Jade's POV

I took a deep breath as Dax slid his arm around my waist.

"You ready?", he asked and I nodded.

Today was the day we get engaged.

Dax and I were going to descend down the flight of stairs as we'd make our engagement news public.

"You look absolutely gorgeous in this gown. Way more perfect that what I imagined", he whispered into my ears and that somehow helped me calm my nerves.

The dress was indeed a masterpiece. A silver gown which made me look like a princess out of a vogue shoot.

"Thanks, blueberry", I mumbled as I pecked his lips, "You look like a sexy prince".

He chuckled and kissed my forehead.

"Why thank you my little princess", he said as his grip around my waist tightened.

The butlers swung the royal oak French doors open and we walked towards it.

The light chatter died down as all pair of eyes in the banquet hall were on Dax and I, watching as we descended the royally decorated flight of stairs.

From above I could see the media clicking pictures of us and filming us and we continued our descend.

"There's my boy", said Mr Langford, as we joined him at the landing of the stairs which served as a stage, before leading into another set of stairs.

As we stood on the stage, I took in the royal decorations around us.

The large French banquet hall was decorated with silver helium balloons and streamers in an adequate proportion.

I looked as plenty upscale people around us were dressed to their best and smiled at us, some giving me suspicious looks.

Mr Langford nodded at Miss Rollins who hurriedly handed a microphone to him.

"Welcome to our dearest family, friends and the media gathered here. Today is a very special day for us. Solomon and I have been friends for the past years, but what we didn't realise was that the bond of our friendship would strengthen into a bond of family", Mr Langford spoke as the crowd talked in hushed whispers.

Dax tightened his grip around my waist as we stood in front of the large crowd.

"My son came up to me and said that he and Jade are in love and want to settle down. And that's how they will be taking the first step towards strengthening the bond between our families", he continued and the crowd cheered.

"But before we begin with the ring ceremony, there's an announcement that I'd like to make. Not only will we be extending our friendship, we'll also be extending our business. What I mean to say is that I will be investing in Solomon Okoye's firm and together we will be setting up another firm in England", he said and the crowd began to chatter among themselves and the media were furiously taking down notes of every word that he said.

He raised his hand to silence the crowd.

"We will now have the ring ceremony", he spoke before retrieving the microphone to Miss Rollins and walking down the stage.

Soon, our rings were brought on royal heart shaped pillows.

Dax pulled out a beautifully decorated diamond ring and slid it over my ring finger.

"I selected the most beautiful ring for my wife to be", he said as I admired the ring.

I picked up the ring that I bought for Dax from the pillow.

It was a thick band with Jade stones embedded on it, so that everytime he'd look at it, he'd think of me.

"And here's mine for you. So that you always have Jade with you", I said as I slid the ring over this finger.

"Beautiful", he whispered as he inched forward and kissed me, making the public roar with a thunderous applaud.

.

.

The rest of the evening was spent with the Langfords introducing me to all of their friends and acquaintances.

Some of the guests had left by now and some were still dining

As Dax and I were walking around greeting those who we hadn't, a man entered the banquet hall which caught Dax's attention.

He lead me towards the man and wrapped the man in a huge hug.

The man and he hugged and exchanged their greetings.

"Meet my buddy Pierre", he said to me and turned to look at the man, "and this is my wife to be, Jade Okoye".

"I'm Pierre Bloyer", the man said as he kissed the back of my palm.

"Jade Okoye", I said as I retrieved my hand on Dax's chest as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Hands and mouth off my woman", he joked and Pierre laughed.

He was a tall man, maybe around six foot. He had a thick beard which added to the elegance of his well defined face. He was attractive, but not compared to Dax.

"Pierre and I went to the same school when I was in France and have been friends since then", Dax said to me and I smiled.

"That's amazing", I said as I looked at the two.

"Yes, Dax has been a very good friend to me. He's always been there for me in times of my difficulty and that's the reason why I consider him family", Pierre spoke in a typical French accent.

"Oh come on", Dax rolled his eyes but Pierre just smiled.

I could see the genuineness in his smile. The gratitude he had towards Dax for all the times he's stood by him.

"Pierre!", Alex exclaimed from behind us and we turned around.

He rushed across the semi crowded bar area and threw himself on Pierre.

"Hi Lex", Pierre said as he embraced him.

"It's been so long. When did you get here? I haven't seen you around here, the place was crowded with bloody boring old couples and media persons", Alex grumbled.

"I arrived here five minute ago, Lex", Pierre spoke and Alex nodded enthusiastically.

"My apologies, I couldn't make it in time because something urgent came up with work and I had to deal with it", he said looking at Dax.

"That's not a problem at all. Just don't be late on my wedding",Dax told him and they laughed.

"Also, Pierre was the one who helped us adopt Alex from France", Dax said to me.

"Shut up, not again", Alex scowled, making us laugh.

"Jade!", said a familiar voice from behind us and we turned around to look at Jamie and Fizzy.

"Oh my goodness, where have you guys been!", I almost yelled as I abandoned the little group of men I was chatting with and walked towards my best friends.

Jamie and Fizzy hugged me as they congratulated me.

"We've been here the whole time admiring Daxton and you. We just wanted to wait around until you finished greeting everyone", Jamie said.

"Well, I don't know if that's even going to happen. There are plenty of people in here even though some have left and I'm tired already", I mumbled.

"Let's go congratulate Daxton!", Fizzy exclaimed.

She walked towards Dax as Jamie and I followed.

"Congratulations on your engagement, Daxton", she said as she hugged Dax.

"Thanks Fizzy. I'm so glad to see you here", he smiled.

"Dax, this is Jamie, my best friend and Jamie this Dax-"

"Your fiancé", he interrupted me as the shook Dax's hand.

"Pleasure meeting you, Daxton. Jade always keeps talking about you", he smirked.

Dax's smile widened.

He introduced my friends to Pierre and Alex who greeted them.

"The local media is talking all about you guys. My phone's been buzzing for the past two hours that's ever since your dad made the announcement. So congratulations on managing to convince the public", Fizzy said to Dax.

Dax looked uneasily at me.

"It's alright. They know about it", I said to him and he nodded.

"This is one boring party. I will definitely skip your wedding if we have the same crowd of these old, boring couples", Alex groaned and Dax laughed.

"Excuse me now, the only girl I can hit on is that woman over there", he said pointing towards the bar tender.

"Lex will never change", Pierre rolled his eyes making us laugh.

_

A/N:

Hello my readers!

I'm extremely sorry for not updating for ages, but I was really busy with college.

I've updates a few chapters in order to make up for my really long absenteeism lol.

Also, I'd like to cast Matthew Noszka as Pierre.

Lots Of Love
-Carita D'Costa❤️