Allegedly Yours

Engagement

Chapter 60

Leaning against the golden-plated wall of the grand hall, Aston's hazel eyes held a fascination as he watched her standing with her parents, welcoming the guests with a bright smile. Her smile was like a beacon in the darkness, and he wondered why she didn't smile at him like that; it would make his day. Her blue gown flowed in waves, cascading down in soft, rippling folds that mimicked the serene movement of the sea. Each step she took sent the fabric undulating like gentle waves. She looked absolutely radiant, he thought.

He was a driven individual who typically had no interest in such events, was here today only for her. It was her brother's engagement, and Nyrah's parents had invited him and James personally. As for his father, Aston had no idea where that man had disappeared to, nor did he care. He was here solely for her, or more precisely, to gawk at her—the only thing he had been engrossed in for the past hour. Staring at her would be the sole thing he carried through his entire stay.

As he continued to watch her, scrutinizing her, his interest grew. He noted every little detail about her, from her undeniable beauty to her seemingly unwell demeanor. She was going to the washroom repeatedly, her movements unsteady and lacking energy. It was obvious to him that something was amiss with her health, and it only deepened his concern and curiosity.

Just then, a lady took the stage, her presence commanding the room. She wore a stunning black long dress with a sweetheart neckline that accentuated her elegance. The fabric shimmered under the lights, and her confident demeanor suggested she was the host or emcee for the event.

As she stepped up to the microphone, the room quieted, all eyes turning to her. She smiled warmly, her voice smooth and welcoming as she began to address the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please," she began, her tone both professional and inviting. "We are gathered here tonight to celebrate a very special occasion—the engagement of Zale and Alessa. Let's give them a round of applause!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and the emcee continued, "We have a wonderful evening planned, filled with laughter, love, and of course, plenty of dancing. But before we begin, I’d like to invite Zale and Alessa to join me on stage."

Aston watched as Zale and Alessa made their way to the stage, hand in hand, their smiles bright and genuine. Nyrah, standing with her parents, clapped enthusiastically, her eyes shining with happiness for her brother. Despite her earlier unsteadiness, her love for her family shone through, adding a glow to her already radiant appearance.

The emcee continued, "Zale and Alessa, tonight is just the beginning of your beautiful journey together. We all wish you nothing but happiness and love. Now, we will proceed with the ring exchange ceremony."

Zale locked Alessa with his love-struck gaze, holding both her hands and smiling like a madman who had just won the whole world. Alessa returned his smile warmly, stepping forward in her golden dress. The dress was so long it cascaded down the entire staircase, its train held by four attendants to ensure she could move without any hindrance.

The room was filled with admiration as the couple stood at the center, their happiness evident. The golden dress shimmered under the lights, reflecting the joy and celebration of the moment. Zale's eyes never left Alessa, his love for her palpable and unwavering.

As Zale and Alessa exchanged rings, the room erupted in applause. A bottle of champagne was opened, its cork popping with a celebratory burst. While flowers begin raining on the newly engaged couple. Firecrackers lit up the room, their sparkling lights adding to the festive atmosphere.

The emcee announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big cheer for the newly engaged couple!" The crowd responded with enthusiasm, their cheers echoing through the hall.

Next, the emcee called the family on stage for a photo. Aston seized the opportunity to stand beside Nyrah, his hand gently holding her waist. Nyrah turned to look at him, her grey eyes shimmering with the black eyeshadow that accentuated their sparkle. The look she gave him was a mixture of surprise and uncertainty, her beauty even more striking under the stage lights.

As the photographer adjusted the camera, Aston whispered, "You look stunning tonight, darling." His voice was soft, filled with admiration.

She gave him a small, forced smile, trying to keep up appearances for the sake of the photograph. The photographer called for everyone to smile, and as the flash went off, Nyrah felt the warmth of Aston's hand on her waist, a reminder of the complicated emotions between them.

The lights in the ballroom dimmed, casting a warm, soft glow over the scene. Then the DJ started, and the next event on the agenda was the dance. The lights dimmed, casting a soft glow over the ballroom as couples began to take to the dance floor. Zale and Alessa shared their first dance as an engaged couple, moving gracefully to the music.

Aston turned to Nyrah, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and longing. "May I have this dance?" he asked, extending his hand towards her.

Nyrah, scanning the room, saw her parents dancing and the crowd's attention fixed on Zale and Alessa. Her own discomfort was palpable, her stomach churning with nausea. "I don't want to dance," she said firmly, her voice edged with frustration. The thought of spending more time in his presence was unbearable, especially with her persistent urge to vomit.

Aston, undeterred by her refusal, closed the distance between them with a determined stride. Before Nyrah could react, he reached up and delicately removed her hair clip. Her ebony hair tumbled freely over her shoulders, cascading in glossy waves that caught the light. Nyrah's irritation flared as she looked at him, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Aston, what's this? Give it back to me," she demanded, trying to take the clip from him. Her voice was sharp, her frustration evident as she reached for the small accessory.

Aston, however, held her gaze steadily, his expression a mix of defiance and sorrow. "Please, Nyrah," he said softly, his voice almost pleading. "Just one dance."

"Fine! But give me the clip first," Nyrah demanded, her voice sharp with frustration. Aston raised an eyebrow, a challenging smirk playing on his lips. "Come, darling, take it," he taunted, turning on his heel and darting towards the stage.

Nyrah, her determination ignited, dashed after him. Her heart raced not just from the chase but from the urgency of her situation. Her long, ebony hair swayed with each step, and the thought of her vomit-stained hair was unbearable. She needed the clip to keep her hair in place, to maintain some semblance of dignity and control.

As Aston reached the stage, he looked back at her with a playful yet strained smile. Nyrah's pace quickened; her desperation gave her an edge, and she was determined to retrieve the clip before her condition worsened. The crowd around the stage watched with curiosity as she pursued him, the scene unfolding like a dramatic dance of its own.

Aston, despite his playful demeanor, was aware of the seriousness of her situation. He slowed down just enough to give Nyrah a chance, but kept the clip just out of reach. Then, with a sudden, unexpected move, he twirled her around.

Nyrah, caught off guard by the sudden twirl, stumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance. As she moved towards him, Aston reached out and gently but firmly held both her hands, pulling her into his chest. The sudden closeness left her breathless. She looked up at him, their eyes locking in a moment of intense, unspoken communication.

For a fleeting instant, she was lost in the depth of the genuine emotions reflected in his hazel eyes, the vulnerability and longing evident in every glance. With a sudden, fluid motion, Aston lifted her into his arms. Nyrah instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart racing as he began to swirl her around. The world blurred into a whirl of lights and movement, their bodies moving in harmony as he twirled her with a gentle, yet firm hold.

The dance became a poignant, intimate moment amid the crowded ballroom. As the music swirled around them, Aston carefully set her down. Nyrah's heel slipped, causing her to lose her balance, but he caught her immediately. She clutched his tuxedo tightly, fisting its edges, her eyes never leaving his. His cologne invaded her senses, mingling with the minty freshness of his breath.

His features were no less than those of a Greek god—handsome beyond comparison. Those hazel eyes of his, reflecting the spectrum of different colors from the fully lit hall, seemed to hypnotize her every time. If looks could kill, she would already be six feet under. She couldn’t help but remember the time she had been late for an exam and had collided with him. He had held her just like this. The only difference was the emotions in his eyes—back then, they had been filled with irritation, now, they were filled with a myriad of emotions, the most profound of which was love.

Caught in this moment, Nyrah felt a wave of nostalgia and confusion. The warmth of his hands on her waist, the intensity of his gaze, and the tenderness in his touch—all these stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her. She tried to steady her racing heart, but the connection between them was undeniable, as if time had momentarily stood still just for them.

The loud sound of applause jolted Nyrah and Aston out of their private world. Gently, he helped her stand on her feet, his hand still resting on her waist. They both noticed everyone’s eyes on them—they had inadvertently stolen the limelight from Zale and Alessa. Nyrah, still standing on the stage, felt an overwhelming urge to vomit again. Her face lost all its color as her stomach churned violently.

Sensing her condition, Aston quickly took her hand, guiding her off the stage. She barely made it to the washroom before rushing to the sink, where she began to retch. Aston followed her inside, holding her hair back as she vomited. When she finally finished, she took a deep breath of relief and turned to find him still standing there, concern etched on his face, despite being in the ladies' washroom.

"Umm, thanks... I'm fine. You should get—" she began, but before she could finish her sentence, Aston closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers, silencing her with a kiss.

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