CHAPTER 8..Forced Engagement.

The luxurious and elegant decorations of the grand engagement party, leaves the guests stunned and gushing at such grand and highly decorated party organized by both families. The event is lavish, filled with guests of high status and caliber, reputable families, Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Governor's and Highly influencial Business Men and Women.

Lexa, dressed in a beautifully, grandly adorned but yet uncomfortable gown, feels like a pawn in a a game she never wants to play.

Cameron is in his element, is charming the guests, more especially the young ladies who couldn't help but wish they were in Lexa's shoes. Basking in the euphoria of their attention, he continues to smile broadly as he constantly stays at Lexa's side, making her feel uncomfortable and suffocated. Despite his outward charm, Lexa still cannot shake off the feeling that something is off about him.

Lexa's mind slowly drifts to thoughts of Jace throughout the evening as she wonders how he is faring and what he is upto. She feels trapped, longing for the simplicity and genuine affection she shared with him. Her smiles are forced, her laughter is hollow, her speeches are short, her hands are squeezed as she goes through the motion of the engagement party.

As the soon to be couples come up to the stage of the auditorium, Cameron makes a grand gesture, publicly declaring his love for Lexa as he goes on one knee to engage her with a silver ring decorated with pieces of diamonds as the ring glitters and shines even in the moonlight. The crowd cheers and applauds as he presents her with an expensive piece of jewelry set, even as Lexa feels a deep sense of dread. She accepts the gift smiling slightly at the crowd, even as her heart keeps tearing apart.

Later that evening, Lexa overhears a heated argument between Cameron and his friends. His friends feeling disappointed confronted him to why he didn't send an invitation across to his friend Jeremy whom he claimed was his favorite. The tone and aggression in which Cameron spoke was alarming as he disdainfully spoke Ill of Jeremy.

..."You obviously don't expect me to invite such a lowlife pauper here do you?. This ceremony is for the rich and mighty, and if Jeremy decides to continue in his gadget store, them he can't be seen as a person of affluence and has no business here. I can't continue to hang around such a peasant, he will eventually pollute my aura and leave a stain in my reputation!" Cameron said smirking mockingly. Lexa stares in shock as she hears him talk so poorly about his friend. She realizes that his charm may be just a façade, as she begins to see little glimpse of his true nature.

Lexa, tries to express her reluctance about the engagement to her parents, telling them how rude, proud and arrogant Cameron is. But they appear nonchalant as they dismiss her concerns, focusing instead on the social and financial benefits of the union. Feeling increasingly desperate and isolated, Lexa contemplates her limited options.

She walks into the garden, as her parents and Cameron excorts the guests to their different convoys and bids them farewell as the night begins to overshadow. She stands in the middle of the garden, looking up at the stars as a small smile and some amount of tears formed in her eyes, as she thought of Jace. Remembering the nights she spent with him at the park, playfully wishing on shooting stars and naming them. She sniffed them back in, making a silent vow to herself to find a way out of this misery and nightmare and reclaim her life, no matter the cost.