C149 The Engagement Countdown

Back at Wood IT Company... The lunch hour had finally arrived. Inside the Business Administration Department, Chris leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. Ever since Mike and Alicia had resigned that morning, the office had felt unusually quiet. For the first time in years... He truly felt alone.

He glanced at the clock. 12:30 p.m. His thoughts immediately drifted toward someone else. Sarah. A smile slowly appeared on his face before he picked up his phone and called her. The call rang twice before it connected. "...Hello..." Her sleepy voice came from the other side. Chris blinked. "Angel..." "Were you sleeping?" Sarah yawned softly. "Mmm..." "I accidentally fell asleep in my office."

Chris couldn't help laughing. "You really are becoming a Director." "The office even comes with nap time." Sarah giggled. "I was reading reports." "My eyes just closed." Chris smiled warmly. "So..." "What are we eating for lunch?" Sarah thought for a moment before answering. "I've become a little picky lately." Chris immediately became alert. "What do you feel like eating?"She frowned. "Nothing sour." "And nothing that smells too strong."

Chris scratched his head. "...But every food has a smell." Sarah laughed. "I don't know either." "Just... buy something." "But please..." "If it smells funny..." "I might throw up." Chris nodded seriously. "I'll handle it." The call ended. Only after placing her phone on the desk did Sarah suddenly widen her eyes. "Oh no..." She slapped her forehead. "Dad is here today..." She had completely forgotten.

She quickly reached for her phone to stop Chris. Unfortunately... It was already too late.

Downstairs... Chris stood inside the company cafeteria looking completely confused. One dish after another appeared before him. Chicken. Beef. Fish. Rice. Pasta. Soup. Fresh fruit. Juices. Salads. Desserts. He stared at everything. "What if this one smells?" He picked up another plate. "What if she doesn't like this one?"

A cafeteria worker smiled. "Mr. Chambers..." "Are you feeding the whole company today?" Chris laughed awkwardly. "I honestly don't know what women like." The lady chuckled knowingly. "Good luck." A few minutes later... Chris walked away carrying two large bags filled with almost every type of food the cafeteria sold. "If she rejects one..." "I'll have another option."

Inside the Director's Office... Sarah had already organised several stacks of company documents. Every report was sorted neatly according to departments. She slowly nodded to herself. "So this is how Dad managed everything..." Just then... A knock came from outside. "Come in." Before he could get inside... The office door beside him suddenly opened again.

Director Kelvin Wood stepped into the corridor. His eyes immediately landed on Chris. Then... On the lunch bags. Kelvin looked puzzled. "Mr. Chambers..." "You bought lunch for my daughter?" Chris froze. His face instantly turned green. His heartbeat nearly stopped. Words refused to come out. Sarah reacted almost immediately. She rushed outside.

She smiled naturally. "Dad." "I asked the cafeteria to prepare lunch for me." "They sent Mr. Chambers to deliver it." Kelvin looked from Chris... Back to Sarah... Then towards the bags again. Something felt strange. But... Nothing seemed obviously wrong. He finally nodded. "I see." "Carry on."

Without another word... He continued walking down the corridor. Only after he disappeared around the corner did both of them finally breathe again. Chris quickly entered the office before quietly closing the door. He leaned against it dramatically. "My heart almost stopped." Sarah covered her face. "I completely forgot Dad was here." Chris whispered, "Do you think he noticed something?" Sarah slowly shook her head. "I don't think so." "But..." "We have to be more careful." Chris nodded repeatedly. "Definitely."

They finally unpacked the food. Within seconds... The Director's desk was completely covered. Sarah blinked. "...Chris." "What?" "Did you buy the entire cafeteria?" He scratched his head awkwardly. "You said nothing sour." "And nothing smelly." "So..." "I bought almost everything." Sarah couldn't help laughing. "You really are hopeless." She picked up the first container.

The moment she opened it... She frowned. "This smells too strong." Chris immediately moved it away. "Next." She opened another. "Too sweet." Another. "I don't want beef today." Another. "This sauce smells funny." Chris looked helplessly at the growing pile of rejected dishes. "What exactly do you want to eat?" Sarah sighed. "I don't know." "I just know what I don't want." Chris stared at her for several seconds. Then both of them burst into laughter.

After trying almost every dish... Sarah finally gave up. She pushed everything aside. "I'll just drink juice." Chris looked at the mountain of untouched food. "So..." "I carried all this upstairs..." "...for orange juice?" Sarah nodded seriously. "And water." Chris sighed dramatically. "Our baby is already bullying me." Sarah reached over and gently held his hand. "Our baby isn't." "I am." The two laughed together, and the tension from earlier finally disappeared.

At the Mooney Family Estate... The atmosphere couldn't have been more different. The entire residence had transformed into a luxurious celebration venue. Several professional decorators hurried across the gardens carrying flowers, crystal stands and elegant white drapes. Workers rolled out an expensive red carpet stretching from the main gate all the way to the entrance hall. A catering team prepared dozens of exquisite dishes while chefs carefully inspected every plate before it left the kitchen

Luxury vehicles continued arriving one after another, delivering expensive wines, floral arrangements and final decorations. Mark Mooney walked around the venue with both hands behind his back. His sharp eyes missed nothing. "No." "Move those flowers slightly to the left." "The lighting is too dim." "The red carpet must be perfectly straight." He looked around proudly. "My daughter's engagement..." "...must become the finest engagement Scotland has ever seen."

Nearby... Peter wasn't any less busy. He pointed his walking stick toward one corner. "No." "That curtain isn't hanging properly." "And those lights..." "Raise them higher." "The stage must be flawless." The decorators hurried to obey every instruction. Georgia quietly disappeared into one of the storage rooms before returning a few minutes later carrying an elegant antique piano covered beneath a white cloth.

She gently removed the cover. The polished black surface reflected the afternoon sunlight beautifully. She smiled nostalgically. "Our old family piano..." Peter looked over. "You actually brought it out?" Georgia nodded. She softly touched the keys. A beautiful note echoed throughout the hall. Then she looked at her husband. "Do you think Alicia still remembers how to play?"

Before Peter could answer... Mark laughed loudly. "Mother..." "Why are you asking dad about my daughter?" He walked over to the piano proudly. "Of course she still remembers." "I personally made sure she kept practising." He gently closed the piano lid. "And tonight..." "I want her to perform one of Scotland's greatest masterpieces."

He smiled proudly. "Highland Cathedral." "The composition by Michael Korb and Ulrich Roever." "It deserves to be played on an occasion like this." Georgia smiled with satisfaction. "That piece has always suited her." Several maids carefully polished every inch of the piano before placing it elegantly on the main stage. Everything... Finally looked perfect.

One of the staff members checked his watch. "Sir..." "It's already five o'clock." Mark instinctively looked toward the entrance. Only two hours remained before the engagement ceremony was scheduled to begin. Guests would soon start arriving. Luxury vehicles had already begun entering the estate. But... The two most important people... Are nowhere to be seen.

Peter frowned slightly. "They should have been here by now." Georgia also looked toward the gate. "Where are those children?" Mark slowly folded his arms. "They aren't answering their phones either..." A hint of worry appeared on everyone's faces.

The enormous Mooney Estate stood completely prepared. The decorations were finished. The stage was ready. The piano waited silently beneath the lights. The guests would arrive soon. Yet... The future bride... And the future groom... Were still nowhere in sight.