The engagement hall was a luxurious and elegant space, filled with warmth and sophistication. The walls were adorned with intricate golden moldings, and the floors were made of polished marble. The ceiling was high and domed, with a stunning chandelier hanging from the center, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the room.
The hall was decorated with exquisite floral arrangements, featuring a mix of white and purple flowers that matched the lavender and navy blue color scheme of the evening. The tables were set with crisp white linens, fine china, and sparkling crystal glasses, adding to the overall sense of refinement and luxury.
Soft music played in the background, setting a romantic and intimate tone, while the subtle scent of candles and fresh flowers filled the air. The room was filled with a warm, golden light, creating a sense of magic and wonder that perfectly captured the joy and excitement of the engagement celebration.
Mandy looked gorgeous in her lavender cocktail dress, a metallic sandal, statement earrings and a delicate necklace. Her hair was styled in a loose, romantic waves with a few stray strands framing her face.
While Steven looked handsome yet aloof in his Navy blue blazer with a white shirt, dark wash jeans and navy blue loafers, a simple watch and a slim belt.
While Aria looked effortlessly beautiful in her champagne dressy top with coupled with a dress pants. She wore statement earrings and a pair of heeled ankle boots with a neutral clutch. Her hair was braided updo with a few loose strands framing her face.
As for our dear Selena, she wore matching outfits with her mommah, with a white lace and a tiny bow in the back. Her hair tied in pigtails with matching champagne colored ribbons. She wore no jewelry but looked beautiful with a delicate rose petals filled basket to scatter down the aisle.
Mr Marco however wore a classic navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt, a slim tie and a hint of a waistcoat.
His graying brown hair, thinning slightly on top combed perfectly back to reveal his gentle face. His face thou wrinkled didn't make him any less handsome than the groom himself.
Stevens eyes lingered on Aria for a long time reminiscing over old times and unrequited feelings. The lover he yearned for but could never have.
Mandy looked at Steven as his gaze lingers on Aria and the intensity and longing their gazes shows for eachother. She smiled a sad smile knowing that he could never look at her like that ever.
" You look handsome" she complimented which made his attention urn back to her, with a little smile he replied, " Thank you, you are also looking gorgeous".
" Shall we dance?" She asked. " Why not" he said extending his hands, she put her hand on his and he led her to dance floor.
They swayed and danced beautiful to a slow love song, their moves graceful, but the forced chemistry was obvious.
Aria looked at them with a smiling face and a crying heart, her second chance at love is been taken away from her right in front of her eyes but all she could do was watch and smile.
After the couples dance Selena and her friends also gave a cute performance before Mandy insisted that Steven dances with Aria, they both reluctantly agreed knowing that this could be their last chance of ever been so close.
The dance simple and graceful with effortless chemistry, even the guests could see what was untold and felt bad for the bride.
Peter Anderson wanted to create a scene but Mandy stopped him saying if he ever wants to see her alive he would stay quite.
" What are you doing Mandy, you are willingly ruining your life for this man. I promise you that I would find a much more better man than him for you, who would love you, please don't do this" peter begged.
" Promise me brother, you wouldn't do anything, I know you love me and want the best for me, but if you don't let me do what I want to, you will see my dead body" Mandy said with teary eyes.
" Fine, you can stay here and get engaged, but I can't watch it, I am going" he said and left the hall.
Tears threatened to fall down her eyes but Mandy restrained them and kept on her smile.
After the performances the engagement ceremony took place. Steven put a beautiful diamond ring with a vintage antique inspiration on her ring, which looked beautiful and delicate on her beautiful fair skin.
While Mandy gave him a custom-designed ring that had small gemstones on it. It was time for gifts and people gifted the couple of sort of extravagant and beautiful gifts to show case their wealth rather than the joy they felt for the couple.
Whereas Aria gifted the couple a small decorative dove figurine made of pure gold and studs of diamond to represent peace, love and a new beginning filled with glamour and happiness.
" Thank you Aria, I wish I would also be able to gift you something as meaningful and as beautiful as this, I would be sure to keep it in my new home, thank you" Mandy said and hugged Aria.
" Thank you" Steven said with a soft smile. Their eyes understood eachothers language and seemed to be sending secret messages to eachother what their ears couldn't understand.
" It's good to see you as a groom, I remember teasing you a few months ago about marriage and now you gave me a shock, can't even believe it's your wedding am attending" Aria said teasingly but her voice betrayed a little of her emotions.
" Yeah, it's a shock to me as well, am still wandering if it's a dream I would wake up to the next morning and laugh it off, but I know it isn't. So when shall I be attending your wedding as well" Steven replied with a small chuckle.
" I don't know,let's just see what destiny has in store for me, once again congrats old dude" Aria teased and placed a hand on Stevens arm.
" We are leaving for Italy in two days, hope you would be there to send us off?" Mandy asked.
" Am not really sure, you know my schedule is very packed with the recent project we are working on, but I would send my best wishes with you both, you would surely find happiness and prosperity in your marriage" Aria said. In truth she isn't that busy, but her heart won't be able to say goodbye and send her lover off with another.