Chapter 205

Liam’s POV

With Joanna on my arm, we walked around the massive event ballroom, speaking directly with our guests. The mayor is in attendance, as are several prominent members of the city council. All of the news media owners are in attendance with their wives, including Chuck who gives me a smirk from across the room.

I tried to avoid him.

“There’s mother and father,” Joanna whispered in my ear, turning me toward the direction of an older couple. They stood very near each other, not speaking or touching, as they looked out at the other guests with clear disinterest and distain.

“We should go say hi,” Joanna continued. “Please remember that you are in love with me.”

“Pretending,” I reminded her.

“Same difference.”

As we approached her parents, even though it made me sick to my stomach, I forced a wider smile onto my lips. It felt wrong and uncomfortable, and I was certain everyone could see right through it.

No one looked at me any differently, however. Maybe we were all wearing our smiling masks here, and no one was genuine.

“Mother. Father,” Joanna said. “You know Liam.”

Both of Joanna’s parents turned their gaze onto me. Their eyes were cold icicles. Her mother sipped at her white wine.

“It’s been years since we’ve last seen you, Liam,” Joanna’s father said. “When was the last time you attended a high society party?”

“It’s been several years,” I said, voice tight.

“That’s what I was saying,” Joanna’s father looked to his wife. “Janet and I had just said, several years now.”

“A pity, certainly,” Janet said, not bothering to hide her frigid tone. “I know Joanna would have appreciated your presence. How quickly men forget the promises they made.”

If she was referring to the initial engagement, that had been arranged between Markus and these folks. I’d had nothing to do with it. Even now, I wished I could stay out of it entirely.

Yet, for the sake of this ruse, I knew I had to play along, though I was certain to hate every second of it.

“I’m here now,” I told him.

“Far too late, in my opinion,” Janet said.

Joanna laughed too loudly, too harshly, as if her mother had just told a joke. She’d probably been hoping to change the subject, but it was clunky and uncomfortably way of doing it. It immediately gained everyone’s attention.

Joanna was usually so well-composed; it was strange to see her finally exhibit some nervousness. I supposed even she felt pressured to impress her parents.

“Control yourself, Joanna,” Janet snapped. Joanna’s bravado immediately shriveled up.

“Sorry, mother. I just remembered the funniest joke,” she said.

“Now is hardly the time for joking, Joanna,” her father, Oscar, said.

“A woman can be nervous for her engagement,” Joanna said.

“Other women perhaps,” Janet said. “But not our daughter. We didn’t raise you to cackle like a hyena.”

Joanna wilted slightly.

“Well, we must visit with all of our guests,” I said. Even with my distain for Joanna, I couldn’t stand the way these people spoke to and about their own daughter. To me, it was no wonder that Joanna had turned out so terrible, placing so much weight in wealth and status.

Her parents never cared about her personal happiness, so why should she?

“Yes,” Oscar said, narrowing his eyes. “I would imagine some of the members of high society have forgotten what you look like Liam, as you’ve been rustling in the trash for so long.”

I was going to just walk away and let bygones be bygones, but with a comment like that, how could I just let things lay?

“Actually,” I started, but Joanna immediately tugged on my arm.

“Come along, darling. Those guests are waiting!”

Oscar smirked as Joanna pulled me away. Janet continued to sip at her wine.

When we were a fair distance from them, Joanna turned to me. “Don’t antagonize them.”

“I didn’t say anything. They were the ones who wanted to drag us both through the mud,” I said.

“I’ll handle them,” Joanna replied. “Once they see the engagement, everything will come together.” As her voice had a tight edge to it, I wasn’t sure she believed it herself, but I didn’t call her out on it. Whether she handled them or not, after tonight, was no longer any of my concern.

After tonight, this farce would be over and I could go back to focusing on what was truly important: Aria and the boys. My own family.

We continued to mingle and several times I was asked where my father was.

“He told us he intended to come,” said one of the guests. “He’s never late.”

“I’m sure something important came up,” I replied, though I wondered. There were only two reasons I could think of that father would miss tonight after insisting this event would occur. The first was if another more important business matter came up, but in that case, others at the event would likely know about it.

The other case was if he was medically unwell.

After our mingling, Joanna leaned into me. “Get ready. It’s time for your to official propose.”

The ring sat like a lead weight in my pocket. The sooner this was over, the better.

Aria’s POV

The security guard who had been standing beside me received a text on her cell phone. “It’s time,” she said. “You can go on ahead now.”

I’d been waiting outside for an hour. At this point, I really just wanted to go home, but none of the guards would let me catch a cab. They all insisted I was the special guest and wouldn’t want to leave until I saw what I came here to see.

If Liam was behind all this, if this was all part of his elaborate proposal, after accepting I was going to have a few words with him about all this. Making me wait for over an hour? Why not just have the invitation set for later?

Regardless, it was time now, so my nerves started to itch again, the butterflies in my stomach taking flight once more.

Past the gate where the security guards stood, there was a long pathway to the main banquet room. As I walked closer, I could hear the sound of talking from within, though I could not make out any of the words.

At least, I couldn’t at first.

As I drew nearer, a voice spoke over the main microphone. “Quiet, please. The main event is about to begin.”

My heart leapt into my throat. Was I part of the main event?

Despite my earlier skepticism, my hope soared. What if Liam really was proposing? What if, the minute I opened this door, he’d be waiting, down on one knee, ready to present me with an engagement ring?

I braced myself, ready, as I reached for the golden door handle on the stark white door.

Turning it, I pulled it outwards, revealing the crowded, bright ballroom with its elaborate crystal chandeliers and its many well-dressed guests.

Halfway through the door, I froze.

In front of me, Liam was down on one knew, with a ring held up in his hands.

But he was not facing me. He wasn’t even looking toward the door.

Instead, his eyes were on Joanna’s. The ring, he held up for her.

“Joanna,” he said. “Will you accept my proposal?”