A FRIEND'S VISIT TO THE CORE OF THE SOUL

"Hello, Richard," Emily greeted, her tone a delicate balance of warmth and detachment.

"Hey, Emily! How are you doing?" He inquired.

"Just fine, thanks," she replied, her words casual yet slightly guarded. "And how are you?"

Richard's response came easily, his voice light and conversational. "I'm doing great, thanks. I was calling to see if you're around."

"Oh, I'll be at home for the rest of the day," Emily responded her words measured and controlled.

"Okay, great. Well I'll see you soon, then," he said, his words clipped and purposeful.

"Alright, bye," Emily murmured. And with that, the call ended.

Camilla's eyes crinkled with amusement as she observed Emily's face. "You should see yourself right now," she chuckled, her voice playful and teasing.

"What's wrong with my face?" Emily asked, her voice filled with confusion and a touch of concern.

"You're redder than a tomato!" Camilla teased, her laughter filling the room.

Emily's cheeks burned even hotter as she quickly reached into her bag, her hands shaking slightly as she pulled out a mirror and studied her reflection with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity.

Camilla's voice was soft and understanding as she spoke. "There's no shame in feeling the way you do, Emily. We all have these moments."

Emily sighed, her gaze fixed on the mirror as she responded. "Life just happened, I guess, while I was busy making plans, the world had other ideas."

Camilla's smile was warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Em. It may not feel like it now, but things will get better. Time has a way of healing these things and you'll get over him."

Emily's face softened as she gave a small grateful smile. "Thank you for everything Camilla, I really appreciate your support more than you know," Emily whispered.

"You deserve the opportunity, and more," Camilla said and reached out and gave her friend's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Thanks, there's also that La Belle contour contest coming up," Emily mentioned, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

"You know, the one I entered online and got accepted for? I was over the moon when I found out about it, especially because it's happening at the end of November."

Camilla nodded in recognition, a knowing smile on her face. "Oh yes, I remember that day well," she mused. "It was the same day you got that bombshell news about the contract marriage, wasn't it?" Camilla asked, her voice gentle but inquisitive.

Emily's expression turned wistful, her gaze turning inward as she replied. "Yes, it was. It was supposed to be such a happy day, and then..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of sorrow lingering in the air.

Camilla's voice was warm and reassuring as she spoke. "It's okay, I remember they sent you a package with everything you need for the contest, right?"

Emily nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, they did. But with school and all, I haven't had a chance to start working on it yet."

Camilla's expression was gentle, her voice full of empathy as she spoke. "Don't worry, Em. I'm here for you, I'll be your support whenever you need it."

Emily's gratitude was evident in her smile. "Thank you, Camilla," Emily whispered.

"Oh please, I'm just a friend who knows what you need, I should probably be going now. I've got somewhere to be, and I don't want to be around when your imaginary boyfriend shows up." She stood up, a playful smile on her face as she gestured towards the door.

"Camilla, you're at it again," she chided, her tone an amused reprimand.

Camilla's eyes danced with amusement, her laughter contagious as she darted towards the door, her voice carrying a hint of mischief.

"Apologies, Mrs. Rawlings," she quipped, her words dripping with sarcasm. The air filled with the sound of their laughter as Camilla ducked out the door.

"I'm going to get you for that, Cam," Emily said and shook her head in fond exasperation.

Emily sighed, her head shaking lightly in a familiar motion, as she considered Camilla's playful nature. With the returned cheque still fresh in her mind, Emily knew Camilla would use any means to tease her, the light-hearted jesting of a friend with a sharp wit and a taste for mischief.

Camilla, despite not having much money, came from a family that was good at making things work. So it was no surprise that she was good at teasing Emily about the cheque she refused.

Emily, looking for a way to take her mind of things, decided to check her phone for updates.

The sound of the doorbell interrupted Emily's social media scrolling, pulling her away from the distractions on her phone. She rose to her feet curious, and made her way to the door. As she opened it, she was met with a sight that filled her heart with joy.

"Richard!" She cried out, a smile spreading across her face as he threw her arms around him in a tight, heartfelt embrace.

A warmth radiation from Richard as he returned Emily's embrace, his arms wrapping around her like a protective shield. His smile was gentle, yet full of meaning, and he tenderly patted her hair, the gesture a quiet reassurance of his love and affection.

Richard was a vision of elegance and grace, a vision that could steal the breath from the chest of anyone who beheld him. His features were chiseled, as if carved by the hands of an artist.

His hair, dark and glistening, framed his face in a way that enhanced his striking blue eyes, eyes that shone like sapphires in the sunlight. His smile, broad and beaming, only added to his charm, radiating an energy that seemed to draw all who encountered him into his orbit.

Dressed in a pair of fitted jeans and a soft, white t-shirt, Richard cut a casual but still dashing figure. His clothes seemed to accentuate the lean lines of his frame, the fabric molding to his form in a way that hinted at the muscular strength hidden beneath. His hair was artfully disheveled, the strands tousled in a way that suggested careless confidence.

As Emily released her embrace, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her.

"I've really missed you," she said, her voice brimming with emotion.

Richard mirrored her sentiment with a simple "me too," his word carrying the weight of a thousand silent hours apart.

With a gentle gesture, Emily invited him inside, leading him to the sitting room, the world around them falling away as they took their seats on the sofa.

Richard placed the object in his hands on the table, his attention entirely focused on the woman before him.

Emily's warm hospitality was on full display as she welcomed Richard into her home, her words a balm to the soul.

"Please, relax, can I offer you anything to drink?" She asked, her tone inviting. Richard, appreciative of her kindness, responded with a cheeky grin. "A bit of water will do," he replied.

Emily stood up and soon came back with a tray holding a bottle of water and a glass cup. The tray clattered onto the table as Emily placed it down.

Emily's fingers hovered over the bottle, poised to pour the clear, liquid into the glass, when Robert's voice interrupted her.

"Let me do that for you," he said, his words a gently offering of assistance.

A playful exchange unfolded between Emily and Robert as she insisted on serving him.

"I can do it," he, repeated, his words an echo of his previous offer.

But Emily was adamant, her fingers grasping the bottle with a determination that was both affectionate and stubborn.

"This is my house, and you're my guest," she said, her voice firm but laced with humor. "Allow me to serve you, or we'll be here all afternoon debating."

Robert raised his hands in surrender, a laugh escaping his lips. Robert's playful remark about Emily being "wife material" elicited a quick-witted response.

"1000 yards," she retorted.

A shared laugh hung in the air between them, their eyes dancing with the same mischievous twinkle, and then Emily served him his drink.

As the silence grew between them, Richard's gaze lingered on Emily, his eyes sweeping over her features with a quiet intensity.

Emily, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, spoke up. "Is something wrong?" She asked her fingers grazing her face as if to confirm her appearance.

Richard, noticing her slight unease, leaned back into the sofa, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Not at all," he reassured her, his voice soft and gently.

"Okay," Emily said, though still not fully convinced.

"Is it me or you've become more beautiful since I last saw you," he declared, his tone rich with admiration.

Emily, her cheeks flushing with a delicate blush, coyly turned her face away as she quipped, "I think it's you."

Richard, intent on capturing her attention continued, "Emily can you look at me, I'm right here."

"Yeah," Emily's said facing him.

"I know you're always very shy," Richard teased, "but tell me, what have you been up to lately?"

Emily responded, a gentle smile on her lips, "school, mostly. The usual."

"And how's that going?" Richard asked, his concern for her well-being apparent.

"School's fine, but there's a lot of project," she replied, a hint of weariness in her voice.

"Yh, that's it for final year student, and I meant to say, I saw you on TV the other day, I'm so proud of you," Richard exclaimed, his pride in her accomplishment clear.

"Thank you, Richard," she said. "How's work going for you?" She asked.

Richard, his expression thoughtful, replied, "work's been busy, which is why I'm here now. Work brought me back here, but I won't be staying for long."

Emily's face fell at this news, her disappointed evident.

"That's not fair," Emily protested, her voice laced with frustration. "We haven't seen each other in so long, and you're already planning to leave."

Richard, quick to reassure her, took her hand in his. "Don't worry," he said, his eyes radiating with sincerity. "When I come back on my own free will, I'll spend as much time with you as you like. I promise."

"Sure?" She questioned, casting a sidelong glance at Richard.

"Of course, cheer up!" He urged, his words light and teasing.

Emily still amused by his antics, shook her head as her laughter joined his. "Whatever," she said, her own mirth making the single word sing with good-natured sarcasm.

Richard's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief as he posed his question. "You know, that thing you told me you always wanted?"

Emily brow furrowed in concentration, her mind rummaging through their past conversations for a clue. "Oh, yeah, I remember?" She exclaimed, her voice brightening with excitement. "But I think I'll have to wait until I'm a billionaire or something," she added with a laugh.

Richard with a smile, reached for the bag on the table and handed it to Emily.

"What's this?" She asked.

"Just take a look inside," Richard urged.

Emily carefully extracted a box from the bag, her heart racing with excitement. She opened the lid, her eyes instantly widening at the sight that lay before her. "Oh my goodness, Richard!" She exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and delight. "You got me the Golden silk fabric! I can't believe it!" She squealed in sheer delight, her ecstatic embrace enveloping Richard in a heartfelt hug. "You're the most amazing friend in the world!" She gushed, her gratitude radiating through every word.

Richard returned Emily's hug, a warm smile stretching across his face. "You deserve it and even more for being the best friend someone could ever wish for," he replied, his words brimming with sincerity and then Emily refrained from the hug.

The golden silk is produced by a special species of the moth called the "golden silk orb - Weaver" which spins a shimmering, golden thread. It's incredibly difficult to produce, with a single moth only producing about 20 grams of silk in it's entire lifetime. That's why it's so expensive and rare.

Emily's hand lingered over the shinning fabric, her gratitude and awe evident in her every move.

"Thank you Richard, I don't know what I did to deserve this," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

"You deserve the world," he replied softly.

"How much fabric is there?" Emily inquired, her curiosity sparked by the silken wonder before her.

"I think it's six yards," Richard answered.

Emily's jaw dropped, her amazement clear as day. "What? Richard, do you know how much this must have cost? You really didn't have to do this."

"Honestly, you deserve this," he began, his voice soft and gentle. "I would support your dreams in any way I can because... because..."

"Because what?" She pressed, her voice urgent and insistent.

"I want the best for you," he lied, a hint of tension in his voice.

Emily not quite satisfied with his response, shifted her focus back to the shimmering fabric. "Okay, this must have cost you a fortune," Emily said.

"About five million dollars," Richard responded, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Emily's eyes widened, her jaw dropping in disbelief. "Richard, tell me you're jocking," she said.

"Emily, please don't worry about it," he said, his voice filled with understanding. "This is the least I could do for someone who means so much to me. Your dreams are important, and I want to be there to support you."

"I will treasure this for the rest of my life, this is tbe most amazing gift anyone has ever given to me ," Emily said, and tears started streaming down her face.

"Emily," he said hugging her.

"Honestly I don't deserve this," Emily said still crying.

"It's okay," Richard said and Emily wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"Richard, let's take a picture together," Emily suggested, a hint of excitement in her voice. "We can hold up the Golden silk fabric and even make a few videos. It will be a beautiful way to remember this special moment."

Richard nodded in agreement, a warm smile spreading across his features.

With the shimmering fabric as a backdrop, they captured their joyous reunion with clicks of the camera and laughter-filled videos, preserving the memory of this moment in time.

Finally, as the last flash of the camera faded, Emily turned to face Richard.

"I have something important to tell you," she said.

"I'm all ears, you can tell me anything," he said, and gave her a reassuring smile.

Emily took a deep breath and narrated everything to him about the contract marriage. After the explanation, Emily could tell his mood changed.

"I didn't know how to tell you ever since," Emily said.

Richard struggled to process Emily's revelation, his mind reeling with the weight of her words.

"So you're getting married?" He asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"What's the name of your fiancé," he asked.

"Robert Rawlings," she replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

"Robert Rawlings?" He asked, a hint of shock in his voice.

"Yes," she answered.

"Okay, it's fine, I wish you good luck, I should be going," he said.

"Already?" She asked, her disappointment evident as she struggled to keep her composure.

"It's already 5:00pm, and I have a meeting to attend," he said.

"Okay," she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

As they both stood, a box tumbled from Richard's back pocket.

Emily picked it up. "What's this?" She asked and opened it only to see a sparkling ring inside.