Chapter 4: THE PROPOSAL MADE OF LIES.
1020 Words
BIANCA’S POV
“Oh no, how did it spread so fast?” I whispered to myself.
The announcement happened too fast. One moment I was in Gabriel’s private office still thinking about what I have done and what to do after that. Then next, the door opened and noise flew in.
Cameras, mics, flashing lights, different voices.
“Mr Wilson!!”
“Is it true?”
“How did it happen?”
My hands were shaking. Gabriel came closer to me, his voice low and steady “don't forget what I said.” he said, “stay with me, let me do the talking.”
I nodded, stepping closer to him. The room went quite then loud again as we left the office.
Flashlights flew everywhere, I felt exposed like every one of my secrets were revealed.
Gabriel snapped his hand. Immediately the noise lowered.
“You are all welcome to arrive on such short notice,” he said. “I'll be fast and direct.”
He held my hand and smiled. That alone made the crowd gasp.
“This is Bianca Edward,” he continued, “She's my fiancée.”
My breath stopped.
“Fiancée?” I said in my head.
Questions came in instantly.
“How come?”
“How long have you guys known each other?"
“Why announce it now?”
Gabriel turned to me and squeezed my hand.
“We wanted it private,” he said, “but now we don't have to hide what matters. Right Bianca?”
I swallowed. “Yes. We didn't plan for it to be public so soon, but we had to.” I said, surprisingly my voice was stable. “But sometimes life doesn't wait for the perfect time.”
Many murmured and stopped. Then Gabriel stepped forward and opened the velvet box.
The room became loud. The ring caught the light of the chandeliers. It was bright enough to silence the noise of the reporters. He moved closer and knelt down. He didn't wait for me to take my fingers out, he took them and slid it in.
Cheers broke out, confused applauds, excited, relentless.
My hand became sweaty, but I still smiled.
My phone rang and it was mom. I couldn't answer now, but immediately she sent a message.
“I saw you on the TV with the CEO of Wilson global company. What's going on?”
my chest tightened, I didn't want her to find out so soon.
As we walked out together, cameras followed us like shadows. I realized I was stepping into something different and powerful.
“Come,” he said, guiding me through the exit of the hall.
My head was still banging. The ring felt too heavy on my fingers like it was made out of gold, which looks like one. We stood outside the hall, the noise faded and I took a deep breath.
“Where are you taking me to?” I asked.
“Somewhere real,” he replied.
We barely spoke while he drove. I watched how the streets blurred past until his car finally entered a familiar street.
My heart dropped.
“My mom's bakery….”
“Yes,” he said with a light smile.
He stepped out first, then held the door for me to step out. “You always made mention of this place. Whereas you said it matters to you a lot,” he said softly, “I wanted to have a look.”
“But I didn't want her to know about this very early,” I replied.
“I see you like hiding things, even when you're hurting badly. Open up sometimes, no matter what the response could be.” He smiled.
We walked towards the bakery, above the doorbell chimed as we entered.
Mom looked up from the counter trying to see who it was and froze.
Her smile went away.
Not anger or confusion. It was recognition.
She stared at Gabriel's face like she saw a ghost.
“Who… you?” She whispered.
I hesitated. “Ma?”
“What's wrong with your mom?” he said quietly.
“I'm confused as well as confused,” I replied.
Mom stepped closer, her hands shaking.
“I.. know you,” she said, her voice barely loud. “You look so familiar or no I have seen.. You before.”
Gabriel looked at me then back at her.
She swallowed, looking like some old memories flashed back. “Years back.. When my husband was still alive,” she paused, then continued, “He served a family. He stayed in a mansion. A company that owns half of many cities.”
My heart started pounding.
“You were there. It was you,” she said to Gabriel, “You're always hiding, always quiet and watching.”
“My father?” he finally said, “he owned that company and that house.”
The air dropped between us. Everywhere went silent.
Mom's eyes widened immediately, “Then you must be..” she said.
“Well, yes,” he replied, “I am.”
Mom moved back, slowly gripping the counter.
“Ma? What's wrong?” I asked.
She stared at me, I saw fear and shock in her eyes. “It means our lives crossed paths again for some reason,” she whispered, “and I think it was destined to happen.”
Gabriel's face brightened. “I didn't know,” he said, “but I think you're right.”
Mom moved back slowly again. She nodded slowly as if she had experienced something painful. “your family was good and helped us. They changed our lives,” she said, “but they ruined everything from better to.. worse.”
I looked at Gabriel and then to mom.
It was obvious he wasn't expecting this, he came for something different.
“I came here for a different reason…” he said.
“Wait” my mom interrupted, “Did you come here to save our lives or continue where your family stopped?”
The question hung in the air, with silence filled in the bakery.
- Writer
