44 The Night Of Engagement { 2 }

**

"Oh, honey, you look handsome!" Mom exclaimed, adjusting my tie.

I checked my reflection.

"Oh, good, you're ready. I think Jennifer is ready too!" Mom exclaimed.

She patted my hair and said, "I am so glad you made the right decision!" She smiled and kissed my cheeks.

I adjusted my tie and combed my hair again.

Mom grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the guest room and to my bedroom. She threw the door open and immediately everyone in the room stopped moving.

Mom snapped her fingers and all of the maidens rushed out of the door.

Jennifer was sitting on the chair. She was looking damn beautiful in that white dress.

The dress was holding her figure perfectly and showed off her long legs. All her curves were at perfect place and they were highlighted perfectly by her dress.

I wanted to just seduce her right then n there.

Our eyes met for a moment before she looked away from me.

"Here, sit down." Mom said, pointing at a spot next to Jennifer.

I sat down and Mom grabbed one of my hand and one of Jennifer's hand, holding our hands together.

I could feel the tingling sensation coming from her hand.

I wanted to leave the world behind and hold her.

I wanted to whisper in her ears that I was really sorry and I wanted to ask her if we could start over again.

"Look, I know that something is wrong, but its ok, sometimes we all fight. But tonight, I beg you guys; please don't make it look like you guys are fighting. I need you guys to look like you love each other, ok? Let's just forget about the fight for tonight, ok?" Mom said, squeezing my hand.

I looked at Jennifer. She was calmly sitting there.

There was a knock on the door and Dad came in and said "I think that both of you should go downstairs, there are a lot of people who wants to see you."

"Don't forget what I said!" Mom reminded us.

I stood up and hold out a hand to Jennifer.

She took it and we linked arms before we walked out of the room. We walked down the stairs and immediately everyone started saying praises to us.

"Look at that cute couple!"

"They look so lovely together!"

"Oh, they are beautiful!"

"Gosh, just look at them!" "They were definitely made for each other!"

We took a seat at a table at the front of the room.

Mom was on the stage with a microphone in her hand.

"Welcome everyone, thank you for coming to the Night of Engagement Party!" Mom said and everyone cheered,

"As you all know, I am Maria George. This has been a fantastic year having Jennifer and Ryan together. Jennifer is such a darling, she is so lovable, I want all of you to meet her! Jennifer and Ryan, please stand up so everyone could see you."

I took Jennifer's hand and stood up with her. I can feel Jennifer squeezing my hand and that made me smile, knowing that she needs me when she feels nervous.

Everyone was overwhelmed. I could hear them gasping with noises like 'ohhhhh' and 'ahhhhh' .

I smirked.

"Don't they just look fantastic together?" The audiences agreed.

"Ryan and Jennifer, darlings, please come up here." We linked arms and walked up on the stage.

Jennifer squeezed my arm hard this time. I smiled, again seeing her gesture.

"Jennifer, I would like to have a few words from you." Mom said, smiling her billion dollar smile, while putting the microphone in front of her.

Jennifer laughed nervously and said, "I - I don't know what to say. . ."

The audiences laughed. They quiet down before she said something.

Holding my hands more firmly She calmed herself down. I could feel the sense of safety she feels while holding my hand. I gripped her hand slightly tight to ensure her i am there.

She relaxed that very moment and started speaking.

"Hi, I'm Jennifer. I am really grateful to be here. Well, I also want to say thanks to certain people. Umm, I would like to start off by thanking Mrs. George for everything, for, ummm . . . bringing us, Ryan and I, together and helping us through everything. I wouldn't be here with Ryan, wearing this dress, feeling this if it wasn't for you. You were my 2nd Mom here at this place. U played the role of my Mom very well and pampered me to death. "

"Umm, I also want to thank Mr. George for helping me through all the health problems. I wouldn't be standing here right now if it wasn't for him to help."

"I - I also want to thank Ryan . . ." she said, turning to me.

Her eyes drifted from my eyes to her feet. I wanted to hold her chin so that she could look in my eyes forever.

She nervously rubbed her thumb with her index finger. "For being there for me when I needed him and creating many great memories with me. . . Yeah, and also, I want to thank everyone that I know and I meet. Thank you." She said, turning back to the audience.

Everyone clapped and Jennifer passed the microphone without looking up.

"What about you, Ryan?" Mom asked.

I took the mircophone and smirked. Feeling everyone's attention on me i started to say "I want to thank everyone for everything they have done for me. I am very grateful for having all of you by my side. I want you guys to have a great time here." Everyone clapped.

We got off the stage.

I looked at Jennifer from the corner of my eyes. We took a seat and Mom made the final speech.