It was dinner time, Emma showed up in the restaurant in a short black gown and high stilettos with her favourite pink purse to complement her dress. She looked around the restaurant from the doorway and there was no sign of Lorrie, she picked a table at the far end close to the window, it was positioned in such a way that she could see the outer part of the restaurant from the window and still see the entrance. She was glad she picked the table as soon as she settled down, the bartender appeared by her side by default to take her order, she ordered for a fruit juice and told him she was going to have company and she will have that while she waited for them, he nodded dutifully and went to get her order.

She texted Lorrie immediately to know where she was and she replied immediately "almost there"

Emma smiled, Lorrie was never on time to any occasion, she's almost always late, Emma was sipping her drink and mentally going over how to relate her worries to her friend when her eyes went to the window and she saw Lorrie being escorted to the entrance by her supposed new guy. He looked more like a body guard to Emma and she laughed softly, she could not see his face but was prepared to have a full look as soon as his head appeared in the doorway.

Lorrie came in first and she was looking dazzling as usual, next came the new guy, whatever his name is. He is tall, with broad shoulders and a lot of hair on his face. Lorrie screamed as soon as she saw Emma and one would think it's been ages they last saw.

"Emma" she shouted while hugging her and refusing to let go, Emma managed to break free and pecked her on both cheek.

"You're welcome heartbeat, Emma said all smile's. Then Phillips coughed lightly and both girls looked in his direction and burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry Phill's, Lorrie fondly called, Emma meet Philips my boyfriend, Phillips meet Emma my BFF"

They exchanged handshakes with Phillips lingering on than needed, Emma wondered what was wrong with this guy? He finally let her go smiled and said in a baritone

"it's nice to finally meet you Emma, I've heard a lot about you that my ears are beginning to grow sore from listening to tales about you" Emma looked straight at Lorrie who looked away guiltily.

Emma smiled, said what a pleasure it was to meet him too and they finally settled down. The waiter came, got their orders, left to get it prepared. The ladies did some catching up, while including Philips in the conversation from time to time.

Emma found him fun and soon forgot about what troubled her all day. Soon dinner came, they ate, ordered desert, but before it came, Philips phone beeped and he informed the girls he has to run along though he was sorry to leave their midst as he was really enjoying himself. He dropped a few bucks enough to pay for their meal and more, shared a passionate kiss with Lorrie and hurried along after bidding them a good evening.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Emma said " Wow, what a guy you've gotten for yourself" and Lorrie just laughed saying " You need to get one for yourself too, Tell me , what do you think about him?"

Emma feigned a look that said she was deep in thought and responded "He looks responsible and like he really care's about you, the look in his eyes says he's really into you and might be up for a long term relationship" She said the last part carefully and slowly knowing what to expect from Lorrie.

Lorrie laughed and asked her how she knew all that with just few hours together? She replied that he just didn't look like those guys of Lorrie in the past. Lorrie just shook her head and didn't say anything.

Emma spilled the beans about Willy and how he proposed marriage to her. Lorrie was flabbergasted, she couldn't believe her ears as she asked Emma again " You mean hardcase, your evil of a boss , the one that gives you those jobs that never let you have time for yourself asked you to marry him?"

Emma nodded, Lorrie shook her head and asked, are you sure it was not your imagination Emma?

Emma nodded again not knowing what to say

"And what was your response, if I may ask ? "

"Well, I said nothing" Emma replied

You what!? Lorrie screamed drawing attention to their table.

Lorrie please bring it down will you? Emma pleaded, "what do you expect me to say?"

"Yes Willy , I'd love to be your contract bride? Emma said sarcastically. I don't know what you expected Lorrie but I was just as surprised as you are and I didn't even know what to say that's why I'm here telling you " she continued painfully.

After few minutes, Lorrie started" you know what Emma? I think you should call him to ascertain what he said, if he meant it, why and what it's about because from what you said , he's in need of a fake bride for some period of time, then the contract will be off right?

Emma nodded again." Okay babe's, I suggest you do that, infact call him right here and now" Lorrie commanded.

Emma knew she had no choice.

William on the other hand has been contemplating whether or not he should call Emma, He's been thinking was he too forward? Did he go about this the wrong way? He was sure that this was his best option for now and Emma fit in for the kind of bride he wanted and he convinced himself that it was just a business adventure. He kept glancing at his phone all day, expecting a message or phone call, he made up his mind to call her if by nightfall he did not hear anything from her, though he doubted he could survive the suspense he was in till then. His phone beeped, he rushed at it only to see it was the network provider, he flung it angrily, obviously frustrated, he sighed heavily and heard his phone ring again, was he now hearing things? He heard it loud and clear. He annoyingly reached for it and when he saw the caller id, he almost dropped it. He picked it immediately and heard himself say

" Hi Emma, how are you?"

"Hi Sir, I'm good, how's it going? Sir? He thought, when will she drop the honorifics?

"Fine over here, I've been so busy since daybreak"

But it's the weekend, Emma thought inwardly but only said "oh, I'm sorry if this is not an appropriate time to call, I guess I'll just have to call some other time"

"Oh no!, I actually just took a break, you don't have to call some other time, now is fine, so what's it about?" He replied casually

Erm, the last time, You said something she stammered unsure of how to put it with Lorrie making funny faces at her.

"You know what Emma? Let's just meet up and discuss this properly, he suggested

"What do you say to that? He asked

"Yes it's fine, physically would be better" she answered

"Okay let's make it 10:00am and talk over breakfast, is that fine?"

"Yes sir, No problem. It's Williams Emma he called softly, she smiled, apologized and Ended the call.

Lorrie finally released her laughter and asked "what had you giggling at the end of the call? And Emma just eyed her.