PRODIGAL HEIRESS

PlanB

CHAPTER THREE

“I'm at your door, Emily." Camille spoke on her phone in a near whisper.

“Hold on."

Emily got out of bed for the first time that morning. She opened the door and gave her friend a hug. She was the one in desperate need of it though, but she gave it out first to prevent things from seeming too awkward.

“Why did Frank hand me a bottle of Cognac and two glasses? You know we don't have to pretend this much to your parents."

“Yes, speaking of them…" Emily remarked and went back to lock the door to her room. “Did you meet them when you came in?"

“No. Why?"

“I'm the one in need of Cognac, and they know that I don't drink. But that's not why I invited you over."

“Finally!"

Emily pulled Camille by the hand and made her join her on the bed.

“You're here because I just need an excuse to get out of my wedding today. I brought this up on myself."

“Really?"

“Yes. My parents have agreed to fix me up with some arrogant-looking son of a billionaire. His father owns a huge establishment, and my parents really seem quite impressed that we have so many things in common. They don't even care about my feelings: what if I dislike this guy the very minute I lay my eyes on him?"

Camille exhaled, trying to get herself together. It wasn't her friend's fault after all, just an arranged marriage.

“Wait a sec, Emily. Do you mean your parents want to go back to the nineteenth century style?"

“Seems so, Camille. I know that all my mother wants is to have grandchildren, but my father put my inheritance on the line and I have to do that."

Camille was taken aback. Maybe there was nothing cool about being rich after all. She placed her palm over her gaping mouth.

“Was your dad serious?"

“He's damn serious. I've been working so hard all my life so that everything could belong to another wealthy man somewhere else? I wish I had a brother or that I was a man or something. Just anything to save me from this wedding.”

"The wedding was slated for today?”

"There wasn't an actual date fixed, but out of my anger and frustration yesterday, I announced to my parents that I'd be getting married to this person today. They had all the files set out before me.”

"Did you look him up on Google or f*******:?”

"Google. He's good-looking, but that's not all it takes to have a successful marriage, right? I also have the intuition that he's arrogant too. Besides, a man that attractive can't boast of being loyal. What if he has so many girls pining for his love?”

Camille let out an obnoxious laugh to annoy her friend.

"For real, Emily? Is that all you're thinking of? That shouldn't matter to you, or are you trying to act oblivious of how many men are on your tail? Come on, girl.”

Emily huffed and rested her back against the padded headboard. She was still in her night clothes and very much unwilling to get out of them.

"That's an even more reason I should be concerned. What if he's dishonest and plays along only to get my inheritance? What if I become irrelevant after the wedding and the only thing that matters to him in the marriage is his work? What if he begins to envy me and feels insecure? I could get killed, Camille. This whole marriage thing is crazy!”

Camille only watched her friend in wide-eyed bemusement. She'd never known that such fears and insecurities hid under such perfect composure.

"Have you told them your fears? Perhaps your mother might want to listen and then try to change your father's mind.”

"But you know how vindictive parents can be at times, Camille?”

"Yeah. Just like how my foster mom makes me pay all her bills because she brought me up for fifteen years.”

"Yeah. You know what? Let me freshen up and get dressed, but not for the wedding. Maybe there's something I can say to change their minds. The worst that could happen is that I don't show up and my husband-to-be calls off the wedding and decides never to have anything to do with me. And I'll be free to live my life again.”

"And your inheritance?”

Emily's eyes widened immediately.

"Yes, that. I just have to fight to keep that.”

The two friends descended from the foyer into the living room.

"Dressed already, Emily?"

“Oh. Yes, dad."

“If it's for the wedding, you have nothing to worry about. The groom's parents called to cancel. They haven't been able to get in touch with him all morning. His mom said he left in a fit of rage last night. "

Emily glanced at her mother. She was trying so hard to bottle her bubbling excitement.

“Mom, Dad, can't you both read this as a sign from the heavens that I shouldn't get married just yet?”

Mr Brown looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Don't make it sound that way, Emily. We really do care about you and want everything to turn out just fine for you. That's why we took a step that you couldn't. I know you don't see what we're doing now, but we're doing it for you, darling.”

Emily skipped up the stairs excitedly.

"Where are you going?” Camille demanded.

"Change of plans!”

Camille seemed just as happy as her friend, but the parents didn't seem too happy; particularly Mr Brown. He wasn't taking any of this easily. He had worked so hard to make sure he left his daughter in good hands. He wasn't sure how much time he had left, but he believed that he could bring the best out of Emily. She couldn't be comfortable with single life, knowing that she's into business. She needed a male head to step up for her if the occasion arises. His eyes fell on Camille.