4

EMILY'S POV

I was about entering my apartment when someone stopped me

“Good day. I'm here to deliver a package to this address,”—.

“I don’t remember purchasing anything.I think you are mistaken,” I cut in sharply .

“ This was the address I was told to deliver to.You can confirm and sign on the receipt here,

” said the delivery man .

“ Thank you,”I reluctantly signed on the receipt and entered my cozy apartment.

‘Who could have sent this?’ I muttered , unboxing the package.

The box was sealed with a red ribbon. I loosen the ribbon and brought out the contents;a red gown , black heels,a black purse and a letter printed on a black card. The letter reads ‘ “wear these for today's date.Ronald,".

I let out a deep sigh and landed my butt on the sofa, ‘Emily are you really ready for this?’ I said in my thoughts, staring into space.

After a while I dragged my lazy body to the bathroom and soon I was done with my makeover,wearing the clothes Ronald sent to me.

I glanced at the mirror one last time as I stepped out of my apartment and entered into the car that was to drive me to the restaurant .

I got to the restaurant and was bewildered by the grandeur of the restaurant. I kept looking around stylishly as I was led to where Ronald sat.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a lady in a green bodycon gown, sitting side by side with Ronald. She was practically all over him .

‘Men!!’.I mused, rolling my eyes with disgust. I guess he couldn't wait for the date to be done with'.

Not wanting to think about what I just witnessed ,I walked to the table elegantly, dropped my pause on the table and kissed Ronald on his cheeks. “ Hey babe,you didn't tell me we are expecting someone on our date tonight,” I started looking straight into Ronald's eye.

“Em— babe,she's just an old friend,we were just catching up,”Ronald replied.His smile mixed with worry.

“Oh…, I had no idea you were an old friend, it's nice meeting you. I'm Emily, Ronald's fiancee ,” I said to the lady stretching my hands for a handshake.

“It's nice meeting you , Emily. I'm Ronald's acquittance,” she introduced herself and faced Ronald “ it's nice seeing you too , Ronald.I will see you again” she said smiling went over to Ronald to peck him on the cheek and walked out of the restaurant.

‘'What could be their relationship?” I said in my thoughts, seeing how Ronald was not himself throughout.

“ You suggested this dinner date and here you are, acting lovey dovey with your so called acquittance,” I said blowing hot, crossing my arm .

“ I wasn't expecting to see her here. Meeting her here was just a coincidence. I'm sorry,” he apologized

“It's okay. It's not like this is real anyway,” I said raising the glass of wine to my lips. We ate in silence. I glanced at him while eating and noticed that he looked striken with worry.

“ Are you okay?” I asked, placing my hands over his on the table.

“It's nothing you have to worry about,let's focus on our food,” He replied, avoiding my eyes as we ate our food in silence.

‘ I wonder what could have made Ronald avoid my eyes,what could he be hiding? Well…that's none of my business’

We finished our meal in no time and headed outside and enter the car waiting for us.I got done in front of my apartment and bade goodbye while Ronald came down from the car and whispered into my ears.

“ I had a nice time with you today. I will pick you up again tomorrow” He whispered, bringing his lips to the side of my ear, and I could feel his breath on my neck .

“Same here” I forced out a smile, knowing that this gesture was for the paparazzi to feed on.

“Good night” He drew back,a little distance between us .

“ Bye “ I bade as I entered the car.

****

My heart felt heavy with grief as I stood at my parents grave site. With heaviness of heart,I cleared out the dried leaves on the grave and placed the flowers I bought on it.

A tear slipped down my cheeks I suddenly felt cold. I sat down under the shade where they were buried. My mind slowly and painfully drifted to memories I would always cherish,times I spent with my mum and dad.

Our happy home was short lived when dad committed suicide, leaving I and mum behind. Dad was a happy man and couldn't end his own life. Now mum is gone too,leaving me all alone. “I feel lonely Mum,Dad”. I cried silently wiping away the tears that escape my eyes with my palms.

“I will get back the things you worked hard to build.I would make sure I find out those who took you away from me,I will get to the end of this.I promise , I won't come back here until I fulfill this promise,” I left the gravesite with a burning determination to avenge my parents death and deal with those who betrayed me.

“We are meeting my family today. I just want to give you a heads up about it,”. A message popped on my phone.

‘ A meeting with the family?I mused shaken with fear. ‘ What would they think of me? what's his family like?’

“ You don't have to worry about pleasing them.You just have to be you,” Another message popped in from Ronald while I was trouble by the first .I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw the last message.

I boarded a cab that drove me to the my apartment ,as I get prepared towards the dinner with the Hoffman's.

I got home to meet four people with fancy boxes waiting for me. “ Good day ma'am,we are from Royal glam and these are my colleagues. Mr Hoffman sent us here to get you prepared for the dinner date,” The first lady carrying a make up kit said.

“ Oh…I wasn't aware of these,” I said with a furrowed eyesbrow. “ Wait a minute,”

‘Some people are on the way to make you beautiful,' A message from Ronald five minutes ago.

“ Make me beautiful? I'm not some doll,” I scoffed under my breath.

“ You can come in,” I said ushering them into my small apartment.

“ Girls let get to work,” the first lady who I assumed to be their boss ordered the other three girls.

“Ma’am, you can go in to shower, while we make other arrangements,”

I came out of the shower and the ladies started to work on my face. Few hours later ,they were done making my face up.Then I wore the cloth brought for me.An hour later,we were finally done with the make over.

I couldn't recognize myself as I looked into the mirror. ‘ I look beautiful,’I mused.

“ We will get going now , ma'am,” the lady notified.

They left leaving me to admire myself more.I took the silver purse prepared for me and went out of my apartment and entered my ride .

My palm felt sweaty as we approach the Hoffman's mansion. ‘I can do this,' I said encouraging myself.

The driver dropped me in front of a golden gate.I was let in by the security after my identity was confirmed . As I walked into the mansion, I forgot how nervous I was and couldn't help but look at the decorations and setting of the hallway.It was indeed beautiful…..

I was still lost in the beauty of the environment when I heard a familiar voice call me.

“ Emily? Is that you?”

I turned around facing the one I onced loved and now hated.

‘ What is he doing here?' I said clenching my fists.