NOVEL NEXT Chapter 629: Engagement Night (1)
Royal Penthouse
Katherine and Damien had a quick photoshoot done by a professional after they got all dressed and dolled up. Mr. Samuel West and his team had been with the couple for the past three hours to make sure they would look grand when facing the massive audience that's waiting for them downstairs.
Damien's bespoke tuxedo was a black textured blazer with a square pocket and a bow tie that matched Katherine's red A-line tulle off-shoulder dress with a sweetheart neckline. Her dress had shimmery beads in strategic places that looked like frozen raindrops had fallen on it. The two of them looked absolutely glamorous.
Their first engagement party was for both the Parks and the Youngs' business associates. This included the high-ranking officials from Park Group, Crown Resort Group, and Young Corporation. They expected the event hall to be packed that evening, and according to Markus, 95% of the invited guests were present.
The couple waited in the living room of the penthouse until the organizers would fetch them. The photographers left the suite after taking the couple's photos, and so did Mr. West and his team. Only the two of them remained in the room. Noticing that Katherine was feeling nervous, Damien poured a glass of wine and handed it to her. "Here."
She received it and took a generous sip. It was dry and just what she needed. "I hate crowded places."
A handsome smile cast on his face as he approached her, pulled her to his side, and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Can you endure it for a couple of hours?"
"Just how many guests are there exactly?"
"Roughly five hundred."
Her eyes grew wide. "That many? Jeez! I get anxious with just a hundred people."
"That's like half of our wedding guest list actually…" he clarified, causing her to stare at him like he had grown an extra head.
"I still really think we should just elope. Just you and me. Vegas, baby!" Katherine grinned widely, and Damien threw his head back laughing.
"I'm not opposed to that. We can do that if you want. Let's go after this and not tell anyone?" He winked.
She contemplated. "That's very tempting… I'm ninety percent on board."
"Where's the ten percent?"
"I'm afraid Nana will blow my ear off if she finds out."
"That's actually possible." Damien took the glass from her hand and set it on the cart near them. Taking her hand, he brought it up to his lips and kissed it. "Let's do whatever you want, Katherine. Though tonight…" He scanned her from head to toe and there was adoration in his eyes. "You look too beautiful to be hidden away. I'd love to show the whole world how lucky I am. So… give me tonight? Let's show up and give everyone something to be jealous about."
Katherine was immediately hooked with the tilt of his head to the side and a gorgeous smile hinting at his lips. "Fine." She chuckled. "How can I say no to that? And I do look nice tonight, don't I?" She smoothed her dress.
His gaze settled on her red lips as he leaned in and cupped her chin. Careful not to smudge her makeup, he placed a soft kiss. "You're fire," he told her.
***
Katherine and Damien stood before the double doors that led to the event hall with their arms linked together. Romantic music that's played live accompanied their entrance, and the guests stood and clapped as they walked towards the stage. Despite her nerves, Katherine smiled with her chin up, looking regal as ever in her bold red dress, the soft skirt swaying as she walked.
They gave a speech on stage, welcoming and thanking the guests. And then Damien closed their presence on stage by saying, "Now I'd like to formally ask my beautiful fiancée to dance with me." The crowd cheered for them. He turned to Katherine and in such a gentlemanly fashion, he held out his hand and asked, "May I?"
In which she responded with, "Always," as she placed her hand in his.
Damien led the waltz on the wide dance floor in the middle of the enormous hall. The dance floor was made of glass, and it lit up splendidly, making the couple shine even more. Everyone's eyes were on them. Katherine moved with so much confidence with every step they took—no one would have guessed that they hadn't practiced even once. Their movements were liquid and smooth, as if they had done it together so many times.
They had smiles on their faces as though they were thinking the same thing: "How the hell are we this good?"
It wasn't hard for Katherine to follow Damien's lead wherever he glided her to. She moved according to his direction and adjusted her weight with ease. "You're a good dancer, Mr. Park," she said. "You lead well."
He arched a brow. "What do you mean? I thought you were leading this whole time?"
She laughed and squeezed his hand. "I knew you were my forever dancing partner."
"How'd you figure that out?"
"I think I knew the moment we sexy danced to Promiscuous at Onyx Mountain Hotel."
Damien couldn't contain his laughter as he continued to waltz her through the dance floor. That night they met was the first time they "danced"—if rubbing bodies could be considered dancing—and the first time they kissed. It seemed like a distant memory, but a memory so incredible, he was forever thankful.
As the music faded, he dipped her backward, and her body bent with grace. "Katherine… It would be my honor to dance with you forever." They ended the dance with a kiss.
The audience gave a thunderous clap and rejoiced for them as they found their way to the center table where their family was. As they waited for the food to be served, Damien looked from left to right. He hadn't heard from Felix nor Amelia if they were coming—though Markus told him that according to the staff from West Bespoke shop, the two had already left. His knees bounced up and down without him realizing it as he stared at the entrance of the door. He couldn't tell why his mother's presence tonight was a big deal for him. Damien felt that she should be here.
Noticing his anxiousness, Katherine placed a hand on top of his knee and whispered, "They'll be here."
"Yeah…" was all he could say before he smiled at her and held her hand under the table.
Dinner had started, yet Amelia and Felix were still nowhere to be seen. Damien signaled Markus to try and reach them, but just as he asked, the door to the side opened, and in came Amelia and Felix. The sudden opening of doors caused several heads to turn in the direction of the pair who was fashionably late.