THE ANNOUNCEMENT

All renowned reporters from the capital city were headed to The Efinson Hotel.

Those who didn't get an invitation to the major press conference looked upon their colleagues with envy. They all heard that The lce King, as he was popularly known in the country, was about to release a statement that was going to change forces.

Who wouldn't want to make a name for themselves and their company by covering such an event?

Bernice's car was also in the convoy that was headed to the hotel. She was ready to make a huge scene if Frost insisted on making that outrageous announcement.

Meanwhile, Vinca was just having the finishing touches done on her makeup. Frost had ordered her to undergo a full makeover for the event.

*****

In West County, a couple is seated on the couch in the living room with wine glasses in their hands as they talk about their day. The television is on but on low sound.

In another house in the same county, a middle-aged man is helping his wife to sit up on the bed so that she can take her medication. She has become so weak that she can no longer get out of bed

The man urges her to try eating some porridge but she shakes her head and starts to cry. As the man looks at his wife in despair, he lifts his face to the heavens and makes a silent prayer then takes the remote control of the television in the bedroom and switches it on.

*****

Only reporters with gold-plated invites with the CEO's seal at the bottom left of the card were allowed in. Those who thought they could forge the invitation card were turned away as the seal was made with special invisible ink that only a few knew about.

Bernice's bodyguard Storm, who had been forcefully ordered by Mrs. Skylar to escort her daughter to Efinson Hotel kept grunting all the way, cursing his job

Getting to the hotel, he opened the door for Bernice and escorted her to the entrance. She had organized for her underlings to forge an invite card for her so she confidently strutted to the stewards manning the entrance.

"Your card please Ma'am"

She handed her card with her chin up like a distinguished guest.

"Sorry Ma'am, this invite is not legit".

She blew her top. Her nerves had been in a wreck the whole trip and now this? "You stupid misfits what do you mean my invite is not legit? You had better let me in. Who do you think you are? Do you know that I can have you fired and your sorry beings thrown out of the country? Get out of my face right now"

People were starting to crowd the entrance to see what the commotion was all about.

"I am the fiancée of Mr Reginald, you can't dare lock me out"

When they heard that, the stewards who were manning the entrance were at a loss on what to do and had to let her in, fearing the wrath of the Ice King.

The lights dimmed in the conference room, and a circular light shone on the podium. Leo was the first one to step in and went to the microphone.

"My name is Mr. Leonard White and I am Mr. Reginald's assistant. All of you have been invited here for his special announcement. Please keep your questions to a minimum and ask only relevant ones regarding the issue at hand. Now please welcome my boss."

Frost walked in holding Vinca's hand. He wore a burgundy suit with the coat unbuttoned to show the beige shirt.

Because he wasn't wearing a tie, he had a beige kerchief on his right pocket and his waist, a brown belt with a golden buckle.

Vinca was in a sleeveless gown, beige in color that was shimmering in the light because of the tiny gold petals scattered upon the gown. She had on burgundy high-heeled shoes to complement Frost's suit.

On her slender neck was a gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant that matched the bracelet on her left hand. Her makeup was on point giving her a princess in a royal banquet look.

The couple was out to make a statement with their colours of power and sophistication, tranquillity and comfort. This was a power couple that knew how to complement and complete each other.

The hall was silent and looking at the couple, one could feel shivers of excitement running down their spine.

One cameraman felt sweaty on his hands. He had never in his life seen such beauty. Even the ladies present gasped at the glory before them

"I am here to officially announce my engagement with Miss Vinca Limack"

Then the hall erupted into chaos!

"Mr. Reginald, where did you and your fiancee meet?"

"Sir, how did you meet?"

"What family does your fiancée come from?

"When is the wedding?"

"Is this a love match or a business deal, this seems so sudden?"

"Please show us your rings".

The questions were coming forth left, right and centre. Leo had to quiet them down so they could ask their questions in order while Frost calmly answered them. Vinca just stood there, dazzling them with her smile.

"What about the lady claiming to be your fiancée?" This is from a reporter who had witnessed the scene at the entrance earlier.

Everyone turned to look at the reporter. There was an eerie silence as Frost came down from the podium and slowly walked toward the reporter.

"What woman?" He asked holding him by his necktie, courtesy forgot.

"The....the....there was a la..la.. the lady at the entrance claim..mi..ming to be your fiancee" he was stammering and sweating wishing he was anywhere else but staring at the late king's deadly eyes.

Frost pushed him to the floor and turned around. "Where is this woman claiming to be my fiancée?"

Bernice rushed to him, hugging him tightly.

"Frost, please, she doesn't deserve you. She is nothing but plain-faced made-up trash".

WHAAM!!

She felt a ringing in her ears. Vinca had hit her with all her might. Nobody had even seen her come down the podium and stand gracefully by her fiancé's side.

"Call me trash again, l dare you" She glared at Bernice while Frost held her protectively.

"You are a woman recently divorced, and I have nothing to do with you", Frost spat out.

Bernice couldn't take it anymore and with nails bared out, she tried to claw Vinca's face only to be kicked by Frost.

The reporters were on their toes, cameras rolling. They had come for a special announcement but were treated to a spectacular show.

Storm had to push his way through the crowd of reporters to get to Bernice. Lifting her, he bowed to Frost in apology and quickly left the venue with her.

Leo had to call the room to order so that they could finish the function.

After Frost and Vinca went back to the podium, they finished answering the reporter's questions and then left after posing for some photos.