The Party Invitation

The phone rang, cutting through the tense silence between Adrian and Hannah. Adrian shot her a knowing look and nodded towards the phone, signaling her to answer it on speaker. Hannah, still caught off guard, hesitated before snapping out of her daze and complying.

Adrian smiled inwardly, watching her struggle. The voice on the other end was cheerful and enthusiastic. "Congratulations, Sir, on your wedding! We're all so happy for you. We're planning to throw a party in your honor tonight. Are you okay with that?"

Adrian glanced at Hannah, noting her clear displeasure. He decided to use her distaste for parties as an excuse. "Actually, my wife doesn't like parties, and she's not feeling well. We'd prefer not to have a celebration."

Hannah's eyes widened in frustration. "Why use my name if you're not interested in the party?" she thought furiously, her face flushing with irritation.

Without waiting for Adrian's response, Hannah interrupted the call. "You can go ahead and arrange the party. We'll be there," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

The office workers, relieved to hear the party was still on, eagerly responded, "We're excited for tonight!"

As the call ended, Hannah's anger boiled over. "If you didn't want to go to the party, why use my name as an excuse?"

Adrian's frustration mirrored hers. "I thought you didn't like parties. I mentioned it to avoid dragging you into something you wouldn't enjoy. But now it seems you're willing to go. How can you dislike the marriage but be okay with the party?

Both were seething with anger. In the midst of their argument, Adrian absentmindedly handled a rope. As he tied it, his hand accidentally brushed against Hannah's skin. The contact, though brief, was intimate and unexpected, causing them both to pause.

They froze, their eyes meeting briefly before they quickly looked away, the moment now filled with an awkward tension. Adrian finished tying the rope, but the atmosphere between them had shifted. The earlier anger was overshadowed by the discomfort of their accidental touch.

Hannah, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration, handed Adrian his phone, her movements deliberate yet slightly shaky. Adrian accepted it, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned away. The silence that followed was heavy, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they tried to process the strange turn in their interaction.

Down in the hall, Adrian's parents arrived, and Hannah's mother, Margaret, came to see her daughter. They exchanged warm smiles and asked each other how they were. Adrian's mother, though not fully approving of the marriage, understood it was her son's decision and that his happiness mattered most to her.

Adrian's mother then mentioned that they had a party planned, organized by Adrian's office workers. She inquired about the gift Margaret had prepared for her daughter. After a brief moment of hesitation, Margaret replied, "I'll present her with a necklace."

As Adrian and Hannah descended the stairs, Margaret's joy was evident. Adrian's father, too, was visibly pleased. He knew how much his son loved Hannah and approached her with genuine warmth. He asked, "How are you, Hannah?" Adrian's mother also offered her blessings, and they shared a pleasant lunch together, the atmosphere filled with a sense of family and celebration.

After lunch, Adrian retreated to his room. As he opened the cupboard, he was pleasantly surprised to find Hannah's things mixed with his own. The sight of their belongings together made him feel an unexpected wave of happiness. The realization that their lives were intertwining so deeply filled him with contentment.

Adrian's father, noticing his son's joy, came to see him. Observing the happiness on Adrian's face, he offered a heartfelt blessing. "May you lead a happy life," he said, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. The simple yet profound wish reflected his hope for his son's future with Hannah.

Downstairs, Margaret spoke with Hannah privately. "You're truly blessed to have Adrian," she said earnestly. "Despite all the humiliation he endured from our family, he still chose to marry you and never held any resentment. You're now married to one of the richest men in the country. It's important that you support him in every way and embrace this new life."

Margaret continued, "By the way, do you know that Adrian has given your cousin Liam the position of Senior Project Manager at his company? It's a significant role, and it shows how much Adrian values family and opportunities." Margaret's tone was a mix of pride and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and support in Hannah's new life