Chapter 15 Accepting vs Running Away

It was finally the day of the engagement party.

Different flowers were decorated around the garden of a five-star hotel, candle-lights in each of the round tables, food, and drinks placed in long tables. There was even a pool at the side with a huge white cake near it for a more elegant-looking party. People in beautiful dresses and tuxedos scattered around the area with smiles on their faces.

"What a beautiful wedding," President Conti of an Oil Company said as he faced Mr. Hernandez with his butler at his side.

If anyone would pass this area without an invitation, they'd surely think it was a wedding party instead of just an engagement one due to its extravagant atmosphere. All because it happened that Stefani's father was one of the richest men in the country, or maybe the world.

Mr. Hernandez gave out a hearty laugh, "Sadly it's not a wedding... yet."

Mr. Conti was surprised, "Really?" He ordered his own butler to hand the invitation card out again. Upon seeing the card, he laughed. "I'm sorry I thought it's a wedding! Look at this place."

Mr. Hernandez was more than delighted to hear that and side-whispered. "Don't worry, it'll happen soon. And I'll be happy to invite you again."

Together the two men laughed at each other as they later were joined by other presidents of other well-known companies.

Meanwhile, inside one of the rooms of the hotel, Stefani was staring at himself in the mirror in front.

She was wearing a gorgeous knee-length white dress, her long hair stylishly curled done by professionals for a good two hours, three-inches white heels that kept shining under artificial and ordinary light it shone brighter than the ring in an old lady's finger, not to mention her entire body and face was massaged and applied by different lotions and stuff Stefani wasn't even aware of existing. Rose wasn't lying when she said Stefani looked gorgeous with her overall appearance for the night. Even Stefani herself found her more than "pleasing to the eyes" when she did check it in front of the mirror.

Still standing before the mirror, Stefani pouted, making her cheeks puffy like a squirrel. She then puffed out an air, softly hitting the few strands of hair above which she noticed just fell down her forehead. She then looked down at her cheeks, then to her nose, then to her lips...

Stefani's cheeks became deep red as she was suddenly reminded of what happened days ago when a perverted alien stole her first, second, third kisses. Just who does that monkey think she is? How dare he frustrate Stefani this much!

"I'm going to make you pay for everything you did to me!" Stefani muttered as she glared nowhere specific.

Just a few more minutes before they would call Stefani and announce her engagement with Jonathan. Stefani refused to go down and meet and greet the guests. Sure, Stefani, without having any other choice, defeatedly agreed in the end. But it was only for this engagement. If her father ever thought about doing any further than this like "wedding", then he should do it himself.

There was no way Stefani would get married to someone like Jonathan...

Stefani shut her eyes and took a long deep breath. The voice inside her head was right. Jonathan... There was no space for Jonathan in Stefani's heart. There should not be.

"Young Miss, it's time." Pacholo, Stefani’s personal bodyguard, called with a soft smile. He was standing by the door also wearing proper attire for the party. The moment he saw the sudden change in Stefani's mood, however, his smile dropped and worriedly gave a look at his young master.

"Okay," Stefani said, now with almost a lifeless pair of eyes. Does making yourself numb make it easier to go through something you don't like to happen? Maybe it does.

Pacholo cleared his throat and guided Stefani out of the room and to the garden. Pacholo has known Stefani since she was young and she knew that sight. That familiar pair of eyes and what or who could only cause that kind of effect on the kid.

Of course, it was none other than...

"Jonathan."

Both Pacholo and Stefani turned to the origin of the voice as soon as they got to the garden. Jonathan Gonzalez was shining like a diamond as he made his way to Mr. Hernandez after excusing himself from what seemed to be an old couple. There was a smile on his face so gentle and handsome it made a few lady guests have hearts in their eyes.

"Gosh he's so hot," one of the women said loud enough to be heard from a distance.

"I wish he'd glance at me. I'd love to receive his smile!" another dreamily said and giggled with the others.

Pacholo had to bite his lower lip to prevent smiling or laughing even, as he caught the sight of Stefani glaring at the said woman who just uttered a careless remark. Then the glare immediately went to Jonathan's back.

"He thinks he's so great. Psh," Stefani muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes.

Pacholo was glad though as his little master's eyes finally had a life on them... even if they were filled with irritation and anger as of now.

Before Stefani could glare at Jonathan's back for a longer time, she heard an extremely familiar voice.

"Bitch, that man you're ogling out is about to be engaged. It's even written on this card, can't you read?" Christina said as she looked at the lady from head to toe and purposely flaunting the card on the woman’s face.

Ivy stepped in, "That's right so back off. Your kind really despises us the most."

Bridget and Dianne joined in, sending threatening glares at the other two women with the lady who giggled when Jonathan passed by. One of them warned, "Back off before we take those eyeballs and mouths to hell!"

The women looked weirded out and scared for a moment before they cleared their throats and stared at the four young girls before them. "L-Let's go," one of them said, suddenly feeling shameful before they made a loud "tsk" paired with a sigh and last glance toward Jonathan’s direction before they finally turned around and left.

Soon after, the girls spotted Stefani and headed to her. Pacholo bowed his leave and went to join the security team.

"Aw, he's so handsome, Stef! Is he really your bodyguard? Can’t he be mine? Say, can you arrange a date for the two of us?" Bridget batted her eyelids and pouted. It made Stefani grimace.

"Stop it! Pacholo has a girlfriend," Stefani said, frowning. Just what ideas do her friends have all the time? Why was it that they were too active when it came to these shameful things?!

Bridget and Ivy gasped as Ivy then began stroking Bridget's back with enough sympathy. "It's okay. You'll move on."

"He's thirty-three," Stefani couldn't help but speak as she rolled her eyes. Her friends were being overdramatic all the time, they needed to stop it. Sure Pacholo has the looks but would someone really go after a more than ten years older partner?

Ivy gasped but collected herself quickly, "So what! You yourself have an older fiance." She then casually waved the invitation card on Stefani’s face with a teasing grin.

Stefani's mouth formed a big "o". "Y-You!!"

Ivy stuck her tongue out as she continued stroking Bridget's back. Stefani glared at her friends. She wasn't really sure whether they were her friends or enemies.

Soon Stefani was arguing and laughing with her friends. Unknown to Stefani, her friends just knew her enough to do this. They needed to distract her just like her father told them to do, because who knows what that bratty daughter of his could do. With her witty mischievous mind, she might run away suddenly or even disguise herself as another person to "ruin" the entire occasion.

They were talking about how funny Spongebob and Patrick were when she heard her name being mentioned on stage. Stefani frowned and glared at the host. They said the host was named Bobby and his hobby was dancing, like Stefani. He was now describing both Jonathan and Stefani and the guests seemed to like his bubbly appearance. It only irked Stefani.

Stefani headed to the small stairs at the side of the stage where Jonathan was waiting for her. Jonathan's smile faded as he looked at Stefani seriously, "Let's have a talk after this."

Stefani's heart made a loud thump, "W-What for?"

Jonathan glanced around before leaning down and whispered to Stefani, "Because I said so."