The Real Proposal
351 Words
It was a Tuesday.
No reason. No anniversary.
Adrian said he had a thing after work and Lila believed him.
She came home to candles.
Not everywhere. Just two. On the kitchen table.
And takeout. Her favorite.
And Adrian. In the same black shirt from their first real date.
You’re up to something, Lila said, suspicious.
Maybe. He was nervous. She could tell. His hands kept going to his pockets.
Did you burn the company down today?
Almost. Had a board meeting. He smiled. Told them I’m leaving for a month.
To be with my fiancée.
Lila froze. Fiancée?
Yeah. Adrian stood. Walked to her.
Lila. I proposed to you once because I was desperate and stupid.
It was a contract. With clauses.
He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
This isn’t that.
He got down on one knee.
Right there on the kitchen floor.
No ring. No box. Just him.
I don’t have a ring yet because I wanted you to pick it, he said.
But I have this.
He took her hand.
Lila, I love you. Not for PR. Not because of a contract.
Because you make burnt pasta funny. Because you call me out.
Because when you look at me, I feel like a person, not a CEO.
His voice cracked.
Will you marry me? For real? No addendums?
Lila was crying. She didn’t even know when she started.
Adrian
Say no if you want, he rushed. I’ll wait. I’ll wait forever.
Yes, Lila whispered. Then louder. Yes. Yes.
He stood and kissed her.
Hard. Desperate. Happy.
When they broke apart, he rested his forehead on hers.
So, he said, smiling. Date to pick a ring this weekend?
Yeah, Lila laughed through tears. Yeah.
His phone buzzed.
Adrian ignored it.
It buzzed again.
Lila picked it up.
Unknown number.
A photo.
It was them. In the kitchen. Just now.
Kissing.
Caption under it: SO CUTE. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE WEDDING. LOVE, E.
Lila’s blood went cold.
Adrian...
He looked at the photo.
His jaw tightened.
Eleanor, he said quietly. She’s been in the building.
To Be Continued
- Writer
