Chapter 3 I will find a means to clear dad's debt

Mom, I will do no such thing, Beverley said firmly with frustration in her voice.

I'm not going to marry a man I don't love like I'm some pawn in a game or a joke to you and dad.

I will find a means to clear dad's debt myself.

The Williams do not need to take charge of our company if they truly wanna be of help.

Her mom sighed deeply, her voice filled with anxiety.

Well my dear, that's your father's decision, you know your dad and Arnold's father were best of friends, and the relationship between the two families still waxed after his death.

And what's Arnold saying about this whole situation? Beverley asked her mom, trembling.

He doesn't have a problem with that.

What sort of a man is that?

Mom , Arnold is engaged, that's not even the point here.

I cannot and will not be forced to marry that man.

I don't love Arnold, we were only friends in highschool, this is the first time I have seen him in years, Beverley lied because she had seen him on few occasions at parties and events but had always kept her distance from him, his family became richer than hers, things weren't the same the moment her dad's company went plateau.

He was waxing in wealth while her own family faced financial crises.

Everything about her life changed the moment the company's business started floating.

She was also very busy with Jake, her boyfriend who was now her ex.

You need to stay calm, you shouldn't have yelled at your mom,Gwen rebuked Beverley calmly,

I wasn't yelling, Berverly defended herself,

I was only stating the obvious.I can't marry that man.

What about your dad's health?

He looked really weak today at the hospital.

Have you considered it?

Leave my dad outta this Gwen, I know about his health but I'm so mad at him right now.

Dad planned all these without considering my happiness, I really feel angry and helpless right now.

You do know the young handsome man at the hospital earlier today?

Gwen asked, posing with a familiar look.

Yea I knew him when I was much younger, we were quite cool then but we are not friends now,

He seemed very cordial with your parents,Gwen remarked.

Well that's because my dad valued the relationship he had with his dad so much.

That bastard, why would he do dad's biddings?

Gwen asked Beverley for his full name and she searched for him online.

He is quite a rich guy, Arnold Williams, he is engaged to Priscilla from the Roberts family.

Beverley glanced through her friend's phone, she observed how beautiful and elegant Priscilla looked.Most of their pictures together, they were holding hands and their looks exude happiness,she wondered what could have gone wrong with them, and it was obvious the media wasn't aware.

Does your mom know that you're not with Jake anymore?Gwen asked.

No she doesn't and I don't wish to tell her, You shouldn't mention it either, Beverley said firmly.

Nah , I won't do that.Gwen assured her friend.

Silence filled the room for a moment before Gwen spoke up again.

Beverley, I know a lot is going on in your mind right now, this is really overwhelming but you need to give this a thought, Your dad's recovery is hanging on your decisions.

Beverley went through her phone, she became really upset this time at Gwen's words.

She felt the weight of the whole situation pressing her. Her father's failing company, the legacy he built,all his investors and partners had pulled out,and now this arranged marriage. She hasn't had time to process her recent break up and these walls were falling heavily on her.

She stared at her friend again,

Gwen, I won't be a game of chess, I would find a way to save the company, my own way.

Your mother said your engagement with Arnold is in a week time, what can you possibly come up with in a week?Gwen asked curiously, what sort of miracle would happen?

Berverly's heart skipped and she looked at her friend with fear and uncertainty.

Gwen, help me this time, I don't know what to do, what do we do?

Gwen who was now worried and confused, seeing the fear and pain in her friends eyes, she held her tightly and said assuredly.

We will find a way out of this and I will pass the night too.

Gwen entered the bathroom and had a quick bath,she changed into the nightwear Beverley kept for her.

Olivia was sitting on Jake's bed, she came after Jake had called her to come.

Jake, explain to me, how did you break the news to her, I feel so guilty about this.

Jake held Olivia's hands, and spoke softly,You don't need to.

I did the right thing.

We both had to stop deceiving ourselves, the feelings and the emotions were no longer there.

We are having a baby soon, sooner or later, she would have found out herself, there was no reason to keep up with the lies.

Jake was sure he had fallen out of love with Beverley and wanted to be with Olivia this time.

Jake, you were quite fast, I really can't face Beverley now, she would hate me.

Olivia always considered herself as an orphan girl who should strive to make things better for herself.

She observed the way Jake expressed his love towards Beverley and she coveted the same for herself.

She felt really guilty, but it's late already to mend the broken trust.

She knew she had to keep her distance from Beverley.

In the morning at Beverly's apartment, the rays of sunlight flickered into the room, Beverley's phone broke the silence in the room,

She was fast asleep but the noisy ringtone startled Gwen who was half asleep, she sat up sluggishly to reach out to the phone beside the bed.

The caller flashed on the screen, it was Beverley's mom.

Your mom has been calling you, Beverley, Gwen spoke softly, passing the buzzliing phone to her friend who moved slowly but refused to sit up.

I don't intend to speak with her anytime soon, she said with frustration in her voice.

Gwen's understood her friend's plight and remembered how stubborn she could be, she answered the call and spoke to Beverley's mom.Good morning ma'am,she said, the conversation between her and Amelia was brief,

They only spoke for a few minutes and Amelia ended the call.

Beverley opened her eyes and stared at her friend,

What did she say, Beverley asked,wondering why she hasn't said a word.

Gwen hesitated and carefully chose her words.

Gwen's words came out briskly,

Your mom said you should prepare for dinner at the Williams residence today.

Beverley's eyes popped up in fury,

Dinner?

It was still in the early hours of the morning at the Williams residence, Luisa Williams, James mother was seated elegantly with her son at the dining table, it was the usual time for breakfast at the Williams,

Chef Mat who was now a trusted friend of the family served them breakfast silently, he placed the final arranged plates of fresh fruits on the table, he noticed the tension in the living room, the tension was palpable and it wasn't a pleasant time with the matriarch and her son, Arnold.

Arnold buttered the bread and ate gently with grace like the royalty he had

always been.

The left corner of his dark intense eyes glanced at his mom every second.He wasn't in the mood for her confrontation but he knew he wouldn't avoid it this time.

Luisa breaks the silence between them some moments later.

Son, you can't make costly decisions without getting me involved.Luisa said with her voice cool but worrisome.

Arnold sighed quietly placing down the knife, looking at her,

Mom I did that because you wouldn't have approved of it.

Silence befell them again for a few seconds.

What happens to Priscilla? Arnold's mother asked curiously, mom I have said it countless times. You know I never loved her but I pleased you and the society.I went ahead to make her my fiance but what did she do? She pays me by sleeping with my friend.

How shameful is that, Arnold added.

Luisa's face softened,she knew her son was betrayed by Priscilla but the reality of the whole thing just revisited her again, reopening the old wound.

Your ideal wife isn't sorry for what she did, mother, he stared at his mother and continued, her arrogance gets me mad too,She can't be my woman.

Arnold shook his head, his fingers moving slowly on the table as he spoke.

Do you love this woman you intend to marry? Luisa asked in curiosity,I know you both were childhood friends, what about now, don't you care that she has a man in her life? She must have grown into a beautiful lady.

Arnold curved his lips with a slight chuckle,he shrugged and left his mother's questions unanswered, this brought uncertainty in her eyes.

Are you plotting a revenge mission on Priscilla?

He smiled and stared at his mom,

You know me too well, I wouldn't do that.Its not worth it.

Ok, but don't you think Beverley will assume you are taking advantage of her and her family, she could hate you for that.

She wouldn't,he replied confidently.

When Christopher, her father, initiated this, I immediately became interested.

This is my decision.

You know if dad were to be here, he would also want this, The old man is dying and needs to be happy,

Look Mom, I know Priscilla's mom was also your best friend and you both wanted us to get married but I know what I'm doing and I don't love Priscilla, let me bear the consequences of my actions this time, trust me.

Arnold stood up and kissed his mom on her cheek.

It was early in the evening at Beverley's apartment Beverley laid on her bed lost in thoughts and also trying to get her mind prepared for the evening ahead.

Gwen stood before her closet scouting for the best outfit her friend would put on for the dinner.

I will drive you down to the Williams residence when you are done, James and I will come to take you home much later,

Gwen said, finally breaking her own silence.

No you have done enough Gwen, go for your date with James, I will sort things out.. Beverley said with weariness in her voice.

I know this is hard for you Beverley, she said as her eyes flickered on the beautiful outfits in Beverly's closet,she slipped out a red dress, she held it up and continued,

You also need to look real good on this first date.

Beverley didn't care about what she would put on but Amelia already called Gwen earlier to help Beverley pick a good dress because she knew her daughter wouldn't take that seriously.

This whole arrangement is too sudden and who does Arnold think he is? She asked, not expecting answers from Gwen.

He is so full of himself.

But he is cute, Gwen answered, bringing in a sense of humor to light up the room.

He is also better than that dumbass you almost married, she said chuckling.

You should be loyal to me hundred percent,Gwen, she snapped.

The playful expression on Gwen's face faded out and she understood her friend wasn't taking her jokes seriously, she apologized immediately.

I'm sorry I said that.

Beverley went into the bathroom without saying a word to her friend, she shut the door behind her.

The sound of running water filled the room.She cried as she washed her weak body..She wished she could save her family without Arnold's help, she cursed his existence.

Gwen sat on the bed with the red dress in her hands,her heart was filled with heavy concern for her friend.She had always been a resourceful friend but this time,

How could she be of help to Beverley?