Chapter 15, Failed engagement
1042 Words
Remy was shocked to see the lady's face; he recognized her as the one he had seen dancing earlier with Anthony, but he hadn’t gotten a good look at her then. After he exclaimed, "What the f**k!" he drew a lot of attention to himself while Anthony was still preparing to propose to Clara.
Clara was unaware of Remy's arrival, and when she saw Anthony drop to one knee, her nerves kicked in as she realized he was about to propose to her in front of everyone.
Mr. and Mrs. Gregson frowned, as did Lerisa's parents, who were also seated in the VIP section, dismayed to see Anthony preparing to propose to another woman. They had all hoped that Anthony would marry Lerisa and solidify their family bond. But their hopes crumbled as Anthony pulled out a red ring box from his suit pocket, opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. He proposed to Clara right in front of the amazed crowd in the hall.
Clara felt emotional, as did many of the young women present who had crushed on Anthony. Some were jealous that their boss was proposing to someone else instead of dating them, while others blushed, admiring the romantic scene.
Ben paused to watch Clara and Anthony on stage. Although, he had been angry about Lerisa's crush on Anthony, he now felt relieved and anticipated Anthony popping the question so that he could pursue Lerisa without any competition.
Ben understood that Anthony wasn’t interested in a relationship with Lerisa, often referring to her as his younger sister, and they shared a close bond.
Ben smiled, eagerly waiting for Anthony to ask Clara, "Will you marry me?"
Clara blushed as Anthony took the beautiful diamond ring from the box and gently took her left hand, love shining in his eyes as he looked up at her face. "Please, Clara Harry. Will you marry me, Anthony Gregson?"
However, just as Clara was about to reply, "Yes, Anthony! I will," Remy stepped forward and called her by her alias, "April."
Clara shuddered in shock, not expecting to see him. She quickly pretended not to know him, averting her gaze back to Anthony and responding, "Yes, Anthony, I will marry you."
"What! You conniving b***h! How dare you lie to me about your name and tell me you're single? And you want to marry my brother too?" Remy questioned angrily, causing Anthony to look on in shock at Remy's public accusations. Clara frowned, realizing that Remy was claiming to be Anthony's brother.
'How could they be brothers?' Clara thought, bewildered. She had been dating Anthony for three years and had cheated on him multiple times, yet she had never encountered anyone related to him. She knew he was an only child.
Anthony stood up, glaring at Remy. "What's wrong with you, Remy? Do you know her?"
Anthony wondered who invited Remy to his birthday party, as Remy was his mother's elder sister's only son, and Anthony had always avoided associating with Remy, due to Remy's bad boy reputation and club addiction.
"Know her?" Remy scoffed as he took out a cigarette from his trouser's pocket, lit it, and took a drag before blowing smoke into the air. "I slept with her last night at my house, and I'm shocked to see you proposing to her today."
"What??" Anthony rushed to Remy without caring that they were related, punching him hard in the face. A fight broke out in the hall.
"Anthony!" Both their mothers rushed to separate them. Anthony's mother frowned at him, while Remy's mother pulled him away, also displeased. His two sisters stood behind him, glaring at him for ruining everything.
Clara felt utterly embarrassed, realizing that Anthony believed Remy's words, and she couldn't deny it either. Last night, she had told Anthony she was at a club celebrating her best friend's birthday.
"Please, babe, I'm sorry," Clara pleaded, approaching Anthony and grasping his hands, trying to hold onto him as he wore his red suit. She wanted to stop him from leaving the hall, but Anthony was furious, glaring at Clara in disbelief as he shoved her hand away irritably.
He was heartbroken, unable to fathom that she would betray him after everything he had done for her. He had given her money, time, and his heart, yet she still cheated on him—especially with his cousin, and just the previous night, after he had asked her to come home instead of going to the club.
"How could you, Clara? After everything I've done for you?" Anthony asked in pain, feeling close to tears. He had promised himself not to cry again after shedding tears for his last ex-girlfriend.
"Please, Anthony... I'm sorry. It was a mistake, and I blame the alcohol Sandra gave me," Clara cried, kneeling on the tiled floor of the hall, begging him, oblivious to the onlookers who were staring in shock.
"Alcohol? Really? I told you to leave the club and go home! I'm incredibly disappointed in you, Clara. Just leave now, or let me be alone," Anthony warned in a calm voice, having already returned the diamond ring to his pocket, though he hadn’t put it back in the box. He couldn’t believe Clara had cheated on him with his cousin and had hidden it from him while he went down on one knee to propose in front of his family.
"Please, Anthony... forgive me. I do love you, please..." Clara begged, standing up and rushing to meet him again, trying to stop him from leaving the event hall. But Anthony shouted, "Don't!"
"Don't you dare come any closer to me again! Or I will deal with you tonight, and you won't see it coming. Get out!" Anthony barked in a cold voice, causing the murmuring hall to fall silent. Clara didn't dare approach him again.
She stood aside, crying, watching as Anthony finally exited through a hidden door, leaving through the front stage.
Clara wanted to chase after Anthony again, but she was terrified, knowing he was furious with her.
Feeling ashamed, she quickly left the hall, running outside the compound, despite her red high-heeled shoes.
She rushed to her car, hopped inside, started the engine, and drove off in shame.
- Writer
