Everyone had been waiting for their reply and Clarence was letting her speak now, so she had to say something. Minutes after she said, "Please allow us to talk this on our own. I really have a lot of things to consider before the wedding."

The whole place fell silent for a moment. Clyde started things rolling. "That is fine. Just let us know when you have decided. Right everyone?" He smiled at everyone as if telling them to support.

Claire got it first. "Yeah, spend some time talking this serious matter. We can wait. No need to hurry."

Slowly each one got the hint and began new topics.

"You can have the time as you wish. Allow us to have our baby first before the wedding." Sean intervened as he stroke his wife's belly. The news was abruptly stated but all in the room got it well.

"This is good news. Leyla are you really pregnant?" Beauty spoke this time with eyes wide in great antic.i.p.ation. All faced the young wife with sheer eagerness to know more.

Shy Leyla's crimson face showed her awkwardness. Her timid eyes met her husband's proud ones. Sean understood and came to the rescue. "Yup, she's pregnant for three months." He smiled proudly as he announced.

"That fast? You got pregnant not long after the wedding," Beauty added.

Everyone congratulated the newlywed.

Beauty hugged her sister-in-law. "Now Papa and Mama will be having their first grandchild." She looked at her parents and saw joy in their faces. The news was not a surprise to them.

"Hahaha, indeed. Congratulations Rodney and Bella." Claire stood in front of the two and shook hands and the ladies embraced each other with more enthusiasm.

"Thank you, thank you." Bella wiped a tear that slowly fell. "This is just a tear of joy."

"Hahaha, I wish I'll have to see a grandchild soon.' Claire glanced at Clarence and Beauty who was sitting silently after congratulating the new parents to be.

Beauty lowered her head. She didn't know what to say. Claire let her off with a smile.

"That time will come, Mom. Isn't it, Beauty?" His hand intertwined hers as he winked at her. She wanted to let go and run away. Somehow, Clarence wanted to tease her more. Everyone laughed with her reaction.

"Have mercy, cuz," Ronald spoke in the middle of the laughter as he proudly showed Jenna's hand wearing a diamond engagement ring.

Clarence couldn't bear to be defeated. "What? You're also engaged now? Hey, wait." He walked fast and took Jenna's hand with the ring and focused on the gem exposed. "Is this real or just some gla.s.s?" He joked and waited for his cousin's reaction, but Ronald took the initiative to retort while Jenna kept her pride.

Ronald pulled Jenna's hand from Clarence and said, "Hey! I'm not a cheapskate for my future wife. I'll give her the best I can give, of course, but doesn't mean I'm competing with you." His gaze went to Beauty's ring that had a bigger gem and intricate design.

Clarence dared to continue. He faced his mother and said, "Did Uncle and Auntie give their consent to this?"

"Actually, they'll be here five days from now. For sure, they will talk about it," said Claire with a silly grin and joking tone.

Ronald's heart thumped hard to hear the news. "Ha! I'll be ready, Auntie. I'll face my future in-laws with gusto." His words were for self-a.s.surance to remain in composure, however, it didn't stop him from getting pale.

Clarence saw his ashen face and said with a grin. "Are you sure you're ready to face them?" He placed his palm on the other guy's shoulder patting it gently. "I'll be sorry for you." He said while moving his head sidewise with a pitiful face. Ronald had a cold sweat.

Jenna couldn't bear to hear more of Clarence's torturous jests. She stood between the two. "Hey! Stop teasing him. We'll be ready to face Mom and Dad. Face your problem first." Everyone laughed seeing Jenna's fierce face in contrast to Ronald's pale one.

Clyde clapped and announced. "Well, let's leave the newly engaged couples to settle their plans." He turned his body and faced Beauty's parents. "Shall we go somewhere to celebrate more? Just us and no one else. I prepared a place for us to relax our tired bodies." He swung his hips and ma.s.saged his neck.

Rodney got the meaning. "Sure, let's go. We really need that." He took Bella's hand with a big smile on his face. "Let's go, dear." Bella followed with excitement.

"And..." Clyde pointed at the rest. "You're not allowed to follow us. This is a treat exclusively for us."

"Fine, fine, enjoy, Pa, Ma. Get a good relaxing time today. Enjoy with Dad and Mom," Clarence spoke while holding Beauty's hand. "We will also finalize our plans. I'll send a message with our decision."

The parents left and the rest followed leaving Beauty and Clarence in the ballroom.

"Shall we go somewhere?" Clarence asked her.

"Where?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"To my restaurant." She answered with a firm voice.

"Why there? How about a relaxing candlelight dinner? My treat." He brought her out the room. Beauty walked past him and said, "Can you be serious this time?"

"I'm totally serious but let's not be too concerned for now. Let's just have this day for a celebration. The rest are enjoying." He cupped her face and continued. "Please, my dear wife, let's relax for a while." He bent to kiss but interrupted when she bowed and started perusing her purse.

He saw her get her phone. "Don't worry about your restaurant. I called Alex. He said everything is doing well there. No need to worry. I called earlier to make sure of that." He took the phone and placed it back in her purse; then pulled her out.

"Come, I prepared a nice table with a good ambiance for us somewhere near a pool. You can swim if you like." They continued to walk until they reached the elevator and went in.

"You're not thinking anything bad, are you?" Beauty asked him with her hands akimbo.

"What bad?" He tried to look innocent but saw her unyielding scrutiny.

"Hey! Just joking." He placed his right palm on his chest. "I swear, I'll keep my promise, until our wedding night." He placed his arm on her waist and yanked her toward him; then he moved her chin up to make her look into his eyes as he caressed her face. "I love you and I won't do anything without your consent."

Beauty rested her cheek on his caressing palm and said, "I love you, too. Let us not hurry for the wedding, please."

"Okay, if that's what you want." Clarence kissed her pa.s.sionately. Like a roller coaster ride, in a slow manner, he slowly felt feverish. He wished they wed soon. He wanted to burn all his pa.s.sion at once. Somehow, his promise echoed in his mind.

He'll wait then and keep his word. The desire for l.u.s.t quenched. This was for their happiness and lifelong marriage, he decided.

They remained in each other's arms until the door swung open.

. . . . .

Five days later, in the airport arrival lounge. Ronald, with sweating palms, walked in slow motion toward the waiting area. Jenna was all smiles as they waited for her parents to come out.

Ronald asked to go to the bathroom.

"What? Going back to the bathroom again? This is the third time now." She looked at his sweating face in the midst of the air-conditioned lobby. "Are you really that nervous to face them?"

"Ah, ah, I'm not nervous just...just..." He kept on wiping his face even though there's no sweat left. "Ah, I really need to go to the bathroom now." He left in a hurry.

"Hey! Ronald, come back right away. They'll be out soon." She wanted to run after him but her parents won't see her if she did. She hoped that Ronald wouldn't shy out and leave her alone to face her parents.