The party was far from ending.
The guests had left and the Agrestes moved the party to the dining hall.
They're usually together after every dinner party or event.
Rose hadn't been to any of these late family after parties, this was her first.
They'd gathered round the dining table eating, sipping wine and chatting about what happened at the party, who they saw and who they didn't.
All the while grandma kept looking over at Rose who was sitting at the far end of the table.
She had just returned from puking out her lungs the third time since dinner.
Grandma did noticed but didn't want to pry. She had promised to wait till Rose announces the pregnancy herself.
Daniel was sitting with the lady Rose met at the party.
And the rest were sitting on either sides on the table.
Soon, they were handing out gifts, talking about the plans and weddings.
Rose felt uncomfortable but couldn't leave.
It would be disrespectful of her .
"It's your turn Rose" she heard
"Huh? My turn for what" she asked as she looks at the familiar and non familiar faces around her.
"Didn't you prepare a gift for the host?" Came from Olivia.
She was the most happy to see Rose and she had planned a special night for the both of them.
"A gift?" Rose asks
"Yes, a gift"
By now the whole family was looking at her with disdain.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know i was supposed to prepare a gift " she apologized but her apology wasn't enough.
They've hated her with passion.
This was only making things worse.
"What kind of gift would you like?"she asked fearfully as the lady might demand for something she could not afford.
Angela smiled broadly at her.
"I'm not asking for too much just your ring" she replied calmly.
"My ring?" Rose asked
Angela simply nodded.
Doesn't she have manner?
This is her wedding ring and she wouldn't trade it in the world for anything.
It is currently the most valuable possession of hers and Angela's demanding that she gives it her?
How rude.
Rose looks over at Daniel for support.
Somehow, she thought that Daniel would intervene and make her keep her ring but he didn't.
For goodness sake this is her wedding ring and she can't even keep it?
"Don't you want to give it away?" Angela asks
"If you don't want to give it away, I can ask for something else " Angela said
Rose felt relieved, maybe she will ask for something simple and affordable, she hopes.
"There's this new necklace from LV that i really love, could you get it for me?" Angela asked batting her eyelashes.
Rose looked at Daniel then to Olivia who disapproved and mouthed the price.
"I'll give you the ring instead " Rose took the ring and stood up.
She was walking up to the other end of the table to deliver the ring.
She took the moment to take a good look at the ring.
It had the initials 'D&A' boldly written on it.
The ring was never hers.
How could she be so stupid to take hold of another woman's dream.
She would kiss the ring every morning before leaving the bedroom and every night before going to sleep.
It was her way of staying strong.
She could see the other members staring holes in her.
What's with her belly'
'Does she have a strange sickness?'
'Looks like she's pregnant'
She really has no shame'
How dare she come here with someone else's child'
'She disgusts me'
'I'm leaving the first thing tomorrow morning'
'I can't believe that grandma compared me to that thing' were the words circulating around the table.
Some of them she heard and some she chose to ignore.
"I'm sorry i haven't returned it yet" she gracefully placed the ring on the table before Angela.
"I didn't have time to wash it yet, please forgive me " she stepped back.
Angela inspected the ring and frowned.
"It had our initials on it. I was supposed to wear it today at the engagement party but you chose to keep it" Angela screamed and burst in tears.
The whole family felt pity on her.
They vented their anger on her.
One woman said her pregnancy is not an excuse.
She was battered and cursed.
When they had settled down, Angela spoke again
"I'm sorry for lashing out on you but I do have a request. Please stay away from my fiancé "
"Fiancé?" Rose asked
"Yes, we renewed our engagement today and are planning our wedding "
"Oh, I missed the moment " rose said.
She did missed the moment from running to and fro the bathroom.
"I'm grateful for all you did when i was away, Norah told me everything. The late night sex, the dates, the seduction. I've forgiven you for everything but please stay away from him. I want my baby to get to know his father" she cried.
"What baby?" Rose looked around for answers.
"I am pregnant Rosita and Daniel is all i have. You're pregnant too and you know how i feel right now. I know you can't bear to loose Everest that's how I feel with Daniel, please " Angela did little effort to wipe her tears.
She looked crushed and broken.
Rose felt terrible for ever getting attached to Daniel.
She hasn't heard or seen a woman cry for love so badly.
"I'm sorry Angela"
"Rosita, you need to leave " grandma spoke for the first time.
Rose was shocked, yeah the room was awkward but if she expected someone to dismiss her it would'nt be grandma.
The security escorted Rose and Everest away till they left the villa.
It was 2am.
"Well, that's what you get from mingling with the high and mighty " Everest said as they waited for a taxi.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this"