Chapter 2 The Announcement

"Uugh"Alina groaned clutching her head tightly,her head was pounding,hard! she felt as though a rock was hitting to get out.

Turning to the otherside she hit a body which she knows to be Alex's she stared at his face with so much love in her eyes she almost forgot she had a headache.He was truly a masterpiece,God really favoured him he had a perfectly sculpted face with a pointed sharp nose and deep green eyes.She could be lost in that face for centuries and she would be fine with it.She started drawing circles in his well defined abs while staring at nothing in particular.Suddenly she felt a hand tightening around her waist and was pulled on top of him.

"How are you?i bet your head is not favouring you at all."He said as a matter of fact in a hoarse voice.

Staring at the deep green eyes she replied with hum.

"I'll get you some pain killers"he dressed and went in the kitchen looking inside the first aid kit for pain killers.Finally getting them he poured water in a glass and took it to her.

She replied with a "Thank you" and gulped down the substance.

Staring at her ring she stated "you do know placing a ring inside food was soo last year and plus i could've swallowed it for God's sake!you could've come up with a more brilliant way"

He threw his hands up in mock surrender "you can be so ungrateful at times Ali"he chuckled

"But you love me anyway"she went up and hugged him tightly.

"Of course i do who else would i love?"kissing the top of her head ..now that she had no heels she was much shorter.

"So let's freshen up then we'll know how to spend the day"Alex dragged her to the bathroom but before he reached the door knob Ali snatched her hand from him and went to retrieve her phone

"Before i forget let me first make some phone calls about the dinner tonight" she squaled "can't wait to see their faces after telling them am engaged" she said.

Alex just leaned on the door smiling,watching her as she called each important person in her list and invited them to dinner at the Jeffery residence. She made a final call to her parents then finally went to the bathroom.

The shower was long considering that both of them were insatiable thus failed to control their hunger for one another

*

*

*

They were now in the living room with Alina watching some random TV show which Alex gladly ignored and busied himself with work on his computer.

"Don't you ever get tired of working?"she annoyingly asked

"Don't you ever get tired of whining?"he shot back without batting an eyelash to her direction, his concentration still in what he was doing.Rolling her eyes Alina stood up and went in the kitchen to drink water when she came back she was stunned to see he put away his 'electronic'

"Come,pick a movie we can watch"

Again shocked she replied "okkayy"he pulled her to him and snuggled close she picked out a movie and they started watching it.

*

*

*

They were able to kill time with random activities watching the TV being the main one though.

Now they were getting ready for the night.

"So which one says am happily engaged?" Holding up the two dresses in display for Alex to help her choose

"I don't know Lina clothes don't speak" he pointed out "besides,anything you wear will look gorgeous on you,you literally look good in everything"

Looking at the dresses thoughtfully she decided to go with the casual black dress ending just above the knees.Alex came out snuggled in a long sleeve tight-fitting t-shirt black denims with sneakers.

"You look breathtaking fiancée"Alina complemented stressing out the 'fiancé' part

"You don't look bad yourself hun" he replied getting closer and kissed her.

"Let's get going we don wanna be late".

They went out of the house locked the door and finally they were in the car driving to their destination.

________________________________

Their short journey coming to an end,they packed the car at the front and proceeded inside.The Jeffery's house was one of the most beautiful.Coloured in white with a modern vibe it looked heavenly and cozy.The outside had a fountain to it with a garden at the back.

"Alina darling you're here"Stella a middle-aged woman who stayed as a nanny to the four siblings said cheerfully.

"Good evening Stella"she kissed her cheek and hugged her

"Oh how have you been my dear,this house has not been the same without you you know.Don't tell anyone but it's been quite dull since you left you gave this home a life you know"

Laughing Ali replied with the same manner by lowly telling her "i won't"she proceeded with a louder tone"although i must say am glad that my absence is noticed shows just how much i used to run this place"she boasted and they both laughed.

"Oh forgive me Alex for not acknowledging you but you're fiance here steals attention from anyone close to her.How are you my boy?"

"Am very fine ma'am please don't apologize for anything"

"Oh enough with the formalities you're like Ali to me just call me Stella"

"Okay Stella...i hope you're fine?"he asked

"I am but even better now that you brought my little girl to visit me"she retorted pinching Alina's cheek slightly.

"Oh come on am you're big girl now"she pointed out pouting.

"Of course you are since you're even ready to get married but to me you'll always be my little angel"

Confused with a frown that formed creases on her forehead Alina was just about to ask how she became aware of that fact but Stella's next statement cleared the turmoil in her head

"You should really hide that ring if you're to announce the news and want it to come as a surprise by the way"she whispered then giggled

Alina was annoyed more by herself for not remembering the fact that she still had her ring on.She placed her hand behind the clutch an attempt to hide it"ugh Stella you're always one to notice every little thing in me even after not seeing me for sometime"

"That's more reason to notice every detail my child.Now let's take you to everyone.

At the living room Alina's parents together with Alex's were chatting about business.Alina's siblings two brothers Leonard and Jack and her sister Abigail were talking about her and how this could be just another unimportant announcement she's about to make but decided to disturb them by forcing a family.They loved their sister dearly but sometimes she could get a bit spontaneous.Leo came with his wife and kid who was now with a nanny.Jack brought a new girlfriend for the fourth time within two years.Abigail brought no one her love life was a complicated mess she wasn't ready to discuss with anyone but Alina and too shared only few details.

'"Mom,Dad"all heads turned to her as she voiced our her presence.She moved to her father and kissed him then to her mother whom she displayed more affection to her who returned it with same energy they hugged and kissed each other on the cheek.

"You spoil that kid too much"Anderson Jeffery taunted his wife.

Eleanor,Alina's mother retorted "Oh come on darling you can't blame a mother for loving her kids can you?"

She went forward and greeted Alex's parents with a bright smile and Alex did the same except that his smile was more to depict politeness.

After finishing with the parents she went to her siblings and finally returned to her mother's side.

"Alex my son,how is the business going"Anderson's voiced boomed through the silent charters.

"It's going great Mr.Anderson,we had trouble w pulling off some deals but we managed everything"

"That's great son and please do call me Uncle,we are long time friends with your parents am like a father figure to you"they all laughed

"Actually i think he can just call you father since he's going to be your son-in law"everyone stared at her quizzically just then she held up her left hand and in a squeal she screamed "am getting married"

"What!"

"Oh my God this is wonderful news"

"Wow lucky you guys"

"Are you sure you'll be able to keep up with her for the rest of you're life though?she's a handfull"and that was Jack who decided to tease her.That was his Forte for sure.

"Oh Jack you're just jelous because no one is willing to take a risk with you except for the money grabbers"she shot back not knowing that he brought an entourage with him.

"Hey you should mind your tongue miss sassy stuck up your offending someone"he said pointing behind him.

Ali gasped a horror gasp after seeing what's behind him

"I-i am s-orry"her voice stuck in her throat she failed to make a prorper sentence without stuttering

"It's okay don't worry"Sienna the girl with Jack calmed her.

"And i am not stuck up mom talk to your idiotic son"

"Hey don't you cal--"

"Enough"Anderson shouted" you two are grown ups we will not deal with this right now"

"Yes hunny it's a celebratory occasion don't ruin it"Eleanor chimed in "come on now dinner is ready"

With a final hard glare on Jack she took strides towards Alex and held his hand they all headed to the dining and took their respective seats

___________________________

Half way through dinner Abi broke the silence "so Ali when is the wedding?"she asked merrily with a wide grin

She was dumbfounded,with all the excitement she forgot to ask Alex about their wedding date.

"I-uh...."not waiting for her to finish up moulding her lie Alex saved her

"The wedding will be in three months"now even the soon-to-be bride was stunned 'three months!that's a very short time we haven't prepared anything yet what about th--'she didn't complete her thinking as he proceeded "about the date we haven't decided one yet,we'll soon decide though"

Now the one who voiced their thought was Daniel Ford Alex's Dad "But son that is too soon are you sure you'll be able to complete everything within that time span?"

"Yes dad"he replied with a sigh and a tired expression he was already exhausted within the half hour he's been here.He only wanted to take Alina who surprisingly was enjoying herself while talking to her sister, get her home burry her in his arms and sleep."With the right people assigned to their respective work we'll definetely get there"

"I believe in you son"Pattie,Alex's mom said and raised her champagne glass showing her encouragement.He replied with a tight smile.

"Oh Ali am so happy for you by the way am going to be the maid of honour"Abi clapped excitedly "can't wait to choose the wedding dress ooh and the jewelries it's going to be a lot of fun"for a moment Alina saw a flash of the old Abigail one who loved shopping for fancy dresses and jewels not that she stopped loving but as she claims she grew out of it and now is focused on being the perfect employee in their own company!She can't be serious.Burying herself in work till late at night and going on from where she left early in the morning helped her take her mind off the traumatizing way her relationship ended if you could even say that because her fiancé only left her and disappeared without telling her anything.Her engagement ring is always hanging down her neck held by a beautiful silver chain.Noticing that her sister was staring at her with a saddened expression instead of celebrating with her Abi realized what she had just done and composed herself to return to her nonchalant expression while clearing her throat to relieve the awkwardness."it's going to be sisters days out..we haven't spend time with each other for a long time and how better it is to spend it shopping" she laughed dryly placing a strand of hair behind her ear

Not wanting to dwell in saddness she grabbed her hand and replied with a teeth-showing smile which failed to reach her eyes "of course,anything for my sister".Others didn't hear of their little chat they were busy conversing with one another.Leonard telling Alex how neatly he'll kill him if he dares break he sister's heart and Jack rambled on about how well he'll bury the body with no one ever finding him.

_______________________________