"Is she at least hot?"  Sanmi asked his brother with a mischievous smile on his face where he lounged in his living room.

He had decided to come over to his brother's place for the weekend. One of his girlfriends had insisted on spending the weekend and he was not in the mood for entertainment.

"You don't even want to know," Abisade replied. He filled his brandy glass and wandered back to his brother

"Wow, I thought mother would prefer beauty and brains."

"The brain part is ticked, at least for her to have studied Medicine but the beauty part, she is not just the type I roll with."

"You never can tell if she is one of those kinky ones behind closed doors," Sanmi winked

"How come our parents think I am the bad boy when you are worse?"

He shrugged. "You are the first son, so all eyes are on you."

"How come the board do not have issues with you at your end?"

"I told you, I don't do loud. You are the one paps are always following around. I will rather have my party in an undisclosed venue with the girls carefully selected."

"My hands are tied, man."

"The Christian Grey style?"

"Are you ever serious Sanmi?"

"I think you should get to know the girl, You guys can work something out. Have you called her?"

"Why should I? She should be the one to. She's the one that wants to marry."

"Guy you have roughly six weeks to tie the knot and you have not met the girl?"

"The parents are organizing a kind of meet up, I am hoping you'll go with me."

"Why not," Sanmi laughed. " I want to meet the love of your life. "

Abisade hit his head with a throw pillow. "I dont think you are welcome in my house again."

"You have no option. I am sure you will have it more difficult with your friends," He smirked. "I hope they all get to attend the wedding.?"

"Which wedding? We'll just sign something and she'll move in."

"That's not fair to her, most girls love fairytale weddings."

"What's my business with what's fair? She gets to marry me, that's a premium price on its own."

"Keep deceiving yourself, man. If I were a woman you wouldn't top my list."

"Adesanmi, go to your house."

"Not now bro. Until that girl leaves my house."

"If you want to stay here, you better behave yourself."

The relationship with his brother has always been a hundred percent. Although five years younger, they were best friends. It was either make friends with him while growing up or face enemies both at home and away from home. Thankfully his brother had his head screwed straight. He could share anything with him and they also had each other's back in times of trouble.

"What is the nature of father's illness though, for them to be serious about getting you to head the board?"

"Neither of them is talking, at first I thought it was a prank but sisi said Dad has been staying home a lot since they got back from their trip."

******

"At least we get to have a bridal shower," Gwen said to Naomi and her other friend Seun in the Cafeteria. It was their break and they had opted to have lunch in the Cafeteria rather than go to their room to cook.

"Will you be serious for once?" Seun reprimanded. "She is not happy about the whole thing and you are pretending as if it's Christmas."

"I am just saying she should find her happiness. If life throws lemons at you, you make Lemonades out of them."

"I am not having a bridal shower." Naomi insisted.

"When is the meeting?" Seun interrupted

"Next weekend."

"Wait, is it like the introduction?"

"No. Just both families meeting."

"I still think you have the right to demand what you want. Tell him to give you money for shopping. At least you need new stuff for the wedding, no matter how small the wedding will be. They can afford it."

"Just keep quiet Gwen."

"What? You girls need to stop making this look like a death sentence. You get to marry the richest, most handsome dude in the state. No guy is perfect. You just have to deal with his excesses."

"Maybe you should take her place then."

"Gladly. I have asked to be introduced to the guy," she smiled. "I am sure he'll be pleased to see what I have to offer."

Seun facepalmed herself. "I just can't with you."Ignore her please, Naomi said.

Seun has been her closest friend for years. She doesn't relate well with Gwen most times when they meet, it's usually one argument or the other. Thankfully Seun works with another hospital within the State so she hardly runs in the same circle with Gwen.

"Whatever you girls decide, Let us make the best of this," she said and picked up her stethoscope.

"Do you want me to accompany you on the visit?"

"I'd love that but I don't know if it's just a familial thing. My parents want a closed meeting. At least for both of us to meet without interference."

"Okay."

"I'll let you know before the weekend though. I need all the support I can get."

Seun patted her hand. "I am always here for you."

"It's still awkward kind of. My mother wants me to look my best as if it's something I should be happy about."

"We'll work on that. I'll take care of your makeup and we'd just shop for a simple dress."

"Seun..."

"Sincerely, the guy needs to know you are a treasure. You are not just anybody. Don't worry We'll do something subtle since you don't like flashy."

Naomi sighed. "What do I tell Michael?"

"You dont have to give him the details of the whole arrangement. You have been telling the guy for ages that you don't want to date him."

"It's just that I don't want him to feel as if I am opting for Abisade because of his status."

"Who cares what he thinks? How sure are we that you are the only one Micheal is trying to date?"

"Do you know something I don't?"

"Nothing o." Seun lifted both hands and looked everywhere but at her friend.

"I don't know how my parents got me into this. How do you sign a betrothal without informing the person involved?"

"I think your dad did it from a good place. He didn't want to truncate your dreams."

"They should have at least told me. Now I am stuck with someone I don't love and live the kind of life I resent so much. What if he hates me?"

"Have you met Naomi?"

"Stop, you are my friend and you are expected to say nice things about me."

"I am serious girlfriend. If he doesn't appreciate what he is getting, it's his loss."