Her best friend's groom

'Why does Gerald give me short notice when he wants documents for an important meeting like this?" Leila complained underneath her breath. She was busy putting together documents for her boss. She was very efficient in her work and in matters of emergency, Gerald her boss, preferred her to the other two colleagues.

Her boss was going to meet recently acquired clients. Leila though complaining, knew what needed to be done. She loved doing what she did in the small firm and everyone liked her.

When she was about to send the documents to her boss, Leila's phone rang. She checked the ID and there was a broad smile on her face. It was none other than her best friend Amber calling.

"Hello stranger, where have you been hiding?" Leila asked when she answered the call.

Amber had not called for over a week. Leila had been busy too and had not called her dear friend as well. Leila now wanted to hear gossip from abroad as she called it. She got the gossip that she least expected.

"Guess what Leila, I'm engaged." Amber told her friend.

Amber loved pulling pranks on her friend. Leila did not take her friend seriously all the time. This time was no different.

"Stop..., silly..., I am not in the mood for your pranks." Leila calmly dismissed her best friend.

For Leila, there was no way Amber could get engaged without informing her best friend. This was such an important matter so to Leila this would be impossible.

Amber could tell that her friend was doubting so she switched the call to a video call.

"This time I am serious my friend." Still giggling, Amber tried to convince her friend.

Leila thought that there was something different about her friend, but still felt that this was one of her friend's pranks.

"Ok.... Amber, if you are truly engaged then show me the rock..., show me the rock now!" Leila demanded.

Amber waved her hand showing the big diamond ring on her finger. Leila's eyes widen and she suddenly started jumping up and down like a little girl. Her colleagues in the small office just watched in astonishment.

"Wait! Wait... Amber!" Leila paused a while and getting back to her senses she questioned her friend.

"Why am I hearing about it now? ...Hold on! Who... is this lucky guy that I don't know about?" Leila was curious.

"Where did you meet him and when did this happen?" Leila continued firing questions. She was really confused and did not even realise that she was not giving her friend time to respond.

"Which question should I answer first Leila?" Amber giggled.

"OK...! OK...!" Leila took a deep breath. "Just give me details Amber, details....... ", Leila was now being very impatient and of course, this was big news.

Amber did not want to disturb her best friend since she was still at work. The story was too long, and the phone call would take forever to finish. Both friends respected each other's workplace. They had both worked hard to be where they were now.

"Ok... babe! I will tell you everything tonight, I am leaving for the airport in a few minutes. I will arrive in a few hours' time." Amber informed her friend.

"Ok... then I'll see you tonight." Leila responded ending the video call.

The small office was now quiet, and Leila could feel four eyes staring at her. She thought about how she had been jumping up and down earlier on and felt a bit embarrassed.

Leila could not concentrate on her work. 'Amber engaged! This is interesting.' She thought to herself.

"Leila where are the documents for Lewes Corporation?" A voice came from behind. Leila kept staring at her computer. She was in deep thoughts.

"Leila, can... you hear me?" The voice said again. She realized that Gerald was calling her name.

"Oh... I'm sorry Gerald, they are right here." Leila handed over the documents to her boss. She turned her head back and continued staring at the computer screen.

Gerald was surprised with Leila's behavior. She was one person who would stay focused all the time.

"Are you ok Leila?" Gerald could tell that his employee was not her usual self.

Leila looked up. "Yes ... yes Gerald, I'm ok." She lied. She was not ok at all.

All she was thinking about was the news she got from her best friend. Her head was spinning with questions. The two friends had shared everything about each other all these years. She was now wondering why her best friend made this very important decision about her life without telling her.

Amber and Leila had been friends since high school. Everyone wanted to be Amber's friend because of her family background. Amber's father was a famous artist with his own exclusive gallery.

Leila and her sister Becky were just two ordinary girls whose father owned a bakery. Leila spent most her free time helping her father run the bakery. The bakery could not afford to hire more staff so it made sense that Leila and Becky could help during their free time.

Amber on the other hand did not need to do anything since money was not an issue in her family. In senior school, everyone wanted to be Amber's friend, but she chose Leila. She regarded the other girls as spoilt and immature. At first Leila did not understand why Amber wanted to be friends with her. People normally hang out with others from same social backgrounds. Leila had expected Amber to do the same.

Leila and Amber were both beautiful, but guys preferred dating Amber because of her family status. This never bothered Leila since she knew what she wanted in life.

Attending different universities, did not stop the two from remaining best friends. After graduation Amber spent most of her time travelling around the world. Leila did not have that luxury, the only thing on her mind was to help her father improve his small business.

Leila managed to secure a job in a small accounting firm. She wanted to gain as much experience as possible before she could try her luck in the big accounting firms.

'Why did Amber get engaged without telling me?' This is all what Leila kept on asking herself after receiving the call. Keeping a secret for three weeks was not something that Amber usually did. They had always shared everything even the tiniest details of their lives.

'Why now?' Leila wondered. The day proved to be a long one for Leila. She tried to understand as she eagerly waited for her best friend to tell her story.

Although she had her own theories, she did not want to speculate. She appreciated that Amber decided to tell her a few hours before she arrived. Now she could think of questions to ask.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be landing shortly, fasten your seat belts...." Amber could hear the captain speaking from the cockpit. She had spent the entire flight trying to get some sleep. She knew that it was going to be a long night giving her best friend all the details about her engagement.

Although Amber had not asked Leila to meet her at the airport, she was not surprised to see her there. Leila had checked landing details for Amber's flight and decided to wait for her friend at the airport. Leila did not want to miss anything.

Amber had planned to get a taxi home but now that her friend was waiting for her, she had no choice but to deal with the situation. She was good at managing situation like these.

"Babe, you should have waited for me at your place, I was coming straight to your place" Amber rushed to meet her friend.

"I couldn't wait." Replied Leila and the two friends warmly hugged. Leila helped her friend pull her suitcase to the car.

"Start talking girl," Leila spoke as she opened the passenger door of her car for her friend to get in.

"Can you not wait a little bit longer? It's a long story and I need all the energy I can get." Amber smiled and carefully got into the car. Although she wanted to hear the story badly Leila had to give her friend a break.

"Ok..., ok", Leila agreed but she was dying to hear the story. She started the car engine.

"Anywhere, how was your flight?" Leila asked looking at her friend who looked tired.

"Not bad, not bad "Amber replied reclining her seat a little bit.

The journey from the airport was twenty minutes and when they arrived Amber went straight and soaked herself in a bath. Leila stood by the bathroom door smiling as Amber came out.

"Ok..., ok I know I will not rest until you have all the details." Amber laughed and sat on the edge of the bed. Leila followed her friend and sat next to her.

"Where do I start?" Amber asked with her hands pressed on her face.

"Name first, that's a good starting point," Leila looked straight into Amber's eyes.

"Good... point Leila! Good point." Amber acknowledged her friend's line of thinking.

"His name is Liam Davis a prominent Investment banker. We met during my dad's art expedition shortly after I arrived from Italy." Amber started telling her story. She explained how she heard a voice whispering in ear about how beautiful she was.

"I then turned my head and saw a tall handsome figure behind me." She continued her story trying not to look into her friend's eyes.

Amber explained how she felt embarrassed when Liam kept on admiring the portraits of her which were painted by her father.

"Leila, to be honest, I don't see the beauty in those portraits." Said Amber.

"Really Amber!" Leila was surprised." Those portraits are pure art."

Amber explained how the two were in deep conversation when her father suddenly appeared. The smile on her father's face made her believe that the two men knew each other very well.

"Liam offered to buy my portraits and my dad agreed." Amber recounted.

"That's not possible Amber, your father has never sold any of your portraits." Leila was surprised by this. She had accompanied Amber to some of the exhibitions. Each time when a client asked to buy Amber's portraits, her dad would always refuse.

Amber explained how her father kept on saying that If it was Liam buying then the answer was a definite yes.

"I could now tell that my dad was up to something. He was trying to play match maker." Both girls laughed and Amber continued with the narration of what transpired on the day she met Liam.

She was able to confirm her suspicions when her father informed her that Liam would be joining them for dinner that evening. Liam came for dinner that evening holding flowers for both Amber and her mother.

"Leila, you know my mum! She thought Liam was a true gentleman for bringing both of us flowers." Amber chuckled.

"I think that was sweet of him to do that." Leila was excited.

"People just buy flowers Leila! There is nothing spectacular about that." Amber's remark surprised her friend. To Leila such gesture was remarkable. Leila wanted to hear more so she avoided commenting on the flowers issue.

"Keep going babe...." Leila was now being impatient.

"Be patient my friend. I won't starve you of any details." Amber playfully pulled Leila's cheeks.

Amber explained how her parent left her with Liam after dinner.

"My mum kept on telling my dad that young people should talk about their careers to each other. What a schemer!" They both laughed as Amber continued.

"But I guess maybe my mum wanted me to talk more since I was a bit quiet over that dinner. And maybe she was embarrassed that my dad was campaigning too much for Liam."

"What do you mean?" Leila asked.

"I am sure my dad mentioned fifty times that Liam is one of the top Investment bankers in this state." Amber elaborated her point.

"Guess what Liam's pickup line was?" Amber chuckled.

"What....?" Leila's eyes widened as she eagerly waited for her friend to speak.

"Can I be that special person in your life! That was what he said to me Leila." Amber looked at her friend and they both burst into laughter.

Amber explained that Liam had been told by Timothy that Amber had no special person in her life.

"But it's true you don't...... Amber!" Leila giggled.

"It's not my father's story to tell." Leila could tell that her friend was not happy that her father had talked to Liam about her love life.

"At first I couldn't understand why Liam would believe my dad that I did not have anyone special in my life?" Amber's tone changed.

According to Amber, Liam believed that Timothy would know about any of Amber's relationships since he was very close to his daughter.

From the short time that he had spent with Amber, Liam believed that she was a good person. Leila found this weird but decided to keep this to herself.

Amber explained that Liam was 28 years old, and his busy schedule made it difficult to have a serious relationship. To him, this was Timothy's daughter so why waste time trying to judge if she was suitable for him.

"I told Liam that I would think about it. And guess what Leila! The guy wanted to know how much time I needed." Amber chuckled.

"This is interesting! I can't wait to meet this guy!" Leila said showing signs of being excited by this guy.

"Leila you should have seen what happened when the door behind him closed." Amber chuckled and shook her head.

"What....?" Leila could not wait to hear more.

"My parents came rushing down the stairs like little kids and all looked at me with excitement." She laughed and continued.

"They wanted to know what we talked about as if they did not know.

"I found it hilarious when my dad said guys like Liam are hard to find these days." Amber shook her head and smiled at her best friend who was enjoy this little story telling episode.

"Because of my father's pleading like a little boy begging for treats, I decided to get to know Liam." Amber spoke shyly and Leila laughed.

Amber knew that the only way to make her parents leave her alone was just to agree with them. She explained how there was a sign of relief from her father when she agreed meet Liam for dinner the following evening.

She had gone upstairs to take a shower when She noticed a text message about the dinner. Her father had given Liam her number.

She was already feeling the pressure, so she just responded to Liam's text saying that it was fine for him to pick her up at 7:00 o'clock in the evening.

"Are you telling me that your parents technically forced you to give Liam a chance." Leila looked confused.

"I thought that at first, but I guess I wanted to." Amber replied. She could see that her friend was looking confused, so she clarified.

"I guess I liked the way he held my hand and led me into his black Porsche. You know I am a sucker for beautiful cars." She nudged her friend's elbow

Amber explained how Liam took her to one of the most expensive hotels in the state. They talked and laughed whilst enjoying their dinner. Amber told him that she was leaving for Italy in two days 'time.

Liam was a bit disappointed. He had assumed that Amber was staying a bit longer. He had planned to spend more time with her. Amber agreed to meet him the following day for lunch. She had really enjoyed his company.

Liam had driven Amber back home around 10 pm. They had talked and laughed throughout the drive.

When they arrive at her house, they parked outside the house and chatted for some minutes.

"Liam touched my face and kissed me passionately. He held my hand and softly said, that he really liked me." Amber said shyly.

"Hmm......juicy." Leila teased her friend.

"Leila sometimes I think my mother is crazy." Amber chuckled.

"Why...?" Leila was curious

"You should have seen the way she prepared for my dinner." Amber explained.

In the morning, Maggie had gone up into Amber's bedroom going through Amber's clothes before asking if they should go and buy new clothes. The two best friends could not stop laughing.

Amber explained how she was not even surprised to see her parents waiting for her by the stairs after the dinner.

"Those two should start a matchmaking business. Honestly they were behaving like matchmakers waiting for an update." Amber said to her friend who now could not control her laughter.

Leila continued to listen to her friend as she narrated her unusual story. Still, she couldn't believe that all this happened, and her friend did not even think of telling her then.

Although she was enjoying every bit of it now, she felt she would have enjoyed this drama more if she had witness some of it with her own eyes. She didn't say it to her friend as she did not want to discourage her from revealing everything.

Amber explained that she had to rush into her bedroom after informing her parents about having lunch with Liam the following day. She did not want to stay a minute longer with her parents. With such excitement she felt she would have been dragged into wedding preparations or even baby names.

"Amber, you are killing me my friend," Leila laughed and Amber continued. She told her friend that she met Liam at a nearby café for lunch.

When she arrived at the café Liam was already sitting down waiting for her. Amber said she could see the relief in Liam's face when he saw her. She suspected that he thought that she was not coming.

Amber knew that Liam was a busy man and did not want to spend much time in the café. She told Liam that she just wanted a light lunch. They ordered food and ate silently.

"My friend, the guy kept on telling me that he liked me and was begging me to give him a chance." Amber continued with her story.

" Leila, I did not want this guy to suffer any longer, so I agreed to give him a chance." Amber explained.

"Was it out of pity?" Leila was confused.

"Not really!" Amber replied trying not to give her friend a wrong impression about her reason for agreeing to date Liam.

Leila laughed when Amber explained about the broad smile on her mother's face as she heard about Amber giving Liam a chance.

She found it comical that her friend's mother almost fell rushing to pass the good news to her husband.

Liam had then asked Amber to see her that evening since she was leaving for Italy the next day. She totally understood and told him to pick her up at 7pm.

Liam came to fetch her, and they went to another exclusive hotel different from the one from the previous night. She could see the excitement in him but was not prepared for what was coming.

"Leila, from nowhere the guy just knelt on one knee, produced a diamond ring and asked me to marry him." She explained.

"Wow.......!" Leila was speechless. There was brief silence as Leila tried to digest everything.

"What was his reason for the quick proposal?" Leila later asked.

"He said that he didn't want to lose me." Replied Amber looking at her friend trying to read her friend's facial reaction.

Leila just stared at her friend motionlessly. She did not know what to think of this whole thing. Amber could not read what her best friend was thinking about.

"Liam had already spoken to my father and he had given him his blessing." Amber tried to give more reasons.

"My parents are well respected people. Although he has never mentioned it, I know my father wants someone of high status as a son in law. Liam ticks all boxes for the perfect son in law." Amber was now anxiously waiting for her friend to say something.

"What was your response to Liam's proposal?" Leila asked.

"I kept asking myself what was happening. I just heard myself saying! Yes, Liam I will marry you." Amber was showing signs of confusion. Leila could tell that her friend was not sure why she accepted Liam's proposal.

"My friend.... uh... Liam's eyes widen when I accepted. It was evidently clear that he expected to plead with me maybe for hours." Amber said and Leila was just listening still trying to understand the whole thing.

"Leila, you should have seen the way he quickly slid the ring onto my finger. I bet he was scared that I would change my mind." Amber tried to lighten the mood. They both giggled.

"Who decided the short gun wedding?" Leila asked still giggling.

"It was Liam! I guess I was confused! I found myself agreeing to everything that Liam was saying." Amber could not understand her own behaviour.

"That's so unlike you Amber." Leila remarked. She knew her friend as someone who would think before she agreed to anything.

"True! Maybe...... he put a charm on me." Amber jokingly said and they both laughed.

Amber told her friend how Liam was already making plans to get married two weeks after she got back. He promised to give her the wedding of her dreams.

"Leila, I think the only thing that I decided was not to have a big wedding. I just wanted the immediate family and a few friends only." Amber spoke with a low tone.

Leila could not understand why Amber took a backseat role in this. She had known her friend to be someone who always had a say in anything that concerned her.

"I told Liam that you, Leila is my only friend so I will have you as my maid of honor. Amber reached for Leila's cheeks and playfully pulled them. She always did that to her best friend.

"What about your parents? How did they take this?" Leila wanted all the details.

Amber told Leila that she took a picture of the ring and sent it to her mother. She knew that her parents would be overjoyed and wanted them to prepare questions for her before she came back from her dinner with Liam.

She explained that her parents her parents were waiting outside when they came back since they wanted to congratulate Liam. That night she could sense the pride in her parents and knew that she had made the right decision.

Timothy embraced the two and was happy that he was getting a son. Her mother asked about wedding date and Liam told her that it would happen five weeks from that time. Liam was happy to be Timothy and Maggie's son-in -law.

Amber believed Liam saw the worry on her mother's face that is why he assured her that everything would go according to Amber's liking.

Lizzy Liam's secretary was going to be available for all Ambers errands. Timothy also offered Wendy his secretary to help with anything that Amber wanted.

Leila wanted to ask why Amber never thought she could have helped in that situation. She decided not to ask as she did not want her friend to feel bad for not asking her to help.

"Have you met his parent's siblings or any relatives?" Leila wanted to know everything that she was going to deal with, after all she was maid of honor.

"Not yet, he is an only child. He said that his parents wanted to meet me but however explained the situation that I had to leave for Italy that morning." Amber explained calmly.

She was happy that they understood the situation. She had promised to meet them before the wedding since she was coming two weeks before the wedding.