“Attention Ladies and Gentlemen,” the M.C of the program said into the microphone and got everyone’s attention. “Thank you guys for coming to this wonderful Anniversary party, it is with great happiness of heart that the Lorenzo’s appreciate your appearance”
Everyone clapped and cheered at that and the couple shared a kiss.
“Yeah, that’s for the first couple of the night, now I would love to make a very exciting announcement, this will clear all doubts you had in the past days,” he said looking at Dimitri and Audriana then to Donald and Patricia. “I am delighted to be announcing the engagement of Dimitri Lorenzo and Audriana Bernard,” he said in a cheerful tone and there was a big round of applause.
Some had confusion written over their faces, some had the look of surprise, some had the look of horror and those were Aiden, Caleb, and Sofia.
“Come up here, let everyone get to see the soon to be married couple”
They both walked with their hands still entwined together to the stage with smiles on their faces. From everybody’s point of view, they are one happy couple but they both want the day to end already so they can stop this pretense.
“Look at them with the glow looking so happy and in love,” the MC said and Dimitri had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes.
“'In love’ my foot” he muttered so low he thought no one would hear him, but Audriana heard him.
“Behave,” she said, giving his hand a not too comforting squeeze, he squeezed her back and she had to prevent herself from yelping in pain. It was painful, not too painful but it definitely was.
“Okay you can step down from the stage,” the M.C said and they did as they were told. “Now everyone, enjoy the party, I will be calling the senior Lorenzo’s to have their first dance for the night” the M.C announced and soft music played.
“You look gorgeous Audriana,” Patricia said when they parted from the hug they shared.
“Thank you ma’am” she blushed at the compliment, she thought it was because her mum styled the cloth that was why her Mum told her she looked good.
“Oh stop it, you will be my daughter-in-law soon and my daughter-in-law is my daughter, so call me Mum,” she told her.
“You look spectacular dear” Donald hugged her in a fatherly way and kissed her hair “and please call me Dad, I now have a daughter” he smiled at her when they let go of the hug
“Okay Mum, and thank you Dad” she blushed again. Dimitri was with his father, they were talking so she went to her parents and hugged them.
“I told you she looks like a goddess” Kingsley whispered to Moana, Moana smiled at that “You can’t blame her, her Mum is so sexy,” he said the last part in a low husky voice.
Moana blushed at that and lightly hit him on the chest “She does look good and now is not the time to be cheesy” she said playfully scolding him.
“Yeah, yeah when we get home” he kissed her on the cheek.
“Baby girl, you look beautiful” she looked at her hair “Sofia did this? It is amazing, she should really consider starting a business in hair styling. I keep telling her she is great but she wouldn’t listen to me” Moana shook her head.
“Don’t worry mum she would listen someday” Audriana reassured her then turned to her Dad who engulfed her in a hug, she hugged him back and rubbed comforting circles on his back.
She had read and heard stories of fathers getting emotional when their daughter gets married or decides to live alone in her apartment and she thinks that’s what he is feeling at the moment.
“You look like a princess,” he paused. “My princess,” he kissed her hair. They stood in each other's embrace for a few minutes but it felt like a lifetime after some time he let go of the hug and looked her in the eyes.
“Ana dear, are you sure about this?” he asked again.
“Yes I am Dad, I have never been so sure. I am still your baby girl, I have just grown...you shouldn’t worry too much about me, I am in safe hands” Audriana said reassuring her Dad, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
“Yes Dad, she’s in safe hands,” Dimitri said from behind Audriana.
She stiffened a bit when she felt his hand at her back, he pulled her to his side by her waist and rubbed circles on her waist. She raised her head to look him in the eyes and he looked down at her with a smile. She was suddenly nervous and didn't know why.
Maybe it’s because no man has held her this close.
He leaned in and her eyes widened, she was still and felt frozen to the ground. He got closer and placed his warm lips on her forehead and she closed her eyes feeling giddy at the same time disappointed.
‘What were you expecting, Audriana? A real kiss? You know you’re just in to save your father’s company?’ her subconscious asked her.
He was aiming for her lips, she did look inviting...he wondered what it would feel like. His lips and hers moving in sync. He saw her eyes widened when he started to lean in and what Aiden said about getting slapped flashes across his mind and he just went for her forehead instead.
He wasn’t ready to nurse another injury from a woman, especially when he hasn't been intimate with her.
“Be cool, just let it flow” he whispered to her ear and she gasped at his closeness.
He let go of her when their parents left them to attend to the guests.
“JESUS CHRIST, Audriana is the lady you’re marrying?” a voice spoke from behind them so they had to turn to look at the owner of the voice and the voice belonged to Aiden.
They saw Aiden, Caleb, Emily, Sofia, and a brown-haired man that had his hand entwined with Sofia’s hand walking towards them. They had confusion on their faces except for the man and Emily.
“Auriana Loveth Bernard, you never told me he was the man you were marrying” Sofia looked confused and worried.
“I thought I mentioned his name? And what are you doing here? I thought you were going to your Aunt’s anniversary surprise party?” she asked, looking confused.
“No genius you didn’t and I am at my Aunt’s anniversary party,” she said and looked at Dimitri, he just gave her a bored look.
“Dimitri’s Mum is your Aunt?” Audriana looked surprised.
Funny how she didn’t know, definitely Dimitri was the cousin Sofia was talking about the other time she paid a visit to Bernard Tech and the same guy she bumped into.
“Seriously, he is the one you’re marrying and I was there pitying the lady he was going to marry. What did you see in him, Audriana?” she asked her even though she knew the condition at which she was marrying him.
“What she didn’t see in other guys,” he said with a smirk Sofia would love to wipe off with her heels.
“It’s okay Sofia, he is cool...I guess and it can’t get that bad, right?” she took a look at him and he rolled his eyes at her.
“I will kill you if you hurt my friend” she points her finger on his chest and he raised his hand up in the air in surrender.
“Let’s not get violent De Leon,” he said with a smirk “Who’s the guy?” he nods at the guy she came with.
“None of your business” she walked away from him and went to the man.
“Audriana, you look great,” Caleb said and went to hug her
“Thank you” she hugged him back and was pulled back by someone and engulfed in another hug.
It was Aiden and she hugged him back.
“Oh Audri baby, you look beautiful, spectacular, gorgeous, Hermosa” he kissed her cheek and hugged her again “You broke my heart girl, we would have been good together, you know? You are marrying my friend. Oh, Audri, I missed you” he said trying to imitate a Spanish accent but failed at that.
“Aiden don't be too dramatic, we have both been busy and I always tell Sofia to send my greetings,” Audriana said with a smile.
‘Wait, they know each other?’ he didn’t realize Aiden had called her name earlier and now Caleb. He saw how they exchanged pleasantries and he didn’t like how Aiden was holding her and how close he was to her.
He went close to her and drew her away from them to his side, giving them an annoyed look.
Aiden and Caleb exchanged knowing looks.
“You guys know each other?” he asked, looking at them.
“Yes” answered Caleb.
“Dude, Audriana here is our friend, she and Sofia are besties...how come you didn’t know?” Aiden asked.
“Because he is self-centered and cares about just himself,” Sofia answered and earned a growl from him.
“Someone is here to see you” Sofia went closer to Audriana and whispered in her ear.
“Who?” Audriana whispered back.
“Just come” she held her hand and turned to the brown-haired man who was having a conversation with a guest “Max, I would be back” she kissed the man she came with on the cheeks and pulled Audriana along with her outside the hall and turned a corner.
“Dimitri, treat Audriana well, she is an amazing girl and I really want her to have the best in life...treat her well please, she is like a sister to me,” Caleb said putting his hand on his shoulder.
It seems she is loved and adored by everyone. He thought to himself.