Twenty first unlocks unexpected door, Part 2: I am engaged to be married.

They all saw it, the black diamond ring flaunting its natural glint and illuminating Alyssa's finger to a natural beautiful glow. The Priest paused just as he was about to give Alyssa the rose, he was stunned for a bit but then recovered and frowned. Before he could say anything, Carl, Alyssa's older brother said what was on the minds of most of the people present in the garden.

" Alyssie, what is going on? What's that on your finger and why is it on the left ring finger? I mean, if it goes with your outfit then it shouldn't be on your left ring finger" Carl said with a nervous chuckle. He was hoping that the ring was an accessory going with the outfit and it didn't mean what it actually seemed like. 'I mean looks can be deceiving after all!'he thought. 

" It is not a part of the outfit, brother...Had it been perhaps i would have went with blue as the color is today's theme." Alyssa responded 

Had it been any other day, Carl would have laughed at his cheeky little sister's remark but just not today, not with this! "Then please explain to us what the ring there actually means." Carl said seemily trying to control his facial expression. 

Everyone's ears pecked waiting for the Falls family's princess to give an explanation especially given how the senior members of the family have not reacted to the situation as yet.

" Brother, I am engaged to be married." Alyssa said to her brother as though it was a normal daily occurence for her to announce such big news without a change in her expression and tone. She sounded calm and looked the part but her chaotic mind and racing heart were proof that she wasn't calm at all.

' Phew, grandpappy and dad did not do anything out of the ordinary after seeing the ring. I guess i have opened an unexpected door, but...' she thought. She snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Carl's voice again.

"You are kidding right?! Alyssie, I was not even aware that you are dating someone, how can you be gettong married? and to Whom?!"asked Carl flabbergasted beyond anything. ' So much for being calm, I will get to the bottom of this!' he thought to himself.

" No, I am not brother, I am not kidding. As for the last few questions I would rather not delve too much into the matter... I promise to explain everything later." Alyssa said as she offered her brother a smile hoping to end the conversation firstly because the priest's actions made it seem as though the ceremony might not be completed and secondly because, in as much as her family is high class and they are always on social media one way or another, she was not about to be the reason why today by giving them a "juicy scoop". 

A lot was going on in her mind and to her misfortune, her brother was not done. " No,no the more I think about this, the more absurd it gets to be." He turned to his sibiling, Cassie, " she has zlitch dating experience and now she is getting married?! why are you not saying anything, in fact why is everyone quiet, huh?" Carl was fuming, no one could trick his little sister into a marriage and think they will get away unscathed. He had to find that man, in fact he would definitely find him and the sooner he did the better!

Cassie simply looked at her brother and said only two words, " not now." She knows that Carl is a hothead especially when it comes to their little sister and of course she was also shocked and angry, more angry than shocked because her younger sister has so much potential, she is good natured and beyond all, she is very naive. She could have been deceived by her unknown fiance, as a matter of fact, she was deceived! Cassie thought to herself.

To Alyssa's relief, her sister said words which were music to her ears. Dramas are a common occurence in elite families so she knows that this is not very surpising for all the guests from elite families and these very guests would be the first to disapprove of her actions. She could already see the contempt and condemning looks in their eyes.'Deal, with it, I am after all the favored princess of the Falls though I do not like to brag, I do feel that this title does come in handy sometimes, like no one will say it to my face that they do not approve...not that I need their approval, I need to stop thinking too much.'she thought. 

While Alyssa was dealing with her internal conflict, a more provocating thought came to mind, something about her grandpappy and daddy keeping quiet did not sit well with her. She kept stealing glancing at them but nothing changed, not a single emotion on their faces! 

" Elder cousin is right, something does not add up." Said Elissa, the cousin who is the same age as her, born in the same month and to make matters worse on the same day as well, the only difference is that Alyssa was born 8 days earlier.

' It is not for you to add up' Alyssa thought to herself and internally rolled her eyes.'And who decided it was smart to give us similar names, whoever it is I blame them! I do not like annoying people' she added Alyssa was a very respectful and kind individual but she had her moments to be sassy.

" Come on twinnie, you can talk to me. What is going on? This matter is very worrying so maybe if you explain better it would be easier to understand you and where you are coming from." Elissa said as she used a tone she would use for a naughty kid after catching him red handed. 

" Cousin, I believe I have stopped the ceremony for too long and I wish for us to commence..." Alyssa said then added " please" as she turned to face the Priest. Alyssa was not intentionally ignoring her cousin, it's just that she was very anxious at the moment and if she did not stop her now, she knew that Elissa would definitely add fuel to the fire!

Elissa's face turned sour as soon as she heard her cousin's response. She was completely dismissed by her own age mate! how could she? 

"I do not know if we should proceed with the ceremony given ... ahem, the current circumstances and how this might be against church regulations, Miss Alyssa." said the Priest 

As more murmurs came to live, Alyssa's heart sunk. This is the reason why she was so anxious about this entire ordeal, if the church did not agree then everything would fail and then all of this would be pointless. She did not want to be a disappointment to her family but she had to fight for this one thing in her life just like he (her fiance) was currently fighting somewhere far away from her. The promise they made to each other and how he swore that he would come back safely, back to her, this promise stopped Alyssa from falling apart now. She had to do her part and fight for the marriage and she would explain everything to her family later but for now it was time to fight. ' it's now or never' she thought

Just as she was about to speak, her cousin interjected. "Sir Priest is right, the church regulations have clearly stated that one shall not have a twenty first ceremony if they are " tainted". Are you perhaps pregnant cousin? I mean why else would you hopelessly rush into a marriage?" Elissa said trying hard to hide her victorious smirk 

Now there was an uproar some guests did not even try to conceal their whispers anymore.

" She said what, Dove?!" Hannah furiously whispered to Melissa using her other name only the three of often use. Melissa only pinched her palm and did not say anything. This was not how they expected things would turn out for their friend. 

' okay, okay, even I couldn't help but show my shock at her words.' Alyssa thought. When she was about to respond her cousin took center stage again " Or perhaps what if your mystery fiance is a terrorist, you working with that group ...that group that's currently famous? See, I mean it, we are only trying to look out for you..." Her words died down as she received a furious glare from Alyssa's sibilings, some of the elders and Alyssa herself. 

* gasps*

It was evident to everyone present that Elissa said the last part without even thinking because no matter how influential their family was, they would not be able to fathom and dare to bear the consequnces of her last statement.What was Elissa suggesting? That their family was linked with a very dangerous group? Was she dumb? Did she want to ruin their reputation just like that?!