As the world approaches the new millenium, Paul Van Clyden, sole heir to the Van Clyden Enterprises, strives to walk in the Light. Facing both family responsibilities and corporate politics, he struggles to understand his future, as he focuses on his 2-2-2-5 formula for success.

Living in a close-knit community in Southern California, Paul is expected to marry well. He seeks a virtuous wife, the right one who will complement his faith. His family favors Kelly, daughter of a family who have been neighbors and friends for a long time. But when he meets the beautiful mysterious Lily, from East Africa, and falls for her, his family is opposed to this stranger, "from the wrong side of the tracks."

Lily leans on her faith and watches her competition from the periphery. She knows the trend in the early '90s is that very few, if any, wealthy white males marry black women. What's more, Paul plans his backups in threes - and she has no intention of becoming the third alternative.