FIRST BETROTHAL

SURPRISE


ONE WEEK LATER

I stand in the mirror. Outfit, check! Make-up, check! The hair is perfect! Everything is okay!

"I could be your mirror, you know." I look at Damian's reflection in the mirror; his face is all smiles, beaming and dazzling like always in his custom-made blue suit that is matching with my blue-fitting gown.


Two royalties! We are indeed royals! "Mmh. Do I look good?" I ask.

"You are gorgeous and elegant. I am afraid all the men in the event will fall in love with you."


"Really now? I think I am the one who should be weary of women in the event." I respond, caressing his jaw.

"This guy before you has eyes for only one woman—Ellie Marrie Riccaford, my betrothed, the love of my life. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." He says it, melting my heart with his words.

"And this beauty before you has her eyes only on one angel, Damian Almenda Riccaforte—my betrothed, the love of my life. It's either you or no one else. I love you, baby." I whisper.

"I love you more." He adds.

We gently kiss, but pull away at the slight knock on the door.

"May I come in?" Grace asks, popping her head inside.

"Sure, Grace." I respond, standing beside Damian.

"Sorry to disturb you two, but everything is set now. The guests are all settled. We are waiting for you." She explains.

"Okay. We will be down in a minute." Damian says this while I take a deep breath to ameliorate my tension.

"Okay." She responds, and she turns on her heels, her gown sweeping the floor behind her.

"Are you ready for this?" Damian asks, bundling his hand around my waist.

"I am. You?" I ask.

"Better than ever. Let's go?" He says he styles my loose hair with his fingers before pulling me with him.

We leave our room side by side, the way we are just meant to be beside each other, the way it will forever be. As we amble down the stairs, countless cameras are flickering at us endlessly, and they escort us up to the well-ornate garden with white and red-themed decor.

We are served some glasses of Champagne upon arrival and guided to the podium on the red carpet floor. We stand side by side, the cheers of the thousands of guests echoing as we rack before them. I'm glad we made this an evening gala. Everything looks so bright and clear, and the evening breeze is bringing some chilling vibes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, greetings!" Damian begins and continues after a loud roar of respondents to his greetings. "First, I would like to thank you all for honoring our special invitation to this gala tonight. Thank you, and feel welcome."

A loud applause echoes again. In the next few minutes, Damian talks about the story of our families and how the alignment came to be. Our betrothal, how we rebelled against it, and how fate brought us together again. From the looks on the faces of our guests, I have no doubt we are going to be on the front pages of magazines tomorrow and the headlines of TV stations. I doubt our story will ever die.

My three friends are so elated by the story, as if they didn't know! But, hey, they are my buddies—lifetime buddies!

Then here comes the most fundamental and long-anticipated part of the speech. This is the sole reason for this gala.

"The Ricca's empire has been for ages, and it will forever reign. There has been a lot of confusion ever since Mr. Richard Riccaford left us, and I am here today to clear that up. He appointed me to be the acting CEO, but for a definite period. Unfortunately, the document that stipulated the exact period I was presumed to reign as the CEO of this empire can't be traced due to certain issues, but according to my understanding and wish, and that of my seniors from the company, I think that that time is up! I have served my purpose and duty, and I am glad I did."

Silence!

Forget about the reactions of the people, but me? I'm dumbfounded! Last I remember, I had no issues with him being the CEO. No one had! People had approved of his being in that position. So what is he talking about?

I look at him as he prepares to speak again, and he spares me a smile, which I don't return.

"Having said that and with the full consent of the board members, I, DAMIAN ALMENDA RICCAFORTE, STEP DOWN AS THE CEO OF THE RICCAS HOTEL CHAIN AND HAND OVER THE POSITION TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER, MY BELOVED WIFE, ELLIE MARRIE RICCAFORD ALMEDA. I, FROM NOW ON, AS ENDORSED BY THE BOARD AND ON MY OWN WILL, TAKE THE MANTLE AS THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE ADVISORY TO THE CEO."

I freeze, the smile that I had all gone now.

Wait, a minute! I am finding it difficult to breathe! How and when did all these happen? I thought he hadn't stepped out of the castle ever since he got discharged from the hospital, and I was right beside him, taking care of him every single minute. How did he plan all this?

It is so overwhelming! I am almost sweating, and the cheers from the crowd are making it even more unbearably overwhelming.

"Love? People are waiting!" I snap at Damian, realizing that people have now settled back into their seats.

Yeah, waiting for an unprepared CEO! What in our Savior's name will I tell the pregnant souls?

I walk to the microphone with Damian's help, clearing my throat first as I struggle for the right words.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to stand before you this evening. I would like to thank everyone, including the board members of The Riccas hotel chain, all the employees, and our investors, for their great support. It is because of you that the empire is still standing today. Thank you."

Applause erupt, while I steal a glance at Damian. I will surely kill him for this, I swear!

He freaking knows I suck so much at speaches, yet he had to put me in such a spot?

So, what do I say next here? The people are waiting for goodness sake and I cant afford to ruin my credibility this soon. He should have at least drafted some starting points for me, you know?