Chapter 192 The Proposal Prep
The restaurant was a flurry of activity, with servers hustling about.
"Get those balloons upright!"
"They're lopsided!"
"Even out the petals; it looks too clumpy over here."
The staff had been busy since early morning, revamping the entire layout.
It was a standalone, all-glass villa-style bistro.
Tiny fairy lights filled the dining area, casting a glow of soft blues and purples throughout the space.
All the extra seating had been removed from the first floor and replaced with a carpet of scattered rose petals.
Beautiful balloons hung on walls and rested on the floor.
In the middle of the space, the only table and chairs were set next to the grand piano, half-concealed behind a translucent curtain.
The panoramic windows offered a direct view of the lake, where black and white swans glided leisurely, occasionally playing hide and seek behind the trees.
After all that hard work, the servers retreated to the kitchen, unable to help, voicing their exhaustion.
"This is worth it, guys. Myron Curtis is paying us. We're making ten times what we'd get at a regular diner!"
"Hey, why do you think he wanted all this setup?"
"It's pretty obvious to me. It's got to be for a proposal..."
"But isn’t Myron already married? To that country girl from the Weaver family?"
"Shh, are you trying to get us killed?"
One of them quickly covered the speaker's mouth.
"Country girl? That's just jealousy speaking. Luann Weaver is a world-class pianist and top-notch racer. How could anyone from 'the country' be that skilled?"
"My bad, I just slipped up for a second."
"I heard Myron Curtis had this place built just for Luann Weaver. Is that true?"
"Yeah, he oversaw the whole renovation himself. He just wrapped up a couple of days ago."
"Man, that is some serious devotion..."
"It's just so romantic, with the flowers and everything. What girl wouldn't love it?"
While they were immersed in their heated discussion, Myron arrived outside the restaurant.
He tapped the table twice with his hand.
Someone peered out immediately.
"It’s Myron Curtis!"
"Turn off the lights. Let's see what it looks like," Myron said coolly.
"Right away!"
Instantly, the restaurant's lights dimmed.
With a snap of Myron's fingers, the fairy lights began to gleam faintly, spreading from the entrance inward, lighting up the rose petal pathway.
Candles flickered to life in an instant.
On the lake, the swans seemed to sense the sudden darkness and the return of light, flapping back onto the water's surface, cuddling up together.
Myron nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent."
The employees all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard his approval.
"How about the fireworks?" Myron asked.
With a smile, the staff replied, "They’re all set! Once dinner is served, the fireworks by the lake will be lit. Don't worry, Myron!"
"Good."
Glancing at his watch, Myron mused that Luann should be on her way by now.
He placed the velvet box on the table, his slender fingers softly caressing it.
He was ready.
Ready to propose.
Ready to offer Luann a moment he had never experienced before. There had been no grand proposal, no elaborate wedding. Nothing until today.
"She’ll like it, right?" Myron murmured, a rare hint of uncertainty in his voice.
With Luann, he had always strived to tend to every emotion, to be her every comfort. She was his wife, after all. This was simply something he owed her.
Closing his eyes, Myron took a deep breath. His gentle smile, tinged with warmth, emerged as his fingers brushed behind his ear.
"Since you want to know how I feel, I'll tell you today."
Traffic was unexpectedly heavy despite it being off-peak hours.
Luann sat in her car with the windows down, straightening her skirt, growing impatient.
"How much longer?" she asked.
The driver glanced at the congested road ahead. "Probably another half hour."
Finally, after the grueling wait, they left the traffic behind and headed toward the steakhouse.
"Ma'am, we've arrived."
Luann stepped out, looking at the dark building that appeared to be closed for the evening, and hesitated.
"Could we have gotten the wrong address? It looks deserted."
She leaned to peer through the glass, seeing nothing but darkness.
The door was ajar.
Luann put her hand on the doorknob and was about to push open the door when—
Her phone’s ringtone sounded at the worst possible moment.
She didn’t want to answer. But a call from Benjamin, Adolph’s right-hand man, usually meant trouble.
Reluctantly, she picked up. “Hello?”
She heard breathless, frantic panting, mingled with loud noises in the background.
Then Benjamin's voice tore through. "Luann! It's bad! They hit us. They hit our place hard!"
Luann's head buzzed, her heart clenched in sudden anxiety.
"What happened? Are you guys okay? How's Adolph?"
Benjamin's brief explanation was muddled.
"Luann, you better come back quick!"
The call was abruptly terminated.
Something must have gone wrong.
Luann pivoted, strode away, hopped into her car, and urged the driver, "To the airport."
The driver hesitated. "Ma'am, aren't you supposed to meet with the young master..."
"I said the airport!" Luann snapped.
The driver had never seen Luann this incensed. He obeyed without another word.
Meanwhile, Myron sat in the dimly lit restaurant, oblivious to the chaos unfolding.
The darkness inside and the brightness outside provided a clear view of Luann's every move.
He had seen Luann take a call and leave in a hurry.
His phone vibrated twice.
It was a text from Luann.
‘There’s been an emergency, so I can't join you for dinner.’
Myron's eyes drooped, his fingers so tense they grew white.
PHis face, hidden in the darkness, was etched with coldness and wrath.
He didn't turn on the lights but remained seated in the dark.
On the way to the airport, Luann tried to book a flight, but it was too late. No tickets were available.
Her lips pursed, eyes darkening with urgency.
She swiftly texted Holly Weiss, then instructed the driver, "Drop me off at the junction five miles ahead."
The driver simply nodded. "Alright."
Stepping out of the car, Luann made a beeline for Holly's sports car parked by the curb.
"What's going on?" Holly asked, noting Luann's solemn expression and knowing it meant trouble.
"Just get to the private airstrip," Luann demanded, using her Bluetooth earpiece to connect with someone.
"Be ready in twenty minutes."
