Chapter 600 - Just Confusion and Misconception

~ Back to the venue ~

Mark and Daniel went home first. Andrew was with FaMo, still waiting inside one of the hotel rooms.

Meanwhile, Tristan and Zhen-Zhen were still the center of attention of the guests in the venue. With this, they were able to stroll some time for Alveena and Brandon.

Brandon had informed Clifford that he already found Alveena and they were now coming to the venue.

Clifford went back to the venue, only to see Tristan and Zhen-Zhen talking to his parents.

"Lillie?" There was longing in his eyes when he called her name.

"Why are they here?" Clifford asked himself before walking over to join them.

"Mrs. and Mr. Sy, we are here to apologize for what I have done to Clifford," Tristan said, apologizing to Clifford's parents.

Clifford's father didn't expect that Tristan would apologize. He thought Tristan Davis would be stubborn and would never admit his wrongdoing.

'What scheme is he plotting here?' Mr. Sy was a little bit suspicious toward Tristan.

Mrs. Sy, on the other hand, appreciated this gesture from Tristan and his wife, Zhen-Zhen.

Tristan was doing this for his brother's sake. The Davis Family should not be in conflict with the Sy Family. They needed to get along since Andrew and Alveena had become an official couple now.

Clifford, who overheard Tristan, was also surprised when he heard Tristan's apology. It was his fault in the first place. He should be the one apologizing to Tristan, not the other way around.

'Is Tristan really genuine about this?'

Clifford's gaze moved to Zhen-Zhen. He thought she would never want to see him again. But here she was now, attending Alveena's engagement party.

Thinking about that, Alveena was close to Zhen-Zhen. He assumed that Alveena was the one who invited them.

"You should not apologize to me, but to my son,' Mr. Sy said, moving his gaze to Clifford who had just arrived. "He is here. You can apologize to him."

Tristan and Zhen-Zhen turned around to face Clifford. The three fell silent for a moment, just staring at each other.

Zhen-Zhen tugged Tristan's sleeve. She didn't want Tristan to force himself. But Tristan only gave her a reassuring smile, telling her that he was just fine.

"Clifford, I am sorry for beating you. I know using violence was not a good thing to settle things. I acted rashly. Please forgive me," Tristan said.

Tristan felt strange. After hearing Zhen-Zhen's words when she confronted Clifford, Tristan was not affected by Clifford's presence anymore.

He was no longer jealous as compared to before. He was not insecure about him. He didn't feel threatened anymore.

Complex emotions flashed in Clifford's eyes. After his long silence, Clifford had finally spoken.

"No need to apologize. It's my fault. I should apologize for provoking you."

Tristan, Mr. Sy, and Mrs. Sy were taken aback when Clifford said that. He was acknowledging his fault.

'Is he doing this because of Zhen-Zhen?' Tristan pondered to himself.

Tristan just nodded his head with a smile before extending his right hand to Clifford.

"Let's have a truce," Tristan said, smiling at Clifford.

Clifford looked at his hand, contemplating whether to accept it or not. After a few seconds, he held Tristan's hand for a handshake.

The guests, who were watching them on the sideline,  gasped upon seeing Tristan and Clifford shaking each other's hands.

Indistinct chatters could be heard around them.

"Oh my gosh! Look at Tristan and Clifford! They are shaking hands. Did they reconcile already?"

Even the reporters who were present didn't let go of the opportunity to take pictures of Tristan and Clifford. Aside from covering this engagement party, they got another interesting story because of Clifford and Tristan.

Everyone was still focusing their attention on Clifford and Tristan when Alveena and Brandon finally showed up together inside the venue.

The hosts announced their arrival, thus diverting their attention back to Alveena and Brandon.

"Oh, our daughter is here. I guess we have to start the program. We are already delayed," Mrs. Sy said before turning to Tristan and Zhen-Zhen.

"Mr. and Mrs. Davis, please take your seats and join us tonight. Clifford, assist and entertain them."

After saying that, Mrs.Sy pulled her husband to welcome Brandon and Alveena.

Andrew could no longer wait in his room so went inside the venue to watch the engagement. He just stood near the entrance door. He was still wearing his mask and FaMo followed him. He was standing next to Andrew.

Just like what Brandon had requested, the two of them really acted like a happy and sweet couple in front of everyone.

After a few hours, the peak of the program had come. The host called Brandon and Alveena to come on the stage.

The two were smiling as they faced the guests. The hosts asked them to give messages for each other and for everyone who came tonight.

Brandon took the microphone. He whispered to Alveena first.

"Thank you, Alvee. You made this night special for me." 

Brandon squeezed Alveena's hand while giving her a meaningful look. After that, he faced the crowd once again and he started to speak.

"Good evening everyone. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming here tonight. I hope you enjoy the food and drinks and the music! This party is not for Alveena and me, but for everyone."

Everyone laughed because of Brandon's remarks. 

Brandon continued. "Why are you laughing? Haha, do you think I am joking? Hmm. Let me clarify things so that everyone can understand what I mean by saying this party is not for Alveena and me, but for everyone."

Brandon paused for a moment, watching the crowd. They fell silent when they noticed that Brandon's expression had become serious.

He took a deep breath and resumed his speech.

"This is not an engagement party but a simple gathering to honor the friendship between the two families, the Cullens and the Sy," Brandon declared, surprising everyone.

Their parents were the most shocked and puzzled among the crowd. They couldn't understand why Brandon was telling this.

"Alveena and I are just friends. No engagement and marriage will happen. This is just a social gathering for the Sy and the Cullens Family, including our closest family friends. Sorry for the confusion and misconception."

Everyone: "???"