C150 Preparations

Evening slowly settled over the city. The golden sunlight that had filled the afternoon gradually disappeared behind the distant hills, replaced by rows of glittering streetlights. Tonight... Everything would change. It wasn't simply an engagement ceremony. It was the beginning of two families becoming one.

At the Smith residence... The house had become unusually lively. Earlier that afternoon, my mother and Aunt Valeria had gone shopping together, determined not to embarrass our family when meeting the Mooneys. By the time they returned, both women were carrying several elegant gift bags. Fresh flowers. Luxury chocolates. Traditional Scottish whisky. Beautiful handcrafted ornaments. Everything had been carefully chosen.

My father looked at the growing mountain of presents and couldn't help laughing. "Wife..." "Are we attending an engagement..." "...or opening our own gift shop?" Mary rolled her eyes. "You know nothing." "This is our future daughter-in-law's family." "We can't arrive empty-handed." Quinton immediately surrendered. "Yes, Wife." Valeria laughed before taking out her phone. "Oh..." "I almost forgot."

She quickly dialled David Chambers. The call connected after a few seconds. "Husband." "We're getting ready here." "Bring our clothes over to the Smith residence." "Mine." "Yours." "And Chris's." David chuckled from the other side. "So I'm the delivery man now?" Valeria smiled proudly. "You should feel honoured." "Our son's friend is getting his future sister-in-law engaged." David laughed. "I'll be there soon." The call ended.

Not long afterwards... Chris finished work and rode directly towards our house. His bicycle slowly entered the driveway just as David's car arrived from the opposite direction. The two men looked at one another before laughing. "Perfect timing." Within minutes... The Smith residence became even more crowded. Everyone greeted one another cheerfully before carrying clothes and gift boxes inside.

Soon... The entire house transformed into one giant dressing room. Everyone disappeared into different bedrooms to shower and prepare for the evening ceremony. Alicia's phone suddenly vibrated. The caller ID displayed only one word. Dad. She smiled before answering. "Hello, Dad." Mark's familiar voice immediately came through. "My child..." "Where are you?" "And where is your husband's family?"

Alicia couldn't help laughing. "Dad..." "We're already on our way." "Everyone is getting ready." "You don't have to worry." Mark sighed dramatically. "I've been checking the gate every five minutes." "I thought something had happened." She smiled warmly. "I promise..." "We'll be there very soon." Mark finally laughed. "I knew my daughter wouldn't disappoint me." "Drive safely." The call ended.

Everyone had finally finished bathing. One after another... Bedroom doors opened. Quinton appeared first, dressed in the elegant sky-blue suit Alicia had secretly bought for him. It fit perfectly. Mary walked around him proudly. "My husband still looks handsome." Quinton immediately straightened his tie. "I've always been handsome." Mary laughed. "Don't become too confident."

Next... David emerged wearing his dark navy suit. Valeria couldn't hide her smile. "My husband looks twenty years younger." David grinned. "Maybe I should attend engagements every weekend." Everyone burst into laughter. Then... Chris stepped out. His perfectly tailored maroon suit immediately caught everyone's attention. Mary nodded with approval. "Our Chris has finally grown into a proper young man."

Chris scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "You make it sound like I was a child yesterday." "I'll always say that." Mary smiled. "To me..." "You'll always be one." Finally... Everyone's eyes turned towards me. "Mike." "Your turn." I walked out of my room after changing. The first thing everyone noticed... Was that I wasn't carrying any suit. Instead... I held only two small boxes. One contained my polished black shoes. The other... My engagement ring.

Valeria blinked. "Where's your suit?" I smiled helplessly. "I honestly don't know." Everyone looked confused. I laughed. "Alicia refused to let me see it." "The only things I know are mine..." "...are the ring we bought today..." "...and these shoes." Chris laughed loudly. "So your own fiancée is keeping secrets from you." I shrugged. "What can I do?" "My future wife enjoys surprising me." Everyone laughed.

Everyone began complimenting one another's outfits. "You look beautiful." "That suit fits perfectly." "The colour really suits you." Even Alicia walked around checking everyone carefully like a professional designer making final adjustments. She straightened Quinton's tie. Adjusted Valeria's necklace. Folded David's pocket square properly. Then smiled with satisfaction. "Perfect." Everyone looked ready. Only then did Alicia clap her hands once. "Alright." "Time to go."

One after another... Everyone collected the carefully wrapped gifts before heading outside. The convoy of vehicles slowly left the Smith residence... Heading towards the Mooney Estate.

Meanwhile... At the Wood residence... Preparations were also underway. Unlike the joyful atmosphere at the Smith family... The mood here was much quieter. Inside her room... Sarah carefully adjusted the elegant emerald-green evening dress she had bought earlier that afternoon. The dress hugged her figure gracefully while silver embroidery shimmered beneath the bedroom lights.

She looked at herself in the mirror before gently placing a hand over her lower abdomen. "My little one..." "We're attending Uncle Mike's engagement tonight." She smiled softly. "You have to behave." Across the hallway... Samantha was also getting ready. She wore a deep royal-green evening gown that perfectly highlighted her graceful figure. Simple. Elegant. Beautiful. Yet... Her smile never appeared.

She quietly fastened a delicate necklace before looking at her own reflection. So many emotions lingered inside her heart. Happiness for Mike. Sadness for herself. Regret for the marriage she is trapped in. She sighed softly. Then left her room. Downstairs... Kelvin and Tracy were already waiting.

The moment the two women appeared... Both parents couldn't help smiling. Kelvin nodded proudly. "My daughters..." "You both look stunning." Tracy walked over first. She gently adjusted Sarah's hair before handing each of them a beautifully wrapped gift box. "These are for the Mooney family." "Don't forget to congratulate them properly." Both daughters accepted the gifts. "Thank you, Mom."

Kelvin looked towards Sarah. "You seem unusually quiet." "Are you alright?" Sarah forced a smile. "I'm fine, Dad." "I'm just..." "A little tired." "I suddenly feel like sleeping." Kelvin laughed loudly. "Already?" "The ceremony hasn't even started." Tracy smiled knowingly. "Our Director has been working too hard." Sarah smiled awkwardly without explaining further.

Soon... The two sisters headed outside. Sarah entered her silver Mercedes-Benz. Samantha climbed into her black Rolls-Royce. Moments later... Both vehicles slowly drove away towards the Mooney Estate.