Devon Point of View

"What are you doing? Shut up and sit down before you make a joke out of yourself." Usually, my tolerance level is much higher and I'm a very and extremely calm person.

But these days, when work and life has become more rushed and there's just so many things to do, when you have a friend like Ural who cannot sit quite –

Tolerance can get thinned!

"Aren't I just looking at your family tree?" He said typing away on his laptop and scrolling up and down the same page for over hundred times.

I looked at him in exasperation and told him again and again that no matter what, no one from our family would adopt him so better put away that thought once and forever.

"There are other ways to get into Almond family. I'm just looking at your single cousins suitable to my age." With the help of a painting tool, he highlighted all of my single cousins, both male and female but in different colors.

If I didn't have any trust in this man, I would've beaten him to blue and purple, the same colors he used to highlight my cousins.

"We are here to complete a task so better concentrate on that than over using your mind. My cousins are not easy for you to trap into a relationship." Just as I received a pouting glare from him, the door to the room opened and Illaria walked inside.

"Sorry for being late. I was completely drowned in work." She heaved heavily.

I immediately took the jar of water which is in room temperature and poured it in glass for her. She took it with a grateful smile and downed it in one whole gulp.

"No issues. I could tell that you are probably very busy. This is my friend and colleague, Ural Bethel."

After I introduced them to each other, they shared polite greetings before Illaria called for a waiter to get some chilled drinks and food.

She looked quite thirsty and hungry. Must be having hard time during work.

Looking at her like this, I kind of felt a tinge of guilt for calling her at this time to discuss about engagement party.

"I apologize for calling you today of all times." She waved her hand elegantly, telling me that it was fine and she needed this bit of time away from her work and office.

"Alright, so, I did look into several things when you mentioned about the theme of the engagement party. There were several ideas in my mind so to cumulate them make a framework took me some real time." She smiled like a blooming flower as she handed me and Ural a copy of her plan respectively while she had one.

She did not speak until I and Ural read the whole framework and only when we finished did she start to speak.

"After you mentioned about having a Mexican street festival themed engagement party, I thought of those small but fun carnivals from small towns back in medieval era. There's food, games, wares, small trinkets and many smaller not-so-expensive things to buy. The whole atmosphere used to be very celebratory. Thanks to all the books and series I read and watched, I have always wanted to visit such carnivals. If this plan goes through, I would be so happy to relive that craving of mine."

My Goodness, she smiled so brightly and in such an anticipating manner that even if I ever did not like something, I wouldn't want to say that to her.

Surprisingly and amazingly, the plan and framework she made was actually pretty good and exciting.

My younger cousins and children of the family would love to this. This would be a perfect theme for the Almond family who occupy several streets for the colony.

"This is such a good idea. Did you think of all the stalls that you want to include?" Ural asked just as I was about to ask the same.

As expected of the brother who was dried and fried by a sister's wedding.

"What do you have in mind, do you want to set up the stalls by yourself or give the chance to some real sellers?" I asked curiously.

Illaria looked perplexed as well which means, even she couldn't decide about this. "I'm unable to decide about it as well. If we set it up ourselves, then it would be much safer but the ambience will be unreal too. If we offer it to the hawkers and traders, the ambience would be perfect but might be a little unsafe. Also, the large part of this task is deciding the list of stalls we are inviting and whom to invite at all."

I can see what she is getting to.

The plan is indeed fun but it just has so much to think and consider about. The biggest challenge is to arrange everything properly so that the lead couple, family and guest enjoy to their fullest hearts.

"How about you also add a dress code to this? Like since this is like a middle age small town carnival, let the dress code be clothes from middle age also. These days, it's not at all hard to find something like this at all. People can even rent such dresses for a day or two at reasonable prices." I and Illaria looked at each other and smiled noddingly.

That's right, this will give the main couple, the family and the guests an unforgettable experience as well.

The whole arrangement will be extremely tiring, but doing anything for my cousin and family is not so tiring.

We discussed the basic details of the plan and then decided to discuss the same with the whole family for more productive and innovative inputs.

Among many things, Almonds are known for their innovative and fun ideas!

"Ms. Allard, you don't have to worry so much about it. I have a first-hand experience of marrying off a difficult sister. This is still an obedient couple we are talking about; everything will go on just fine." Ural, looking at the still worried frown on Illaria's face, pacified as he gave me a secret looking signaling me to say a soothing word as well.

"That's right. We have such a big family so you don't have to worry about it at all. We will definitely get through with it wonderfully." I followed.

Illaria produced a grateful smile and leaned back in the chair. Taking a sip of fruit mojito, she popped in a piece of steak inside her mouth and groaned tiredly.

"God, I so needed this." She rubbed her head and stretched her body. One look at her and anyone could tell how tired she is.

She seems to be mentally tired as well.

She must be worrying and planning for the party a little too much to be so exhausted.

"Ms. Allard, what are we there for? Do not tire yourself out for something so small." I suddenly realized that Ural seems to be much more empathetic than me.

He really knows how and when to talk.

"I'm not tired because of this." She said and rubbed her forehead with much more strength.

"You must be very busy with your office work. You are the managing person of a whole business empire so I can understand how difficult and draining it should be for you." I can tell that she really works hard to fulfil her role.

But the worst part is, she doesn't even have a right person or a family like Almond to share her difficulties with.

Whenever I think about these three Allard siblings, my heart goes out for them. Although I'm more of a serious and non-nonsense kind of a person, this set of triplets successfully got my sympathy.

Illaria seemed to be in thoughts for a moment and the hesitation can be clearly seen on her face.

"Why don't you share it with us if it is not too much of a secret for you?" Ural suggested.

Illaria seemingly decided, looked at us grievingly. "Work is still fine but the problem here is actually a 'human disco ball'." The look on her face is one that of dislike and exasperation.

"A what?" I and Ural asked in unison.

What does a human disco ball means?

"My company's new project partner! Don't share this with anyone. I'm only letting it out because we are going to be a family soon." Illaria said and when she saw both of us nod, she smiled appreciatively.

And suddenly, as if someone possessed her, she roared, "My life is so hard! And this all because of that crackpot called Uno Mayhem."

"Uno – Uno Mayhem, I seem to have heard this name before." I mumbled a bit loudly trying to think where I heard this name.

"He is heir to the Mayhem group and he is not a person but a walking, talking, breathing disaster."

"So terrible?" Ural asked curiously.

"Terrible? Terrible is such a light word to describe that crackpot. He is like a hair inside a pig nose, when a musk ox farts, that smell is Uno Mayhem. When a king ratsnake poops, that is Uno Mayhem."

"Everything on one side, the main issue is, Uno Mayhem is not at all right in his top floor. He has air filled on the top and hair filled on the bottom."

"No different than a musk ox – oops, musk ox is still handsome and good." She rambled and ranted to her heart content but to see her curse someone so much,

I and Ural looked at each other and coughed a bit as she continued to name Uno Mayhem with different expressions.

"Let me tell you both, this glittering human bomb is –"

I suddenly started to feel so stuffy for some reason.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

Next chapter is here. Enjoy!

What do you think about the chapter? Boring?

Devon and Illaria team is really doing great for the engagement party.

Ural is so obsessed with Almond family, seriously. You agree?

Poor Illaria, she seems to be so exhausted of Uno Mayhem and his antics.

Who thinks that Devon is such a gentleman? 

Please shower me with votes and comments.

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Lots of Love

Lady Prim