UNTIL LOVE FOUND US

A

canned the room, my eyes took in the familiar faces of my family amidst the dazzling crowd. My parents were near the entrance, graciously welcoming guests with practised warmth. My father, ever the reserved patriarch, gave me a small nod of acknowledgement when he noticed me, his sharp eyes lingering on me just long enough to convey both relief and expectation. My mother, in contrast, broke into a warm, relieved smile that instantly eased some of the tension I'd been carrying. Without hesitation, she began weaving through the crowd toward me, her elegant gown flowing behind her. "You're finally here," she said in a hushed but firm tone, her brow furrowed with a mix of concern and frustration. "Cherry refused to go on with the engagement until you arrived. What took you so long? You know how important today is for her." I sighed, my guilt resurfacing as I hurried to explain. "It wasn't my fault, Mom. My car broke down in the middle of nowhere, and I couldn't find a cab until my friend came to the rescue." Her expression softened slightly, though the worry didn't leave her eyes. "Thank God you're here now," she said, resting a hand on my arm. "Let's not keep everyone waiting any longer." She turned and strode to the centre of the hall, her voice ringing out with authority. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" The lively conversations hushed as all eyes turned to her. "It's time to begin the engagement ceremony." The crowd parted as Cherry and Michael ascended the small stage at the far end of the hall. Cherry looked radiant but still carried an air of nervous excitement, while Michael stood tall and confident, his polished demeanour giving nothing away. Michael took a step forward, kneeling before her with a black box in his hand. The hall fell silent, every guest holding their breath in anticipation. "Cherry," he said, his voice steady but soft enough to carry an undercurrent of vulnerability. "Will you marry me?" As if on cue, the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts of encouragement. "Say yes! Say yes!" they chanted in unison, their voices filling the grand hall like a wave. Cherry glanced at me from the stage, her face glowing with emotion. I smiled and cupped my hands around my mouth to shout, "Say yes, little one!" My words seemed to bolster her resolve. Finally, with a voice trembling with excitement, Cherry said, "Yes!" A cheer exploded through the room, applause and joyous cries echoing against the high ceilings. Michael stood, beaming, and gently took her hand to slip the ring onto her finger. But just as the ring was about to slide onto Cherry's finger, a sudden, deafening crash reverberated through the mansion, silencing the room. All heads snapped toward the grand doors, which now hung wide open, one of them swinging on its hinges. Gasps rippled through the crowd as a group of large, imposing men stormed in, their presence commanding and menacing. Their dark suits and grim expressions gave them an air of authority, but the anger etched into their faces spoke of something much more personal. The guards stationed outside were absent, leaving no one to explain how these men had gotten past them. For a moment, the only sound in the engagement ground was the uneasy shuffling of feet and the soft rustle of gowns. The atmosphere, once filled with celebration , now crackled with tension and fear. The men moved with an air of unyielding determination, their heavy boots thudding against the polished floors as they marched straight toward Michael, ignoring the shocked gasps and horrified stares of the guests. The tension in the room was palpable, every eye trained on the intruders as they advanced with a deliberate force. The man at the front was a towering figure, his broad shoulders and thick neck making him look like an immovable wall. A deep, rough scar ran down his cheek, a mark of some past battle that only added to the menace he exuded. His gaze was steely as he pointed directly at Michael, his finger jabbing the air with deadly intent. "This engagement won't happen!" he growled, his voice so loud, loud enough to shake the chandeliers overhead. It felt like a clap of thunder, sending a shockwave through the guests. Panic spread like wildfire. Guests jumped in their seats, murmurs rising into frantic chatter, their voices overlapping in confusion and fear. Some whispered among themselves, others stood frozen, unsure of what to do. The lavish celebration, once filled with joy, had been ripped apart in an instant, replaced by a sense of dread and uncertainty. My father, ever the pillar of control, stepped forward, his face a mask of fury and disbelief. His commanding presence immediately silenced the place What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the chaos. "How dare you disrupt my daughter's engagement?" The man with the scar didn't flinch, his demeanour as cold and unyielding as stone. He raised a hand to motion toward Michael. "We're here for him," he said, his voice unwavering, like the crack of a whip. "He owes us money-a lot of money-and we're not leaving until we get it." Michael's face went blank, the colour draining from him as the weight of the accusation sank in. His usual poise and composure crumbled like a house of cards. He tried to take a step back, but the men closed in on him, blocking any attempt to escape. The room was a tense silence now, everyone watching, waiting for the truth to emerge. I couldn't stay silent any longer. My heart was racing, but I forced myself to stay calm, to take control of the situation. I stepped forward, my gaze narrowing at Michael, my voice cold and sharp. "Is this true?" I asked the words hanging heavy in the air like a threat. Michael hesitated, his eyes darting around the whole place as though he was looking for an escape-an excuse, a way out. But there was none. His shoulders slumped, and his voice barely reached my ears. "I... I can explain," he stammered, his words faltering under the weight of the situation. "It's not as bad as it seems." I crossed my arms, my stance unyielding. "Explain, then," I demanded, my tone colder than I intended, but I couldn't help it. This was my sister's future at stake. The man sneered, the contempt in his voice clear. "There's nothing to explain," he said dismissively. "He borrowed money from us, promised to pay it back, and hasn't. Now he thinks he can throw a grand engagement party while leaving us out in the cold?" The room fell into a horrific, and speechless state, as the words settled. Cherry, her face pale, gasped in shock. Her hand flew to