Penelope snapped back to reality and reminded herself of the reason she was there. The secretary approached Warren in the hall and whispered, “Mr. Duncan, everything is ready.”
“Okay,” Warren replied and started looking around the hall for Penelope.
He hadn’t formally introduced Penelope to the others earlier; he had been waiting for this moment.
“Where is she?” Warren walked a few steps forward and scanned the room.
“She’s not in the hall. Maybe she’s in the lounge,” the secretary suggested.
Warren picked up his pace and started searching for Penelope in the lounge.
Meanwhile, Penelope had resolved her issue and couldn’t stop herself from laughing with tears of joy. A proposal… He was really planning to propose to her this time.
Not too long ago, he had been so distant and even punished her, but he had secretly planned a proposal. Penelope wiped her tears and then noticed her ruined makeup.
“Oh no…” She rushed to the mirror.
Her reflection showed red eyes, smudged eyeliner, and lipstick all over the place, and even her nose was red, making her look like a clown.
“Oh dear…” She covered her face with both hands, but it was too late to fix it.
He had planned a public marriage proposal, but now the heroine looked like a madwoman. She had never been of any help to him in his career or life, and she couldn’t lose face at this moment. Footsteps approached outside, and she quickly entered a stall and locked the door.
“Penelope? Are you in there?” Warren called out.
Penelope was startled and didn’t know if she should answer.
Asher came from the end of the corridor. “Uncle Warren, did you find her?”
“No,” he replied with a frown.
“The documentary, should we play it? What about the flowers and the fireworks outside?” Asher asked.
“She’s gone. What’s the point of all these preparations?” Warren turned and walked outside.
He didn’t understand why she had suddenly disappeared. He couldn’t fathom how she could hurt him like this.
He felt helpless and disappointed. Penelope still hadn’t learned to consider others, even when that “other” was him.
“Warren!” A voice called from behind him. He halted and turned to see her standing there with her disheveled dress and a somewhat comical expression on her face.
He quickly walked over and held her shoulders with some force. “You were inside? Why didn’t you answer?”
Penelope winced a bit at his strong grip. She reached out, and a box lay in her palm.
“I figured it out.” She sniffled with tears in her eyes.
He paused and looked at the box in her hand. Yes, he had taken off his jacket and given it to her, and the box had been in the jacket.
“What will you do now? I’ve ruined your surprise!” Her tears fell as she asked with a trembling voice.
He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t care where we are, as long as it’s with you, I promise.”
She cried as he picked up the box from her palm and opened it. Then he took a step back and knelt on one knee.
Standing at the bathroom door, Grace also stepped back and looked up. Really? Proposing here, in the ladies’ bathroom?
“Do you know what I thought when I first saw you?” He asked as he looked up at her.
“What?” She wiped her tears and asked with a smile.
“If nothing else, I thought this woman would have a relationship with me.” He smiled and even chuckled at his self-confidence and blind faith.
“Why?” She was a little surprised.
“Like moths to a flame, there’s no reason.” He smiled, raised her hand, and bowed his head to kiss the back of it. She was like a flame, radiant and captivating. He was willing to be a moth, to gravitate towards her without any reason.
“You’re stubborn and hard to handle, and you always stir up trouble,” he chuckled as if reminiscing about those exhausting yet joyful days.
Then he looked at her seriously and said with an affectionate voice, “Maybe you’re my destiny. I want to help you solve your problems.”
She couldn’t help but cry while holding his hand.
“Will you marry me?” He took out the ring and held it in front of her. This time, it was a genuine proposal.
This is the most solemn question a man can ask in life. ‘Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me?’
“How could I… how could I ever be… unwilling…” She burst into tears and threw herself at him. “Who else would I marry if not you?”
She couldn’t bear the thought of being with any other man, but with Duncan, she was more than willing. “I love you, I love only you…” she cried out.
She nestled into his arms with a hoarse voice as if wanting to announce it to the world.
He smiled, embracing her and kissing her neck gently. “I know, I know.”
The two of them embraced each other and shared kisses. Grace turned away, raising her head. Damn, why is she still single?
In most cases, one marriage proposal is enough. They love each other deeply, and that’s what matters the most. However, Grace isn’t satisfied with her uncle’s proposal. She had been planning it for a long time, and since she was the only one who witnessed it, she felt “hurt” and thought it was unfair. So, she insisted that Warren should propose again.
“No,” Penelope, in Warren’s arms, rejected this unreasonable request.
Grace turned to her uncle, “Do you agree with her?”
Warren glanced at his fiancée in his arms and said, “Her opinion matters the most.”
Penelope smiled as she turned the ring on her hand, “I already have it. The way it happened doesn’t matter to me.”
“But all my preparations were for nothing!” Grace stamped her feet. It was her first time planning a big event, and her plan didn’t get used.
Penelope suggested, “I’ll reenact the ceremony at home, and we can preserve the flowers. Mrs. Brown can help dry them. As for the fireworks, we can save them for Christmas!”
Then she looked at Warren for his approval. Warren playfully pinched her nose and said, “Just do it, Grace.”