Chapter- [ 5 ]

[ Daniel ]

It took me hard from rolling my eyes as I roamed my eyes in the banquet hall.It was buzzing with murmurs and laughters of I roughly calculated five hundred or more relatives and guests.I know most of them personally but my birthday is the only day,I want to keep personal but my family can't allow me to enjoy my day to myself .I picked up a glass of scotch from a passing waiter and circled the room receiving their greetings and wishes as much as I could.It was very exhausting, pretending  to be ecstatic but the truth was,I wanted to run away from this circus and enjoy a bottle of chilled beer with Aiden.Speaking of Aiden,I hadn't spotted him yet.He promised to arrive at the venue before anyone and be my savior.

I saw my Mom talking to a group of her elite friends and the way her hooded eyes scrunched up in a distasteful look,I bet she was listening to her friends' 'wise opinion' on my would be wife and in laws.I tried to walk past them without catching her attention. I had no mood to bear her lecture tonight. She knew I had no choice in this matter but in spite of vocalizing her disappointment to either Dad or Grandpa,she found it more suitable to leash her anger out on me.

"Daniel wait..."And here we go.I took a sip of my scotch and waited for her to reach me,her heels killing the floor.She stalked over to me.

"You should come with me and meet Caroline Steel, Julie and David's daughter.You both went to same high school remember."Mom used her over sweet voice to lure me in meeting the girl who dominates the gossip section of magazines every month.

I sighed placing my empty glass on a nearby table and pinched the bridge of my nose,"Mom I know you're trying to change my mind and say no to this marriage but don't you think it's inappropriate and would only bring infamy to us.What about the girl whom I'll be announcing my fiancee in less than thirty minutes?"I looked at her in disbelief.

Her lips pressed into a thin line while she glared at me as if I said something very atrocious. I knew what it meant.Sophia or her family would be her next target.

"You must not speak to me in such tone Daniel.Do not forget that I am your mother and you defend a pest over me?"She gritted her teeth ,her temperament reaching to a new height.

"Excuse me Mom.I have to check upon our prestigious guests.I can't ruin their motive of coming here leaving their million dollars fortune behind."I tried to end our non sensible conversation and get over this drama as soon as possible.

"You'll regret it Daniel.She is going to ruin us all."She hissed behind my back.

I shook my head to dust off the sourness her words resulted on my mood.It should be my big day.I am finally going to seal my celibacy with Sophia.

I made my way to the section of the hall where the five layered cake was being placed on a clothed table. The guests has already seated.My family and the Stones were sitting on the front seats along with the particular brunette whose were were fixed on her lap.

Granpa rose from his chair and took the microphone in his hand.A contended smile never leaving his face. He cleared his throat to navigate all attention on him while I chose to stand beside him silently waiting for him to start his speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all with the deepest regard to come and grace this memorable event with your presence.Every year we gather to celebrate my grandson Daniel's birthday but this year,it's more special.I hope you've guessed it by now so let's not beat about the bush.Tonight,I gleefully announce my grandson's engagement with this beautiful lady Sophia Stone."He

announced and eyed me to bring her in the centre.

I took steady steps in her direction, who was constantly trying to remain unnoticed but someone should tell her that she was the epicenter of attention not because she was going to get linked to me and the Ashton family but her ethereal beauty.

"Sophia please..."I forwarded my hand for her to take,it caused her to flinch in surprise. She raised her eye lashes to give me a quizzical look.Her eyes dilated when she roamed her eye balls everywhere in the hall.

"It's the time."I said and she immediately caught my hint.Shyly,she placed her right hand in mine,I gave it a light squeeze to insure her that I'd be by her side.

"There she is,my beautiful granddaughter in law.Sophia,my child I have no words to express my feelings.I know you'll be the perfect match for my grandson."Grandpa patted her head.The crowd applauded cheerfully. Only if they could sneak into our hearts.

I opened the ring box which contained our engagement rings and picked out the one with a single diamond and small rubies studded on its sides.

"Sophia give me your hand."I whispered only for her to hear.

She seemed lost in her thoughts and shook her head discreetly when I asked her.She slowly held out her hand to me and I slipped the ring on her finger amidst the roaring applause of our witnesses.

She picked up the other one and with a single nod of her head,she gestured me to stretch my hand.Unlike her,I was confident. It was my decision after all to get married.So,wasting no time,I let her slip the other ring on my finger.

That's it.

I felt librate, now I would be spared from the unwanted pestering from the old business associates who had been trying to hitch their daughters with me.

"It's...beautiful.."She stared the ring in surprise and admiration.

"You too Sophia."I hushed in her ear and for appearance's sake,I slid my arm around her waist and posed for the camera.

"It wasn't the one I chose."She said in a low voice.

"Yes,it belongs to my late grandmother. Grandpa gave to me in the morning.He wants you to inherit her most precious jewel.I hope you got your answer."I replied with only truth.

"But...I don't..deserve it."She mumbled.It wasn't for me to hear but eventually I did.What was that?

Nevertheless, we cut the cake together and she fed me first.After all it was my birthday before our engagement.

"Congratulations son."My Dad patted my back and gave a kiss on Sophia's cheek,"Welcome to the family Sophia."He said to her and moved away to give others the chance to do the same.

My Mom simply gave me a loose hug and passed a tight smile to Sophia, her facial creases clearly depicted her opinion on this relation.

"Daniel my dear son in law.You didn't have to present her an expensive ring. You're spoiling her and my clumsy daughter, well she can't keep her things safely. "Her mother rushed to me while throwing a distasteful glance at Sophia.

"I certainly not Mrs. Stone.She is going to be my wife and as my future life partner and equal owner of my assests,it's her right to enjoy the privilege. I did nothing fancy."I replied her curtly.For some unknown reason,I didn't feel right. Their personal relationships were suspicious.

Her smile dropped but she maintained a show of excitement.James,her husband wished us after her.He didn't say much to Sophia unlike his wife but if I guessed right,he gave a passive warning to Sophia when she tried to pry his hands off as he approached to hug her.

I need to run a background check on her family to know the truth behind her dead expressions.

At last,Grandpa walked upto us and for a moment he just stared at us with mixed emotions swirling in his old wrinkled eyes.

"My children thank you for fulfilling my last wish,specially you Sophia. I know it wasn't an easy decision for you to give your consent for an arrange marriage but trust me,your life won't be changed a bit after the marriage. My grandson is a man of his words,he'd take care of you and your dreams,right Daniel?"He glanced over me.

"Yes Grandpa."I nodded my head in finalty.

She glanced at me through her peripheral vision but said nothing.

The party went on for hours. We accepted gifts and greetings from our guests. Some were genuinely happy for me while the others faked it because I rejected a marriage proposal. I never mingle business with personal relationships but what an irony, the Stones placed a condition in front of Grandpa in the exchange of her hand for this marriage that a sum of ten million US dollars and a luxurious apartment in a posh area of the city.

I highly doubt that she agreed for the sake of money.Glancing over her squirming body,I decided to release her from this misery.It was very challenging for her to act for the sake of my family's reputation in the society.

As I was about to ask her to take some rest ,after that I would drop her back at her home when Aiden appeared with Candance in his arm.

"Oh My God!Daniel she is thousand times more prettier in real."Candance gasped and focused her solo attention on Sophia who was looking between her and Aiden in confusion.

Sensing her dilemma,I decided to introduce them.

"Umm Sophia he is my best friend Aiden and she's Candance, Aiden's girlfriend."

Her creases relaxed instantly and she passed them a formal smile.

"Hello.."She politely greeted them.

"Oh cut this hello crap,come here girl."Candance pulled for a hug,"I still can't believe Daniel Ashton is engaged now and he hit the jack pot.Oh Sophia you're one of the prettiest girl."She added getting overexcited while Sophia awkwardly wrapped her arms around her.

"Candy my love please don't choke her before they exchange the vows."Aiden pulled Candance away,"I am sorry for her reaction it just we never expected Daniel Ashton to settle down."

"Its fine."Sophia again smiled but this one wasn't forced but came out naturally.

"Have you bought your wedding dress yet?"Candance asked her while we men choose to give them some privacy. Moreover, I wanted Sophia to befriend Candance so she wouldn't feel alone after our marriage.

"So man tell me how are you feeling because I can tell you that the young men present here,have to take cold showers to loosen up their pants.Their eyes aren't off from your innocent fiancee."Said Aiden as we walked at a distance from the women.

I was left stunned by his words and roamed my eyes to confirm his assumptions which are mostly true and fuck all the vultures are gawking on my oblivious fiancee.

Unknowingly a feeling settled in my heart. Let me tell you,I badly wanted to pluck their eyes out of their sockets.

Fuck!I felt possessive for my little innocent fiancee.