“Can you not leave? Just stay there and listen to me finish. Once I’m done, you can walk away. Is that okay?” Luther’s voice was steady as he descended from the stage.
At that moment, Luther resembled a lovesick wanderer. Under the spotlight, the usual aura of his musical talent and idol-like charm gave way to pure, unguarded passion.
Luther exuded an irresistible charisma, one that seemed to pull every fan in his orbit. He was the kind of man many dreamed of-romantic, wealthy, talented, and undeniably dashing. Above all, he was handsome.
No one could resist someone like him. No one could escape the gravity of such allure.
Two piercing beams of light shone through the crowd, one illuminating Georgia and the other Luther. They stood on opposite ends of the stage, separated by distance yet connected by the brilliance of the lights.
The scene was breathtaking, poetic even. The audience, entranced, could do nothing but watch in awe.
“Georgia,” Luther began, his voice carrying a mix of pride and vulnerability, “I’ve always thought of myself as a man of high standards, one who could never find a woman who truly matched me. But the moment I saw you, I knew-I had found the love of my life.”
“Perhaps it was fate, or maybe just a glance, but since that night I met you, my heart has been entirely yours. You couldn’t possibly know how your figure haunts me, teasing, always lingering in my mind. I’ve never pursued anyone in my life, but you… you’ve made me willing to lose myself completely.”
“I like you, Georgia. I admire your elegance, your grace. It doesn’t matter to me whether or not you like me in return. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never even taken a proper look at me. I will show my love for you through my actions.”
He paused, then recited:
“Fortune brought me to Georgia, a love that moves heaven and earth.
To grow old together, hand in hand, and step into the spring of old age.
Today, I desire only you; as the willows fade and flowers bloom, my love deepens.
As seasons change, my love remains vast as the ocean,
And I long to walk with you into the twilight.”
“Georgia,” Luther continued, his voice trembling slightly, “I know I’m being foolish. I know you’re married. But if I don’t say these words, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Even in death, my soul would never find peace.”
As he finished, Luther stood before Georgia. Suddenly, he knelt on one knee and pulled a small box from his pocket.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he snapped the box open. A dazzling jewel sparkled within-a diamond ring.
It wasn’t just any diamond ring. The crystal-clear gem shimmered before everyone’s eyes, but then, as if by magic, the diamond shifted hues, turning a deep, blood-red.
The crowd gasped audibly, their eyes wide in disbelief.
“That’s… that’s the South African Red-White Blood Diamond! I heard there are only three in the entire world, passed down through South African royalty over a thousand years ago. Last year, one sold in Europe for a billion dollars.”
“A billion? A billion-dollar ring? Oh my god, this is beyond extravagant!”
All eyes turned to Georgia, filled with envy and awe.
“Georgia, please give me a chance,” Luther pleaded. “Let me hold your hand, and allow me the opportunity to get to know you better. I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking for a chance-just one chance.”
“I know you’ve been married, but I also know there’s no love between you two.”
“Georgia, give me this chance. Give yourself this chance.”
Standing at the side, Cyan was already tearing up. Her voice cracked with emotion as she said, “Georgia, say yes! I’m so moved by Mr. Falcon’s sincerity. It’s too touching, too genuine.”
“Georgia, what are you waiting for? Say yes to Mr. Falcon! His love is so pure. That idiot husband of yours can’t even compare. Mr. Falcon is everything you deserve. You’ll be so happy with him.”
“Georgia, say yes! Say yes to Mr. Falcon!”
The crowd chimed in, chanting in unison, “Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”
The room erupted with cheers and excitement, completely ignoring the fact that this was an act of stealing someone else’s love. Ethics and morals were cast aside in the heat of the moment.
“I won’t agree!”
A powerful, commanding voice suddenly cut through the noise.
It was resolute, filled with authority and strength. The words reverberated through the Empire Club, silencing the crowd in an instant.
Georgia froze. The sound of that voice hit her like a defibrillator, jolting her heart into a wild rhythm.
It was him. Kayden. How could it be Kayden?
A mix of exhilaration and joy surged through her, only to be replaced by a deep sadness. The pain that had been buried in her chest resurfaced, crashing into her like a tidal wave. Her heart felt as if it had been shattered into pieces, broken beyond repair.
Through the throng of people, Georgia saw him at the door.
It was him. It was really him.
Kayden.
Everyone turned toward the voice. At the entrance of the Empire Club stood a young man in his twenties, dressed in fine clothes but pale and gaunt. Though he carried an unusual aura, and even a hint of handsomeness, he was no match for the dazzling Mr. Falcon standing in the spotlight.
How could Kayden possibly compare?
Mr. Falcon was exceptional in every way-talented, charismatic, and stunning. Kayden simply didn’t belong in the same league.
The confession had reached its climax, and everyone eagerly awaited Georgia’s answer. This was supposed to be the moment when love triumphed, a scene people would remember forever. But Kayden’s sudden appearance felt like an intrusion, an unwelcome disruption.
“Who does this guy think he is?” someone in the crowd finally shouted.
“Exactly! They’re a perfect match, and he’s objecting? Who the hell does he think he is?”
As the murmurs grew louder, someone finally revealed, “That guy’s Georgia’s husband. The idiot who got caught groping an old lady on the street.”
The revelation sent the crowd into an uproar of laughter and mockery.