CHAPTER NINE : THE PROPOSAL
1343 Words
Following all that occurred. The controversy, the animosity, the sorrow —
Ella and Jayden were finally back together.
However on this occasion it seemed unlike before.
Unlike times when they needed to conceal their emotions or pretend to be just friends.
Now, they were free.
Free to laugh, free to love, free to just be.
Still, there was something in the air.
Something soft and heavy at the same time —
like a secret waiting to be said.
---
☀️ A FRESH START
Several weeks went by.
The digital realm gradually progressed.
Individuals discovered subjects, for gossip.
Ella’s program. The Love Coach. Returned more powerful than before.
On this occasion she did not conceal Jayden.
He was right there behind the camera, just like before,
At this moment everyone recognized who he was. Her heart, her companion, her strongest supporter.
Every installment concluded with the phrase:
“Love isn’t flawless.. It’s genuine when you decide to remain.”
Supporters adored it.
Above all they cherished them deeply.
“Ella and Jayden inspire hope, in me 😭💞”
“That’s the way love battles and prevails.”
Ella grinned whenever she encountered those remarks.
Because she ultimately realized. Her narrative wasn’t disgraceful.
It was a lesson.
---
🌸 A DAY TO BREATHE
On a Saturday morning Jayden reached out to her.
“Hey drowsy one " he spoke through the phone.
She. Said, "It’s 7 a.m. Jayden.”
“Precisely. Sunrise hour. Wear something. I’ll come get you at thirty.”
She moaned. "Where are we headed?”
He chuckled quietly. "You’ll find out.”
Half an hour afterward he arrived outside her residence
Shoulder hoisting his camera bag, his grin broad, as usual.
Ella got in still drowsy but intrigued.
“Don’t say you want me to shoot a video before breakfast.”
“Not today, " he replied. "Today belongs to us.”
---
🌿 THE HILLTOP
They left the city behind. Beyond the clamor, beyond the skyscrapers —
until they arrived at a hill that offered a view of all.
The air was cool and fresh.
The sun began to ascend, coloring the sky with hues of pink and gold.
Ella breathed sharply. "Jayden… it’s stunning.”
He grinned. "You mentioned once that you wished to view the world from a perspective.
So, here we are.”
She faced him with her gaze. "You recalled that?”
He whispered, "I recall all that you mention.”
She averted her gaze, bashful yet grinning.
They rested on a blanket drinking coffee from a flask that Jayden had brought.
For some time they merely observed the dawn —
the glow grazing their faces, their hands nearly meeting yet apart.
After that Jayden pulled out his camera.
“Am I allowed to record this?”
Ella laughed. "You’re always recording.”
He gave a shrug. "You always remain my topic.”
She chuckled while rolling her eyes.
He went ahead. Hit record.
---
🎥 THE TALK
Following a pause Jayden whispered,
“Ella, may I share something with you?”
“Hmm?”
“When all shattered… when people were sharing opinions on the internet…
I was on the verge of quitting.”
Her spirits dipped slightly. "Jayden…”
He gazed at her. "However I noticed you defending us.
I noticed your courage during that interview. It became clear to me…
you weren’t just the Love Coach. You were my love coach too.”
Tears welled up in Ella’s eyes. "Jayden, please don’t make me weep now.”
He grinned. "You showed me that love isn't about fleeing when situations become complicated.
It involves standing and declaring. This belongs to me and I will defend it.”
She extended her hand. Grasped him. "We both safeguarded it.”
He gave a nod, his gaze. "Yes.. I will never let it shatter again.”
---
🌻 THE SURPRISE
Ella rested her head against his shoulder. "This scene is flawless.”
Jayden grinned. "Not yet.”
He rose, approached his camera bag and retrieved an item.
A little wooden box.
Ella’s heartbeat faltered. "Jayden… what is that?”
He faced her his hands trembling slightly.
“Do you recall the time we initially met?”
She gave a nod. "At the café.”
“You were upset because your camera stopped working.”
She chuckled quietly. "Yeah."
He grinned. "And I replied, ‘No need to worry, I'll handle it.’
However I wasn’t referring solely to your camera, Ella.
I believe that day marked the beginning of mending something within both of us.”
Her eyes were already watery.
Jayden moved a bit nearer.
“I've witnessed you shattered, furious, exhausted afraid —
I have cherished you in every one of those ways.
You led me to think that love isn’t discovered, it's created.
"I wish to continue creating with you.”
He sank down onto one knee.
The morning sun shone on his face. As if the heavens themselves were observing.
Ella inhaled sharply covering her mouth with both hands.
“Jayden—”
He unsealed the box. Within there lay a silver ring, petite and refined.
“Ella Carter " he murmured gently "would you marry me?”
---
💞 THE ANSWER
For an instant she was unable to talk.
Her heart raced quickly; it seemed like a melody.
Then she chuckled despite her tears. "Jayden are you kidding?”
He grinned uneasily. "Do I appear to be kidding?”
She also bent down, her voice shaking.
“Yes… Yes, Jayden! A thousand times yes!”
He slid the ring onto her finger.
It matched flawlessly. As if it had been meant for her from the start.
She wrapped her arms around him both laughing and weeping simultaneously.
He twirled her about with both feeling exhilarated and joyful.
The camera, continuing to film captured it all —
the hug, the tears, the kiss under the sunrise.
---
📸 THE CAPTURE
That day Jayden posted the video.
No fancy editing, no music — just them, raw and real.
He named it:
> “The Love Coach — Forever Starts Here.”
It spread rapidly within hours.
Millions witnessed Ella say "yes" to the man who had repaired her damaged lens.
Comments flooded in:
“This is the romance tale ever 😭”
“I need a Jayden, in my life 😭😭😭”
“From controversy, to eternity. Tears are flowing!”
Ella grinned while looking at them.
She glanced at Jayden, who was silently wiping the camera lens next to her.
“Hi, " she murmured gently.
“Yeah?”
“Do you ever feel exhausted from recording me?”
He smiled broadly. "Absolutely not. You’re my film.”
She chuckled. "So it seems we’re creating a series that will last a lifetime.”
He moved in nearer. ". Solely, on the condition that I can oversee the direction of each episode.”
“Agreed " she replied, gently kissing him.
---
🌙 THAT NIGHT
They returned to the studio. The place where everything started.
The lights were dim, the air still warm from the day’s joy.
Ella positioned herself before the camera. Grinned.
“Hello, all. This is Ella. Your Love Coach.”
She stopped briefly looking over at Jayden who was positioned behind the camera.
Today's topic is straightforward. Occasionally love does not arrive to heal you.
It develops alongside you.”
She inhaled deeply grinning broadly.
“When you meet that person, stay; don’t flee.
Hang on firmly. Even if the world attempts to unsteady you.”
Jayden focused closely his gaze as he looked through the viewfinder.
“Cut " he murmured softly. "Excellent.”
Ella. Moved toward him.
He drew her near pressing his forehead to hers.
“No more pretending, " she murmured.
He grinned. "Not a chance.”
The illumination dimmed gradually leaving the two of them —
a pair of shadows, in affection encompassed by all they have created jointly.
Beyond the city shone brightly.
Amidst laughter and silence they vowed —
forever was only the beginning.
- Writer
