C153 Unexpected Guests

Alicia smiled softly before walking towards me. "As a designer..." "...measuring tape isn't always necessary." I looked at her curiously. She gently straightened my tie before continuing. "When I first met your parents, I didn't know them." "So when you asked me to buy them clothes after our first salary, I honestly didn't know what they look like."

She smiled. "But after spending time with them..." "...after cooking with your mother..." "...after watching your father play chess..." "I understood them." She lightly brushed the sleeve of my suit. "As for their sizes..." She laughed. "Designers learn to judge people's measurements just by looking at them." "We study body proportions." "Shoulder width." "Waist." "Arm length." "Height." "After a while..." "...you don't even realise you're doing it anymore."

She looked at me from head to toe. "The moment I see someone..." "...I already know what size they wear." I slowly nodded. "So that's your secret." She smiled proudly. "My little secret." For a moment... Neither of us spoke. The room suddenly became quiet. The evening sunlight shone through the window, making the tiny crystals on her dress sparkle beautifully.

I looked at her lips. The light pink lipstick reflected the light so perfectly that I couldn't help staring. Alicia noticed. "What?" I stepped closer. "...Nothing." She narrowed her eyes. "I know that look." Before she could move away... I gently held her waist. Her heartbeat immediately quickened. "H-Husband..." Without saying another word... I kissed her.

Her eyes widened for a brief second before slowly closing. She didn't resist. Instead... She quietly wrapped her arms around me. The kiss lasted only a few moments. When I finally let go... She blinked several times before looking at me with pretend anger. "You..." I smiled innocently. "What?" She pointed at her lips. "You ruined my lipstick."

I looked carefully. "...I did." She sighed dramatically. "Now I have to do it all over again." I laughed. "Worth it." She rolled her eyes before walking back to the mirror. As she carefully reapplied the lipstick, I simply stood there admiring her. After finishing, she turned around once more. "Now..." "No more kisses until after the engagement." I raised both hands helplessly. "I'll behave." She smiled. "We'll see."

Several minutes later... We finally walked downstairs together. The moment we appeared... The lively conversations throughout the hall suddenly stopped. Dozens of eyes landed on us. For a few seconds... Nobody spoke. Then someone finally whispered, "What a beautiful couple..." Another guest nodded. "They're perfectly matched."

Even the older ladies couldn't stop smiling. "They look like royalty." Mary slowly walked toward us. The moment she saw me... She smiled proudly. "My son..." "You're so handsome." She gently adjusted my collar. "That suit fits you perfectly." Then she turned toward Alicia. Her eyes slowly became moist. "My child..." "You look absolutely beautiful." Alicia blinked in surprise.

Mary gently hugged her. "Thank you..." "...for making my son so happy." Alicia smiled shyly. "I should be thanking you for raising such a wonderful man." Mom's eyes became even wetter. Nearby... Dad quietly coughed. "My wife..." "People are watching." Everyone laughed. The awkward atmosphere immediately disappeared.

Soon, Alicia and I moved toward the entrance to welcome the arriving guests. Family after family entered carrying expensive gifts. Some congratulated us. Some joked with us. Others simply admired the decorations. The atmosphere became warmer with every passing minute. Not long afterwards...

A familiar car entered the driveway. The moment the door opened... Laura almost ran toward us. She didn't even wait for Bright. "Mike!" "Alicia!" "You both look amazing!" She looked genuinely happy. Her bright smile carried none of the sadness she used to have. Bright hurried after her, looking slightly embarrassed.

Laura looked at me before lowering her head. "Mike..." "You already know everything." "I hope..." "...you don't blame me anymore." Before I could answer... She turned toward Alicia. "Alicia..." "Please..." "Take good care of him." "He's suffered enough." Then, to everyone's surprise... She hugged Alicia tightly. Alicia blinked several times before awkwardly patting her back. "I..." "I will."

Bright scratched his head helplessly. "I don't know what's wrong with her." "Ever since she found out you were released..." "...she's been smiling every day." He looked at me apologetically. "Nerd..." "I think..." "...the guilt she's been carrying is finally disappearing." "And..." He coughed awkwardly. "She even started calling me husband." Everyone burst into laughter.

Chris noticed us laughing from across the hall. Curious, he immediately walked over. The moment Alicia saw him approaching, she smiled mischievously. "Oh... I don't have to protect him" "His protector is here." We all turned. Chris walked over with narrowed eyes. "Brother." He looked between Laura and Bright. "So..." "You're laughing with your enemies now?"

Laura folded her arms. "Who's the enemy?" "Just because Mike and I didn't end things well..." "...doesn't make us enemies." Chris immediately pointed at her. "You framed my brother." "You broke his heart." "And you still have the courage to argue?" Laura didn't back down. "Your brother already knows everything." "We were forced." "It wasn't by choice." She looked straight into Chris's eyes. "So why are you acting like you're the victim?" Everyone struggled to hold back their laughter.

Chris's face immediately turned red. "You..." "At least apologise to me!" Bright, who was usually the loudest person in any conversation, quietly lowered his head. For once... He had nothing to say. Laura smiled helplessly. "Chris..." "I'm sorry." "I truly am." "You know I loved Mike." "But life doesn't always go the way we want." She looked at Bright before smiling gently. "Now..." "I have someone who treats me well."

She looked back at Alicia. "And Mike has someone capable of protecting him." She extended her hand. "So..." "Can we all continue as friends?" Even Alicia looked surprised. "Friends?" Laura nodded confidently. "Yes." Before Chris could object again... I smiled. "I don't see a problem with that."

Everyone turned toward me. Including Laura. She clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily. I slowly continued. "We're adults now." "We understand that sometimes..." "...life forces people into situations they never wanted." "We've all suffered." "We've all learned something." I looked at Bright. "You've learned." I looked at Laura. "So have you."

Finally... I looked at Chris. "And so have we." I smiled. "If we remain friends..." "...who knows?" "One day we might even become business partners." Chris blinked. "Business partners?" I nodded. "Gomez Family owns Nova Blaze Jewellery." I looked at Alicia. "My wife will soon lead Lucia Goods." Then I smiled at Chris. "And you..." "...already know what I mean."

Chris froze. His thoughts immediately raced toward Sarah. Wood IT Company. Nova Blaze Jewellery. Lucia Goods. Three powerful businesses. Three families connected in unexpected ways. He slowly nodded. "If you put it that way..." "...then I understand."

Just then... Another luxury vehicles slowly stopped outside. For some reason... Chris and I exchanged glances at the exact same time. Almost instinctively... We both looked toward Alicia. She slowly turned around. The smile on her face faded. Standing outside... Holding beautifully wrapped gifts... Were two familiar women. Sarah Wood. And Samantha Wood.

Without hesitation... Alicia and I walked forward to welcome them. The moment Chris realised who had arrived... His face changed dramatically. "...I'm leaving." Before either of us could stop him... He disappeared into the crowd and hurried toward his parents. Sarah noticed him escaping. She couldn't help smiling shyly. "So he ran away..."

Meanwhile... Samantha stood quietly beside her. Her eyes never left Alicia. Even after Alicia greeted her politely... She remained silent. Lost in thought. Only Sarah smiled warmly. "Congratulations."b"We're sorry we're a little late." I accepted the gifts with a smile. "Thank you for coming." Alicia nodded politely. "We're happy you're here."

After exchanging a few more words... The two sisters walked into the hall. As they disappeared into the crowd... Sarah gently glanced at Samantha. "Sam..." "You've been unusually quiet." Samantha forced a faint smile. "I'm fine." Sarah wasn't convinced. She lowered her voice. "...Are you still unable to let him go?" Samantha remained silent.

After several moments... She finally whispered, "...I don't know." Sarah gently held her hand. "You're my sister-in-law now." "You also gave birth to the most beautiful little girl." "My parents adore both of you." "They've accepted you completely." She smiled gently. "And tonight..." "...is Alicia and Mike's special night." "We shouldn't ruin it." Samantha slowly nodded. "I know."

She looked toward Mike and Alicia, who were still greeting guests together. A faint smile appeared on her face. "Maybe..." "...one day..." "...I'll finally learn how to let him go." Sarah squeezed her hand gently. "You will." Together... The two sisters quietly walked deeper into the beautifully decorated hall as more guests continued arriving, unaware that the unforgettable engagement ceremony was only moments away.