Chapter 224: Mine forever

Alan's lips were pursed to thin line glaring Jeremy who was reading the contract cancellation papers.

"I'm engaged." 

He actually wanted to say, 'I'm married.'

His cold tone poured a bucket of icy cold water on the wishes of Jeremy and on the hopes of Monroe.

The wealthy families froze looking at Alan's ring and his nonchalance. 

The media wanted to ask about his fiancee and many more questions but they couldn't due to their distance.

Monroe saw Aria talking with Noah without bothering about what was going on. She boldly went ahead and held her hand but found no ring.

Many's expressions changed seeing what was unfolding. Aria frowned seeing her grab her hand and Monroe wasn't smooth at all.

"Is Alan engaged to the girl from the previous day?"

Aria promptly responded to the question, "Yep."

Then Monroe walked out.

The dignity she had was lost giving her no face to look at anybody. She ignored the media and left the banquet hall and the hotel eventually.

She really wanted to ask Aria a few questions, 

'Why didn't you tell me that Alan was already engaged?'

'How can you still be lively and happy after losing him?'

'If he loves you so much and when you trust him blindly, why didn't he engage with you?'

And many more such questions.

She also knew Aria wasn't obliged to tell her anything. 

In fact, Aria had told her about another woman but she hadn't listened to her and went with the flow as her father arranged.

She followed the flowing water like a dead fish because she thought if that could get her Alan, why not?

Aria really felt bad for Monroe due to Jeremy's stupidity but that doesn't mean that she would share Alan with anybody.

'He is mine. Top to toe, he just belongs to me. Hmph.' Aria thought to herself ignoring the gazes on her.

The security sent the reporters and Jeremy Grayson's family out.

The media roasted Jeremy Grayson and his wife with vicious questions. 

"President Grayson, did you purposefully hiked to get the attention?"

"We heard Morgan Industries taking back their support, are you capable to stand and manage the company?"

"Who gave you the guts to go against President Morgan?"

"Is this all your plans?"

"Does your daughter love President Morgan?"

"Why did you send your daughter to a different country when she could have worked in your company?"

.

.

Jeremy wanted to talk negatively about Alan but his survival source would vanish just like that. 

He wanted to blame Aria but he had already lost five clients due to her interference just because he looked down on her even after her warning.

Whereas inside the banquet hall, the celebration was looking dull. A few asked Amelia and Rowan about what children's celebrations they were talking about.

Amelia smiled and pointed at the center, lights turned off falling darkness in the hall and a spotlight fell on a girl and a very low volumed soothing music played in the background.

The girl panicked without understanding but tried her best to be unemotional.

Alan who was standing aside, bit Aria's ear going to her, "Don't even think I'm not angry at you."

Aria knew that. Thinking to placate him later, she looked ahead holding his hand which was wrapping around her.

Alan didn't care why the spotlight was on Roxy. He just held Aria as his eyes glued on her letting her hold his hand and lean on him in the dark.

Roxy knew everyone was watching her and her legs started trembling in her gown. She tried to move away but the light just followed her. 

She froze when Rian went with her with a warm smile to calm her. Or maybe himself.

"What's going on?" Her soft nervous voice was too low which was even hard to be audible to Rian.

All the guests were just engrossed earlier about Alan, Aria, and Monroe so they hadn't much noticed Roxy who was with Amelia while greeting guests.

The reason behind why Aria wasn't with them was Amelia knew Aria would feel bad hearing about Alan or herself.

Aria's eyes twinkled realizing what was happening and turned to Alan to say something but froze.

She realized Alan was just watching her the whole time as if she would disappear any moment out of his sight. 

She subconsciously raised her hands to wrap them around him to hug.

Alan carried towards the end of the hall letting her hug.

When Rian had planned with his mother, he thought that proposing her privately or in front of many wouldn't matter. But he started to feel uneasy and afraid due to many eyes on him.

Noah nudged Rian to push ahead and Rian went in front of Roxy.

There was pin-drop silence other than the breathing sound of guests. Many held their breath to know what was going on even though they had guessed.

The families which had young daughters started to lose hope on another son of the Morgan family.

It was more than a minute, Roxy and Rian just looked at each other.

Eva and Isaac who were searching for Aria finally found her who was whispering to Alan while he held her in his embrace and Aria supported her arms on his shoulder without getting down from his arms.

It took time for both to identify them as Aria and Alan in the dark under faint light. 

Eva pinched her waist to get their attention.

Aria controlled herself from kicking the culprit and heard a low voice.

"Instead of boosting him, are you guys romancing here? Arrie, stop making me envious to lose weight. Get off. Where do you learn all these? Aish... Seeing you guys I feel like my life doesn't have sweet romance at all... I think we belong to hot romance. We two were never in the sweet side..."

Isaac: "..."

They went to get Aria but Eva started about them leaving him speechless.

Aria pointed ahead for Isaac and Eva and she quickly pecked on Alan's lips when both weren't noticing them.

Before they could say anything, Aria went near the staring couple.

"My beauty, It's time to show who is bold and daring. Come on."

Her mellow low voice made him turn to Aria who held her fists wishing him all the best enthusiastically.

Roxy was about to go next to Aria, Rian held her hands.

All expectantly looked at them thinking Rian would start but there was weird silence again.

"Rian, speak up." Noah said in a low voice but it didn't affect.

Eva hit her own forehead seeing them while Aria guessed the problem.

Aria spoke in a low voice seeing him blank even after holding her hands. "Isn't it weird to think that so many versions of you exist in other people's minds?" 

Rian's starting problem was solved instantly and repeated her line, "Isn't it weird to think that so many versions of you exist in other people's minds?"

Then he continued in his husky deep tone looking at Roxy, "Some people see you as bold and daring who doesn't care about anything. Some see you as an annoying girl who doesn't shut her mouth from talking nonsense. While your shyness is rare, A few know you are a kind and caring girl to your loved ones. You are cold and mean to protect us. With all these, I love our crazy side."

Many were adoring what Rian was saying sincerely. 

Aria remembered Alan's confession and a smile broadened on her face.

Eva cursed Isaac because he hadn't proposed to her and she never did too.

Noah, the single was very proud of his friend as he recorded the video.

Roxy was still nervous under everyone's gaze but she didn't miss even a single word that Rian was saying.

She understood why Amelia didn't introduce her to anyone because Rian had a different plan. She hadn't expected him to propose to her in front of everyone.

In fact, she never expected him to propose to her.

Rian didn't miss out on a single expression from Roxy's face for whatever he said so he continued his proposal heartily.

Rian was proud of himself and continued, "I had given you the cold shoulder and ignored you in the beginning by doubting you and distrusting you yet you didn't back down but you never flirted with me, neither did you try impressing me with cheesy pickup lines or fake words. 

You were just you whenever you spoke to me. You never portrayed yourself as a perfect girl, you made mistakes, accepted it and I loved that. You didn't hurry up things letting it take its time showing me that true love doesn't happen instantly. We took the time to understand each other better, we started conversing every day and loved each other's presence in our life.

And, today-till-date, I fall for you a little more everyday because You are someone I would never want to lose. Roxy Stephen, will you be mine forever?"