Chapter 17; Good bye Romeo.

Ryan was cheerfully picking calls from one to another.

Ryan smiled warmly as she answered the phone, hearing the familiar voice of her friend, Rachel, on the other end.

"Ryan, darling! I just heard the news about Romeo's engagement," Rachel exclaimed. "I'm beyond thrilled for you and your family."

Ryan's smile grew wider as she accepted the congratulations. "Thank you, Rachel. We're all very happy about the upcoming wedding."

As she continued to chat with Rachel, Ryan's phone beeped with incoming calls from other friends and acquaintances, all of whom were eager to offer their congratulations.

Ryan felt a sense of pride and satisfaction as she accepted the calls and responded to the messages. She had always wanted the best for her son, and now it seemed that he was finally settling down with a wonderful young woman.

As she hung up the phone after the last call,Candy was watching from a side anger burning inside her.

—-

Romeo was still angrily thinking about the newspaper and how now everyone knew about his future marriage when he heard the sound of his office door opening.

He looked up to see his ex-girlfriend, Camilla, standing in the doorway with a sly smile on her face.

"Well, well, well," Camilla said, sauntering into the office. "Look what we have here. The soon-to-be groom, sitting all alone in his office."

Romeo's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, Camilla?"

Camilla shrugged, dropping into the chair in front of Romeo's desk. "I just heard the news about your engagement, and I had to come and congratulate you in person."

Romeo raised an eyebrow. "Save it, Camilla. I know you're not here to congratulate me."

Camilla's smile grew wider. "Maybe not," she said, leaning forward. "But I am curious. How's married life going to work out for you? You're not exactly the settling-down type."

Romeo's jaw clenched. "That's none of your business, Camilla."

Camilla laughed. "Oh, but it is my business," she said. "You see, I know you, Romeo. And I know you're not in love with Trina. So, what's really going on here?"

" As you saw, I love Trina and I am marrying her." He said.

Camilla didn't want to believe it at all. " No Romeo, I still don't believe you." She argued.

" Have you forgotten that she's the same woman I kissed right before you ?" He questioned.

Romeo's words cut through the air like a knife, striking Camilla's heart with precision.

"I really love Trina, Camilla," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Camilla's eyes widened in shock, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut.

She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she felt her heart breaking into pieces.

"No, Romeo," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You can't mean that. You can't love her."

Romeo's expression was unyielding. "I do, Camilla. I love Trina, and I'm going to marry her."

Camilla's face crumpled, and she burst into tears. She felt like her world was crashing down around her, and she couldn't bear the thought of Romeo loving someone else.

Romeo looked on, his expression unreadable.

He didn't try to comfort Camilla or wipe away her tears.

He just stood there, his eyes fixed on her, as she cried her heart out.

Camilla slowly composed herself, wiping away her tears with a trembling hand.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

"I'm sorry, Romeo," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to make a scene."

Romeo's expression softened slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Camilla stood up, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "I promise I'll never bother you again, Romeo," she said, her voice firm. "You can marry Trina and live happily ever after, for all I care."

Romeo's eyes flickered with surprise, but he didn't try to stop Camilla as she turned and walked away.

As she reached the door, Camilla turned back to face Romeo.

"Goodbye, Romeo," she said, her voice cold and detached. "I wish you all the best."

And with that, she walked out of Romeo's office, leaving him feeling guilty and uncertain.

That evening, Romeo stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him.

He was furious, and he knew exactly who was responsible for his anger.

"Mother!" he bellowed, striding into the living room where Ryan was sitting on the couch.

Ryan looked up, a calm smile on her face. " What's wrong?"

Romeo's eyes blazed with anger. "You know exactly what's wrong, Mother. You published the news of my engagement to Trina without even telling me."

Ryan's smile faltered, and she set her book aside. "Romeo, I—"

"No, Mother," Romeo interrupted, his voice rising. "You had no right to do that. This is my life, not yours."

Ryan stood up, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I did it for the good of the family, Romeo. And for your own good. You need to settle down and start thinking about your future."

Romeo's anger boiled over. "My future? You're the one who's always trying to control my future, Mother. But I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions."

The room fell silent, with Ryan and Romeo glaring at each other. The tension between them was palpable.

Ryan's voice softened and she says. " You may think that I am controlling. But as I said earlier, Do this as a trial marriage. Once it fails within a year, I will let you divorce Trina and marry a woman that you want."

Ryan reminded him and after walked away.