After an hour Marcus drove over to Long Beach harbor where a huge pristine white luxury yacht featuring three beautiful levels was waiting for them. As soon as they reached the parking area, Cara was stunned to see the place teeming with paparazzi. How did they know that she was about to arrive here when she herself had no idea where she was off to?
Marcus emerged and soon they were surrounded by their bodyguards who had been following them all the while without Cara’s knowledge. They led Marcus and Cara to the yacht while reporters flocked around them for their photographs.
“Rohesia, is it true that you’re uninterested in appearing at live performances?” asked one of the reporters. Cara smiled at him and took the microphone from his hands.
“Not at all. Stay tuned for the Canada Music Festival starting next week,” she said with a smile and a wave.
“One more question, Rohesia. When are you marrying Marcus Donnelly?” asked another one.
Cara laughed. “Whenever he asks,” she said impishly making her fans go crazy cheering them. Marcus chuckled when the next question was targeted at him.
“Let’s see!” he gave a non-committal shot and led her onto the luxury yacht. The security guards held her fans at bay and Cara waved at all of them as they set out on their trip. She was bursting with questions but waited till they were all alone again. Their bodyguards settled down at the lower deck while Marcus led her to the generous lounge on the upper deck aft. It was partially shaded, complete with an alfresco dining option. The shade provided privacy as well as a cool and cozy niche to watch the stunning views all around. Marcus led her to the plush and elegant seating arrangements and they were served drinks and appetizers.
“Welcome aboard the Royal Carmen,” he said with a dazzling smile on his face. Cara loved the light, airy yet stylish interiors and returned the smile.
“Wow, I love this surprise. So where are we going?” she asked curiously.
“Wherever you want us to go,” he replied.
“That will depend on how many hours we have on this. Is it an hour’s cruise or a four-hour one?” she asked picking up the pamphlets with cruise options.
“There’s no time limit. It’s ours,” he said, gazing at her while sipping his drink.
“Ours?” she asked with surprise.
“Yes, I bought it for you. Do you like it?” he asked hopefully, making her gasp with surprise. Cara looked around, seeing the yacht from another perspective altogether.
“It’s beautiful! I’m already in love with it,” she gushed, making Marcus smile with contentment.
“It’s a special gift for you,” he said with eyes twinkling with adoration. Cara reached up to kiss his cheek but he just grabbed her and pulled her on his lap, eagerly plundering her sweet mouth. His hands pulled her closer to his body and plunged his tongue inside, deepening the kiss to a new level. It felt as if they were kissing one another for the first time, the magic spark, the attraction multiplying, every time they kissed. Cara suddenly realized their surroundings and pulled away, climbing down from his lap and settling beside him, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“I hope no one has clicked our pictures,” she said with wide eyes.
“Relax. It doesn’t matter even if they have. We aren’t doing anything wrong. Just relax and enjoy the day,” he said, holding her hand in his.
The yacht set off towards the open Pacific ocean and Cara looked around with awe. “Where are we heading to?” she asked with curiosity.
“We’re going on a whale watching tour,” he said, watching her eyes light up with excitement.
For the next four hours, they were too excited to search for the migrating Pacific Gray Whales, the Blue Whales, the Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, and other amazing marine life. Cara wished she had brought her siblings and Marianne along. They would have loved the experience!
“We will bring them along the next time. I bought this yacht a few days back just for you. I wanted you to be the first one to board it before everyone else,” said Marcus, his eyes shining with love and promise.
It was lunchtime and Marcus led her to the main deck where there was a full-beam master suite boasting its own private balcony. “There are 10 guest cabins in all apart from the pilothouse on the bridge deck aft and staff cabins on the lower deck aft. It can nicely accommodate our entire family,” said Marcus. Cara gasped seeing the opulent and luxurious interiors and the stunning views from the windows all around.
“This suite is so grand and stunning!” she gasped. The food was served and it was as grand as everything about the vessel.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” asked Marcus eagerly.
“Yes, immensely. What about you?”
“I always enjoy the most when I’m with you,” he admitted. After lunch, they checked out the other attractions nearby. It was the most relaxing time for Cara in the company of the man she loved. Marcus too went out of his way to give her a good time. At last, the sun was about to set and they set out home towards Paradise Cove, Malibu.
“What about your car?” reminded Cara.
“I’ve asked one of your guards to drive it back home,” he informed her. Cara felt a little upset that the date had come to an end. In a few days, she would have to leave for the upcoming Canada tour. She would definitely miss all this and mostly Marcus.
“Why are you looking so upset?” asked Marcus, gazing at her glowing face, brightened up by the hues of the setting sun.
“I was just thinking how much I’ll miss you when I go away to Canada next week,” she sighed. Marcus caught both her hands in his and gazed into her eyes.
“I’ll miss you more, mia Cara. If Marianne wouldn’t have been so little, we could have accompanied you,” said Marcus. “Maybe next time she’ll be old enough to accompany us.”
“Maybe we can travel to New York for your next exhibition. I can patch up with your mom,” she suggested.
“You’ll meet her before that. In fact, you’ll meet my entire family in a month,” said Marcus, his eyes glinting with underlying meaning.
“Oh, are they all coming over?” she asked, looking clueless. Marcus nodded, his eyes not leaving hers. She noted a strange restlessness in him as he waited for her to ask more but she just gaped at him wondering what he was up to this time. Marcus grinned and stood up to stretch.
“The view is stunning. Don’t you think so?” he asked, looking around.
“Yeah, absolutely. I love sunsets more than sunrise,” she said, watching the beauty all around them.
“I love sunrise more as they bring on a new day, a new beginning, a new hope,” said Marcus, again watching her. “Do you know why I planned this special date on such a special day?” he asked. Although Cara immediately recalled Liam’s words, she refrained from saying anything to Marcus.
“No. Maybe to make it all the more special?” she suggested.
“Yes,” he whispered. “We’ve come a long way together since the day I first saw you around two and a half years ago. The first time I saw you, I felt a strong attraction towards you. It was something I didn’t feel at all for anyone else before, not even for Cassie. In fact, I never loved Cassie. She was dumped upon me by our parents but since she claimed to love me, I went along with their wish,” he said in a solemn tone. Cara caught his hand to comfort him. Of course, she knew it all.
“I know Marcus. I’m glad that you felt that way for me and pursued me. Else I would never have known what love was,” she admitted. Suddenly Marcus kneeled down before her on one knee making her gasp as she realized that it was finally happening. Her dream was finally coming true. Marcus was really about to propose to her!
“Now that we know that we cannot live without one another, let’s not waste any more time and get married already. So will you marry me, Cara? Choose the ring if you want to or choose the box if you don’t want to marry me,” he chuckled, making her giggle as he really fished out a box and pulled out the ring. He placed the ring in one hand and the empty box in the other and held out both for her to choose.
Cara laughed and picked up the ring. Marcus breathed a sigh of relief and stood up straight. He kept the box back and placed the ring on her finger. Before she could admire her engagement ring, he pulled her closer for a kiss. The kiss was as passionate as all his kisses usually were. At last, he released her and opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate their engagement. All the crew and the bodyguards were summoned and served the drink. Cara gazed at her dainty emerald and diamond engagement ring with disbelief. Liam was right indeed! She was really engaged to Marcus now. They were now inseparable and together for life. Now she understood why his family was arriving in a month’s time!