Isn't Love Enough?

Noella's POV

I froze for a while. The presence of two people I didn't expect was before my eyes. I didn't expect Darren to be one of Mr. Enrick's family. I could also see that Emma was there to keep him company, and that couple was the reason I was here.

With my hand still wrapped around Mr. Enrick's arm, I stepped with him to get closer to his extended family. Mr. Enrick pulled out a chair for me, and I sat amongst them all, feeling very uncomfortable. Darren and Emma's presence made things awkward for me, especially what they had done before.

Despite the discomfort, I tried to do it professionally. I didn't want Mr. Enrick to be disappointed with me just because this was all an act.

Slowly, everyone there started talking to each other. Even now, they were heard talking and starting a conversation to ask about my status to Mr. Enrick. "Tell me, who is she, and where is she from?"

I swallowed slowly at that question, and then Mr. Enrick, without hesitation, answered, "Noella is my fiancée."

I could see the looks on the faces of the few people who seemed to dislike my status in Mr. Enrick's life. Although I could see a smile on the lips of the woman who had just asked, on the other hand, I could hear Darren snorting.

The look on Darren's face seemed to belittle me, so he spoke, "Come on, Uncle. You can even get a better woman than her."

I felt my heart stabbed by Darren's annoying words. However, he wasn't the only one who said that.

"I've known many women from rich and great families, but I didn't expect this to be your choice, Mr. Enrick. The Stuart family does not wish to bear the shame of your unilateral decision." The woman was Darren's mother, she said so firmly, as if not allowing Mr. Enrick to decide for his own life.

Such painful words. No wonder Mr. Enrick had never found a partner. His extended family was a significant factor in this. Luckily, I've gotten some information about the Stuarts. I knew that if Mr. Enrick was the son of his father's last wife, Mr. Enrick's Noble name differed from his father's because it followed his mother's side. However, I did not expect Darren's mother to interfere so deeply in her brother's life.

I saw the hardened expression on Mr. Enrick's face. He didn't accept anything his family said about the couple. The atmosphere started to change just because of such an offensive sentence.

"Don't start an argument. I already have a fiancé, and I don't want to discuss this further." Mr. Enrick's words were stern and dominating. It could be seen from everyone staring at him in silence.

I tried to stay calm, though I slowly widened my eyes to see how they were looking at me. Sure enough, Darren and Emma, who were sitting across from me, were now staring sardonically as if demeaning my status there. I could feel that both of them were thinking about my existence in this wealthy family.

In this meeting, those two people were the only ones who recognized me and knew how my family was doing. I'm just afraid they'll mess things up and make Mr. Enrick embarrassed. Until now, I'm still monitoring those two. Not a word has come out of their lips about my previous life. Right now, I can rest a little easier because no other words came after Mr. Enrick answered several questions.

The activity continued, and we enjoyed the banquet that was now in front of us. Since the last conversation a few minutes ago, the atmosphere had become cold and awkward. It's just that I can see everyone ignoring it.

Not long after that, Darren spoke up again and asked something that disturbed me a little. "So, where did Uncle meet her? Isn't it too soon to decide to make her a fiancé?"

Darren's mouth was always unstoppable when it came to matters like this. I felt like he would never be able to let me be happy or live in peace. I still carried the pain of him cheating on Emma in front of me in person. He even kicked me out of the apartment we shared.

"You cheating bastard, how dare he ask such a question and interfere in my business with Mr. Enrick. Why can't he keep his mouth shut and just watch? " I thought to myself in annoyance at Darren's behavior, especially Emma, who looked like she was supporting him from behind.

Darren really lowered my appetite for the delicious-looking appetizer on my table. If only Mr. Enrick didn't have a family like this, maybe I could enjoy my rare meal in peace. Alas, it's all wishful thinking on my part.

I looked to the side, saw Mr. Enrick looking at me, and smiled. Suddenly, he pulled my chair closer to him, then quickly put his arm around my waist to show how intimate we were and answer Darren's question.

"Noella is an employee at my company. I fell in love with her when I saw her work at her desk so beautifully." Mr. Enrick's words were so incredulous that I rounded my eyes perfectly in embarrassment.

Mr. Enrick's words seemed natural, making me believe he did it all along in the office. However, I didn't want to be slapped because I had an agreement that I had to pay for it.

I smiled back at Mr. Enrick, then turned my gaze to see how upset Darren's face was when he heard the answer from his uncle. Right, I felt a little happy even though this was all made up.

"So it's true, she's just an ordinary clerk and has nothing to be a part of this family." Darren's mother chimed in again, and there was silence. I glimpsed a faint smile on Darren's lips as he was pleased with the response.

I shifted my gaze and glanced at Mr. Enrick, who was now hooked again. His hand gripped tightly around the spoon, and his jaw hardened. It was not a pretty sight. I gently touched Mr. Enrick's hand and rubbed it. I smiled as I shook my head slowly so his mother's words wouldn't provoke him.

"Didn't I warn you not to discuss that? My love story with Noella is, of course, different from most people's. I loved her at first sight. It can be said to be love at first sight. I don't care what you think. Of course, I will only do what I think can make me happy." Once again, Mr. Enrick dodged Darren's mother's response nicely. Mr. Enrick clasped my hand in front of everyone to show how close we were.

"Uncle is blinded by love, so he won't see what this woman has." Darren always makes things even more chaotic. This time, his words upset me.

"Isn't love like that? It comes without seeing status and position. Love that lasts comes from the heart, not just from a look." My answer managed to silence Darren. I looked at Mr. Enrick and smiled at him.

The next course was served, and the atmosphere was calm again as everyone dwelled on their food. However, I could still see the annoyance on the faces of everyone whose eyes accidentally met mine.

"I hope after this you can accept my decision to make Noella my partner. No more arranged marriages or attempts to separate us." That sentence shut the mouths of everyone who wanted to speak again. Mr. Enrick showed our status so firmly to his extended family.