XANDRY
Dad looked at me with pride. “Xandry deserves something better. As a Vice president of the Williams holdings, I turned over my position to you, as of yesterday, so, Congratulations, son! And I’d like also to welcome my son’s fiancee’s family—”
“What!” Blaine exclaimed beside me.
“Harrises, welcome, and enjoy the party. And son?”
“Go ahead, Xandry,” Mom whispered, and I couldn’t remember how she got beside me. Everything just happened in a blur.
I was thrilled, scared, and overwhelmed as I walked down the aisle to the stage, and everyone moved back, giving me the way like I was about to be crowned as their prince. Funny, I was in a second of ditching the party and yet here I am, walking toward Dad.
“You didn’t propose?” the first thing he asked.
“Seriously? Did I just hear you said my fiancee’s family?”
“Your sister told me you bought a ring, so I thought you already proposed, and what are you waiting for?” Our brows were knotted as we whispered to each other.
“Timing, Dad! You literally ruined my plan and you almost gave me a heart attack back there. You haven’t talked to me for months, and now, you just promoted me and ruined my entire plan?”
“Yesterday,” he corrected, “and you’re not happy with that? Just so you know, I don’t want you to hurt a woman who had been through a lot. She has a kid, son, and I was not sure if you were serious and so sure to pursue someone who has a kid. I am your dad, Xandry, and I wanted to know your intentions toward Blaine first. I wanted her to stay away from you before she will fall for you and ended with a broken heart. I wasn’t so happy with you just fooling around with girls, especially when you are about to be a dad. Then I saw something in your eyes when you told me you love her and the kid. I couldn’t just watch you with a broken heart, could I?”
“I love you so much, Xandry. Since you are serious about her and planned on moving together, and you chose her over our business, that’s when it hit me that you are in love with her. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
”It’s you and your sister’s birthday party tonight, and I’m so proud of you, VP. We will talk later, and I have guests and your future in-laws to entertain.” He pulled me into a hug.
The crowd roared and clapped.
Saph and Ben walked towards us. She pulled off the microphone. “Good evening! Since my brother had stolen most of our moments, the little guy here, Benoyce Arthur would like to say something, right Ben?” She placed the microphone closer to Ben’s mouth.
The crowd went silent. The kind of silence that tingled my skin with anticipation. And all I could hear was the blood rushing through my ears. Our guests waited patiently.
“Yes,” Ben answered, making everyone awe at him.
“Saph, what are you doing?” I eyed my sister with curiosity. What was this all about? Why does this night full of surprises?
She turned and winked. “Trust me.” Before I could reply, she said, “Good.” She smiled widely—wickedly while I was still overwhelmed with what had happened earlier and what was about to happen at any moment.
Before I could decipher, everyone moved to the side like they understood something, leaving Blaine standing alone in the center of the crowd— still her focus was on us and to her son.
The orchestra at my back started playing the music softly. Then Saph gave the mic to Ben, and he took it willingly as if Saph made a good deal with him to behave. Ben was close to me than my sister, but they went out for ice cream at least twice this week.
Ben grabbed my hand and pulled me, making me look down.
“Yes, buddy?”
“Go with Benoyce, Xandry,” Dad pressed.
Ben blew the mic and patted it to test if it worked or not. His move was calculated. We stopped a few steps away in front of his mom. I shrugged innocently when I met my gorgeous Blaine’s gaze. And that, she realized she was standing alone in the center of the crowd.
“I can’t sing, buddy,” I joked.
“We are not going to sing, Xandry. Trust me, okay?” He pronounced my name right.
“Okay, I trust you, but what are we exactly doing? At least spare me so I can participate.”
“Hush.” He placed his finger on his lips. Then he faced his mom. “Mommy.” Ben’s tiny voice echoed throughout the mansion. Everyone still waited with anticipation.
“Xandry loves you so damn much and you told me you love him, right?” Then he pushed the mic to my hand, and I grabbed it, still puzzled by his calculated moves. I looked at Blaine who looked gorgeous than ever but still standing like a statue with a surprise looked on her face.
Ben pulled out something from his tailored tux. The small and square black velvet box to be precise. He grabbed the mic from hand and that was when the crowd gasped.
My mouth fell open. I groaned inwardly when I realized what we were doing. Saphoera!
“So, do you know what you’re doing?” Saph asked as we danced together like we used to do many times I could remember. We used to come together to a family and business events since we both didn’t have dates back then.
“Of course, I know.”
“Did you write down what you’re gonna say? We don’t want to record your stuttering proposal.”
“I don’t stutter anymore even when I’m nervous, sister. The last time I did that when I was nine years old.” I rolled my eyes. Who would have thought that Xandry The Great stuttered?
“I just wanna make this perfect for you, you know. This is your first proposal and hopefully the last.” She turned around and I caught her on her waist.
“Of course, this will be my first and last proposal,” I said confidently, “I’m just going to say how much I love her and how much I want her to be in my life as my fiancee, then my wife. That’s all, easy peasy.”
“That’s all? Don’t you think she knows it all already? Don’t you have something to say to make it more memorable and unforgettable for both of you?” Her perfect dark brow arched, clearly unimpressed.
“What? Should I write a poem for her instead? Tell her how we met and how her teal blue eyes instantly captured my heart? Don’t you think it’s so cliché, twinnie? And Xandry the great won’t do things like that.”
She rolled her eyes. “I just want it perfect, but if you’re too confident with what you’re doing then fine.”
“Saph, since when I lose my confidence over a woman?” I smirked.
“And that woman happens to be your the one, the love of your life, your future fiancee, and future wife. Make it special, Xandry.”
I will. Saph is right.
Then, my gaze locked with my gorgeous Blaine while she was dancing with her dad. And after this, she was going to be in my arms, locked in my heart, bound with my soul, my life partner, and mine, forever.
“I will.”
“Shit!” Of course, my sister. Again.
“That’s a bad word,” he said through the mic.
“Sorry. But shouldn’t you open that first, buddy?” I pointed to the box, amazed. I was already grinning. My heart had been galloping like Queen.
“Got it.” Ben slipped the microphone in his pants’ pocket this time and flipped the box open. He looked up at me with a confident smile on his face. A smile that said, see? I know what I’m doing, dude.
He cleared his throat like a grown man, making everyone laugh with amusement. “Um, you love Xandry, right, Mommy?”
I glanced back at Blaine, and she nodded slowly with teary eyes. She twisted her fingers nervously, then smiled at me. My heart beat a rapid staccato. Despite her nervousness, she was still the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. That’s my gorgeous Blaine.
“Marry him, please?” He knelt beside me, and my lips spread to a full-blown smile. A kind of smile that made Blaine’s knees weak.
What if she would say no?
Fear pounded through my veins.
So, I followed suit, kneeling beside Ben.