As I rushed around my room, frantically trying to pack for my trip to New York, frustration grew within me. Time was slipping away, and I had only 15 minutes left before I had to leave for the airport. Last night's late work session had left me with no time to prepare my bags, and now I was paying the price.
Groaning and muttering curses under my breath, I wrestled with my luggage, attempting to zip it shut. Sweat glistened on my forehead as I struggled to fit everything in. In a desperate attempt to keep track of the items I still needed to bring, I started talking to myself, repeatedly listing them aloud.
From the kitchen, Angelica's voice boomed, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery. "Are you almost done?" she shouted. I could picture her helping herself to the leftovers of my yakisoba from the previous night.
Finally, after much effort, I managed to close my overstuffed bags. Hastily changing into comfortable clothes, I grabbed my Chanel bag and tossed in a few last-minute essentials. Sliding on my sunglasses, I secured them atop my head. With a sense of relief, I called Zane to inform him of my departure.
"I'm going to the airport now," I informed him, the stress still evident in my voice. Juggling my phone and bags, I continued to prepare for the journey.
"Okay," Zane responded, his voice indicating his busyness on the other end of the line. "I'll send a driver to pick you up when you arrive."
"Good," I replied, the relief of his assistance washing over me. With that, I ended the call and made my way outside, dragging my suitcase along with me. The house received one last inspection, ensuring that nothing important was left behind, before Angelica and I finally embarked on our way to the airport.
The drive to the airport was a welcomed respite, offering a brief moment of peace amidst the chaos of my hectic day. As we arrived, my father's private jet awaited us, ready to whisk us away to our destination. Champagne was immediately served and I was so glad for that because I was thirsty.
As the plane took off, exhaustion washed over me, and before I knew it, I had succumbed to sleep. When I finally opened my eyes, we had already arrived in New York. I gathered my belongings and adjusted my outfit. Following Angelica, I stepped off the plane and was greeted by our waiting ride. Without wasting any time, we made our way to my parents' house, where we are going to stay because Angelica's apartment was once again under construction.
During the drive, the sight of familiar buildings and streets evoked a sense of nostalgia. It felt comforting to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city I once called home. Arriving at my parents' house, the driver kindly assisted us with our luggage as we made our way inside.
As we entered the house, I immediately heard the sound of my parents engaged in a lively discussion in the kitchen. Upon announcing my arrival, their bickering ceased, and they both turned to look at me. My mom's face lit up, and she hurriedly approached me with open arms.
"You're home, sweetheart! How are you doing?" she exclaimed, enveloping me in a warm embrace. I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"I'm doing alright. What were you guys arguing about?" I inquired, curious about the topic that had caught their attention.
"That you're still too young to have a boyfriend," my dad interjected, his tone teasing yet protective. I raised an eyebrow in disbelief, unable to suppress a smile.
"Dad, are you serious?" I questioned, amusement evident in my voice.
"Look at her, Vasilios," my mom interjected, her voice firm as she nudged me closer to my dad. "She's a grown woman now, beautiful and successful."
My dad shook his head, his expression stubborn. "Nah, she's still my little girl, pudding. Look at that booger hanging from her nose."
As if on cue, Angelica burst into laughter from behind us, clearly amused by the lighthearted banter. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I quickly realized my dad's comment was nothing more than a playful exaggeration. I playfully rolled my eyes, brushing off the comment as I discreetly adjusted my appearance.
"I never expected you to come to the ball," my mom remarked. "These events usually don't interest you." I chuckled and replied, "Well, Zane sent me an invitation, and it's been a long time since I saw you all, so I thought I'd join."
"Zane, huh?" My dad mused. "Yes, Zane," I confirmed. "We're actually working on a project together," he added. "I know," I said. Surprised, my dad asked, "He told you that?" I nodded, smiling.
Interrupting our conversation, my mom interjected, "Alright, enough chattering. You girls should get some rest. Tonight, we're having dinner with family and friends."
"Sorry," I apologized, "I won't be able to join for dinner tonight. I already have plans with Zane." My mom raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh, really? What kind of plans?" she inquired.
"Just dinner plans," I explained. My dad interjected with a loud hum, "Where are you going for dinner? Why can't you both join us?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "I haven't decided yet, and we already made arrangements," I replied.
"You didn't inform us about your plans with Zane," my dad pointed out. Confused, I looked at him and replied, "I thought I had outgrown the stage where I had to inform you about my every move and who I'm with."
"No, no," he retorted, "that will never change. Not as long as I'm alive. The option of you becoming a nun is still on the table."
With a smile, my mom slapped my dad on the back of his head. "Vasilios, leave the girl alone," she scolded. Then she turned to me, her expression kind and understanding. "It's alright if you can't join us tonight. We'll catch up later."
-
As I stood in front of the mirror, Angelica worked on styling my hair. "Wear that red lace panty I got you," she suggested. I shook my head, adjusting my sticky bra. "No, I think I'll pass. Can you please help me lace up the dress when you're done with my hair?"
"Sure, sure," Angelica replied, focusing on the final touches of my hair before proceeding to lace up the elegant red flowy dress with a tasteful side slit. The dress looked stunning, and the bracelet Zane had gifted me complemented it perfectly. Once the dress was laced up, I proceeded to do my makeup. When I turned around to face Angelica, she gasped in awe.
"You look absolutely beautiful. Zane won't be able to take his eyes off you. He might even skip the whole 'asking you to be his girlfriend' and go straight to proposing marriage," she teased. I rolled my eyes playfully and chuckled. "Come on, now you're just being dramatic."
A soft knock on my door interrupted our conversation. "Zane's here, sweetheart," my mom announced. My heart fluttered with anticipation as I took one last look in the mirror, making sure everything was perfect. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to find Zane standing there, looking dashing in his suit.
"Wow," he exclaimed, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance. "You look absolutely breathtaking." A blush crept onto my cheeks as I thanked him for the compliment. Zane held out his arm, and I gladly linked mine with his.
As Zane and I made our way downstairs, my mom's face lit up with pride. She couldn't contain her excitement and began gushing about how beautiful I looked to Yasmin and Angelica. On the other hand, my dad and Milan wore stern expressions, casting distrustful glances at Zane.
"Bring my daughter back in one piece, Shaw. Do you hear me, young man?" my dad asserted, his voice firm. I sighed and spoke up, trying to diffuse the tension. "Dad, enough with the tough act," I said, rolling my eyes at him and my brother.
"No, no, I mean what I say," my dad replied, crossing his arms stubbornly. Zane, ever composed, reassured my dad, "Don't worry, Mr. Vasilios. Amari is in safe hands with me." My brother Milan couldn't help but huff, earning a gentle poke and a "behave" from Yasmin.
Zane and I walked toward his car, and he graciously opened the door for me. To my surprise, there was a box of chocolates and a Christian Louboutin bag waiting for me on the passenger seat. My heart swelled with joy as I discovered that the shoes inside were limited edition, with my name elegantly engraved on the soles.
"These are absolutely beautiful," I exclaimed, my eyes gleaming with delight, as Zane fastened my seatbelt. Zane started the car and flashed me a smile. "I knew you would like them," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
"Thank you," I expressed my gratitude, genuinely touched by his thoughtful gesture. As we pulled out of the driveway, excitement coursed through my veins. "Where are we going?" I couldn't help but ask, curiosity bubbling within me.
Zane's smile grew wider, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "You will see," he replied, adding an air of mystery to our evening. The city lights danced outside the car window, and a sense of adventure enveloped us.
We drove through the vibrant streets, the anticipation building with each passing minute. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and shared stories.
After a while of driving, Zane decided to stop at a park. He pulled the car to a gentle halt, and with a smile on his face, he opened the door for me, extending his hand. Without hesitation, I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth and comfort of his touch, and together, we walked into the park.
The air was filled with the serene symphony of frogs, their melodious croaks creating a soothing ambiance. As we strolled beneath the leafy canopy of trees, their branches reaching out like welcoming arms, I couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility enveloping us.
Before long, we arrived at a sight that took my breath away. In the heart of the park, surrounded by the embracing darkness, stood a candlelit picnic. A fountain glistened nearby, its surface adorned with delicate, flickering candles that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze. Fairy lights twinkled, casting a soft glow and creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Zane, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for me, and I graciously sat down, unable to contain my awe at the scene before me. It was as if my childhood dreams had come to life-the very picture I had once painted in the pages of my diary, capturing my idea of the perfect first date.
As the beauty of the moment washed over me, I couldn't help but express my joy to Zane. "I love this," I exclaimed, my heart overflowing with happiness and gratitude for the effort he had put into creating such a magical experience.
Zane scratched the back of his head, his voice laced with a hint of sheepishness. "You know, I might have come across that diary of yours back when we were younger," he admitted.
His response caught me off guard, and I playfully gasped, giving him a gentle slap on the arm. "You did not, Zane," I teased, half in disbelief and half amused.
He chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes as he poured champagne into delicate glasses. "Sorry, sugarplum," he said, a hint of mischief in his voice. It was evident that he had taken the time to delve into the depths of my diary, uncovering the dreams I had penned as a young girl.
In that moment, I realized the depth of Zane's thoughtfulness and the lengths he was willing to go to make me feel special. It was a beautiful gesture, one that made my heart flutter with affection for him.
As we sat there, engaged in conversation and eagerly devouring our pizza, Zane's voice suddenly grew serious. With a mischievous smile, he pulled out a small box from his pocket, capturing my undivided attention.
"Now, the long-awaited question," he began, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Amari, sugarplum, Vasilios, do you want to officially be my girlfriend?"
I couldn't help but laugh, the joy bubbling up within me. Nodding my head enthusiastically, I replied, "I would love to be your girlfriend, Shaw. It was about time anyway."
Zane chuckled, a mixture of relief and delight evident on his face. Opening the small velvet box, he revealed a breathtaking promise ring, its radiance captivating my gaze. With tender care, he slid it onto my finger, his touch sending a shiver of warmth through me. Placing a gentle kiss on the ring, he whispered, "It looks gorgeous on you."
A wide smile spread across my face as I admired the delicate ring, feeling its weight symbolize the connection we shared. In that moment, I couldn't have been happier, surrounded by the flickering moonlight and the embrace of Zane's love.
Bringing his face closer to mine, I closed the distance between us. Softly, I pressed my lips against his, a sweet and tender kiss that carried the weight of our newfound commitment. It was a kiss filled with affection, sealing the deal and solidifying the bond we had formed.
Under the moonlit sky, we shared a magical moment, entwined in each other's arms. The ring on my finger served as a tangible reminder of our love, a promise for the future we would navigate together.
I was one happy girl.
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