Chapter 122 Blocked
The birthday party was set to start at seven in the evening. By the time Niamh had finished getting ready, the afternoon was well underway. Her phone was abuzz with notifications as friends sent her money through cash apps, and Dovie gifted her a pearl necklace. However, there was no word from Finnegan. Niamh convinced herself that Finnegan was just being mysterious to surprise her, and she was brimming with excitement for the evening's celebration.
Dovie had cleared her schedule that day to spend it with her daughter on her birthday. After Niamh got her hair done, she went home first. Dovie queried, “Niamh, when does your birthday party start? Have your friends arrived yet? Any news from Finnegan?”
“Oh Mom, the party isn’t until seven tonight, and it's only three in the afternoon—plenty of time,” Niamh replied, cheerfully. “I even saw Finnegan buying a necklace, the sales associate told me it was a birthday gift for his girlfriend and it’s for today. Today is my birthday, so it must be for me.”
“You kids and your surprises,” Dovie laughed. “I didn’t realize Finnegan was such a romantic.”
“I didn’t expect it either, he’s usually so reserved, but he’s really put in effort this time,” Niamh said shyly. “If he proposes tonight, Mom, do you think I should accept right away, or should I play hard to get?”
“If Finnegan is serious about you, it's wonderful news, and I'll be delighted for both of you," Dovie said, holding Niamh's hand. "You’re not getting any younger, and if you marry Finnegan, I’d feel at ease.”
“We have a family arrangement and he has to marry me,” asserted Niamh confidently. "He won’t go against his grandma wishes. I should message Finnegan to ask what time he’ll arrive at the party. I realize I haven't given him the address yet, I'll send it to him now."
Niamh scrolled through her contacts to find Finnegan's number on WhatsApp and proceeded to send him the address, but to her surprise, a system notification popped up indicating that they were not contacts and she would need to send a friend request to proceed.
Niamh was taken aback. How had she and Finnegan ceased to be friends?
Was she removed by him?
"Niamh, what's wrong?" Dovie noticed that Niamh looked upset.
"Mom, it's nothing, a friend needs me for something, I'm heading out, and you go to the birthday party on your own. I'll meet you there later." Niamh was too proud to admit that Finnegan had unfriended her.
Niamh convinced herself that it couldn’t have been Finnegan. It must have been an accidental delete. After all, he was going to propose to her, surely he would come to the birthday party.
...
At the Abbott family home.
Celia was also getting ready for the evening's birthday party. She called Finnegan to ask him what time he would arrive.
It took a long while for the call to be answered.
Meanwhile, Finnegan was already at the church with Ophelia.
Ophelia had gone to the restroom, and Finnegan stepped aside to answer the call. "What's up?"
"Finnegan, it's Niamh's birthday party today, when will you be arriving?" Celia asked. "Do you have a gift ready, or if you’re running late, I can prepare something for you."
"I never said I was going to her birthday party," Finnegan replied coldly. "I'm out, and I can't make it."
"You aren't going?" Celia panicked. "How can you not go to Niamh's birthday? It's just not right. How are we supposed to explain this to the Parks family?"
Finnegan saw Ophelia returning and said, "Mom, I'm tied up right now. Let’s talk later."
With that, Finnegan hung up the call.
Celia called back immediately, but he disconnected again.
Now Celia was truly frantic. Jude came downstairs and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Finnegan is skipping the birthday party, and he's avoiding my calls," Celia said, both anxious and perplexed. "Didn't Finnegan agree to marry into Parks family? How could he fail to show up at the birthday party? It's totally out of line."
“Maybe the boy is just swamped with work. The company is all on his shoulders and he must be buried in work,” Jude said. "Besides, Niamh’s birthday isn't such a big deal. It's just a small, usual birthday celebration. It shouldn't matter if he doesn't go."
Celia was determined and said, "This is crucial, Jude, I've already spread the word to Dovie, planning to discuss the marriage between our families tonight. If Finnegan doesn't go, that won't do." Celia was persistent, stating, "I'll call again and summon him back."
However, this time when she dialed, the phone went straight to voicemail.
Celia was furious. "I’ll call the office and find out where on earth he's gone."
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