CHAPTER 12

As Xavier fumbled with his tie, attempting to arrange it just right, he turned his attention to Angela.

"So, Gela, spill the details about Hawaii. Did the tropical paradise treat you well?"

His question was laced with a subtle hint of intrigue, a deliberate attempt to divert attention away from the weighty topic of the impending marriage.

With a faint smirk playing on his lips, he awaited Angela's response, hoping that tales of sandy beaches and azure waters would provide a welcome distraction from the somber atmosphere.

"Hawaii was incredible! The moment we stepped off the plane, it felt like stepping into a dream. The beaches were like something out of a postcard, with the sun warming our skin and the sound of waves in the background. We had so many adventures, from hiking to snorkeling, and every moment was filled with excitement and beauty."

Angela's eyes lit up with excitement as she recounted her unforgettable experiences on the tropical island.

Xavier grinned as he watched his sister's excitement.

Her lively presence was a welcome distraction from the somber atmosphere of the impending wedding.

"Hey, Gela, spill the beans. How was it? What were the best parts? And give me the lowdown on the weather," Xavier inquired, attempting to divert his thoughts from the impending marriage and the end of his bachelor days.

Angela grinned mischievously at her brother's interest.

"Oh, let's save my Hawaiian escapades for later," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Right now, I'm more interested in the fact that our family's resident playboy is finally settling down. Now, that's a story I can't wait to hear!"

"Yeah, I'm getting married," he replied, feigning amusement as he temporarily sidestepped the weight of that topic. Angela's playful jab didn't escape his notice.

"I've officially hung up my playboy cape," Xavier quipped, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes.

"Behold, my friends, the grand premiere of a fresh chapter – a tale waiting to unravel." Little did they know, behind his back, his fingers were stealthily crossed, as he lied through his teeth.

Angela leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, come on, spill the details! How did you propose? Was it a grand gesture? Did you get down on one knee? Tell me everything!"

"Everything?" Xavier said, a sense of dread tainting his smile.

"Yes, Bro, everything," Angela insisted, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she eagerly waited for his response.

Xavier hesitated, his mind racing for an answer that would satisfy his sister's curiosity without revealing the truth. He couldn't bear to dampen her excitement with the reality of his forced marriage. With a sigh, he locked eyes with Alex, silently pleading for his best friend's help.

"Actually, Gela," Alex began, scratching the back of his head, "Your Brother here proposed to Aurora in the most romantic way. It was like a page out of a story book"

Xavier's head snapped toward Alex, a warning glance conveying his message clearly: no exaggeration.

Angela's eyes widened with unabated anticipation.

"Oh, really?" She turned her gaze towards Alex.

"But, if you don't mind, I want to hear it from my beloved brother here. So shhhh" She leaned in closer, her enthusiasm palpable.

"Now tell me everything, bro!"

Xavier's hand found its way to his head, a burgeoning headache signaling trouble. How on earth was he going to spin a convincing tale for his sister?

"I think Alex here can explain it better, plus I don't have time to go into the details as I need to get ready. I'm the groom after all."

"Oh, I'll be more than happy to give all the details," Alex exclaimed with a playful grin.

"After all, I was there to witness the whole thing." He sighed theatrically as if to recall the day of the proposal in vivid detail.

Xavier shot Alex a deathly glare, the intensity of his annoyance almost tangible.

"I wish I was there too," Angela sighed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"But like I said, bro, I want to hear it from you. You can get ready later; you still have time"

She swiveled her gaze toward Alex, jabbing a finger in his direction.

"And you, no butting in!"

Alex mimed sealing his lips with a zipper, smiling.

"So Bro, was it her beauty that captivated you? When did you realize you loved her, and how long after did you propose?" Angela fired a barrage of questions, thoroughly intrigued by the details of Xavier's love story.

Xavier knew there was no escaping this situation. He needed to conjure up a story quickly to satisfy his sister's curiosity. He shifted his gaze to Angela, his sister, and cleared his throat.

"Well, uh... It was... I mean," he stammered, searching for the right words.

Xavier wasn't known for his romantic storytelling.

Alex, noticing Xavier's discomfort, couldn't resist teasing.

"OMG. I can't believe it, Mr. Xavier Knight, lost for words "

Xavier's face reddened with a mix of embarrassment and anger. He shot Alex a look that screamed 'help me or else'. Alex responded with a nonchalant shrug,

Meanwhile, Angela, clearly misinterpreting the source of Xavier's discomfort, mistook the reddening of his face for blushing.

"Unbelievable, you're blushing, bro... aww, so sweet," Angela chimed in playfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I'm not blushing, Gela!" Xavier retorted, clearly annoyed with the situation he found himself in.

"Oh yes you are." After a brief pause, she continued with a mischievous grin, "So... how did you propose?"

"That's the million-dollar question. How did Xavier Knight, the playboy and womanizer extraordinaire, manage to propose to a girl?" Alex teased.

Alex could practically feel Xavier mentally pummeling him to a pulp as their gazes locked, prompting him to realize that now was definitely not the time to joke around with Xavier's inner Hulk.

"Alex, my friend, my buddy," Xavier's voice was calm, but there was a subtle warning in his tone, indicating that he didn't want to be pushed further on this topic.

"You tell her. You're much better at storytelling than I am." Xavier gave Alex a look that clearly conveyed he shouldn't push his buttons any further.

"Me?" he asked

Xavier nodded his head, and folded his arns wanting to hear what Alex came up with.

"Ok. Well, ummm he ..," Alex began, glancing at Xavier for a moment, who subtly urged him to continue.

"Seriously Alex," Angela interjected, placing her hands on her hips,

"I want to hear the details from my brother. So zip it, okay."

Alex grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he played along with Angela's request.

"Alright, alright. I'll let Xavier do the storytelling. But I have to admit, even I can't wait to hear that story.... again..." he teased, fully aware that Xavier was left to navigate the tale on his own.

Xavier shot Alex a glare, realizing he was on his own to weave a web of fiction. He took a deep breath, gathering his composure, and embraced the challenge before him. It was a delicate balance between keeping up the charade and protecting Angela's innocent excitement, all while concealing the truth that lay beneath the surface.

With a quick glance at Alex, who wore an expectant grin, Xavier returned his attention to Angela. He embarked on a new rendition of the proposal story, embellishing it with more captivating details, adding an air of enchantment to the imaginary tale.

Xavier took a deep breath, crafting a tale that would fuel his sister's imagination and keep her blissfully unaware of the arranged nature of his marriage.