Chapter 77: The Proposal
Chapter 77: The Proposal
I stood up abruptly from the bed as soon as I remembered that I had a lot to do today. After yesterday
night with Nina, I was finally convinced in my heart that she was the woman for me. Now I needed to
say that to her but how?
“ What are you thinking about so early in the morning?” I turned my head to see my two naughty
brothers standing at the doorway with their hands folded across their chest. Victor was sulking bitterly
having been woken up by Vino as he was an early riser just like me.
“ Nothing,” I told him as I brought myself to get up from the bed. I walked over to my wardrobe to get
my outfit for the day as I needed to go over to the office to sort out a few businesses with the boards
“ Nothing?” Vino asked me again, clearly not believing me. I ignored him as I contemplated the brown
suit or grey suit in my hands.
“ What do_____”
“ The grey ” Both of my brothers answered, cutting me off as if they knew what I was about to ask
them. I smiled as I dropped the grey suit on the bed and picked up my robe to go to the bathroom to
shower.
“Are you planning to propose to Nina?”
Vino asked me as soon as I walked into the room. I paused in shock as I took in my Ipad in his hands. I
ran to my bed to collect my phone from them causing my brothers to erupt in laughter mocking me.
Actually, I had saved images of the ring that I wanted to design for Nina there. I feel so embarrassed
that they had to see that even though it had a password.
“How did you open my phone?” Even after asking them that I knew it was pointless, even two years
can open my phone because the password is_____.
“ Nina ” My brothers both answered, erupting into another round of laughter. I couldn't help glaring at
them.
“If you are through with mocking me. Are you ready to help me?” I asked them, looking from one to the
other.
Even though they weren't good in the love department my brothers were vastly knowledgeable when it
comes to women and their needs.
“ You've come to the right place ” Vino answered as he and Victor both started bombarding me with
different silly ideas that I couldn't help regretting asking them for help.
“ I made a mistake asking you both for advice,” I told them both as I stood in front of the mirror to knot
my tie. After I was through, I picked up my briefcase and walked out of the door without a backward
glance at them.
Mark was waiting at the parking lot to drive me to the office“ Where's John?” I asked him after
searching for John through the parking space.
“He has gone to the office to keep the board preoccupied for your meeting” Mark answered, closing the
door as soon as I was seated at the back seat while he walked around to the driver's side.
As Mark pulled out the driveway, I couldn't help feeling nervous about my date with Nina tonight.
***
“What's this meeting about?” I asked the board member looking from one to another as I was impatient.
After arriving at the office I had sent Aurora off to the designer to get the ring made for tonight. I just
needed to contact Lilian and everything will be ready for tonight.
“We are here to discuss our shares on the newly acquired Melton's properties which were purchased
without any of the board members' knowledge,” A man who I recognized as the spokesman said.
“ It's not compulsory for you all to be aware of it,” I told him nonchalantly as I rested my back against
the armchair and turned to look at him trying to unnerve him.
“But_______”
“ The chairman of the board was present when the document was being signed,” I told him, cutting him
off. I still don't know where dad got all these money-liking individuals. I hate them so much. They are
always giving me unnecessary stress.
“And about the shares? The lawyers will come up with percentages according to everyone rights and
the money will be deposited in each of your accounts before the end of this week”
They all nodded with smiles on their faces. I was angry that they called me here just to complain about
their money. They don't even do anything! All they do is sit at home and complain about money while
someone else does the job.
“ If that's all, I would like to be excused,” I told them already on my feet as I made my way out of the
conference room without waiting for their response. John followed behind with my briefcase.
“ Tell Mark to get the car ready ” I nodded at John who turned to walk out of the door with a smile on his
face knowing what I meant?
I strolled to stand in front of my window as I picked up my phone to put a call through to Lilian, the
phone rang but she wouldn't pick up. I hope she isn't annoyed with me as she is my last hope of
making this work.
“ Hello!” Lilian called into the phone “ Sorry, I was busy trying to calm Joey down” Lilian answered. I
couldn't help smiling as I heard Danny singing a lullaby to his son in the background. Sometimes, I
wish Joey was mine but I hope Nina and I can make that work.
“ It's okay,” I told her, forcing my mind away from the straying thoughts. “ Listen, I need your help”
“ My help? Why?” Lilian answered, I could feel her breath hiked in her throat as she couldn't help being
curious.
“ I want to propose to Nina. I need you to help bring her to the location, can you do that?” I asked Lillian
as she shrieked in excitement. I had to cover my ear from her scream.
“ Sure. I will do that ” Lillian called into the phone. “I will make sure she comes. I know the right way to
do that”
” Thank you, Lilian. You don't know how happy this made me. I will text you the address ” I told her and
hung up without waiting for her reply.
I took my briefcase and went home to prepare for tonight
***
Nina
I swerved the car around and parked it into
Lillian's parking lot. I ran out of the car locking the door before taking the stairs in two to Lillian's
apartment.
After receiving that life-threatening phone call from her, I was scared that something awful might have
happened to her. Instead, here I was at my best friend's apartment looking up at her in shock as soon
as she opened the door with a broad smile on her face.
“It's about time ” Lilian called to me before going over to resume her seat beside Joey's crib. I was
shocked as I walked slowly into the room, closing the door behind me.
“Are you okay?” I asked Lilian even though I was scared earlier but I was glad that she was good.
“ Of course, I'm fine,” Lilian told me as she smiled at me waving a shocked me over to the space
beside her.
“Listen, I know you were scared. And I'm sorry for pranking you ” Lilian continued as soon as I had sat
down beside her. I picked up Joey from his crib and started playing with him while ignoring his mother.
“Are you even listening to me, Ina? ” Lilian screamed at me when she saw that I was more focused on
Joey instead of her.
“ Fine. I'm annoyed with you. Do you know how I drove here?, without even caring about my life
because I was scared that something awful might have happened to you. What if I had an accident?
Will you still be sorry?” I told her angrily. If only I knew she was trying to get back at me for not coming
to see her, I wouldn't have even bothered coming.
“ I'm sorry, I promise to make it up to you ” Lilian apologized to me with a sad smile on her face. I
nodded at her since I couldn't stay mad at her. Moreover, Joey was about to cry seeing that I was angry
with his mom.
“Now that's settled. I need your help ” I scoffed at her, leave it to Lillian to always have a hidden agenda
for everything.
“ What do you need my help for this time?” I asked her, being skeptical of accepting her offer of
needing my help. I hope this wasn't another scheme of hers.
“ Just say yes,” Lilian told me ignoring my question as she pouted up at me. I decided to trust her and
give her the benefit of doubt.
“ Okay, yes,” I told her reluctantly. I watched her move around the room in excitement, picking dresses
out of her wardrobe. I couldn't help being fascinated with what she was doing. It looks as if I had just
signed away my freedom to Lilian Martins.
As Lilian pulled into her club parking lot, I couldn't help glaring at her. I should have known when she
was begging me relentlessly that this is where we are going to end up tonight.
“What are we doing here, Lilian?” I turned to ask her but Lilian was already out of the door. She
stopped to smoothen out her mini_ sequined skirt with a red strapless top. Her hair was let down which
covers her shoulder.
I watched as she came over to open the car door for me. I was embarrassed in the tiny red body con
gown she forced me to wear“ I don't think Michael will like this? ” I told Lilian, telling her my fear. Even
though I was annoyed with him for not calling me throughout today but I can't cheat on him.
“ Trust me, he'll love it,” Lillian told me, winking at me. She came over to remove the scarf I used in
holding my hair together causing it to cascade down my back.
“ That's it. You look so beautiful tonight. Shall we?” Lillian asked me, I nodded at her already accepting
my fate for tonight, there was no use arguing with her as I wouldn't win against her. If she sets her mind
to something, she always makes sure to get it. That's who Lilian is.
“Are you sure, this isn't another Austin meeting?” I asked Lilian again as we were standing in front of
the door. I could hear the faint sound of music coming out from the club. I wouldn't want to meet Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
another Austin's Walker behind the closed door.
“Trust me, you'll love it,” Lilian told me as she turned to wink at me before walking inside. That's exactly
what I wouldn't be doing anymore, trusting Lillian Martins.
“But that's what you said the last time ” I screamed at her, protesting furiously but she had already gone
in leaving me to my fate.
I walked reluctantly to open the door and paused in shock. Red Roses were strewn from the entrance
to where the symbol of love was decorated on the wall. An All 4 One song__I swear was blaring slowly
from the loudspeaker across from me.
The club was empty save for a balloon-like object which was rolling down to where I stood still in shock.
I bent to pick it up only for it to burst in my hands, I turned to see the words written in bold letters on the
body “ WILL YOU MARRY ME?”
“ Oh my God!” I gasped as tears of joy flowed down my face. I turned to see everyone filling out from
their hiding place. My parents and the Thompsons were together with happy smiles on their faces.
Michael walked out from the other side of the room holding a bouquet of red roses flower. He gave me
the flower then went down on one knee, he opened a red case revealing a golden ring embedded in a
teardrop.
“ Nina Miller, will you do me the honor of being my wife. I swear to love and cherish you forever ” I
couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks. After everything, I could finally be with the man I
love.
“ Say yes ” The Thompsons chorused which was followed by everyone present in the room.
“ Yes,” I told him with a broad smile on my face
“ Yes,” I repeated loudly with confidence as Michael gathered me into his arms, pampering me with
kisses.
“ Thank you for making me the happiest and luckiest man on earth, ” Michael whispered to me as I
snuggled into his embrace with a happy smile.
“ Play the music, DJ ” Lilian screamed at the DJ causing everyone to erupt in laughter. We took over
the dance floor dancing until the wee hours of the morning before we could bring ourselves to go home.
Safely in Michael's car as he drove us home, only then could I bring myself to ask him the one question
that had been on my mind all day “ Why the tears drop, Michael?” I asked him, turning the ring around
on my finger. Did I forget to say it fits perfectly?
“ Because I want to be reminded of the tears you've shed because of me and also to promise you that
you will never shed another except for tears of joy ” I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face
as I snuggled into his shoulder. Finally, I was home with the man I love.