Chapter 2 The Fiancée

"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.