Chapter 3

Fifteen minutes earlier

"Lift your chin well" Fred demanded. He and the other men working for Mr Johnson are at the family's company, examining all the ladies at work thoroughly. 

"How many ladies are yet to resume?" He questioned one of the workers. "Just Lynda" the latter replied and added immediately "Oh there she comes!"

All attention shifted to her. Fred grasp at the beauty goddess swaying graciously towards him. She had a perfect figure and carried herself so high. She wore an off-white top on a black skirt which hung just below her knees, revealing a perfect toned long legs

"Miss, are you Lynda?" Fred asked as soon as she got to where he was, her perfume filling the waiting room.

"Sure, I am....is there a problem?" She brushed her hair with her finger tips, holding tightly to her bag.

"She's perfect" one of the guards whispered to fred, who nodded.

"The chairman would love to see you" All the workers gasped. Lydia's eyes almost popped out.

"What have I done wrong please?" She asked fearfully. Fred assured her all is well and led her into the car outside and they made for the mansion. 

"Goo...goo...good day sir" she stammered as soon as Mr Johnson showed up. They have been sitting for twenty minutes before he showed up. He walked towards her and took a closer look. "She isn't bad" he muttered.

"Tell me where you found her" he said quietly, looking keenly at the figure before him. 

"She works in the company sir" Fred answered dutifully

"She what!" Johnson screamed, sending shivers down everyone's spine. His wife watching the scene from upstairs, heaved heavily and left for her room.

Realizing the awkward situation, he quickly added "I mean, of course she's perfect" and laughed. To one of the maids he said "Please send her some refreshments" and ordered Fred to meet him outside.

Outside, in the spacious compound, he pulled Fred's ear as he grunted into his ears "Are you such an idiot? How can you be so stupid to bring in a worker from the company! She might one day decide to use the company as a bait if she finds out the true intention behind this!"

He yelled and threw fists at the empty air.

"I'm sorry sir, I'll look for someone else"

"You better do. Get that girl out of my house and find a convincing reason for bringing her into the house. My name mustn't be dragged into this, understood!?"

"Understood sir" Fred said and bowed.

At Happy Restaurant.

"I'm telling you" the customer named patient pointed at others who do not seem to believe what he's saying.

"My cousin works for the richest man in our town. He's the one acting as a guard wherever the billionaire goes. And let me add, the rich man dares not step a foot out without my cousin" he boasted and the rest laughed. Angel glanced at them from above the counter. "These people have become regular customers that they always feel so relaxed and discuss at length before dispersing" she thought and smiled

Evelyn was also sitting among them while Angel and the other lady apprentice attended to customers as they come.

The man's voice resumed "To prove myself right, I'll make a call to him and you'll hear for yourselves"

"Yay" they cheered, making the man proud the more.

"Hey Fred, wassup man. How's work with Mr Johnson" he said, as soon as Fred picked up.

Fred's voice came through the receiver "Not so good man. There's a problem at hand and we've got to provide a solution"

"What's the problem?"

"The rich man's son has to get married next two weeks but his fiancee called of the wedding and now, we have to get a replacement bride before the said date" Fred informed

"That's pretty bad" Patient said, glancing at the rest. 

"We're still hot on the search alright? I'll catch up with you later" Fred said hanging up.

All of them looked at one another's face. "Wait, did he just say they need a bride before two week " Evelyn asked with wide eyes

"Yes, we all heard".

"How about I provide a girl before next week?" She asked, gazing intensely at Angel who walked pass with a used tray.

**** ****

When Collins got to his office and was told what happened, he flared up and phoned his dad.

"Dad, I won't allow you to meddle with the workers. No I won't. I am not interested in getting married anymore, can't we just put off this damn wedding! How can you be so willing to set me up with someone out of nowhere?" He pleaded with his father to see reasons with him but Mr Johnson is not a man to go back on his own words "Stupid idea! I'm sorry son, this is final" and then hung up.

Outside Collins office, Helen gasped and clutched her hands over her mouth, different thoughts running through her mind. "So this was it. This was why the men summoned Lynda this morning" she thought. She heard footsteps approaching the door from inside. Freaking out, she knocked quickly, and stepped in, meeting collins at the door.

"These are the files you requested sir" she said handling the files over.

"Thanks" he replied and she turned hurriedly

"Wait! he ordered. How long have you been outside before coming in?" He seemed suspicious of her.

"What? Oh, you mean...me?" She let out a fake laugh and added "I got there just as I knocked" and bowed, then left.

Two days after.... Johnson's mansion

He saw her clearly. She has a tiny stature with a waist that seems that break the next second. Her small frame is in contrast to his. If he stood close, he was sure her head will be below his shoulder. The only thing he admires about this girl is her long hair, curly and sparkling in the sunlight. The breeze gently adding rhythm to the dancing hair. But who's she? he thought, then started to move closer; one resounding step after the other and just when he was about to reach her....

"Collins! Collins" Fred called again, gently tapping him. 

Oh! he had been dreaming. What the hell! He was close to discovering who she was. 

"The girl is here" Fred said and added "I think this time, she would be approved by your dad. So come downstairs to meet her okay?"

That was irritating. Meet her? As if he wanted to, he scoffed but replied instead "okay, let me freshen up" and the other man left the room.

He's going to do this the second time -for his father, he thought sadly as he remembered the deal he struck with him when he returned from work.

Three years. That's the deal. Three years of marriage with a woman he doesn't have affection for and the must be no intimacy that would lead to pregnancy whatsoever. Afterwards he's free to go after Anne as he wishes.

"Let's go find out the girl anyway. I'm sure she's nothing compared to my Anne" he said to himself, walking out.

The lady was sipping juice and doesn't seem to notice him as he stepped into the living room. 

"I know she would be a low class girl from the slum who would jump at the offer to marry into a wealthy home" he said to himself and cleared his throat purposely to announce his presence but got shocked by the face that met his gaze.

"You!" he screamed with a disgusted look. Collins pinched himself to be sure he wasn't dreaming again.