Chapter 2 The Big Ask

Dozens more photographs of the trio were taken before they were joined by Honor Raibu, Maddie's boyfriend. Honor was the eldest of the children from the Raibu family. Before he ataered dating Maddie, Anna had known Honor to be near emotionless and stoic. Stern and steadfast. The entire Raibu family had this staunchness about them that trickled down to each of the seven children. They had made their wealth off mining markets all throughout Africa though their company was based in Nigeria. Maddie and Honor had been dating for months, and he had grown to spoil her as if she were an Empress.

Maddie called him her Nigerian Prince.

Anna knew that it was more than just that. Maddie liked Honor well enough to seriously date him. So much so that their families were subtly pressuring them to go beyond dating. Honor loved Maddie with a persistent pursuit. Anna remembered randomly by watching them that she had spoken to Sofia, Maddie's mother, a few weeks before and discovered that they were moving her grandmother's engagement ring from the family's vault and having it appraised.

And this "Family Business Event". Maddie, usually first to bask in the praise for her parties and events had been unusually tight-lipped Anna knew she had to come, wear something formal, abd she was going to debut with Jaxon. Welp, this was the debut, her avoiding holding hus hand and smiling in randon directions in caae there was a camera.

Then it hit her. She heard somrone from the crowd shout, "Congratulations Maddison! We love you!" Anna wondered how she could be so blind. But why was Maddie keeping it a secret? Why hadn't she realized? Of course Honor wasn't going to propose without the world knowing of his love. He was going to do it tonight.

Photographs snapped as the couples were ushered on as more and more people arrived. Anna suddenly suspected it was like Maddie's 'surprise' sweet sixteen she planned for herself invited everyone and had them surprise her so she could pretend to be surprised. Now it all made sense. Anna glanced at Maddie, and it also dawned on her, Maddie didn't just look gorgeous and rich, Maddie looked as if she were the main star of the whole event. Anna's heart swelled with joy for her best friend but continued to panic about what she just saw with Jaxon.

Honor smiled. His coal black eyes glimmered with warmth and it seemed like he had nothing but affection and admiration for Maddie. His sun rose with this woman and it was apparent to anyone who saw him, he would do anything for her. He spared a knowing glance and knowing smile at Anna before chatting with Maddie again as the couples left to procession indoors.

Anna avoided, or attempted to avoid, even coming into contact with Jaxon but he bullied her hand into his again. Desperate not to cause a scene she left it there as limp as possible. Jaxon continued to give her quizzical looks.

Soon enough they were escorted inside the hotel's grand ballroom, Anna only confirmed her suspicions. No expense was spared. It had been decorated beautifully. Climbing ivy reached up the pillars and over the ceiling from which hung countless tiny sparkling white lights. The entire scene seemed like they weren't in a ballroom at all, but in some distant enchanted castle garden. The floor was black and glass-like making the reflection of the masterful lights in the ivy seem more like a starscape underfoot. Live music played as people mingled. They all had arrived with just a bit of time to spare.

The pairs were escorted up to their seats, at the head center table. Sofia and Brent Bailey were seated foremost at the table whereas Jaxon and Anna were to the right and Maddie and Honor to the left. Everything was precise and over the top in opulence. Everything seemed wrong. Sofia and Brent greeted the four with open arms and air kiss welcomes showcasing for the cameras. Anna stepped away from the family as they basked in their fame.

For the first time Anna noticed in the crowd where some of her and Maddie's friends from college. Cesar Hernandez, Erica Schultz, Dylan Moore, and Marissa Mishra were all eagerly waving and gushing thier way over.Maddie and Jaxon used this for another photo opportunity. Anna hesitated and smiled, contrary to the chaos she felt in looming the distance.

Laughter, smiles, and conversations flowed and Anna caught a flute of champagne from a passing tray and downed it as her friends caught up. Several reporters continued to snap away and no one else seemed to mind. Erica, as always, was in the best her family could afford. Erica obviously had so much work done in her face she was unrecognizable from the awkward girl Anna met when they were 14. Her brown hair dyed a deep auburn. Her once aquiline nose had been changed almost a decade ago. Anna had to admin Erica got what she paid for, scalpel beauty. Erica and Anna had never been as close as Erica seemed to cling to Maddie. Anna finally leaned to Marissa after snatching a second champagne glass,

"I think Honor is going to propose to Maddie tonight. "

Marissa, effervescent as always giggled at the secret, as if she already knew. She tossed back her luxurious black hair, revealing the traditional Hindi earnings and jewelry. Marissa was adorned with the world's finest layers of yellow gold. No one but Marissa could make this look effortless and classy. Marissa looked as if she was a Bollywood Starlette. She wore a stunnung sari that was wrapped around the woman's frame to showcase her in the the most alluringly modest way it could. Effortless beauty. Marissa nearly chimed as she moved to whisper a myrth-filled response "Oh? You think so? Ah, maybe!"

Her accent teased her words making them sound musical. Annabelle couldn't help but smile briefly but it faded the moment she saw Jaxon checking his phone before tucking it away again. Anna drained her champagne.

Dylan and Cesar were chatting away with Honor and Jaxom as Anna watched them all talk and laugh.

Anna turned and immediately clasped Marissa's forearm with a dull clank from the bangles there. Marissa cocked her head quizzically before Anna met her with a serious expression, "I need to go the powder room. Come with me?"

At first Marissa couldn't process what was asked but the look in Anna's eyes made her understand in an instant. This was important. Marissa nodded and told the group they'd return in a moment.

Once alone in the restroom Anna nearly cornered Marissa and dropped her voice. The two huddled near the furniture Anna finally understood the purpose for in a fancy restroom. They sat there for a moment while Anna collected her scattered thoughts. She attempted to pour it out but her mind still processing everything at once. She blurted. "I don't know what to do. Marissa, but it is bad." Anna covered her face in her hands.

Marissa's expression broke into concern. She immediately wrapped her arms around her friend and rocked her, "For what saheli? Nothing is so bad that cannot be fixed with a friend."

Anna took the comfort and explained what she saw in the car. She explained her insecurities, and explained that she saw Jaxon do on the phone. Marissa asked if Anna was sure, and Anna was confident. Marissa held her friend, unsure what to do when the door leading to the toilets opened. Marissa failed at words or warnings as a woman strode elegantly into the powder room from the private roomed stall. She moved to the basin and checked her reflection after washing her hands. The only sound were her heels on the floor and the water shutting off.

Anna glanced and recognized Faith Rabiu immediately. Slender, and built like a goddess. Her gold and cream gown flowed oveer ger body as if it were a thin layer of translucent oil, that never let you quite see everything. Her jewelry made Anna's "heirloom" prices seem like a child crafted them. It was obvious they were only outshone by Marissa's, something Faith noted immediately in the reflection.

Faith was decorum personified. Her hair was natural and pulled back into a large elegant puff with the raw magnetism of kinks and curls begging to be freed. Glimmering depths of her coal black eyes were framed with a stark almond shape. Her lips were full, naturally so where other women spend thousands for the same pout. Gems nestled here on her clothing, in her hair, making her seem almost ethereal.

The three were silent as Anna tried to comport herself, her emotions still fluctuating between embarrassment, anger, shame, and even joy for Maddie. She dried her cheeks which were damp. Faith walked directly to the pair. She said in a tone that was rich and resonant, "If you ask me, I think you both would be better to avoid the Bailey Family altogether. They are not good people."

Faith said what she said without so much as a hint of remorse. She stared at Anna, as if gazing into her very soul. Faith didn't soften her gaze but instead offered something akin to a sneer, "Hopefully my brother will come to his senses and get away from all of you."

Faith then turned without another word to exit the room leaving shocked silence in her wake.

Anna felt gobsmacked. That was Honor's own sister. Was she going to ruin Maddie's proposal?! Anna glanced in panic at Marissa, who stared after Faith tutting her tongue. Marissa then smiled again at Anna,

"Anna, if you ask a lemon to sing - it will only share sour songs. Don't mind her." Then Marissa's expression softened. "If you are sure, I believe you. You need to talk to Jaxon about it right away."

Anna nodded and rest her head back on Marissa's shoulder. Marissa was perhaps the most gentle person Annabelle had ever known, "I can't. Not tonight. Not now. Maybe after the proposal on the way home I ..."

Marissa froze and glanced at Anna, "Anna... No, you need to right away. Tonight - " but before a word came out Maddie peeked her head in with Erica, "There you two are!"

Anna quickly put on a brave smiling face and untangled from Marissa, "We were just heading back."

Marissa tugged at Annabelle's arm. There was no facade there but genuine concern. The concern that almost screams of imminent danger. Anna recognized this and her unease grew. She tried to brush it off. She took a breath and swore to Marissa, "It's fine. I'm fine."

Marissa insisted, "No you are not. Please, no listen. Tonight is important, " and before Marissa could finish the lights dimmed.

Maddie hovered with Erica and crowded Anna too, "Is everything alright? What is it?"

The lights dimmed again as Marissa attempted to explain but Anna interrupted, "Nothing! It is so much bigger than i expected. It looks as if the event is starting."

Anna shot a pleading look to Erica who immediately caught Anna's drift and started ushering Marissa and the group back out of the powder room.

Marissa stubbornly stayed raising her voice. "No, Anna needs to know! Anna, listen... Erica,"

But even this was washed away by the dimming of the lights and Erica's voice insisting. "Time to goooo!". Anna glanced at Marissa apologetically and grabbed Maddie and fled the bathroom. She was NOT ruining Maddie's night over this.

Soon the friends were split once more with Maddie and Anna being left back to the center table. Marissa and Erica were seated at a table across a small dance floor directly dacing the raised center table. Marissa fumbled in her purse gesturing as much as she could to Anna before locating her phone and texting frantically. Anna moved to get her phone from her clutch beside her seat and met Jaxon's gaze as she was bending down.

He was smirking at her. He watched her almost ... aloof. He surveyed her face as she scrambled for her phone in her clutch, "Don't tell me ... someone else besides me has you scrambling for your phone, babe."

His words uoset her more. Anna felt the pit of her stomach go sick. No she has seen what she had seen, and he had the audacity to ask if SHE was talking to anyone? Her cheeks flashed red but her hand hesitated. All she could hear was her phone notifications going off with Marissa's unique tone pinging over and over just beneath the music.

Meanwhile Marissa nearly fell from her seat trying to get Anna's attention before her father who she was seated beside gave her a single glance. Marissa changed tatics quickly explained to her father. Mr. Mishra's face drew red as Anna witnessed this all. The pit in her stomach grew more intense. Now they both pointed frantically to Marissa's phone.

Anna finally snatched up the phone as it continued to ping and beep. Brent Bailey stood before his the guests and the live music stilled entirely. Anna shoved it on silent and tried to peek but Brent interrupted. He was a portly man, and luckily neither Jaxon or Maddison inherited their height or figure from him. He boomed his voice through the venue.

"Tonight I want to welcome you all to a remarkable event. You know me, Baileys do EVERYTHING BIG!"

A polite chuckle was heard through the crowd. The moments grew and dread started filling Anna's heart. The sense something disastrous was barreling down on her and there was no way to escape. She tried to blaze through Marissa's messages but the words were jumbled. She couldn't focus. Anxiety soon found no other option but to wait. She shoved the phone away. She drank some more champagne. Two more glasses as quickly as she could.

"Tonight is a very special event indeed. But let me say it isn't about me. Tonight is about two very special people to the Bailey family."

Anna threw on a face of joy despite the pressing panic. Leaning forward Annabelle peered at her friend. Anna froze seeing Maddie leaning forward to smile at her in the same way. They caught eachother's smiles. That's when Anna saw Honor stand up and Maddie turn toward him. Anna was caught off-guard while Jaxon stood up beside Anna. The lights dimmed and a beautiful stirring melody of strings accompanied images displayed by protector on the walls. Anna saw images of Maddie growing up, and the same for Honor. Then of Jaxon. Then of her. The feeling grew worse as Anna confirmed to herself what was happening.

Anna tried to stand up, she needed air, out, anything, which was inadvertently the exact thing she was meant to. Anna couldn't breathe or think as she was led front and center of the ballroom. The crowd gasped and cooed and the music swelled as the images of the happy couples displayed everywhere. Anna was confused for a moment how they had even gotten so many pictures of her. Overwhelmed. She was overwhelmed. She felt sick.

Anna frantically glanced around and noted Maddie and Honor hadn't moved and inch. The lights were too bright where they were and somehow still too dim. Anna squinted but could only see where they stood. Then Jaxon stopped in the right spotlight on the ground and dropped to one knee. Anna barely felt herself. She stared at the other spotlight, to the left, that was vacant. Jaxon cleared his throat and she fought to focus on him.

There he was, in all his perfection and glory. Flashbulbs captured Anna gazing down at Jaxon. She was charming with her fingers delicately resting on her lips. Her mouth caught in a slight gasp. Anna frooze there unable to move. Jaxon posed there on one knee, and upon the other an obvious antique box, flipped open. The sparkle from inside the box under the light was captivating. The moment was offset with diffused lighting. The ivy framed the couple with the shimmer and twinke from the lights. The exact tyoe of photograph that makes magazine covers and wedding ads. This would not be the photograph associated with this night, however, despite the fact it was ideal.

Whatever Jaxon was saying, Anna couldn't hear. Her ears only heard a high pitched distant tone. Her breath. Her pulse. She glanced toward Marissa and Mr. Mishra who had looks of horror etched on their features. She managed to fight the bile in her throat as she searched for Maddie sgain. She was still standing beside Honor. Honor was not kneeling but instead showing Maddie his phone.

Honor's expression was stoic and firm. Any affection and admiration were gone. As if his boundless sea of love had evaporated. He spat out words to Maddie. Anna couldn't hear what he was saying either. Anna startled as Jaxon clasped her hand again. She tried to pull away but he jammed a huge diamond ring, his grandmother's ring, onto her finger. She tried to look for Maddie again panic fully swelling in her throat. Anna wanted after her own mother, or impossibly her own father, to rescue her. Already the entire room was erupting in cheers. Balloons, confetti and glitter fell from behind the ivy vines showering the venue in celebration.

Anna looked down again at Jaxon, his flawless features had twisted into an expression Annabelle had never seen him wear before. She stared, transfixed at his eyes until she recognized the expression. Jaxon looked concerned for her. Caught off guard he stared up at her still holding her left hand. And that's when Annabelle threw up all over that impeccable looking Jaxon, his custom designer suit, heirloom ring, and herself before she promptly fainted.