Ch. 15 Christian's and Ana's Engagement Party Preparaions

Ana’s POV

For the next few weeks we work closely with Liz. Mia, Grace, Carla, Kate, and I were more involved than Christian.  He left everything to me. He wanted me to have total control. He wants me to have the engagement party and wedding of my dreams. I don’t have a budget to work with. I can spend as much as I want. He trusts me with all the preparations, because I have impeccable taste. I sure do hope I can live up to his expectations.

Our first meeting was to discuss the theme and location of the event. Liz recommended a French theme. The way she worded it was, “Since you want a formal and fancy party, I think the perfect theme would be a night in Paris.  When you step in the room, it will be as if you were transported to Paris. It would be a replica of a romantic night in the city of love. The guests are to dress as if they are attending a formal gala.

The colors we can use would be rosewood red, black, and white with gold accents.  Do you like the idea? Is there any place in particular you would like to have the party?”

Before I can answer her, Mia jumps up and down clapping her hands squealing, “Yes, I love it!”

Grace gives her a stern look and scolds her,”Mia this is not your party! It is Ana’s and Christian’s. Ana is the one who gets to decide if she likes it or not. She is also the one who makes the final decisions. Do not interfere or give her a hard time. Understood?”

Mia just pouts. She looks so cute when she does that. I do feel bad for her, but I am glad Grace scolded her or else hurricane Mia would have hit us.

I have to make the situation better, because I don’t want an upset and sad Mia moping around. When she is moping around, she sure does make your life a living hell. She reminds me of Christian so much when she gets that way, because when Christian is angry or sad he is a reckoning force to be dealt with. He will make you want to leap off of a bridge instead of being in the same room with him.

“Mia, since you know a lot about the food industry, I was thinking you could help me decide the appetizers, main course, dessert, and cake for the special event?”

I quickly glance over to Grace and give her a reassuring smile. She reciprocates me with a smile and small nod.

“I would love to Ana!” she exclaims enthusiastically while giving me a big hug.

When she sits down, I tell her, “There are a few rules you have to comply with. You will have a say so in the ideas Liz brings up, but I will make the final decision on whether it will be part of the party. If I don’t like the idea, it will not be mentioned again. Don’t try to convince me or Liz otherwise. No means no. Do you agree with the rules?” I ask her.

 

Christian is rubbing off of me. I sound exactly like him when he is negotiating a contract. He would be proud of me. I would go even further and give myself a pat on the back and a handshake.

“Ana of course I will comply by the rules. I would do anything to be a part of organizing the engagement party,” she responds. She genuinely seems happy. Okay! Situation rectified. Now back to the business at hand.

I put on my business face and answer Liz’s question. “Liz, I love the French theme for the party. Paris at night sounds perfect. I think the perfect location for the setting would be Christian’s Mile High Club. Since we don’t have much time to prepare, do you think all the preparations can be ready by July 16?”

“I surely can, Ana. You will not be disappointed. We are going to be seeing a lot of each other in the weeks ahead, since we also have your wedding to plan as well. That is if you still want me to plan your wedding? I promise they will both be spectacular.” She assures me.

“Thank you so much. Yes I do still want you to plan my wedding. I have seen the work you have done and it is phenomenal. You will be highly compensated for your extraordinary talents.  I am looking forward working with you.” With that we shook hands and leave us to begin the preparations.

Christian and the boys walk in Grace’s living room on cue. He sits down next to me and puts his arms on my waist while kissing me gently on my neck and lips. Christian’s family just stares at us, because he was never the type of person to show any kind of public affection until I came along. I sure do love his attention. I just wish we were in private so I can show him just how much I love  him.

I feel his breath tickle my ears as he whispers, “What is on that brilliant brain of yours?”

I tickle him back with my breath on his ears and whisper back, “Just how much I would love to have you all to myself, so I can have my way with you and show you how much I love you.”

“Well, my beautiful future wife, I think that could be arranged. I very much would like to show you how much I love you.” He says in his low seductive voice which heats my core like a volcano. I squirm in my seat closing my tight to control my burning desire for him. He notices my reaction and puts his hands on my thigh while his orbs turn dark like a thunderstorm about to brood. A moan escapes my lips. He squeezes my thighs and h is eyes are filled with passion.

We both jolt back and almost have a heart attack when Elliot blurts out, “You two love birds need to get a room and never get out! You’re practically all over each other all the time, even when you guys are fighting. Jeez!”

Oh no! I hope Christian is in a playful mood or else all hell will break loose.

“Fuck off Elliot. I have all the right to show the world how much I love and adore my beautiful fiancée. She is a hottie and she is all mine. I am a one lucky man. You are being a hypocrite, because you are the same way with Kate.” He states to him.

Phew! I thought he was going to be angrier with what Elliot said. At least his temper is subdued.

Kate joins in and states to Elliot, “Christian has a point. We are always PDAing. Yours and mine hands are always on one part of each other’s body in public. Our lips are not too far behind. “

“That is right, baby. With just one look at you, my hands and lips have a mind of its own.  I cannot control what they do in public and private.” He responds to her while winking.  Kate swats his biceps. Elliot yelps in pain pretending he got hurt.

“Sorry bro. You know I was just kidding. Right?” Elliot apologizes to Christian.

Christian just nods his head and rolls his eyes. “I knew you were kidding, but you go too far sometimes. It is no problem, Elliot. All is forgiven.”

I softly whisper to Christian, “Did you just roll your eyes? It is not allowed. I know a certain punishment must occur to remedy it.” He just laughs and rolls his eyes again. I just giggle at his playfulness. “What a beautiful sound. It penetrates through my heart filling it with love. I love you.” He says to me.  “I love you, Christian.”

Mia, Grace, Cary, and Ethan were just laughing throughout the whole interplay between Christian and Elliot.

On the way home I ask Christian, “Can we have the engagement party at the Mile High Club?”

 “Of course my love, anything you want I will give you. When do you need it?” He answers and asks me.

“Well I need it for July 16. I don’t know what time yet as we haven’t discussed the time yet. I have a feeling that we will need to have access to it many times during the next few weeks, because Liz will want to start her preparations very soon.”

“I won’t have it booked until our engagement party is over. It will be empty for the next couple of weeks so you and Liz can go anytime.”  He lets me know.

“That is perfect, Christian. Thank you.”

“I am the one who should be thanking you.  If it wasn’t for you, I would still be living my miserable life without love in it. You have taught me how to love.”

Awww! My heart just melted. I take off my seatbelt and straddle his lap. I place my hands on his cheeks and caress his lips with mine. I whisper to him between each caress. “I. Love. You.”

That night we sure did show each other how much we loved each other. We made sweet love until the wee hours of the night.

The next weeks sure went by fast. It seems all I did was just plan for our special occasion even though I had a job to perform at SIP. 

Everything was going as planned and on time. The invitations went out to the invitees a few days after our first meeting. They were perfect.  We picked the Paris Eiffel Tower invitation.  The background was a dark red with black stripes and gold accents. The accents were a gold Eiffel tower with a vintage white flower. The font of the personalized message was a fancy white script. It read:

Ooh la la

Please Join Us For

A Parisian Engagement Party

In Honor of the Lovely Couple

 

Ana and Christian

 

Saturday, July 16, 2011

At 7:00 pm

 

Mile High Club

 

RSVP by July 1, 2011

206-xxx-xxxx

Liz redecorated the entire private room at the Mile High Club from ceiling to floor. There was not one detail left out. She went into every single detail possible to give us the perfect scenery. We were all not allowed to see the final product until the day of the gala. Some of the props were imported from other countries rather quickly. She even went so far as to have some items hand crafted, because she couldn’t find what she was looking for.  She sure was a perfectionist.

She also made all the craziness of organizing our romantic Paris night quite fun as well.  She had all of us including the men go to a boutique which she owned with her husband to buy our dresses, tuxes, and accessories. When we arrived she and her husband were already waiting for us. They are both quite attractive and they sure do look great together. His hair is a dark black color with a choppy medium length style which compliments his clear light green eyes and olive skin. You could tell he works out, because he was in pretty good shape. Liz always looks lovely with her long straight auburn hair which falls perfectly on her shoulders which accentuates her glistening hazel eyes and white pale skin. 

She is also fit.

The men are lead to a separate section of the store which is only for men while we stay in the women’s section. Liz wants us to surprise our other halves with the dress the day of the gala so they are not allowed to come to our side to take a peek. Elliot and Christian tried to sneak a peek at us a few times during our girl’s fun time, but were unsuccessful.  All we heard was shouting in the hallway. Elliot’s sarcastic voice echoed, “Kate let me in, baby. I sure would like a strip tease form you in one of those booths!” Kate just chuckles. Next I hear Christian yelling, “Ana, I cannot take anymore of this. This is torture. Save me!” I just giggle and roll my eyes.

 

Liz hands us 5 dresses each which she already picked out for us. She truly knows what she is doing, because she sure guessed the size we wear to the tee.  

After 1 hour of trying on all the dresses and finally picking out the ones we liked, we shopped for the jewelry, hair pieces, and shoes.  

Mia picked out an elegant Amethyst Delfina Double Bodice spaghetti strap Gown from the designers Sachin and Babi.  The front is a perforated corset on top with a slit up to her thigh. The dress looks so beautiful on her. The color and style suits her perfectly.  Her matching earrings and necklace is an 18 karat yellow gold amethyst and diamond spherical pendant by Frederic Sage. She is wearing a Vampanodo Satin Bow LouboutinSandal. 

Kate selected an exquisite navy strapless sweetheart neckline pleated gown by Badgley Mischka. The silver Brillag Jewel Front Evening Sandal and Sapphire and Diamond jewelry matched the dress and her skin tone perfectly.

Grace chose an eloquent black and teal pleated floor length illusion neckline with cap sleeves gown by David Meister. Her sparkling 18 karat while gold round floral drops with laced motif were stunning.  What can I say about her black Manolo Blahnik Swan Embellished Satin Pump? They are absolutely unique and striking.

Carla finally decided on a black sleeveless Bataeu neckline Cutout Column Gown by Kay Unger accompanied by Sedarby Jeweled Satin d’Orsay Manolo pumps and sterling silver 18 karat yellow gold Pearl and Onyx Drop earrings.

After trying on the dresses countless times, I finally chose a red velvet fitted sleeveless V’d cowl with a burnout paisley pattern from Carmen Marc Valvo. I took my time on which necklace, earrings, and shoes I would buy.  I finally decided on the Garnet Albion Petite necklace with matching earrings and a gold Strass Strappy Sandal from Rene Caovilla.

She had us parading on the lifted platform as if we were runway models in a fashion show with the outfit and accessories on.  It was so much fun pretending to be a runway model walking down the catwalk. We sashay, twirl, and pose imitating the models.  It was so funny watching my mom and Grace when it was their turn. They exaggerated all the movements with their nose turned up making a snobby face. We all erupted in a hysterical laughter. Mia and Kate could have been mistaken for a real runway model. Their performance was perfect.  When it was my turn, I just hoped that I wouldn’t stumble and fall down on my ass. Kate and Mia even taught me the moves and made me show them before I stepped onto the platform.  After I was done, I received an astounding applaud.  They said I did an exceptional job. I will have to see if they are telling me the truth when the video is shown on the extravaganza night.  Videotaping us and the men separately on the catwalk which will be seen by all of the guests makes the event more intimate, because we are sharing a special moment with them. I am sure Christian hates it. He must feel so uncomfortable. I wonder what is going through his mind.

Christian’s POV

Since trying to go see Ana, things have taken a turn for the worst. I just have to be with her now. She always makes my world easier to live in.  I cannot take anymore of this. My head is going to explode. I pay people to choose and buy me clothes. I don’t have patience for this. Only if Liz’s husband didn’t stop me from barging in on Ana, I wouldn’t be here suffering. I just want to beat the living shit out of Liz’s husband for putting his hands on me.  I have to calm down. I inhale in and out 10 times. Calm down, Christian Calm down, Christian is all I am repeating in my stubborn head. 

The next thing I hear coming out of Liz’s husband is, “now that the tuxes and shoes have chosen you all will do a catwalk with them. Remember it will be videotaped at the big event. So strut it guys. Show them what you’ve got. ” Did I just hear him correctly? Is he fucking kidding me?   Oh no! I will not do this.

Everyone has done their little walk and now it is my turn.  Liz’s husband calls my name, but I do not budge out of my chair. He comes over to me and tries to convince to do it for Ana. I finally concede reluctantly only for Ana sakes. I would do anything for her.  I sure feel dum just walking, stopping, and posing.  Once I am done, I go back to my corner and sulk. I am not even allowed to text Ana. I feel like a teenager who has been grounded.

I look at my clock and it almost noon time. We are all having a lunch date at a French restaurant.  I hear the door open and see Ana walking through it. I rush over to her and hold her in my arms while I twirl her around in the air. I am so happy to see her. We kiss deeply and when I unwillingly let go of her sensual lips I murmur, “I love you, Ana.” “I love you, Christian.”

Ana’s POV

We all had a great time at the French restaurant. Christian told me how much he hated the whole boutique experience. It was so funny when he was telling me how he felt.  He looked like a 12 year who was forced to go with this his parents.  That’s my fifty!

Elliot kept nagging at Christian trying to annoy him.  Mia just couldn’t stop talking about how much fun she had today. Does she ever shut up? No, of course not.  She is one of a kind.  Kate kept hitting Elliot on the arm trying to stop him from bothering Christian, but I know deep down she was enjoying it.