"come on Kyla, tell us exactly how it happened" came Catherine as she pushed Kyla playfully to a couch.
"Yes Kyla we want to hear all about it" the girls who had come to congratulate both Catherine and Kyla spoke simultaneously
"Relax everyone" Kyla finally spoke. As she sat up on her seat, she stylishly brushed a strand of hair off her face.
"Well..." She said
"Yesterday, Greg invited me to The Grains Restaurant for a meal. When I arrived there, we had a casual conversation, but I didn't know the little devil had something up his sleeves untill one of the waiters came right up to me holding a tray on which sat a plate covered with a red bowl." She paused observing the anxious faces of the girls sitting before her then continued
"Special order! He said to me, from a special friend to the most beautiful woman in the restaurant today. Those were the waiter's words to me" she said as her cheeks turned red in a blush
"S... seriously?!" Catherine exclaimed in excitement
"Yes..." Kyla replied but continued with her narration almost immediately
"I was determined to prove him wrong because I knew I wasn't the only pretty lady that frequented The Grains, but I looked around me and found no other woman but myself."
"Wowww!! That's so sweet" one of the girls blurted out, but Kyla wasn't distracted by this.
"The waiter set the tray carefully before me, and after Greg had given me an assuring look, I lifted the bowl just to find this pretty little thing sitting right next to the letters, "Will You Marry Me?" She said flaunting the ring before their eyes.
"Woahhhhh!!! That's so romantic!" They exclaimed. One of the girls reached out to grab Kyla's hand to have a closer look at the ring, but Kyla withdrew her hand almost immediately. With so much pride in her tone, she spoke again.
"I've always known Greg to be a very romantic man, but I didn't expect him to go this far, I feel like a queen right now" she said.
"You're a Queen indeed Kyla " Catherine complimented, but one of the girls spoke up.
"You're a better Queen Cathy" she said.
"Why do you say that?" Another girl asked the first.
"Yes, Cathy sure is a better Queen than Kyla" she said again.
"I know Ryan must have scared the devil out of Cathy with his method of proposal, but when it comes to picking out expensive things for his woman, he sure ranks first" she said, and immediately, like a very important topic had finally been brought to light, someone else spoke up in agreement.
"Yes you're right" she said
"Everyone knows that Cathy's ring costs a lot more than Kyla's. Greg is romantic, no doubt, but who cares about that these days huh? We all know love isn't everything, money is a major criteria and that's what Greg lacks" Catherine was feeling really uncomfortable with their conversations. She looked to Kyla and saw how gloomy she had become, so she tried to change the topic, but was interrupted almost immediately.
"That's enough Louisa" she said to one of the girls who had just spoken
"I believe love supercedes everything else, moreover...."
"Come on Cathy don't try to play humble here. You have been favoured by the heavens." She said
"Look at you girl...you're stinkingly rich, though it's sometimes impossible to notice, and now you're engaged to an Aredian heir. Every girl's dream is to be with a man like Ryan and as we speak, they are still fighting hard to get his attention, but you're right here wearing one of the most expensive rings in the city as his soon to be bride. Seriously, you've got to share some of that luck with Kyla, maybe that way, she can measure up a bit, isn't that right girls?" She asked turning to stare at the rest of the girls and they all nodded in agreement, laughing as they did so. Catherine couldn't take it anymore.
"We've had enough of this conversation!" She spoke sternly.
"Please I want to be alone with Kyla" she said. Alarmed, that Catherine might force them out if they lingered any longer, the girls all got up and walked out, murmuring as they left, but Catherine paid no attention to them.
"I'm really sorry Kyla, please do not heart their words" she pleaded.
"No Cathy, don't apologize or try to console me, that will only make me look pathetic" Kyla replied forcing a smile.
"I'm okay, so don't waste your time" she said and left the room. Catherine knew too well that Kyla had always been one to hide her feelings even when she was hurting badly, so she didn't dare bother her again.
Two weeks later, Kyla and Catherine seemed to have forgotten about everything that had happened, as they made preparations towards meeting their parents.
"I've got a suggestion" Ryan spoke first.
"Let's all invite our parents at the same time and break this amazing news of our engagement to them. Though, mine's no longer news anyway. My mom called yesterday, almost ripping my ear drums out with her yells about how shocked she had been when she saw Cathy and I on the news. Ryan stroked his hair in a stylish manner, winking at Catherine as he did so.
"It's not a bad idea..." came Greg
"...but you and I know how difficult it is to get your parents to meet up with classless people like mine" he said
"Yeah, Greg's right" Kyla said, and looking to Catherine, she continued
"Your parents are in a whole different level Cathy. They are respectable people in the city, and they are wealthier than Greg's and my parents put together, how can they honour such an invitation?" She asked.
"Enough guys!" Came Ryan
"I don't like these segregations " he said.
"You both have got to trust me, this is an amazing opportunity for both your parents to meet Catherine's and my parents too."
"Yes, I agree with Ryan" Catherine said, and turning to Kyla, she continued
"It's an opportunity for your father to form a relationship with Lord Aredian, since he works in The Aredian Smith Defense. What do you think Kyla?" She asked wrapping her arms around Kyla's shoulders. Kyla was in deep thought as Catherine's words rang in her ears.
"Your dad works in one of the branches of Ryan's father's company right?" Catherine continued
"Imagine how beneficial it will be if your dad finds favour in Lord Aredian's eyes."
"Catherine is right sweetie" Greg said
"This is a rare opportunity for the both of us"
"Then, I guess I'm in, I will put a call through to my parents now" she replied
"Awesome!" Ryan exclaimed.
"I better go make preparations" He said again as he walked out to the balcony with his phone. He was almost dialing his butler when someone hugged him from behind. He turned just in time to lock eyes with Catherine, he beamed.
"What's wrong babe?" He asked wrapping his arms around her.
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay with letting your parents meet Greg's and Kyla's parents." She replied.
"Of course Cathy, Kyla and Greg are my friends, and this is the least I can do for them" he replied planting a kiss on Catherine's neck.
"What about your parents Cathy?" He asked
"I know they're always busy, do you think they'd be able to attend this huge get together?" He asked again as his hands groped Catherine's butt.
"They will Ryan, I'll make sure of that" she replied.
"Woah! That gets me nervous!" Ryan teased. He reached for Catherine's lips, but she pushed his hands away from her backside, though a bit flustered.
"We are outside Ryan" she said
"You should be a little more considerate next time" she walked briskly back into the house while Ryan stared after her with a smile across his face.
"I hope everything goes according to plan" he said to himself.