MY TREASURED DESIRE

Chapter TWENTY: Love Proposals for Princess Ndidi Alexa George-Orji

Proposals for Princess Alexa Ndidi George-Orji.

Alexa’s POV.

Sir Dr. Alex George-Orji’s Country Home, London, UK.

Yesterday, I received numerous bouquets of alluring flowers, and expensive trinket boxes sealed with the dragon logo of Middleville! A note signed by the Prince of Middleville explained that the traditional Middleville or Achaian wedding proposal was not as romantic as nowadays: Yet, he had chosen to be orthodox! Modern Asian or Western wedding proposal comes with creative acts today!

In Middleville or Achaian culture, getting married is considered a union of two consenting families, and the traditional wedding proposal is normally initiated by the groom’s family.

The ‘stubborn’ Prince hinted that the groom’s parents will soon visit the bride’s family in Nigeria or England to offer them a grand wedding gift including food, souvenirs, assorted wine, jewellery made of gold, silver, jade, and so on.

Nowadays the wedding gift is most probably a red envelope with cash inside. It will arrive soon.

He wrote that an engagement ring is not part of the wedding proposal!

“No, we won’t have an engagement ring. In the wedding proposal gift, the bride might get some precious jewellery like a necklace made of gold, or a piece of rare jade. Most of the gifts are for the family of the bride to thank them for raising the daughter,” Prince Liu Cheng Yu enthused.

In the real sense, I don’t know why – traditionally - the engagement ring was not a thing in Middleville or Achaian culture, in fact, wedding rings also don’t exist. The ancient Middleville or Achaian are not obliged to wear wedding rings after marriage.

How do we identify if a Middleville or Achaian person is married or not?

So, we cannot see from someone’s finger if he or she is married, is there another way to identify? Before marriage Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) The hair is braided long and, in a pair, and colourfully decorated … For ladies you can see it from her hairstyle, this custom has been kept for thousands of years.

Basically, the ladies need to put their hair in a bun/up-do after getting married. This is because the hair was considered as most precious and sexy part of a girl - showing to other people. After getting married, the lady should hide it so that they do not get attention from other guys.

What about a guy?

There is no hair or outfit change before and after a guy gets married. In fact, there is no need because monogamy was only introduced around 1930, ancient Middleville or Achaian guys do not have to show others that they are already married!

As you can see, the difference is quite big between Middleville or Achaian traditional wedding proposals and western proposals. Although we have gone more and more international, tradition is still driving us at different levels.

Now – in consultation with my family decision-makers, my dad and our Lord Bishop, we have studiously taken the Middleville’s traditional steps for politely rejecting that marriage proposal according to the culture, based on the hope that the African Princess was due to be betrothed to another Asian family. Moreover, the family decision-makers and the Bishop sent – via a Royal Aircraft and three palace chiefs – some costly, grandeur, African Souvenirs and pieces of African royal-emblazoned gemstones with a Royal Letter extending a royal hand of friendship to the Cheng Yu extended family.

It is a closely guarded secret, so that Reynold Chang or his prince namesake will not raise their shoulders or feel victorious! So, I - Alexa George-Orji - am crossing my fingers, hoping that I get an engagement ring if my boyfriend proposes. ? Just kidding.

More about Traditional Middleville or Achaian weddings:

0. Introduction

1. Wedding decorations

2. Gate crash

3. Tea ceremony

4. Middleville or Achaian wedding outfit and Middleville or Achaian sedan

5. Formal ceremony – Bai tang (**)

6. Bridal chamber rituals

7. Wedding Proposal

8. Pre-wedding photo shooting (Behind the scenes)

9. Middleville or Achaian wedding agency

10. Our wedding lunch menu

11. Our wedding program 1: Fetch the bride

12. Our wedding program 2: The lunch ceremony

13. Our final wedding video

14. The hazing of wedding couples – Naohun

***

Crown Prince Reynold Chang’s P.O.V.

Around the Old Fire Station, at 5:05 pm I drove my Princess through the front of Makai, a classy restaurant. My friends often ask their chauffeur to slightly bring down their car windows to perceive the irresistible, delicious aroma in the Makai surrounding. I peeped at the Princess through the mirror and was pleased that she was looking at me.

So, I started a conversation: “Irresistible allure,” I called, but I silently rebuked myself for calling her that, as if I was destined to blow my own cover. “Along this road, we have three good restaurants that would appeal to you, since you gave me the grace to choose for you…” I paused, surprised that she listened without uttering a word… So, I continued: “We have ‘La Rosetta Restaurant’ – Italian with a Mexican twist. Dine-in, take away and delivery services are available… There is ‘Siracusa’ – For Italian Cuisine. Siracusa is a lock-side Mediterranean restaurant, with curb side pick-up but no-contract delivery. And we just drove past ‘Makai’ where exotic and delicious kinds of seafoods are at their best… if you want a Turkish diet, we can move ahead to ‘Galata Pera’ – Nice?”

She simply replied to me: “You said you were taking me out to eat, right? Choose for me.”

“I prefer that you choose, My Boss.”

I guess Princess Alexa was getting too soft, as I watched her lovely smile. She said: “La Rosetta, then.” We were so close to the place she chose, just 300 metres before Umbria National Gallery. I saw the payoff line of the 5 Star Hotel La Rosetta from my windscreen: ‘Positive Change, continuing providing good food…’

The weather was clement inside the restaurant and the room temperature was perfect – just a little too cool. I led my princess to a royal, classical table and one member of staff beat me to drawing a seat for her. I sat across… Everything was great from then on: I wanted fresh oysters and I got it served, pasta with lobster was second to none. Their great chef introduced us to a luxurious ‘Michelin Star Meal’, tasting exotic wine – which Alexa really fell in love with, and we were able to try around 30 different delicious food preparations. I had pre-arranged a four-man musical band to meet us at any one of the restaurants along the Old Fire Station… And I managed to send a text with “La Rosetta” when we got here… it was fun.

While the music band was playing seductive tunes, we set into a romantic setting and the stage was set for us to interact. We discussed likes and dislikes. And, at a stage, she said:

“If we are friends, we can as well be factual. There is nothing strange in the lady paying for the gentleman. We have spent so much more than your two monthly emoluments now… No need to discuss it, please.”

I calmly replied: “Irresistible…”

But she cut in through my words, and whispered:

“Do you all love your princes so much? You bear his full name. You are trained to say what he loves saying… Where did you hear him saying that alias…”?

Now, I have allowed the cat to spring out of the bag. Why? I had to wriggle out of this. I covered my face for a few seconds before saying: “Yes, Irresistible Allure! That special name… Permit me to say all about it after we are through with our small talk, please? Would you promise not to get angry with me if I tell you the truth?”

She looked into my eyeballs and smiled as I gently picked her hands: “I will prefer you to say what is on your mind, first. Then we can accept the shockers after, Mr. Reynold. So, shoot.”

“Would you believe me if I say I left Achaia, only to find a reason to be happy ever after? Now that I found you, my dream is fulfilled.”

She gently removed her hands from mine, and sighed… I shook inwardly. But I must continue… “In you, my life becomes whole, with you my days become bright. You are unique, and lacks that ego that most ladies in your class do possess, and I want to keep the rare gem to myself… Please, do not object.”

She whispered to me: “Reynard, you deserve the world and all the good things it has to offer… But you told me that you came just to find a greener pasture.”

I quickly responded: “Oh, I’m sorry, that is one of my make-belief stories… Do forgive me if you can.”

She brought back her lovely hands and placed the left one on my opened right palm. Her right hand made my left-hand warmer, and I felt reassured. She spoke softly, but seriously… “Everything in me wants to be with you, Reynold. But you are hiding something from me. And I also have a confusion… See, I can give you whatever you need, but not my love, for now!”

My heart became drenched, and I became totally lost as I spoke with a broken voice: “Please, tell me why… I don’t think I can continue to live afterward.”

“Who are you? That will solve this problem… Meanwhile, I have a personal attachment to someone. I hope to tell you who, when you reveal who you are,” she concluded, and withdrew her hands again.

I felt I must damn the consequences at this juncture. So, I asked her to permit me to use the washroom while she continues her meal… She agreed. In the empty washroom, I removed the contact lens, the realistic human mask and thoroughly washed my face. I made a little chant in prayer to Buddha and summoned the courage to come out. I presented myself to Alexa, for her to save me.

Not only Alexa but also the 4-Man Band was stupefied and overwhelmed. ‘This Crown Prince’s face is popular in the news,’ one of them had whispered! So, I took out a wad of Pound Sterling notes and gave their leader. I waved my hand that they may leave. Alexa must be furious now. What should I do?

***

My Irresistible Allure?

Alexa’s recovery rate was shocking. She stood up and clapped for my performance, and said: “Bravo, Crown Prince, Bravo!”

I went closer to her and went on my knees, with my hands together to beg. “Please, My Irresistible Allure, do not reject me… I did this just to have you. I wanted a lover of the downtrodden, not a wealthy snob. I cannot withstand the shock that must follow your feeling of being used and tested! Please.”

Princess Alexa moved closer to me and gave me a cool kiss on my lips. I was too shocked to respond. She moved me back to my seat and said: “I caught you when I called you in England from Africa, and you almost said Reese was your sister… Before then, I saw your royal demeanour and calculative defense, as if we were already lovers! That only happens with people who know their way… Not that ‘brilliant poor man’ Show… Reese told me that you coined that lovers’ pseudo name for me – Irresistible Allure. I knew it for two years. Then, one strange man calls me by that name. You betrayed your acting skills when all your moves were Crown Prince Reynold Chang’s… And the poor man suddenly got what he needed to travel back to Achaia – after all the poverty picture you had painted, and I gullibly believed. You should have used another name to make the drama special!”

With a relieved smile, I said, “So, Reese has told you everything about me?”

Princess Alexa responded: “Just as she told you everything about me! And both of us hate ‘match-making,’ hence you created your drama. I understand!”

I raised my hands very high. It was a sign to the Stewards who brought a classy chocolate cake. The type that Dr. Reese told me that her best friend loves. A steward brought the order in a jiffy. The cake was decorated in gold and red icing, ribbons… and the people around looked at us with expectation. I used the knife, immediately I got Princess Alexa to stand behind the cake. I cut a small part of the cake and Alexa broke a part of it to feed me. I gave another admirable smile to Alexa, holding a small gift, while kneeling with the left leg. I stretched the gift forward to her. It made her come closer with a sparkling cutey smile. As she got the gift, I drew her closer to bite the delicious cake. She could not chew, because something was inside… She curiously brought the bone out: Behold, it was a 24-karat diamond wedding ring… Then my appeal was, “Please marry me, Alexa!”

She screamed a bit, retrieved the ring and gave it to the Crown Prince, and said: “O yes! I will be happy to marry you! My Prince.”

I stood up and carried her in my arms, and the other customers who were enjoying the show gave us a standing ovation and applause. I kissed her passionately. A steward whispered into my left ear, enquiring if we needed a romantic music, and I nodded. Rhythm and Blues Music filled the air subtly and I saw that the couples in the house were dancing away with their spouses. So, I danced with Alexa!

What a memorable day!