Chapter 83: Proposal
1031words
I was woken up in the morning with the doorbell blaring in the background. Who could it be this morning? I sat up, yawning and stretching. Pulling my pajamas tighter around me, I headed out of my room. Opening the front door, I came face to face with my mom. My forehead creased as I wasn't expecting to see her so early.
'When did your flight arrive, Mom?" I asked her as she pushed past me, storming inside.
'When are you getting married, Gabriel?" she snapped, dumping her handbag on the couch.
'It's too early, Mom," I said, closing the door before facing her. 'You just arrived for crying out loud."
'And why do you think I would stop at your house if not to discuss marriage?" she retorted. 'Gabriel, you're my first child. Your younger brother is happily married now, expecting his first child, and what are you doing? My friends are talking. What's going on?"
I sighed, running my hand through my hair. 'Mom, can you at least sit and rest before nagging me?"
'I won't, Gabriel, not until you tell me why you have refused to get married. Do you think you're getting younger? That witch you were clinging to is gone now, so what are you waiting for?"
'I still love, Scarlett. It's barely…"
'One more word about love," she cut me off, her voice echoing across the room. 'You'll regret having me as your mother. You have just two weeks. It's either you choose Alexandra as your wife, or get me someone reasonable enough. Just two weeks," she said, grabbing her handbag, and heading upstairs.
'I thought you would go to your house," I said, following her up.
'Till you show me your wife, I will still be here," she declared.
'Mom," she ignored my calls, disappearing behind the balcony. 'This isn't fair, Mom. You know I need my privacy."
***
Finishing up early from work, I went to visit Alexandra at the hospital. Arriving at the hospital, I saw her and Damien talking in the garage.
'I don't want this anymore, Damien. I don't love you," she told him, her voice breaking. 'It was just a night-stand."
'I don't want to hear that!" Damien groaned, his tone resounding in the background. 'Any woman I lay a hand on becomes mine, and you're not an exception. Stay away from that…" he paused upon sighting me, his eyes narrowing on me. Alexandra glanced over her shoulder to see me. 'Son of a bitch. What are you doing here?" Damien shot forward, his hands balled into fists.
'Can we talk for a minute?" I said calmly.
'You slept with my girlfriend!" he growled, delivering a front kick which I ducked.
'Don't stain my white," I said. 'Let's just talk, except you choose to spend the rest of your life in jail."
He stood, his chest heaving. 'What are we talking about?" he asked, his voice raspy.
I moved closer to him. 'What if I pay you off?" I asked, and he narrowed his eyes. 'I want you out of her life forever. I can give you a lot of money. What do you think?" I leaned against a car.
'Like how much?" his expression softened.
'We will sign an agreement that you'll stay away from her forever, and I will give you any amount you want. If you agree, take my card," I stretched my card to him. He waited over a minute, glaring at me before snatching the card from me. He looked back at Alexandra before storming off.
'What did you tell him?" Alexandra asked as she moved closer.
'Men's talk," I said, draping my hand around her shoulders and leading her back to the hospital. 'Did he hurt you before I came?"
'No, he didn't. I wasn't expecting to see you today," she smiled, glancing at me.
'What's that look?"
She chewed her pinky finger, smiling shyly.
'Don't be ridiculous, Alex."
A week later, Alexandra came to visit me in the office, or so I thought until she turned out to be one of the interviewees. 'Have a seat," I said, and she sat opposite me, putting down her handbag on the desk. 'I wasn't expecting you today."
'Well, maybe you didn't think I will come for the job interview," she smiled, locking eyes with me.
'Your dress," I said, retrieving a folder from my drawer. 'I like it."
She leaned over the desk, whispering, 'Do you care to take it off?"
I raised an eyebrow as I put the folder on my desk. 'This is an office."
'But you'll do it at home, won't you?" she bit her lower lip, gently sweeping back her hair, and revealing her flawless shoulder which made me groan.
'I don't think you're qualified for this job, Alexandra," I said, and she sat upright, surprise etched on her face.
'Why is that, Mr. Gabriel? I graduated with second class upper in informatics with three years experience at Techhub PLC. What makes you think I'm not qualified for this position?"
'I never knew you could get this serious," I smiled, taking hold of her hand on the desk. 'Can I take you out tonight?"
'Did I get the job?" she asked, withdrawing her hand from mine.
'You'll get your answer tonight," I mumbled, reclining on my chair.
'I don' trust you, Gabriel. Besides, you haven't told me what you told Damien. He hasn't shown up at my house for over a week."
'Isn't that what you always wanted?"
'I guess you're right, but it's still confusing."
'You seem to forget this is official," I said, a smile appearing on my face.
'You chose to make it unofficial the moment you asked me out," she retorted.
'You win this one. What would you say if I propose marriage to you?"
Her eyes widened in surprise. 'You didn't just say that."
'I'm serious, Alex."
'What happened to you not loving me?"
'What if I learn to love you?"
'My answer will be no," she said simply, standing and picking up her handbag. 'Good day, Mr. Gabriel," she headed out, making sure to wiggle her hips. I shook my head, smiling.
