บท 17: The Engagement Dinner (Part 1/3)

The engagement dinner was supposed to be a small event as it was to double as a business merger but only Mitch and Wallace seemed to know about this little fact and, of course, the groom-to-be as well.

Apart from the family members of the two families, there were expected to be some business partners and shareholders as well. It was a major day for Mitch to see his beloved daughter hitched up to a man of his choice as well.

"Not much of this happens nowadays when the young ones are all about love and whatnot," he said to Wallace who was seated beside him. Wallace nodded and grunted in response. Wallace still hoped that Mitch would not go ahead with his plans for Amanda but he had dared not ask again. He looked around in vain for Yvonne as she was now the last hope for her daughter.

Mitch added, "Let's get the engagement formally done with the business partners, and sign the contract as well before these young ones change their minds. Nowadays, people change their minds like they change their clothes but I have known Eddy for a long so I am sure that he is committed."

They were the first to arrive at the venue and were impressed with what had been done. The 'small' dinner was to be held at the same restaurant that Eddy had proposed as it held a significance or sentimental nature to Ella.

Her dad of course had obliged the request as he always did with her. They had booked the ground floor of the restaurant in its entirety. The place had one extra floor above, but they could not book it as it had been taken by another and as much as Mitch tried, he could not find out who the person was.

Mitch was one of the most powerful businessmen in the Beo city and so this should have been unheard of. He should have been able to secure it easily especially also since Wallace was the most sought after lawyer as well. He owned the biggest law firm as well. This collaboration should now make them a powerful duo after the merger.

None of them paid attention to this fact though as they had 'more important things' to work on that day. It was also of no significance to Mitch though, and he did not dwell much on it.

The place had been showered with flowers on each table and the workers had done a good job of enhancing the sophisticated nature of the place. Small tables were put all around that could host as many as four people at a time and name cards were put on them. Mitch had made it a strictly invite-only program and all guests were seated in order of importance. The arrangements showed a somewhat circular shape. The important guests were in the inner parts and the least important at the back but everyone could very well see the main table that was to host the couple.

Eddy walked into the place quite early for once in his life as he had much at stake here. Holding his arms was a petite dark-haired woman who happened to be Wallace's wife Mabel, and his adopted mother as well. Mabel was a sickly woman and did not show herself much in public because of that. Today was an exceptional day so she had to make it by hook or crook but one could see her slightly pale face even with the makeup on her face as she struggled to hold in a cough.

Wallace left Mitch and went to meet them. He then escorted his wife to her seat and signalled for water to be brought to her as the cough finally subsided. He gently moved her hair out of her face and placed a chaste kiss on her head. She had dressed up in a two-piece modest gold dress that made her shine rather brightly.

Eddy went to shake his new father-in-law to-be's hands and remained standing by him as guests poured in. Mitch had invited a few reporters, as well, as he would do anything to remain in the limelight.

As everyone got seated, the anticipated person of the day, the bride-to-be walked elegantly in. She was dressed in a trumpet-style green formal dress that snuggly hugged her body. It had a v-slit that showed her delicate thighs. This coupled with the jiggered opening at the neck area slightly showed her cleavage. The dress also had a small train at the back as well. She topped this with exquisite gold-trimmed 6-inch heels. It looked as if time stopped temporarily for her as she made her grand entrance into the room.

Every single eye in the room was turned on her and she proudly held her head high as she elegantly walked into the room. Eddy met her halfway,

"You look totally, breath-taking and ravishing my dear" he whispered in her ear and kissed her lightly on the lips, then guided her to their seat. She giggled as she heard that. Her face was very radiant, and it highlighted her happy mood.

The reports around snapped a few pictures of the couple and they also took their seats.

Ella glanced around the room but did not see her mother. Her mood downed a bit but she soon dismissed it from her mind.

Mitch stood up and clanked on a wine glass to get their attention when everyone got settled.

"We are all gathered here to celebrate the engagement of my daughter Ella and Eddy, the beloved son of my friend",

The whole room erupted into applause as the couple made their way to stand in the middle for all to see.

Just then, Yvonne walked in. She was equally dressed up for the program. As expected from a fashion designer, Yvonne had worn the trendiest clothes but of her own design and making. She looked so beautiful that Mitch got very confused temporarily. It took a tap from Eddy for him to refocus on his speech.

Yvonne on the other hand, paid no heed to him because she saw Mr. Corns seated beside Mitch at their table. She had not found any solution to her daughter's predicament yet and was at her wit's end.

The new couple danced in front of the guests. They were so lost in their world, that it felt like they were the only people there. After their dance, Mitch sought attention again.

"I would like to invite my eldest daughter as well,"

He looked towards the back, from where Amanda made her way to him. She stood beside him with a lot of questions in her eyes.

"We have a double blessing happening today. My eldest, Amanda, is to marry Mr. Corns in a few days." Almost everyone gasped as the old man smiled smugly.

Amanda, "What?!"

"You know that customarily, the eldest must marry before the youngest and since Ella is to be married in a month, Amanda will be married within the week so that we can plan adequately for Ella's grand wedding later."

Tears brimmed in Amanda's eyes as she took a few steps back. "I will not marry that old man!," she blurted out,

"I will do no such thing. I-"

Before she finished the second sentence, *Paaah!*, she was slapped by her father.

"You will marry the man before your sister's wedding!"

"How dare you talk back to me and disrespect me, your father."

Both had forgotten that they were in front of a small crowd as this went on. Mitch raised his hand for a second slap as he saw the discontented look on Mr Corns face but-,

Kelvin, stopped the second slap and asked, "...and how will she do that when she is already married to me?"