17 Jealousy

Engagement rituals can vary widely depending on cultural and personal preferences. Some common engagement rituals include exchanging rings, making formal announcements to family and friends, and possibly hosting a small celebration or dinner. Austin and Myra were wishing the best for their children and they approached more India-style weddings and engagement rituals.

Aiden and Pihoo also chose Indian Indian-style wedding, so the engagement ceremony is based in India. As Myra was Punjabi, the function was the Roka Ceremony.

In Indian-style engagement ceremonies, the rituals and customs can be quite elaborate and meaningful. Here’s a general overview of what might happen during an engagement ceremony for Aiden and Pihoo: Roka Ceremony: This is the official announcement of the wedding. Both families come together, and exchange gifts, and the couple may exchange rings. It’s a formal declaration of the intent to marry.

Aiden and Pihoo's joyous moment was a spectacle of love and happiness. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of flower petals as they exchanged rings, symbolizing their commitment to each other. Surrounded by a sea of smiling faces, their loving family members, and numerous guests, their love shone brightly. The sky above was illuminated with a spectacular display of firecrackers, each explosion echoing the excitement in their hearts. It was a celebration of love that left an indelible mark on everyone's hearts.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Aaron seemed to have vanished from sight, becoming the center of attention for many eager admirers. Elaina couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she noticed one girl attempting to capture Aaron's attention with a provocative display of her cleavage. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of emotions, and Elaina struggled to keep her composure, hoping that Aaron would remain faithful to their connection.

“Mr. Black, Nice to meet you,” As the lady introduced herself with a bow and a revealing gesture, Aaron's furrowed eyebrows and aloof demeanor made it clear he was uninterested and unfazed. His reputation for being reserved and often angry had created a barrier that few dared to breach. The lady's attempts to seduce him fell flat as he simply averted his gaze, showing no interest in her advances. It was a moment that reaffirmed his reputation as a hard-to-impress individual in matters of the heart.

“Mr. Black, I’m your new business partner. I’m the only daughter of Mr. Paul Kingsford,” She came forward and crossed his path. She offered her hand to shake and introduced herself, “I’m Allyssa Kingsford.”

Despite her own arrogance, the lady chose a different approach when it came to Aaron. She humbled herself and respectfully bowed before him, her demeanor a stark contrast to her usual attitude. Her determined gaze fixed on him, revealing her clear motive of wanting to win him over. It was a surprising shift in behavior, one that hinted at her strong desire to capture Aaron's attention and perhaps break through his tough exterior.

Nothing affected Aaron. He ignored her and exited from there. Allyssa understood his motive and felt like he insulted her. Her face was heating with anger and revenge but she didn't know who actually was.

Elaina saw the entire drama from a distance. A sweet smile curled up on her beautiful face. She muttered under her breath, “How dare she? She approached my Aaron?”

Fuming with anger, Elaina stormed over to where Aaron was standing with the girl, her jealousy intensifying the flames of her temper. As she approached, Elliot crossed her path in an attempt to calm the enraged lady. His mocking tone only added fuel to the fire.

"Huh! Something is burning here. Could you smell it?" Elliot taunted, a sly grin on his face.

"What?" Elaina shouted, her voice laced with frustration and anger, her eyes boring into Elliot as her emotions threatened to boil over.

Elliot's wicked smirk persisted as he leaned in closer to Elaina's ear, his voice hushed, "I have an idea. Let's put your brother to the test. Find a charming escort to dance with, someone even more captivating than my brother."

With those words, Elliot mysteriously disappeared from the scene, leaving Elaina both confused and stunned by his suggestion. She muttered to herself, "Are you on my side or his?" The intrigue and uncertainty surrounding the situation deepened as she contemplated whether to carry out Elliot's provocative plan. She sighed and gazed upon Aaron and that girl. She was still trying to convince Aaron.

Elaina decided to disregard Elliot's imprudent plan and made her way over to where Aaron and the girl were engaged in conversation. Her steps faltered as she overheard what the girl had audaciously offered to Aaron.

In her calm and seductive voice, the girl had asked, "Mr. Black, the music has started. Would you like to dance with me?"

Aaron's eyes narrowed with anger, though he attempted to contain it. His clenched jaw and terse responses were enough to signal his displeasure. It was widely known that Aaron had a strong aversion to interacting with females, and today, his presence with Elaina had become the hottest topic of gossip. Reporters and onlookers alike couldn't resist speculating about the significance of their appearance together.

Elaina’s anger raised at the peak. She stormed to hit the girl, but someone crossed her path again. She hardly stopped herself and prevented themselves from colliding with each other. The man whirled to her and said, “Hey, Beauty Queen! Will you dance with me?”

Elaina’s mind raced with a daring decision as she observed the dance floor filling up with couples. She chose to go along with Elliot’s plan, fully aware of the potential risks. With a broad smile, she accepted the man’s proposal to dance, replying, “Why not?”

“Please,” He extended his hand, and she took it without hesitation, her actions hidden from Aaron’s view. As they stepped onto the dance floor, Elaina exchanged a brief glance with the man, a silent acknowledgment of their shared intrigue.

The man was visibly delighted to have such a stunning partner in his arms, relishing the moment. However, as they danced, he sensed that Elaina’s mind seemed somewhere else. Though he recognized her distraction, he couldn’t help but be captivated by her beauty and the alluring charm that radiated from her face, making it an unforgettable dance for him.

As they continued to dance, the man inquired, "Your name?" He expertly guided Elaina around the dance floor, his hand firmly but gently on her waist.

She chuckled softly and replied, "Elaina..." She chose not to reveal her last name, which was actually "Black." A thought crossed her mind, "Didn't he see me when I entered with Aaron?" but she quickly dismissed it, focusing on the present moment.

Returning the question, she asked, "Yours?"

With a sweet smile, he introduced himself, "Casper Jones." Their exchange was polite and cordial, despite the underlying intrigue and the unspoken secrets each of them held.

Aaron found himself dealing with Allyssa, his new business partner, who had become quite the headache for him. While he could afford to work with her, he was growing increasingly impatient with her demands and what he perceived as her cunning nature. He couldn't help but swivel to the left, attempting to avoid this interaction, which had gone beyond his tolerance level.

"Please, Mr. Black," Allyssa persisted, unaware of the extent of Aaron's aversion to working closely with women. Her unfamiliarity with the town and its prominent figures, like Aaron, had placed her in a situation where she inadvertently tested his patience.

Aaron's gaze drifted over to Elaina, who was gracefully dancing with Casper, a genuine smile on her face. Despite her eyes occasionally meeting Aaron's, she remained in another man's arms. Unbeknownst to Aaron, an unsettling feeling gnawed at him from within as he watched them together.

Elaina could sense Aaron's emotions, his discomfort, and perhaps even a hint of jealousy. However, she found herself in a delicate situation; she couldn't simply step away from Casper and abandon him on the dance floor. Her decision to follow through with Elliot's plan had unforeseen consequences, and she was caught in a complex web of emotions.

Aaron's sharp gaze remained fixed on the couple dancing on the floor, a mixture of feelings and thoughts swirling within him, making the evening even more complicated.

Allyssa, growing increasingly frustrated, resorted to grabbing Aaron's shoulder in anger, demanding, "What do you think of yourself? Do you know who I am?"

However, Aaron remained unfazed, his attention still firmly fixed on Elaina, and her presence in another man's arms. His intense gaze bore into her, oblivious to Allyssa's outburst. At this moment, his focus was singular, and he seemed ready to defend his territory.

Allyssa followed Aaron's gaze and noticed the dancing couple. She recognized Casper Jones, with whom she had met for business purposes. However, the woman in Casper's arms remained an unknown figure to her. Aaron's unwavering attention on that particular girl did not escape her notice, and it left her with a sense of intrigue and curiosity.

Allyssa's frustration reached its peak as she barked at Aaron and shook him, demanding, "Don't you know me?" She was quick to assert her status as the sole heir of the Kingsford Corporation, one of the most renowned companies in the USA.

While Aaron was indeed a powerful figure in his own right, he understood the importance of not insulting such a wealthy and influential personality.

Despite his personal reservations and the situation at hand, he never maintains his composure and replied, "Of course, I'm not aware.“

Aaron acknowledged Allyssa's status, though his focus remained divided between her and the ongoing dance on the floor. Here, Allysa was fuming in anger. She raised her hand to slap this man, but he grabbed her hand swiftly. His grip was harder than she imagined. His fingerprinted over her delicate skin and her skin turned red with a bruise. She snatched her hand back and surged to the dance floor.

Allyssa's anger boiled over, and she couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She swirled around and shouted, "Just because of this non-existent girl. Such a fucking bitch."

Without warning, she rushed onto the dance floor, grabbing Elaina's hand and forcibly pulling her away from Casper's hold. Before either Casper or Elaina could comprehend the situation, a hard, resounding slap landed on Elaina's cheek, sending shockwaves through the venue. The hall was now engulfed in stunned silence as the unexpected altercation unfolded before them.

Aaron arrived at the scene hastily, but it was too late—the slap had already struck Elaina, and she lay on the floor. Unshed tears formed in her eyes and her hand reached her cheek to feel what actually occurred.

As the venue was enveloped in stunned silence, another sharp slap echoed. Allyssa, who had moments ago been the aggressor, was now the one stunned and overwhelmed with shock and grief. She couldn't fathom how someone had dared to slap her - the Allyssa Kingsford and the realization of her insult. The room remained hushed, with everyone processing the unexpected turn of events.