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53
Leo had been planning this picnic for weeks. He wanted to create a special moment for him and Rachel, to make her feel appreciated and loved. Leo had been in such a rush to find someone to marry that he never took the time to get to know Rachel, but now he was determined to make the most of their situation.
Leo packed a basket full of sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of wine. He wanted to make sure they had everything they needed for a romantic afternoon together. He found a secluded spot by the lake, with a beautiful view of the water and the trees.
As they sat together on the blanket, Rachel started to open up about her life and her dreams. She told Leo about her passion for art, and how she wanted to start her own brand one day. Leo listened intently, feeling grateful to have such a talented and thoughtful person in his life.
“Why are you so hard on yourself?” Rachel asked, noticing the way Leo tensed up whenever he talked about his work.
Leo let out a sigh, “I just feel like I haven’t accomplished enough, you know? I’ve been so focused on my career that I haven’t taken the time to enjoy life.”
Rachel smiled at him, “It’s never too late to start enjoying life, Leo. And I think you’d be much happier if you opened up to those who care about you.”
Leo grinned, “Maybe you’re right. I’ll start baring myself to those who care about me… as soon as you start working on your own brand.”
They shared a laugh, and the conversation continued to flow effortlessly. As the sun began to set, they finished the wine and lay back on the blanket, enjoying the peaceful sounds
Leo sat in silence, his mind racing with thoughts of his mother’s visit earlier that day. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, and he didn’t know how to express it. Rachel sat next to him, a look of concern etched on her face. She inched closer, her hand gently touching his arm.
“Leo, what’s wrong?” she asked softly.
Leo took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “I don’t know,” he finally replied. “My mother came over today, and there was just something about her demeanor that seemed off.”
Rachel frowned, her brow furrowed in concern. “What did she say?”
“Nothing much, really,” Leo replied. “But she just seemed distant, like she was hiding something.”
Rachel scooted closer, her hand still resting on his arm. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything.”
Leo looked down at her hand, and suddenly, he was too close. Too close to her warmth, her scent, her beauty. He jumped up from the blanket, feeling a sudden urge to escape.
“I need to cool off,” he muttered, diving into the lake.
Rachel watched as he swam to the center of the lake, his strong strokes cutting through the water. She sighed, feeling a twinge of sadness that he couldn’t open up to her. But she would be there for him, no matter what. She lay back on the blanket, letting the warm sun soak into her skin, lost in thought.
Rachel, after some time got up and stood at the edge of the lake, watching as Leo swam leisurely across the water. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t resist the urge to join him. Without a moment’s hesitation, she kicked off her shoes and dove into the cool, clear water. She emerged with a splash and struck out towards him with strong, determined strokes.
As she approached, she could see the way his eyes lit up at the sight of her, and she felt a thrill run through her. She didn’t stop until she was close enough to touch him, and then she put her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her.
Their lips met in a warm, passionate kiss, and for a moment, all of Rachel’s fears and insecurities vanished. She felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. But as she started to get carried away by the moment, Leo gently pulled away from her.
“Not yet,” he said softly, but with a hint of steel in his voice. “I want this to be perfect, and I don’t want to rush things.”
Rachel felt a wave of disappointment wash over her, but she knew that he was right. They had both been through a lot in recent months, and they needed to be sure that they were ready for this step.
“Okay,” she said, giving him a small smile. “I understand.”
And with that, they climbed out of the lake and settled back onto the blanket, content to simply bask in each other’s company for a while longer.
*****
William stood outside of Celine’s apartment building, his heart pounding in his chest. He had come here with the hope of making things right between them, of explaining to her why he had acted the way he did at the party. But now, as he stood in front of her door, he was filled with a sense of unease.
He had been unable to shake the image of Celine from his mind since their last meeting. He had tossed and turned all night, the memory of their kiss and her rejection burning in his memory. And now, as he knocked on her door, he felt a surge of nerves.
A elderly neighbour stepped out from the door next to Celine’s, her eyes squinting up at him. “You’re looking for Celine?” she asked, in a voice thick with a French accent.
“Yes,” William replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do you know where she is?”
The woman’s expression turned grim. “She left this morning, with some luggage.”
Panic swelled in William’s chest. He had come here hoping to make things right, but now it seemed that he was too late. He wondered where she had gone, and why she had left so suddenly.
He fished out the item from his pocket, a small velvet box. He had intended to give it to her as a peace offering, a token of his affection. But now, it felt pointless.
He turned to leave, dialling her number on his phone. She picked on the fifth ring of the phone.
He learned that Celine was at the airport, about to board a flight. He rushed there as fast as he could, determined to stop her from leaving.
When he finally arrived at the airport, his eyes immediately found Celine’s form. She was at the gate, her back to him. He rushed towards her, causing a commotion as people stepped aside to let him pass. When he reached her, she turned, a look of surprise and fear on her face.
“Celine, wait,” William said, panting. “Please, listen to me.”
She tried to turn away, but he stepped in front of her. “I know I messed up. I was scared, I admit it. But I can’t let you go like this. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
Celine looked at him, her expression unreadable. He took a deep breath and began to explain himself, telling her about the fears and insecurities that had kept him from committing to her. He talked about how much she meant to him and how he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.
Finally, he got down on one knee and pulled out the item from his pocket – a small box that held a sparkling diamond ring. “Celine, will you marry me?” he asked, looking up at her with hope in his eyes.
She gasped, a smile spreading across her face. “Yes, of course I will,” she said, laughing. “I was just going on a business trip, not leaving forever.”
William stood up and pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her deeply. They broke apart, smiling at each other. “I promise, I’ll make it up to you,” he said.
“I know you will,” Celine replied, her eyes shining with love.