Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 89

Ria's POV:

The front door swung open with a familiar creak, and Layla and Jamal walked in, looking positively radiant. They had just returned from their trip to Paris, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Benny and I were sprawled on the couch, snacks scattered around us as we watched a movie. The second I saw Layla's beaming smile and Jamal's playful grin, I knew something big was coming.

"Guess who's back!" Layla announced, her voice brimming with excitement.

I jumped up from the couch, almost spilling my popcorn. "Layla! Jamal! Hi!"

Benny followed suit, his enthusiasm matching mine. "Welcome back, you two! Paris treating you well?"

Jamal grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "It was amazing. But we have a little something important to share."

Layla was practically bouncing with excitement. "Yeah, we have big news! But first, let's sit down. It's going to be a bit of a story."

We settled onto the couch, curiosity piqued. Layla and Jamal exchanged a knowing glance before Layla finally spoke. "So, remember how Jamal and I were always joking about our future together? Well, we decided to make it official."

Jamal grinned and layla showed her hand to reveal a ring in her ring finger.

It was a classic design, with a beautiful diamond that caught the light perfectly. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands. "Oh my God, you're engaged! This is amazing!"

Layla's eyes were sparkling with tears of joy. "We wanted to surprise you both. But there's something else."

Before we could ask, Jamal reached into his other pocket and pulled out a couple of smaller boxes. "We've got something for you two as well, our children."

He handed us the boxes, and when we opened them, we found two plastic rings. They were styled to look like engagement rings, with faux diamonds and intricate designs. I burst out laughing, nearly falling off the couch.

"Are these what I think they are?" Benny asked, struggling to keep a straight face.

Jamal nodded, grinning widely. "Yep. We didn't want you two to feel left out. And after we got engaged we went to this photobooth and there was this colorful claw machine and we figured what the hell, right? And coincidentally we both won plastic rings."

I slipped the ring onto my finger, and Benny followed suit. "You know, from a distance, these actually look pretty convincing. I bet people would think we're all engaged if they didn't get too close."

Benny examined his ring with a smirk. "I have to admit, you guys have a knack for making even plastic look classy."

Jamal laughed and nudged Layla. "See? It's all about the presentation."

I looked at the ring on my finger, feeling a surge of happiness. but then I saw how Layla was beaming as well. "This is the best. I'm so happy for you both. And honestly, these rings are just the cherry on top. I love them!"

The movie was forgotten as we celebrated the news, joking and teasing each other. Layla and Jamal's engagement was the perfect excuse for a little party, and we made the most of it.

As the evening wore on, the laughter and conversation continued. The plastic rings, which had started as a joke, became symbols of our close-knit bond. We posed for photos, showing off our rings with pride, and the sense of happiness and camaraderie was palpable.
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The only thing more embarrassing than my current outfit was the fact that I willingly left the house in it.

I mean, in my defense, I thought I'd be spending the night lounging on the couch with Benny, stuffing my face with chips, and watching reruns of Friends. What I did not anticipate was Layla and Jamal waltzing in, showing off their engagement rings and then giving Benny and me our own plastic rings so we "wouldn't feel left out."