The Engagement Party

In a residential complex for the upper classes in the Newcastle upon Tyne area, an engagement party was taking place. One of the daughters of the city's wealthiest businessman and a man who was the son of a businessman from Edinburgh.

Aaron Connery's BMW car was seen entering the courtyard of Mr. Samuel Hoover's residence, where he is currently holding an engagement party for his daughter, Eleanor Rosalynn Hoover.

Actually, Aaron had no interest in the event, but he came because his friend Thomas Edward Hoover was Eleanor's older brother. As a result, he was forced to come all the way from London to attend the engagement.

"Aaron, thank you for coming. I thought you forgot your best friend," said Thomas, welcoming Aaron, who had just gotten out of his car.

"If it weren't for Elea being engaged, I definitely wouldn't have come all the way here," Aaron replied curtly as he tidied his clothes.

"You are no different from before, still very annoying and arrogant," said Thomas with a big laugh, knowing that his best friend was just joking with him.

Aaron only pursed his lips at Thomas's words. He then motioned Daniel to get out of the car and follow him into the house. In the backyard, the couple would exchange their ring. It would be the highlight of the engagement ceremony.

When they arrived in the backyard, Thomas gave a glass of red wine to Aaron and his personal assistant, Daniel.

"If your sister is going to get married, you should find a girl to marry too. Remember, you are not young anymore," said Aaron with a sneer at Thomas. The latter was laughing at the sight of his sister hugging her fiancé, Steven Dawkins.

"If you told me to marry, why don't you get married too? You and I are not much different. I'm only one year old from you. So, don't teach me how to do things and order me to get married. I'll get married if you get married ha ha ha," replied Thomas. He laughed heartily in response to Aaron's words.

Aaron was just silent, watching his best friend laugh out loud like that. He was already 33 years old. Mature enough to build build a family. But he didn't believe in such a bond. For Aaron, marriage was just a piece of paper.

He was more interested in the commitment when a couple was committed to living together and supporting each other until they were old and grey.

Still, until now, he had not met anyone willing to spend the rest of their life with someone else sincerely without being tempted by wealth and money.

A failed engagement a few years ago made Aaron no longer believe in the word marriage. He preferred his current life with different beautiful women who were always ready to serve him.

When everyone was dancing, Aaron chose to sit on a lounge chair, not far from the venue, with a glass filled with red wine on hand.

Aaron recalled his meeting with Anne on the street before he came to Thomas's house. Anne's sharp eyes made him curious. Coupled with Anne's courage when she tossed back the trash dumped by Daniel, it made her look even more attractive to Aaron's eyes.

"Looks like I have to stay longer in this city. Before I return to London, I have to find that girl," said Aaron to himself as he kept remembering Anne's face.

In her simple apartment, Anne was calculating the profit money for the last six months. She had allocated the profit money into posts that should be paid for Jack's salary, paying utilities, paying for cleaning, and security. The rest was her share as the coffee shop owner. A big smile was etched on her face when she saw the numbers in her book.

"Thank you, God, for your blessings," said Anne gratefully, closing her eyes.

Because she was still not sleepy, Anne decided to try the new cookie recipe she got from the internet.

Anne became an orphan when she entered college for the first semester. Anne was able to go to college because she received a scholarship from a foundation. She didn't finish school because she got married at a very young age. She couldn't refuse Mrs. Chaterine Ganke's persuasion to marry her grandson.

Anne was married only on paper with Leon because her husband didn't like her, and they never consummate their marriage.

On their wedding night, she was abandoned by Leon who called her ugly and old-fashioned. Back then, Anne did not care about her appearance. She was too busy working and studying.

After almost an hour of baking, Anne finally succeeded in making a very delicious melted chocolate brownie. A happy smile appeared on her face.

"Before I sell these cookies tomorrow, I better ask Jack first," Anne muttered quietly. Her eyes were beaming as she stared at the brownies she just took out of the oven.

Anne packed the brownie so it would be easy to carry tomorrow. Then, she cleaned up the kitchen quickly and got ready to sleep.

At 1 am, Anne finally lay down on her soft single bed. The girl immediately closed her eyes after turning off the lights in her room. Anne could not sleep when the lights were on. She preferred to sleep in the dark.

Not long after, Anne was fast asleep.

Suddenly, Anne was touched by a man he hated deeply.

"You ...?! What are you doing in my room?!" screamed Anne with all her strength when she saw the man she hated so much.

"I want to take my rights as your husband, Anne," replied the man in a hoarse voice. Anne could sense lust emanating from the man as he crawled over Anne's body.

"No ... !!!"