"You've got to be kidding me." Emily said to her friend with a furrowed brow.

Jasmine shrugged and looked down on her fingers and started playing with it.

"Honestly I don't believe you Jasmine would finally like or love a guy. Tell me,how did it all happen?". Emily asked moving closer to where Jasmine was sitting.

"Actually, its kind of complicated." Jasmine replied.

"Complicated? How do you mean?". Emily asked.

Jasmine huff. "Its a long story. But I'll..." Jasmine was cut in by her friend.

"I don't mind. I'm listening. Go ahead and tell me. I don't want you to cut it short. I'm your closest friend and you know we don't hide things from each other." Emily said in a persuaded tone.

"Fine. I'll tell you all that you need to know,"- Jasmine said and paused taking a deep breath before she continued,-"it all started when he came to my shop with his fiance to do some makeup that fateful day. When I saw him,there's this thing I can't explain that got me staring at him for a long time which is something I rarely do. It wasn't just me that did the staring,he also did. Our eyes were locked for more than a minute. We got back to our normal self when his fiance noticed it and called our attention. When he later left with her,I thought that was the end of it,I thought I would never see him again, but...but I was wrong." She paused and swallowed the lump of saliva she was having in her throat.

"You saw him again after that day?". Emily asked staring at her friend.

Jasmine nodded and continued. "Yeah,I did. I met him again at my dad's company when I went to give a presentation my dad gave me to handle in his company. It happens him and his dad are partners with my dad's company."

"What?!". Emily exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Yeah. I never knew as well, not until that day. I was so surprise just as you are right now. Do you know the worst part of it all?". Jasmine asked and Emily shook her head and gestured her to continue.
"Three days later,both of us were paired as partners to go for a three days trip to Abuja for a business purpose."

"Oh my goodness! And you went?". Emily asked.

"Yeah. I never knew he'll be my business partner. I already got to the airport before I was told,and I couldn't say no to my dad because it will cost him his contract with his partners at Abuja to be terminated. I didn't wanted to see my dad in such a pain that's why I accepted to go." Jasmine answered.

"What a fate. When you saw him again, were you happy? What did you guys do when you saw each other?". Emily asked now looking so engrossed with her friend's love story.

"He pulled me into a suffocated hug." Jasmine replied and Emily chuckled.

"Its not funny,girl." Jasmine said given her friend a playful glare.

"Oh. OK. Please continue." Emily said ceasing her chuckles.

"Good. When we got to Abuja, I was finally killed.... I meant literally". Jasmine corrected with her fingers curved on the air.

"Killed? Literally? How?". Emily asked confusedly.

"We were sharing one hotel room." Jasmine said.

"Oh boy! Sounds cool." Emily said with a giggle which only got her a pinch on her laps by Jasmine and she squeal.

"Cool you say? I've got a b*tch as a friend then"- Jasmine said and Emily gave her a tongue out before she continued. -"Well,that's by the way. I wasn't happy with the decision of both of us sharing one room but since it was a decision made by the CEO of the company we are dealing with, I had no choice but to accept it like that." Jasmine continued telling her friend all that happened right to the dinner she had with him earlier today.

"Wow.... I'm sorry dear friend. Now that you finally love someone, he's already taken. What are going to do now? Do you think he really loves you like he claimed?". Emily asked taking her friend's hand to hers.

"I think he do. But what if he does,huh? What fact does it change? Is he really going to leave her for me?". Jasmine snarled and she felt a drop of tears on her cheek.

"Hey, babe,please be calm,OK? Everything will be alright." Emily said and pulled her friend to a hug and rubbed her back while Jasmine sob on her shoulders.

After a few minutes of silence, Jasmine released herself from Emily's arms and sat up. Emily took her two hands into hers and held it. She looked into her eyes and said.
"Trust me babe,if both of you are destined for each other, he'll come for you instead. You already said he doesn't love the other lady who is after his wealth, so I don't see a reason why he should marry her. Just keep calm and see how it goes,OK?". Emily advised and Jasmine nodded and smiled.

"Thank you so much. I'm glad you came." Jasmine said.

"C'mon, don't thank me. We're meant to be there for each other. Now cheer up. No. Wait. I have something to cheer you up with." Emily said with a grin.

"Really? What would that be?". Jasmine asked.

"Can you guess it?". Emily suggested.

"I don't think so,not right now." Jasmine replied.

"Okay.... I'll tell you. Eric proposed to me and I said yes." Emily said with a wide grin waving her fingers on her friend's face for her to see the diamond ring on her middle finger.

Jasmine couldn't believe it,she gaped in surprise. "Wow,that's so beautiful. I'm so happy for you my friend. Come here and give me a hug." Jasmine pulled her to a brief hug.
"So, tell me,when is the wedding?". Jasmine added.

"Next month. And you must, I mean must be my maid of honor". Emily said emphasising on the must with a giggle.

Jasmine covered her open mouth with surprise. "Are you for real?". She asked.

"Yes, babe. Or don't you want to be my maid of honor?". Emily asked with a frown.

"Yes of course! I wanna be your maid of honor for sure! Oh my God,I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!". Jasmine exclaimed hugging her friend again.

"Thank you." Emily said with a smile.

They had more gist of Emily upcoming wedding. They talked about the color of the day,their gowns and lots more before they finally rounded up.

"I need to go to bed now,you know I came from a far place and needs to have a good rest." Emily said with a yawn.

"Sure thing. Wait, before you go,they'll be a small gathering here tomorrow evening. My dad wants to have a little celebration with his employees and his board members about his new signed contract with that company I told you about at Abuja. So,we really need to sleep because we'll be having a long day." Jasmine said.

"Oh,OK. So...does that mean....he'll be here and I'll get to meet him?". Emily asked.

"Him? Who are you referring to?". Jasmine asked confusedly.

"Oops. Stop given me that innocent face. Raymond of course is the he!". Emily exclaimed.

"Oh. I guess so. He's aware,he'll be coming with his father that's what he said." Jasmine replied with a slight smile.

"Very good then. You'll do the introduction tomorrow. Let go to bed now. Good night. Sweet dreams. Dream of Raymond." Emily said with a wink and ran out of Jasmine's room before she would get another pinch from her.

"Good night." Jasmine replied with a grin before laying back on her bed.

*********
The next day was a Saturday. Ray dialed his friend's line to apologize for not keeping to their date last night.

"Hey buddy. What's up?". Louis greeted on his end.

"I'm good. I'm so sorry about yesterday, something came up between Jasmine and I. So I had to fix it up with her that's why I didn't invite you for the dinner date again. I'll make it up to you." Ray said.

"Its OK. That's not a problem. I'm still much around so we'll get to see some other day." Louis replied.

"Yea. That some other day is today. My family was invited by Jasmine's dad for a small gathering at his house this evening by 6pm, so you're also invited." Ray said.

"Oh. Really? That's cool then. I'll be there. Will you pick me up or I should come on my own?". Louis asked.

"If you wouldn't mind I'll like if you can drive down her place on your own,because driving down to your place is a bit far and you know I'll be driving my parent down there. So please, do it for me and come with your car. OK?". Ray asked.

"Okay. I will. I'll need the address,please send it to me after the call." Louis said on his end.

"Alright. I'll do just that. Thanks,man. Bye for now." Ray said and hanged up.
***
Two hours later,that's around past 4pm,Ray's phone buzzed. He received the call and placed it on his ear.

"Baby, how are you?". Sylvia greeted on her end with a giggle.

" I'm fine. What about you?". Ray responded.

"I'm not really OK. I've missed you so much baby,I was thinking you'd call earlier today for us to go shopping or see a movie or sit and discuss about our upcoming wedding. Its just less than three weeks you know." Sylvia said.

"Uhmm, I've not been chanced today that's why. I've got something's to fix up that's why I didn't call to take you out." Ray replied.

"Oh,OK. But we still have few hours before the day runs out. Why not come over to my place so that we'll have a good time together? Huh?". Sylvia asked with a smirk.

"I...I'm sorry,I can't make it down there. I have an appointment already." Ray replied.

"What do you mean by that? I'm your fiancé for crying out loud. You should be with me not having some damn appointment. What f*cking appointment are you even talking about? And with who?". Sylvia snapped.

"One of my dad's business partner is having a gathering at his place,so he invited us over. The time is 6pm." Ray answered.

"Oh... I see. Why not I come with you then? After all I'm your fiancé." Sylvia suggested with a smug on her face.

"What?!". Ray exclaimed.

Hey guys! What do you think? Will Ray go with Sylvia to the party? If he will,what's going to be Jasmine reaction? Please feel free and leave a comment. Pls vote as well!

Thanks for reading!❤❤❤
Equila.