“So, where exactly are we heading to?” Isabelle asked with a voice full of anticipation. “How far is it?’
“Darling, you ask too many questions. it’s a surprise” Liam replied with a smirk on his lips. “It’s just a few blocks away”
“Anyway, thanks for the expensive gift” Isabelle uttered with deep gratitude in her tone. “I very much appreciate it”
Liam’s brow twitched at her words as he sighed in frustration. “I have told you, Isabelle. It’s nothing compared to what you’ll own in the future. My wealth is mine as well as yours. As long as you promise to stay with me forever”
“We already agreed to talk about this later” Isabelle uttered with a smile on her face, but deep down in her heart was an unending turmoil threatening to tear her apart. She couldn’t bring herself to accept his proposal, no matter how much she wanted to. The secret she held was a huge hindrance to their relationship, a factor that could decide whether she stayed or walked away.
Liam was disturbed by her constant refusal to talk about the marriage issue but he decided to listen to her, at least, till he had time to talk it out with her. “It’s alright. I’ll wait” he muttered.
“A gourmet food store?” Isabelle asked with a confused expression on her face as she read the signpost in front of a small-scale restaurant. “What for exactly?”
“Yes, dear.. you’ll find out when we get in” Liam nodded in confirmation. “Let’s go in”
“Welcome, Mr. Callahan” an old man who seemed to be in his late fifties, greeted as soon as Liam and Isabelle entered the store. “I’ve been expecting you”
“Thank you” Liam replied and collected the key to the place from him. To the surprise of Isabelle, the man bowed and walked out of the place like a customer who was done enjoying the services of the restaurant.
“Is he not the owner of this place?” Isabelle asked with a confused tone in her voice. “Why is he leaving?”
“Yes, he is the owner but I rented the place for the night” Liam responded as he pulled a chair out for her to sit.
Isabelle sat down distantly, her gaze wandering around the place in awe of its inner beauty which was the exact opposite to the exterior of the building. Soft lighting illuminated the sleek, private kitchen, where a private cooking station was built, the exact spot to which Liam walked.
“What do you plan on doing?” Isabelle curiously asked, watching him fidget with the cutleries and utensils. “I hope it’s not what I’m thinking?”
“Well, I want to make dinner here for just the both of us” Liam revealed with a wide grin on his lips. “I just thought it would be better if we had dinner alone since the penthouse has been occupied lately”
“Liam… You’re joking, right?” Isabelle inquired in a state of bewilderment. “You want to make dinner for us?”
“Yes, my darling… Just the two of us”Liam replied with a warm, infectious smile that made Isabelle’s eyes well up in tears. His kindness was etched deeply into her soul. She watched him showcase his top-notch culinary skills she had failed to witness the first time he cooked for her.
“Should I join you?” She asked with a concerned gaze but got rejected with a ‘no’, which didn’t get her upset. From what she was experiencing, her culinary skills were nowhere near that of a mediocre. So, letting him do his thing was the best option.
A few minutes later, the aroma of the variety of dishes made, wafted continuously into the air as Liam laid them on the table with much precision and elegance.
“Wow! I’m very much sure this tastes as much as it smells” Isabelle said as she quickly picked up her cutlery, in a bid to satisfy her persistent hunger. “I wish I could go on like this”
“Well, you can enjoy such special services for life if you can consider getting married to me” Liam countered her words immediately.
The adorable couple in the gourmet food store wined and dined together in bliss and happiness, with both wishing that the moment wouldn’t come to an end.
“The meal was fantabulous”Isabelle commented with great pleasure in her voice as soon as she finished her meal. “And I must say, I’m jealous of your skills, will you teach me?” She asked with puppy eyes to look more appealing.
“You don’t have to worry yourself about learning our to cook or making good meals for me… If possible, I could do all the cooking without you needing to stress yourself” Liam stated with a signature smile on his lips that could make anybody drool at him.
“Are you trying to pull my legs?” Isabelle asked in surprise, almost screaming as Liam’s words felt like a dream she didn’t want to wake up from. “You mean you can prepare meals like this every day?”
“If you agree to marry me, then yes, you get to enjoy such privileges every blessed day… All you have to do is agree with me” Liam uttered with a convincing tone. “Just say yes to my proposal”
“A proposal?” Isabelle raised an eyebrow at Liam’s words. “I can’t remember any proposal, or what exactly are you talking about?”
“But, I asked you to marry me?” Liam argued with an equally confused tone. “Isn’t that a proposal?”
“Haha…. you must be kidding me… You call that a proposal?” Isabelle chuckled with a surprised expression on her face, at the ignorant look on Liam’s face. “When you find out about the proper way for a proposal, then I’ll consider it”
“The right way to propose”Liam muttered to himself in deep thoughts. He needed to ask someone about it, but who?
“I think we should get going” Isabelle suggested as she stared at the starry night through the window. “We are done, aren’t we?”
“Yes, yes we are” Liam jolted from his thoughts. “Let’s go”
They both walked out of the restaurant, their hands clasped together as they walked straight to the car. Suddenly, a voice was heard.
“Isabelle… It’s been a while”the voice of a man called out, causing the two lovebirds to halt in their tracks.
“You…..”Liam yelled in anger. “Are you following us?”