chapter-40: Proposal

Aria Anastasia
I drove to Zaiden's mansion as soon as I could after I received his phone call, without even bothering to change out of my home clothes which were tank tops and shorts.
My heart was beating so fast. The only thing that was roaming in my head was Zaiden's safety. Did he get shot by any of his enemies? Was he hurt? He only told me to help him and come to his mansion immediately.
I parked my car in front of the gate and ran inside his mansion. I made my way to his bedroom without replying to the maids' greetings.
��Zaiden?�� I called out after opening the door to his room. He was nowhere in sight.
His bedroom was neat and clean as always, filled with the scent of his cologne. In the last few months, I have come here a lot, but it was always with Zaiden, so I never got the time to observe his room. It was in the shade of red and white. The perfect placing furniture clearly showed his amazing taste in fashion and everything.
I shook my head and again called out, ��Zaiden, where are you?��
After checking the balcony and bathroom, I went downstairs to ask a maid, ��Have you seen Zaiden?��
��Last time, I saw him going to the terrace,�� the maid answered politely.
I nodded my head and thanked her before dashing to the terrace. As soon as I opened the terrace door, the cold night breeze hit my bare arms; it slightly made me feel conscious of my pajamas. But that shouldn't be my concern.
I stepped forward and was in awe when I noticed beautiful purple fairy lights. I have never been to his terrace before. Was this always decorated so beautifully?
A small carving on the wall caught my attention. It stood out as the lights were illuminating it. It seemed to have been written a year ago by Zaiden.
A smile evolved on my face as I read out the words that sounded so perfect next to each other, ��Zaiden and Aria.��
��Oh, God, I need to find Zaiden.�� I slapped my cheek and pulled myself out of my fallacy. I rushed to the railings to get a trace of Zaiden in the dark. That's when I noticed a black figure near the poolside. ��Zaiden, is that you?�� I hollered, but no one replied.
My heart was still beating fast as I didn't confirm his safety yet. My eyes fell on the stairs that led down to the pool area. Without another thought, I followed that path and reached the poolside.
Unlike the terrace, there was no source of light in the pool area, only the sound of water waves crinkling quietly.
Just then, something lit up behind my back. I turned around to see a swing surrounded by layers of fairy lights that formed a complete heart. In front of that stood Zaiden whom I have been looking for so long, dressed up in a black suit and white shirt. He was looking extra dashing than usual. There was a different glow and nervousness on his face.
��What is going on, Zaiden? Are you hurt?�� I asked urgently. I needed to make sure he was okay first.
��Yes, I'm fine. Not hurt at all,�� he assured me softly. I breathed an air of relief. This was the tone of Zaiden that I was looking for the whole day. ��Come here.�� He forwarded his hand to me.
I took his hand and went near him. I was still confused about what he was doing, so I started asking, ��What's happening, Zaiden? Why did you call me in the middle of the night and brought me here? And why are you dressed in a suit when you are supposed to be sleeping? And what is all this���� He placed a finger on my lips to silence me.
He smiled and said, ��Sit here.�� He made me sit on the swing.
I had so many questions still going on in my head. That's when Zaiden sat on his one knee. A gasp escaped my lips, and I instantly covered my mouth with my palm in shock.
He pursed his lips and looked me in the eye with his green ones. ��I know people think that one knee proposals are lame and all, trust me I did too.�� He added with a chuckle, ��But I know that you still love one knee proposals because you go 'aww' every time you see that type of proposal in the movies.��
I couldn't but feel like I was over the moon as he remembered every small detail of me.
��And I don't mind lowering my head just for you,�� he said with a heartwarming smile. My heart literally melted into puddles. Damn, I was lucky to have someone like Zaiden in my life.
I saw him taking out a dark velvet box and holding it out open for me. It was a perfectly designed blue diamond ring that somehow represented his devotion and our eternity. Tears brimmed through my eyes in happiness. I didn't know how to react to it.
I saw him take a deep breath and start, ��I know this is sudden, and you are very surprised. I also know I was the one who said that we shouldn't rush our marriage, but that was months ago, and I think we are ready for the next step. I don't want you to be my girlfriend only. I want you to be my wife as well, Aria. I promise to be a good husband just as I have been a good boyfriend. I promise to never disappoint you and make you happy. I will always protect you with my life. I will never let any harm from my Mafia profession ever befall you. I will always keep you safe within my arms. I want to protect you forever.��
I was a crying mess by now. I thought he wanted to break up with me. Boy, was I wrong! He was only occupied with how to make it a perfect proposal.
He continued, ��I also promise to keep loving you. No, I promise to love you more every day. I will never restrain you from anything. You will have my support throughout everything, Aria.�� I saw his eyes getting teary too. ��Remember when you said that I won't marry you and all that crap? You have no idea, Aria,�� he breathed out. ��Every moment I wish that you could be with me. Every day I dream of having you by my side as my wife. Every morning I desire to see your face as I open my eyes. Every night I want to sleep with you in my arms, so I won't have to worry about you.��
With every word of his, he was making me fall in love with him harder. I didn't think it was possible to love someone this much.
Zaiden breathed in and out before finally letting out, ��Therefore, will you marry me, Aria Anastasia?��
How can I ever say ��no�� to this precious person?
��Yes, yes, yes. Infinity yes,�� I cried out and threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug.
He hugged me back and rubbed my back gently to calm me down as I was crying tears of joy. I never felt luckier than at this moment. I always want to preserve this in my memory.
��I also promise to make you happy and never stop loving you. I will do my everything to take care of you and treasure you,�� I mumbled against his neck.
��I'm sorry for avoiding you all day. I was so occupied while planning the proposal, I forgot to text you this morning and ended up lying when you called because I was practicing my lines, but turns out, I forgot those lines completely,�� he explained and laughed at his silliness.
��Geez, you really made my day bitter to make this moment sweeter than ever.�� I pulled apart from the hug and stared at his handsome face. I still couldn't believe that this man was going to be my husband soon enough. ��Oh, I want you to promise me one more thing,�� I added once I remembered.
��What is it?��
��I don't have much problem with you staying in the Mafia, but you will never hurt anyone innocent.��
��Okay, I promise, Aria,�� he replied sincerely.
I was about to say something else when my eyes fell on his suit, then on my tank top and shorts. I repeated the same thing three times before saying, ��Why are you wearing a suit and I'm in my pajamas?�� He simply shrugged and my nose flared in anger. ��Usually, the guy asks his girl's best friend to dress up the girl beautifully. And look at you! You are a miser, that's why you have me wearing my pajamas while you're dressed like some hero.��
��It's okay. Now that you will be my wife, I will buy the entire shop for you.�� He poked my puffed cheeks to melt my anger, and he did. I was too over the moon to be upset about what I was wearing. It would be one hell of a funny story to tell our future kids.
��Now, make me wear the ring, you miser.�� I pointed towards the ring and he chuckled before taking the ring out of the box. He gently held my hand and slid the blue diamond ring across my fourth finger. The size of the ring was perfect as expected.
��Thanks for coming to our interview that day. It's because of that, I could meet you and fall in love with you,�� Zaiden said and admired the ring on my hand.
��Then, I should thank myself for deciding to go to your cabin that day and learning your secret. It's because of that, I got close to you and fell in love with you,�� I responded.
Zaiden smiled and pulled me for a passionate kiss.
No matter what troubles awaited me because I knew Zaiden's secret and was going to be his wife, I would face them bravely with Zaiden by my side. Even so, I would never regret learning the secret of my boss. It has opened a new ###chapter of my life.
THE END