CHAPTER 4 - The engagement

The atmosphere was lovely and people of different social standings were seen with a glow to their face as they watched the couple seal their engagement with a kiss.

Talia and Colton were finally engaged!

Series of congratulations and whoops were heard in the hall as the ring was placed on Talia's fingers and sealed with a kiss to the devastation of Emma who stood immobile mid stairs, unbelievably watching the scene play out before her.

Talia sported a dazzling smile with Colton beside her, receiving compliments on how beautiful and lucky she was to be getting engaged to the handsome CEO of a riveting construction company.

While the event was ongoing, Emma who watched from afar felt a pricking in her heart. Surely she thought she was seeing incorrectly, her Colton couldn't be getting engaged to her step sister on her birthday.

It had to be a joke. Maybe they were all trying to get a rise out of her, Emma waited patiently for someone to smile or yell out the words - ' gotcha! ' but the more she waited, the more she saw what she believed to be a nightmare morph into a reality.

Somewhere along the line, Emma was abandoned by her escort who noticed that she was unmoving and concluded she wasn't going to be a problem after all. She took meager steps down the stairs with shaky legs and eyes trained on the couple.

Her birthday was the last thing on her mind as she watched her step sister and boyfriend play the role of people who are happily in love. Emma stepped down to the event absentmindedly, her feet moved of its own accord, shuffling out of the congregation and on to the makeshift stage prepared for the event.

Unknown to her, whispers were going around about her identity and causing a distraction in the event. As she proceeded forward, a pathway was split in the middle of the event while she staggered forward.

There was an awkward silence as soon as she stopped in front of the couple. Talia who was mid smile turned around and was met with a disgruntled looking Emma.

Caught off guard by her presence, she managed to summon a smile on her face, hyper aware of the watchful eyes of the people around her.

" Emma! How are you doing, have you had a drink? Come-on, let's fix you something." Talia said between her teeth, signaling one of the staff to come around.

" C-Colton? " The wavering voice of Emma spoke, ignoring the presence of Talia and reaching out to her supposed boyfriend.

Colton wasn't expecting to see her and as a result felt at loss for words to say. How do you explain to a supposed girlfriend of Seven years that you weren't interested in her and was about to marry her step sister.

" Emma, this isn't the time, it's not what it seems like, just please, leave. I'll explain it to you later. " He resorted to pleading. He couldn't afford getting disgraced at an event of this sort.

The room was crowded with people of high standing who were invited to witness one of the biggest engagements in the business world. As a result of the profiles of both Colton and Talia, who happened to represent the leading Real Estate company and the leading Shoe company in the nation.

Colton and Talia were regarded as a match made in heaven which would bring about the advancement of their businesses and social standing. This and other reasons made the choice of marrying Talia much more alluring than settling for a measly Emma.

Talia was the recognized daughter and heir of the Steele group while Emma was just a low budget designer, dreaming of an opportunity to finally be recognized in the society. As much as it was fun while their rendezvous lasted, he knew better than to attach himself to her.

" Is this a joke? This is got to be a joke right? Baby, talk to me, there's definitely a misunderstanding somewhere. Is this a surprise party? What's going on? " Emma asked with a low voice, enclosing Colton as she spoke and desperately waiting to hear that it was all a sham.

That she wasn't actually witnessing her boyfriend get engaged to the step sister he had watched take everything away from her. When she saw that he wasn't still responding, she lost it.

" Speak to me Colton! Please… tell me this isn't true. Tell me you aren't doing this to me too! "

By now, everyone was focused on the drama being played out. Some people pinned it down to Emma being crazy, while others came up with theories on the fact that there was a love triangle. The event was gradually losing its purpose.

Talia watched with a raging heart and a faux smile as she tried prying Emma away from her soon to be husband. She however didn't exert as much force she'd preferred to use as she was in public and maintaining face.

She wondered just where her mother was and why they had allowed her into her engagement when the party was in full swing. She had expressly given orders that she was not to be let out of her room until the coast was clear.

Emma was ruining things and something needed to be done fast.

Meanwhile, Mrs Steele was in her home office. She'd received a call from a prestigious family and had to step out of the event to handle pressing matters.

" Hello. How may I help you?" She quickly said upon entering the comfort of her office. There were a lot of guests that she needed to connect with and planned to make the call as quickly as possible.

" This is Mrs Braxton. I believe I am speaking with the CEO of Steele Group? " A confident yet calm voice said to the hearing of Mrs Steele.

On hearing the introduction, Mrs Steele was stunned. She was talking to one of the most powerful women in the world! The Braxton's group were literally the royalty of different elite groups in the nation and had the power and connections that she could only dream of.

" Y-yes Ma." She replied in earnest.

" I sent you an email. It's quite urgent, hence my need to reach out to you. I hope it's not too much requesting that you give me an answer today? "

" No problem, I'll definitely get to it now! "

Mrs Steele was soon deep in her laptop as she sorted out the email that was sent to her. Immediately she saw the letter head of the Braxton's, she dived in head first and immediately went through the content.

By the time she was done, she felt skeptical and at loss of what to do. She had been anticipating this particular event since she was married into the Steele household but after the recent happenings, she wasn't invested in the idea anymore.

Rooted in indecision, her door barged open and she was informed of the brewing ruckus that was threatening the smooth sailing of the event, causing her to immediately disperse orders while she headed downstairs, ready to handle the situation.

Mrs Steele's presence was barely noticed when she finally came into the scene. She met her beloved daughter and future son in law attempting unsuccessfully to handle the situation.

Emma was still speaking when suddenly, she was met with a harsh slap that effectively ended her pleas to Colton.

" You have no shame do you? Trying to whore yourself to an engaged man is the height of shamelessness and will not be accepted in this house! " Mrs Steele said with an icy look, surprising everyone with her almost timely intervention.

" B-but–" Emma managed to speak as her eyes blurred from unshed tears and embarrassment.

" Leave this place now. Where is the security? You do not allow just anyone into this occasion, do your jobs properly! "

At the words of the Matriarch, security detail in the hall rushed towards Emma, bundled her and led her out of the hall through the back while she struggled to be let free.

" I'm sorry about that. Everyone! Please enjoy yourselves. It's a celebration after all." Mrs Steele said with the most stunning smile, taking back her role as a graceful host and mother of the day.

The event resumed and conversations of the drama were soon drowned out as everyone interacted and connected. Almost turning the event to a business convention as a result of the impressive personalities in attendance.

Talia headed upstairs to her mother's study after receiving word from her mother.

" What is it? This is my party and I need to be downstairs." She said upon entering the office.

" Take a seat my dear. There are matters we need to discuss."

Talia heard the seriousness in her mother's voice and immediately took a seat in front of the table. Wondering just what the matter was that she had to be summoned upstairs.

" Okay. What's going on?"

Mrs Steele huffed before she began. " I just received a call from Braxton's family. They-"

" THE BRAXTONS?!! '' Talia interrupted with wide eyes, " what do they want? "

" I was getting to that before you rudely interrupted." Her mother called out. " Apparently, they are looking for a wife for Mr Braxton and believe that we are best suited for that post. " She said in one breath.

" What? Why? You're not about to ask me to leave Colton on our engagement day are you? " Talia said with a defying tone.

" Far from it. Think about it, why on earth would they want to get a bride from the Steele family when they could get people of their social standing? The Braxton's are no small people. Why are they after you? " She asked thoughtfully.

" No idea. If you put it that way it sounds fishy. I've heard the fact that Mr Braxton is a mad man who has no feelings whatsoever. Maybe that's why. "

Talia shrugged, not the least bit interested. She'd rather remain with Colton who had great prospects than be the sad wife of a maniac!

" Okay. So that means we are going to have to refuse. You're taken already Afterall."

" No! Don't do that. This is a huge opportunity. Did they specifically request for me? " She suddenly asked with distaste.

" Not really, but–"

" Then that settles it! Send Emma. Since she is so desperately in need of a man, why not send her to the mad man himself? What do we stand to lose? Maybe she can finally become of use to us. "

Talia narrated with a glint to her eyes. She believed that it was the best way to avenge the embarrassment she orchestrated earlier.

" I was going to suggest that. Since we are on the same page, it's settled, she will be sent over tonight. "