IDTMB — Chapter twelve

Everything was perfect in Yuzon's family's mansion because they had decided to host the event there. The night wasn't just a simple dinner because the highlight was Dominick Yuzon and Ellie Eurwen's engagement party. The two parties invited their close friends and relatives, some of whom hold higher positions in the business industry like them. People who attend the event will be witnesses, and there will be reporters and medias who will be unable to miss the important event for their headlines.

Ellie and her adoptive parents are already on their way to the event in their white limousine. She was sitting alone in her seat, with Luisito and Anecita in front of her. Ellie is dressed in a backless black long dress, and her adoptive mother is dressed in a wrap long dress. Her adoptive father, on the other hand, is a gentleman in a black tuxedo with a red necktie.

"I hope your brother will come to the party," Anecita said, breaking the silence while holding the wine glass in her hand.

"Why, Mom, is he not going to come?"

"I'm not sure; I called him earlier to see if he was going to join us, but he's working on something related in our company."

"Perhaps that's what I told him to work on yesterday," Luisito said while he read the newspaper he was holding.

"You met Arthur yesterday, Dad?" Ellie suddenly asked in the thought that it might be the reason why he's gone the whole day in the cabin.

"Yes, and if you only come with your brother, you probably met Dominick early, but I guess it's a bad timing because his face was injured when someone knocked him off in the bar," his adoptive parents fold the newspaper he was holding when he lost focus due to their conversation.

"D-did he say who punched him in the bar?" she gulped nervously twice.

"It's just a drunk customer in the bar, and I told him to file a case against that man, but he didn't, and that's because he doesn't want to get involved."

"I see," she only replied, a small smile on her lips.

After finding where Arthur had been all day while he was gone, she concluded that the two had fought again because his hand was in bandage when he returned. She felt guilty about him because it was all her fault if she hadn't gone to the bar. Ellie blamed herself, knowing that the company was already putting pressure on him as CEO. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't notice she took a deep breath while looking out the window.

"You don't have to worry about him, Ellie, he'll be fine," Anecita said as she noticed her, "Dominick will be fine with his injuries, so stop worrying there and put a smile on your face. I know you don't want to look ugly in the newspaper."

She pretended to laugh when her mother misinterpreted his concern for the asshole who almost raped him. "OK, Mom," she said simply, giving them her natural smile.

It took them almost two hours on the road to arrive at the village where the Yuzon lives. As they approached the village, they noticed a large number of cars approaching and knew exactly where they were going. Only those with invitation cards were allowed to attend the event, and they sent nearly 200 to those invited, including media and reporters. The limousine they were in came to a halt outside, where there is a large space reserved for them as they arrived.

"Look, the Eurwen's family has already arrived!" exclaimed one of the reporters to her group, and they dashed over to them to take photos and details for their newspapers.

The media, reporters, and  photographers, did not stop following Ellie and her adoptive parents as they approached the mansion. They appear to be being followed by dogs behind them. Some reporters are looking for Arthur because of his absence, but the family has refused to answer their questions because it is not yet time to face them. Perhaps their questions will be answered later at the engagement party.

"Anecita and Luisito welcome to our residence!" Lovelyn welcomed them as the Eurwen's family entered inside. It was Dominick's mother who looks like she doesn't come to an age because of her young look.

"Hello, Lovelyn, it's good to see you again." Anecita kisses her cheeks elegantly while the two gentlemen exchange a man hug.

"Wait a minute," Lovelyn says as she notices Ellie. "Is this Ellie, your daughter?"

"Yes, this is her," Anecita proudly replied.

"Oh my gosh, why didn't you tell me she's beautiful! I like her more than just in her picture, Anecita," she exclaimed, hugging her soon-to-be daughter-in-law with joy.

"Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but may we proceed to our tables now? Let's just wait for Dominick there; let's give my son time because he may be preparing so much for his fiancee," Danny said, laughing as if he was telling a joke. He was Dominick's father, who was ten years older than his mother, but the man was still strong and charismatic.

They all went to the back of the mansion, where the vast garden appears to be the size of an entire resort. Everyone is seated at their tables, and some are standing and conversing with one another, while others pose for photographs with the photographers. There are waiters walking around with their tray, serving wine to visitors, and they are in charge of food service.

"This is where we're going to seat," Lovelyn said, referring to the empty table in front of the mini stage, "and Dominick and your daughter will seat there so they can get to know each other."

"And speaking of Dominick, he's here; I'm glad he didn't make us wait," Danny said as he noticed his son approaching them.

"I'll be damned," Ellie said quietly as he smiled at her when their eyes met.

"Good evening, Mom and Dad," Dominick said to Luisito and Anecita before blessing them. "Did I make you wait too long?" he asked, his gaze fixed solely on Ellie.

"No, Son," Luisito replied, "we just got here, so you don't have to worry."

"Okay, Dad," he replied, "I'm sorry if my face is scaring you, Ellie, but don't worry, once these bruises heal, I'm sure you won't take your eyes off me, and by the way..." he took her hand and kissed the back of her palm where everyone screamed in delight at what they saw, "It's nice to see you in person, Ellie." He smiled almost grin on her.

Ellie didn't expect what he did and she knows she looks stupid with her reaction. "I-it's nice to see you too in person, Dominick." She took her hand on him before she try to form a smile.

"Ms. Ellie and Mr. Dominick, can we get a picture of you together? We need some good pictures for the front page of the newspaper and magazine," said the photographers, and all the cameras focus on them.

"Of course, Ellie," he said, taking her hand again and pulling her closer to him, his hand on her waist at the back. "You have no idea how happy I am today, especially since your brother isn't here," he simply said on his side, making her toes tremble slightly.

"Give your beautiful smile to the camera!" said the photographer, and they begin taking pictures of them together, which makes Ellie uncomfortable.

"Can I use the restroom?" Ellie asked after everyone stopped them with their cameras.

"Of course you can," Dominick smirked. "Do you want me to accompany you-"

"No, I'm fine!" she snapped.

"Son, don't worry, I'll accompany Ellie in the bathroom," Lovelyn insisted, and his son only nodded at her. "Come on, Ellie dear."

Ellie goes with Lovelyn inside the house and they stop in front of the door near at the kitchen. She goes alone inside the bathroom and look herself in the mirror because it was just her excuse to take a breath for a second from them. It seems like she is being suffocated and didn't know what to say to them.

"Ellie dear, are you done?" Lovelyn asked outside after she had been inside for five minutes.

"Yes!" she replied, quickly turning the doorknob.

"Are you all right? You look pale."

"I'm fine, Mrs. Yuzon. Let's go back to them," she said as she was about to pass her when Lovelyn grabbed her right arm.

"Ellie, you know what I really really like you since I saw you earlier," she said as she let go of her arm. "But I notice you're a little scared with my son, and I know why."

Ellie's eyes widened and she kept a little distance from her. "What do you mean, you know?"

"I know what your brother did to my son, and I know what Dominick did to you." She looks perfectly normal, but her voice is frightening her. Ellie appears to have had a two-face when she met the sweet Lovelyn earlier, and now her soon-to-be mother-in-law is turning something else. "And I'm sorry for what my son did to you; don't worry, I told him not to do anything stupid against your will again."

"Why are you telling me this, Mrs. Yuzon?"

Lovely put on a happy face before answering her question. "It's because I want you to be a part of my family, and my son really likes you, so I'm telling you this so you will not going to afraid anymore of what he did," she explained. "Are you willing to forgive my son, Ellie?"

Her mind was so preoccupied with what she was hearing now that she remained silent for a few seconds before responding. "Of course, Mrs. Yuzon, I will forgive him." She tried to smile in the midst of the pressure she was under.

"Thank you, Ellie," she said, softly pinching her one hand. "Can I ask you a favor in the event that you will forgive Dominick?"

"What is it?"

"Could you at least pretend that you are happy while with my son so the reporters and medias will not misunderstood your expression because you are so obviously. At least act like your in love with him. What do you think, hmm?"

"I-I don't think I'll be able to do it-"

"I know there isn't yet a spark between the two of you, but at least act in front of people, especially cameras," Lovelyn interrupted. "It's just an act, Darling, and I suppose you can pull it off because I know you won't embarrass us in front of everyone, right?"

Ellie gives her a slow nod. "All right, I'll give it a try.

"No, Ellie dear, do it rather than trying hard," she said, and Ellie couldn't think of anything else to say so she just nodded. "All right, let's go, and the engagement speech will begin during the dinner."