CHAPTER 64: GETTING REAL

"Let’s be there for them and let’s act supportive. Make sure to keep smiling," my mother advised before she beamed me another smile.

Rosabella’s mansion was just as luxurious as Bennett’s. Although I guess it was to be expected given the fact that their two families were close, I was still surprised to find out that Rosabella’s family was extremely wealthy as well. Raphael did not speak a word during the car ride, and the atmosphere felt slightly tense as we all got out of the car when it came to a stop. Rosabella and her father were there waiting for us right at the front step of their mansion to welcome us to their home with bright smiles on their faces. I had to admit that they played the role of the perfect host seamlessly.

"I’m very happy that you all could make it. Thank you for coming all this way," Rosabella said sweetly as she thanked all of us.

"Come this way. We should talk inside," her father said invitingly before leading us into the mansion.

The atmosphere would have been quiet and tense had it not been for the casual conversation that flowed naturally between Bennett and Rosabella’s father. I found myself seated on a very large leather sofa right next to my mother in a luxuriously decorated living room. As if arranged by fate, Raphael sat next to Rosabella while Bennett and her father sat next to each other.

"Well, I guess we should just get down to business now that everyone is gathered here," Bennett said with a firm clap of his hand. I didn’t dare take a look at Raphael to see his reaction now that the talk regarding his engagement was about to start.

"I know that so much time has already passed, but it feels just like yesterday when we promised to marry our children to each other," David said before letting out a little chuckle as if he was recalling some very fond memories from the past.

"I feel the exact same way. Time flew by so fast, and here we are," Bennett replied before laughing along.

I could tell that the two of them got along famously well with each other, and that was probably because of their friendship and also the business connection that they shared. While the two of them continued chatting about old times as if they were locked up in their own private world, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of business relationship Bennett could possibly have with David. As far as I was aware, David’s position as chief of the National Police wasn’t exactly a business. It was hard for me to imagine the Hayes Corporation having any business deal with the police.

"Dad, I think that’s enough about the past. You might be boring our guests," Rosabella said before flashing her father a very sweet smile, but I did not miss the subtle hint of warning in her words and tone.

"I guess you’re right about that. Surely, this is enough talking about the past, and we should focus more on the present and the future. Although, I love that you are our guests here today, I would like to think of you all as family because we are about to unite our families soon when Raphael and Rosabella gets married," David said before smiling at all of us in turn. I felt like my insides had frozen into rocks when his eyes landed on me, even though his gaze was warm and welcoming.

"You’re right about that. We are indeed family. This upcoming engagement ceremony is just going to make that more official and formalized, and also well-known and acknowledged by other people," Bennett said in agreement with a few nods of his head.

"So then, when should we have the engagement ceremony?" David asked the question that seemed to be hanging in everyone’s mind.

Now that the discussion was pinpointing the exact date of Raphael’s engagement ceremony, it started to feel so real to me that I didn’t know how to react. My hands and fingers fidgeted uncontrollably on my lap as I tried my best to look calm and composed. I stole a glance at Raphael, who still refused to make any comment. In fact, he had not spoken a word since entering the mansion, and that made me wonder what exactly he was thinking and feeling. I wondered if he realized that if he didn’t speak up for himself, then the engagement would proceed as planned, and soon enough, he would end up marrying Rosabella. Raphael had a blank look in his eyes as he stared off into space, as if he was mentally in another dimension.

"I would like to leave that up to you and Rosabella to decide. I’m sure that Raphael is fine with anything," Bennett replied casually.

"What do you think, Rosie?" David turned to ask his daughter. Rosabella smiled her sweet smile once again before clasping her hands together in pure joy.

"I think that Raphael and I should pick a date together. This is supposed to be one of the most important days in our lives, so I think that we should discuss this together before making a decision. Isn’t that right?" Rosabella asked with a hopeful tone as she directed her gaze at Raphael. A few seconds of silence went by as everyone waited anxiously for Raphael’s response and reaction.

"Rafa," Bennett called his son’s name to get his attention.

"I’m fine with anything. You can go ahead and decide," Raphael replied to Rosabella without any further comments. There was a short moment of awkward silence, and I wondered how the conversation was going to progress. Unexpectedly, it was my mother who stepped in to ease the tension in the room.

"Wow, Rosabella, you’re so lucky that Raphael is letting you have your way with everything. I am sure that planning this important event will also be a fun and rewarding experience in its own way," my mother said joyously.

"I guess you’re right about that. Raphael has always been so kind to me," Rosabella said in agreement.

–To be continued...