The doorbell interrupted us. Henry hesitated, but whoever was at the door was persistent. Henry bit his lip and whispered into my ear. “I'll be back,” he promised as he went to get the door.
Henry took longer than he had promised, so I got comfortable, and the night took me into a deep sleep.
****
The nurse at the counter beckoned at me before hitting the elevator button. I had received a flower bouquet from someone who signed the note as Your husband-to-be. I knew the flower bouquet was from Henry, but I marveled at the confidence he used to refer to himself as my husband.
Just then, my phone rang. Mother called to tell me that the wedding preparations would continue.
Whatever discussion Henry had with his mother had worked like magic.
Camille came out from a nearby room. “You got flowers!” She winked at me.
My cheeks went into an obvious blush. “He is just trying to impress me,”
“Seems you are impressed already,” Camille joked. “He doesn’t have to do so much.”
Henry knew he didn't have to do too much to impress me, yet he did. Troy walked past us a few seconds later. A man, who I suspected to be his lawyer, followed him into the elevator. I followed Camille's gaze. She seemed to be upset with Troy.
"Have you ended things with Troy?"
“No,” Camille replied. “I’ll do it tonight,” Camille promised.
I hope she did, for her own good.
Chapter eight
The Grand Gesture
Henry
Troy was still in awe of how I could pull Mother’s strings. He'd interrupted me and Amelia last night because he needed urgent advice about Camille. I’d dismissed him in a heartbeat. Last night was for my queen alone, and I’d promised Troy I’d be at the hospital today.
Troy thought it was an excuse to see Amelia, but I didn't care what he thought. I crossed my legs while sitting at Troy’s table. “What’s up, bro!”
Troy told me about his recent quest to avoid marrying Emilie. He'd tried to go out with other ladies on Mother's list just like I had advised, but he'd given up because none of them matched the standard he hoped to maintain.
“What do I do?”
Troy sounded desperate for a miracle. He sounded like he was running out of time.
I shrugged, “I don't know. You could consider Emilie. You might fall in love with her just like Amelia and me.”
“Have you met Emilie?”
Yeah, I've met Emilie. Mother thought I was a perfect match for her a few years back, but I convinced her to find me a better one. Emilie’s parents held a good share in the family’s enterprise, so Mother passed her down to the available brother – Troy.
Now, I was not surprised at Troy's rebellion against marrying Emilie. I'd do the same if I were in his shoes.
“What do I do?" Troy sounded frustrated but never sounded as much as he did today. He was always the brother who knew how to do the right thing.
I looked at him. “You may not like this idea I have for you.”
Troy smiled as if I were saving his life from danger. “I don't care,” he uttered. “I just want to beat my mother at her game.”
No one had ever beaten Mother at her game except for me. She had been ruling an empire ever since she was a teenager. While Troy spent much time in medical school, getting his license and certificates, I spent those years with her. I learned her art of business and her way of beating someone in their own game.
“I think you should marry someone else secretly.”