Malea’s POV
“Now everyone who brought a present, please put it on the table in the far corner.” My mother pointed to a table that was already overflowing with gifts.
I quickly dropped the recorder into the decorated box Lucian brought with him and closed it. “I’ll be right back. Once I put this on the table, we can go home.”
“Okay.” Lucian placed a kiss onto my lips before I left.
With me, a swarm of other guests followed with their large gifts. I caught my mother’s eye as I dropped the gift. She looked away.
Quickly, I walked over to Lucian and pulled him out of the building. We are done here.
“So did she admit to what she did?” He asked as he opened the passengers side for me as usual. I got in and situated my seatbelt just as he settled in the drivers seat.
“She did. And I still have both copies.” I smirked and pulled out the second recorder from my bra. “Just in case.”
Lucian chuckled as we turned out of the parking lot. “I hope this is enough to convince your family because if it doesn’t, I’m ready to go back to New York.”
I sighed just as Lucian took my hand in his. I glanced down at our hands intertwined. His large hand covering mine and the bareness of my fingers taunting me. I turned to look at him and a smile made its way onto my face. “Don’t worry. Whether or not they believe the recording, we leave California in two days. I think I’m done here. I’m ready to head straight to bed as soon as we get home.”
Lucian tsked. “Not yet. I’m making us dinner when we get home.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”
Lucian laughed and took a right. “Are you doubting me?” I couldn’t help but notice the nervousness in his smile.
“No. But if you’re cooking, then I’m helping because I don’t think I’d like it if the house burnt down.” I giggled.
“That’s not fair. I think I’m capable of cooking without burning a thing.” He shot me a playfully smug smile and I laughed.
“You don’t have a choice.” I replied and he didn’t argue.
“What’s one place that you love the most? The one place that makes you smile?” Lucian asked out of the blue.
I glanced over at him. “Well I love the park. Especially the park here in California. The one next to my parent’s house. The trees and the smell of grass makes me happy.” I laughed a bit. “Is that weird?”
Lucian shook his head. “Of course not. I have a couple more questions to ask you.”
I laughed. “Are you writing an article or something?”
He glanced over at me and grinned. “Something like that.”
***
Malea’s POV
I woke up pretty late the next day. I rolled over to Lucian’s side and sat up once I realized he wasn’t there. I rubbed my eyes and rolled out of bed. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I knew something was odd about it.
I glanced down to see red rose petals leading from the bed to the dresser. With a small smile, I followed the trail to see a single red rose and a rich red envelope on the dresser.
Carefully, I picked up the envelope and pulled out the note inside.
Malea,
When we started dating, you always made me smile even when I didn’t want to. Now it’s your turn to smile. Go to the place where you love the most. The place that makes you smile.
HINT: Think back to last night.
Love, Lucian
On the back of the note was the word WILL. I couldn’t help the goofy smile that lifted the corners of my lips. What is Lucian planning? I tucked the note into the envelope and hurried off to the bathroom to get ready.
After doing taking a shower, and brushing my teeth, I got dressed in a blue floral dress, black heels, and situated a pair of reflective blue aviators at the top of my head. I swung my white handbag over my shoulder and picked up the note and rose from the dresser.
Just as I lifted the rose to my nose, the doorbell rang. Who could that be? I rushed downstairs and pulled open the door.
Standing there was a man I haven’t seen before. He had salt and pepper hair and in his hand was another red rose.
“I’m Dean, I’ll be your escort for today.” He handed me the rose. “That is from Lucian.”
I grinned and said my thanks to him before he led me out to the car in the driveway. He opened the door for me and I entered the backseat.
After he got himself into the drivers seat he smiled. “So, where to?”
I gave him the address of the park near my parents home and he took me there. As soon as we pulled up to the park, Dean helped me out of the car.
As soon as I stepped outside, a group of string instrument players began playing one of my favorite classical pieces. I grinned as soon it began and once it ended, one of the viola players handed me an envelope and a red rose.
“I’m guessing you know who this is from?” She smiled.
“I have a pretty good guess.” I laughed. “Thank you. You all were amazing.”
“You’re welcome. You’re lucky to have someone like Lucian.” She said before walking off.
I got inside the car before opening the envelope.
Malea,
Last night you told me that you wished you could see all of California…
Now you can. Just let Dean lead the way.
Much Love,
Lucian
On the back of the notes were the words, YOU. Where is Lucian going with this? WILL YOU… what? By the time I finished reading the note, Dean stopped the car at an empty lot. In the very center was a helicopter. What the hell?
Dean opened my door and ushered me to the helicopter. Standing outside the helicopter was a man and in his hand was an envelope and a single red rose.
He stuck out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Alec.”
“Malea.” I shook his hand with a smile.
Alec handed me the note and the rose. “Lucian asked that you don’t open the envelope until we get to our last stop.”
“Alright.” I smiled and took the rose to add to the other two. Alec stepped aside and helped me inside the helicopter.
This is insane. I’ve never been in a helicopter before. He ushered me to the cockpit and helped with my seat belt. He handed me a pair of earmuffs and goggles and then we were off, the helicopter rising with each second.
I wanted to open the envelope but decided against it as I began to see the world beneath me shrink with each second. We went higher and higher and soon enough, Dean was the size of an ant along with every other building around him.
Soon enough, Alec landed and helped me out. Sure enough, Dean was waiting for me there with the car. I thanked Alec and entered the car. That was the best thing I’ve done since I’ve gotten to California. I couldn’t stop smiling.
“You can open the envelope once we’ve gotten to the last stop.” Dean smiled and began driving to the last destination.
After about 10 minutes, we pulled up at this huge restaurant with the words, Ill Mio Amore written at the top. By this time, it was almost 6:30 pm. Dean helped me out and as soon as I stepped down, Lucian walked out of the restaurant. He had on a dark suit that looked deliberately more formal compared to his others, his dark 5 o’clock shadow growing a bit fuller. My stomach fluttered when I took notice of the large bouquet of red roses in his hand.
His eyes trailed down my body slowly before landing back on my eyes. “You look amazing.” He placed a kiss on my forehead and handed me the bouquet with a nervous smile.
“Thanks and you look really nice.” I smiled. “So, whats the occasion?”
He winked. “Today’s a bit more special than others.” He said suggestively as we entered the restaurant.
A man in a three piece suit stood behind a small podium, a large book in front of him. “Mr. King, good evening.”
Lucian smiled and shook his hand. “Please folow me to your table. The man said with a respectful smile. He ushered us past the bustling tables filled with men and women in expensive clothes and familiar faces. Wait. Is that Vivian Grace, the actor? Before I could get a better look, Lucian ushered me into a separate room in the back.
The ceilings were incredibly high with a skylight that framed the dark night sky. In the center of the room was a table with two chairs, a crystal candelabra sitting in the middle of the table. A group of live violinists were playing beautiful Italian music. No other table was in the room except for that one table for two. My stomach fluttered.
Lucian pulled out my seat and I sat down with a grateful smile. He took the seat across from me and the reservationist walked off. “So how was your day? We didn’t get to talk.”
I smiled as he took my hands in his over the table. “Well I haven’t seen you all day so this is really nice.”
Lucian smiled and brought his lips to my hand. “I missed you so much.”
I giggled. He looked so shy and we all know that Lucian isn’t shy. “You say this as if you haven’t seen me in years.”
Lucian smiled nervously. “You can open the note now.”
I totally forgot about it! I pulled the envelope out of my purse and pulled out the note
Malea,
I love you.
Lucian,
I flipped the note over. And the word MARRY stared back at me. And then I pieced it all together… WILL YOU MARRY…
My hands flew to my mouth as Lucian got down on one knee. “Me.” And he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box. He opened it and a diamond ring stared back at me. “Ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew that you would be the one for me and I made a mistake the first time. You make me smile, laugh and give me butterflies in my stomach whenever I’m around you. I know this isn’t a very convenient time, but we’ve been through so much together and I can’t help but feel like I can’t go another day without knowing that you are my fiancée. Malea Grace Hayes, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
I couldn’t speak as an overwhelming feeling washed over me but instead nodded so hard I felt as if I would get a headache. I didn’t even notice that I was crying as he slipped the ring onto my finger.