd be weird if I came to work in an expensive-looking car," Vera said, declining his offer. "Here," Royce brought out some money. "For your ride," He said. "I'm fine, thank you," She refused and turned to leave. "By the way Vera," Richard said. "Yeah?" She turned to answer. "The attendants did a nice job," He said, staring at Royce as he admired her. "Yeah, really beautiful," Royce said with a smile. "What?" Vera and Richard asked. "Umm… I… I… meant the um…. I meant the dress, it's really pretty," He stuttered. "Okay," Vera said as her heart began to race. "I'll be off now," She said and walked away hurriedly. "What's happening?" She held her chest.

"Vera's finally here!" Miss Susan yelled, startling her as she walked into the coffee shop. "What was that for?" Vera asked. "Who was he?" Miss Susan asked with a wide grin. "Who was who?" She asked, acting clueless. The handsome man who came looking for you" The rest of her colleagues chorused. "What happened man?" She asked again, dropping her bag on a table, and holding up a glass of water. "Guess she's not gonna tell us anything," Miss Susan told them in disappointment. "By the way, why was my father a topic here?" She asked, dropping the glass on the table. "Oh, ummm…" Miss Susan said, as she stylishly walked backward into the changing room. "Why are you dressed so fancy?" Miss Susan peeped and asked. "Oh gosh, I didn't change," Vera realized and rushed towards the back with her bag.

"I'm home," Vera announced, as she walked in through the front door. "How was work?" Her mom asked from the kitchen. "Same as always," She replied and joined her mom in the kitchen. "Exhausting, I guess," Mrs Wilson said, as Vera grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Today was a bit fun though," She said with a smile. "What changed?" Her mom asked. "Wait, how's dad?" Vera asked. "Oh, he was asleep when I left the hospital. I'm preparing his favorite dish so I can take it to him at the hospital," She said happily. "The surgery was successful then," Vera said with relief. "You're home," Taira said, walking into the kitchen. "Need my help with something?" She asked. "Daniel's here to see you," He said, observing her reaction. "Yeah, I forgot," Mrs Wilson said. "Why does he want to see me?" She looked disturbed. "I didn't ask," He said and grabbed a churro stick from the one his mom was packing for their father. "Where is he?" She asked.

"Your room,"

"My room?" She rushed out of the kitchen to her room.

"Daniel!" She called, as she entered the room. "Oh, you're home," He stood from her bed with a smile. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "No pleasantries?" He asked and frowned. "Why are you here?" She asked again but seemed angry this time. "I came to apologize on behalf of my mother," He said. "Did she send you here?" Vera asked him. "No," He replied. "Then, it can't be an apology on her behalf," She said and folded her arms. "Yeah okay, I came to talk," He finally said. "I'm listening," She said with a straight face. "I want to marry you, I'm willing to overlook what you did yesterday," Daniel said and got on his knees. "Please, marry me," He held her hands. "I don't want to get married to you," She told him, as she freed herself from his grip. "Why?" He asked her. "I just don't want to," Vera said and turned her back. "I know you still have feelings for me and you want to marry me. Just forget what I did with Ruth," Daniel said and stood on his feet. "Forget what you did with Ruth? Look, Daniel, I don't have any feelings for you whatsoever," She said in anger. "That's not true," He held her and made her face him. "I mean it Daniel," She told him. "Don't tell me there's someone else in your life," He said and let go of her. "What if there is?" She asked. "I'll let you be if there is," He sat on her bed. "Well, there is and we're engaged," Vera said with a straight face. "Okay," He said and stood to leave. "You're just gonna go?" She asked, confused. "Yeah, I've heard what I wanted to," He said and left. "What does he mean?" She stood puzzled.

"I can't believe Royce is engaged to another woman," Lisa said to herself. "I can't let this happen, no… no!" She screamed and hit her mirror with her fist. "Royce, you're going to regret breaking off our engagement, let's see if this relationship of yours is gonna last."

"Vera can't possibly be engaged to another man, she can't leave me," Daniel told himself. "I might have cheated during our relationship but that doesn't give her the right to leave me," He said again. "I won't let her marry someone else. If it's not me, it'll

be nobody else," He said and hit his table.