Chapter 2 Coronation

• The day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The whole city was busy and full of merriment as Hopper—the first son of the late, iconic Mr. Jing—celebrated his 25th birthday. The Jing family is among the top five in the city's social hierarchy, thanks to their partnership with Austelin Company, which was founded by Mr. Austin and is now managed by Mr. Warren since Austin’s assassination.
• As the town prepared to celebrate Hopper, they were also eager to meet the girl he was to marry. Custom dictated that someone of his age should be married and responsible enough to take over the family business. Bryan, on the other hand, was in his dressing room, preparing for his own proposal, which he had kept a secret from everyone except Aunt Sally.
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• "Okay... I think this should do. So tell me, how do I look?" Bryan asked the blonde woman standing next to him, her beauty alluring as he stared at the mirror, nervously trying to fix his tie.
• "Bryan... you look good, dear, but can you for God’s sake tell me what you are so nervous about?" she said, helping to adjust his tie to fit properly. She could feel his heart throbbing as her hand touched his broad chest.
• "C'mon, what are you so nervous about? Are you scared to confess your feelings to her?" she asked, and he turned to her with a weak face.
• "Aunt Sally, I think I’m actually getting these weird feelings."
• "Weird feelings? About what, dear? Rejection? I thought you guys have been dating and really love each other?"
• "Yes, Aunt, but it isn’t just about her. What if my so-called siblings cause havoc today? I didn’t tell any of them about it because I didn’t want any gang-up plan against it. They hate me so much, and I feel like they may do something silly when I finally propose," Bryan said, facing the mirror. "I don’t want to ruin this day for her."
• He brought out the ring from his breast pocket and stared at it nervously, while Aunt Sally smiled. Aside from his siblings' behavior, he still couldn’t figure out Sasha herself. Her character had been strange lately, and she hadn't taken any of his calls since last night. Was she still angry with him? He was also bothered about the rich guy her friends talked about. Was she cheating on him because of wealth, or was it just silly talk? 'Nope, Sasha can never cheat on me; we have come too far for that. It was just girls' silly talk,' he thought.
• "Don’t worry, dear, it's gonna be fine. Just go do you, okay?" Aunt Sally patted his cheek with assurance, gazing at his blue eyes with a smile.
• "Thank you, Aunt. I really don’t know where I would have been without your words of encouragement," he said generously. Bryan was adopted from the orphanage by Mr. Jing when he was just one, because Mr. Jing and his wife were unable to have a child after years of marriage. After Bryan’s adoption, Mrs. Pheona discovered that she was pregnant. The pregnancy made Mr. Jing love Bryan even more, viewing him as someone who brought good luck to the family. Unfortunately, Mr. Jing passed away when Bryan was five, and the family never treated him the same since then. Aunt Sally was the only one he could call family afterward.
• "You are welcome, my love. I just want you to know that I always love you, okay? Now go. She might be waiting for you at the reception already, so don't keep her waiting."
• Bryan thanked Aunt Sally and tried to convince her to attend the birthday party, but she refused. Sally’s self-refusal for being in gatherings was strict, especially when influential people were invited.
• As he sauntered on his way to the party, an anxious smile was forced onto his lips when he saw the reception. He gazed nervously at the large auditorium, already filled with many guests and important people from around the world. Thoughts of how he would propose to Sasha began hitting him. Having the courage to propose to a girl the same day as his brother proved he had some nerve, especially in a family that didn’t really like him. He wandered in his thoughts and suddenly felt a tap on his back.
• "Hey, Bryan," he turned to see Ava, smiling beautifully at him.
• "Hello, sis. What's up?"
• "I'm good. You are looking so handsome, and I like your dress," Ava complimented, and his jaw fell in surprise. Since his adoption into the family, Ava had never said anything nice to him, but here she was saying something different. 'Or was this her new trick?' he thought.
• "Thank you so much," he appreciated hesitantly.
• "So, how's your girl? It's been a long time since I saw her around here. Is she not coming to the party?"
• "Erm... yeah, of course, she's coming. She's probably on her way now," he replied.
• "Oh, okay. Bryan..." She walked closer to him. "I know we haven’t been good all these years, but I just want you to know that I’m still your sister and would always love you, okay?" Ava said, leaving Bryan completely confused. What had come over her? Ava... apologizing? What was wrong?
• "Ava, what is the problem? You are sounding strange right now."
• "That's because I'm really sorry, Bryan. Please forgive me and let's have a fresh start because today is going to be really interesting," Ava said with a wink and turned to leave but then remembered something. "Oh, and I want you to go welcome Hopper too. He would be arriving anytime soon. He has something in store for you." She grinned.
• 'Something in store for me? What does she mean by that?' he wondered, wanting to ask Ava, but she had quickly run back to her friends.
• As he made his way out to wait for Hopper, he brought out his phone to call Sasha, who still wasn’t around and hadn't taken his calls since last night. She wasn’t picking up, and it worried him. He stood outside with the maidens and a large number of security guards who were all for Hopper.
• In no time, Hopper's convoy was sighted driving in style. Though the reception was at their house since they had a massive event hall in their mansion, Hopper had gone to lodge in one of the biggest five-star hotels in town last night with the new girl he had been talking about, whom no one knew yet.
• The convoy halted in front of them, and they all curiously waited for the popular Hopper to exit the car. There was a smile on Bryan’s face even though his mind wasn't settled about Sasha. Everyone laid their gaze on the convoy, and the security guards tried to restrict the journalists from getting closer. Suddenly, the long-awaited celebrant stepped out of the car—holding a very beautiful lady that stunned everyone—and Bryan received the greatest shock of his life.
• "Wait, Sasha..." Bryan called out as the crowd hailed Hopper. He couldn't believe his eyes. How could the girl that stepped out of the car with Hopper be his girlfriend, Sasha? Or was he dreaming?
• He was confused to see them holding each other like they had known each other for a long time. "This is totally impossible!" he said, worming his way through the security guards and journalists to get to Hopper.
• "Hopper... What is happening here? Where do you know her from?" he asked, pointing at Sasha.
• "Hey, Bryan... what's up? Oh, forgive my manners. Meet my girl, Sasha. Sasha, please say hi to my adopted brother, Bryan," Hopper replied simply with a mischievous smile, and Bryan was shocked to see Sasha acting comfortably like everything was normal. The shocker was that she was wearing the gown he had struggled to get for her.