Chapter 6: A Proposal, A Memory and a Ride Home
930 Words
As the echoes of Jared’s spontaneous proposal settled into the heavy silence of the room, Zenobia’s heart beat so loudly it felt like it echoed off the walls.
For a second, she couldn’t speak.
Because in that moment… she wasn’t here anymore.
She was in the past.
Back at Allegro, five years ago.
Back at that small table where candles flickered and soft music played in the background.
Back when Xavier sat across from her — nervous, excited, hopeful.
“Zen,” he said, sliding his calloused hand over hers, “I know I’m not rich. I can’t promise you the life your parents expect. But I’ll love you every single day. I’ll never make you feel alone.”
Then, he pulled a silver ring. It wasn’t extravagant. It wasn’t even a perfect fit.
But it was theirs.
And the way he looked at her… like she was the reason the stars existed.
That was love.
This?
This… was a business pitch disguised as a proposal.
Back to reality.
Zenobia blinked, snapped out of her daze, and cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she muttered, rising to her feet quickly.
“Zenobia?” her mother whispered behind her.
She didn’t look back.
Jared, equally stunned by his own outburst, stood and followed her quietly out to the patio where warm Tagaytay air wrapped around them like tension.
She turned to him, arms crossed, brows drawn. “What was that?”
“I—” Jared rubbed the back of his neck. “I got carried away. You looked like you were about to vanish.”
“I wasn’t going to vanish,” she muttered.
“Could’ve fooled me,” he said, exhaling with a dry chuckle. “Look, I get it. That came off intense. Maybe you think I’m some kind of… desperate lunatic—”
“Not desperate,” she cut in. “Just… impulsive.”
Jared shrugged. “That’s fair. But listen—” his voice dropped to a calmer tone, “—maybe this whole marriage thing… we just go with it.”
Zenobia frowned. “Go with it?”
He nodded, a little too convincingly. “Just to shut our parents up. They’ll stop pestering us. No more blind dates. No more pressure. Just a clean agreement. Business-style.”
She stared at him. “You’re proposing a fake marriage?”
“No, not fake,” Jared clarified. “Just… strategic.”
Zenobia folded her arms, skeptical.
“Think about it,” he continued, walking a slow circle around her like a man pitching to a boardroom. “You need someone to escort you to a family event, I’m your guy. I need someone to pretend I’m not emotionally unavailable at corporate galas? Boom — you.”
She raised a brow. “You rehearsed this speech?”
“I run a company. I always rehearse.”
Despite herself, Zenobia cracked a tiny smile.
“But seriously,” Jared said, stepping closer. “I’m not forcing you. I just… I saw something in you yesterday when you were playing. And when I saw you walk into that room today? It felt like I was meant to meet you. Maybe not romantically. Maybe not right now. But if we have to be stuck in this situation…”
He paused.
“…I’d rather be stuck in it with someone who feels real.”
Zenobia blinked, caught off guard by the shift in his tone. Sincere. Vulnerable. Still polished — but real.
“Just think about it,” Jared added. “That’s all I’m asking.”
Before she could respond, he pulled out his phone.
“I’m calling them out,” he said. “Let them know I’ll be the one taking you home. Save you from awkward goodbyes.”
Zenobia’s eyes widened. “Wait, no—”
“Too late.” He held the phone to his ear. “Tita, Tito, I’ll drive Zenobia home. Of course. She’s in safe hands.”
After he hung up, she narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re pushy.”
“I’m effective.”
“Debatable.”
He grinned. “Then at least let’s exchange numbers in case you… change your mind.”
She sighed but relented, giving her number and saving his. “Fine. But I’m not agreeing to anything. Yet.”
“Fair enough.”
Minutes later, Jared was seated in his car in the dim parking lot, engine humming, preparing to leave. He leaned back for a moment, trying to slow his heart down.
What just happened?
His phone buzzed — social media notifications, emails, irrelevant.
Then—
Someone knocked on the window.
He nearly jumped out of his seat.
A figure stood in front of his headlights, half-illuminated by the faint glow of the exit sign.
He squinted.
It was her.
Zenobia.
He rolled down the window. “You trying to give me a heart attack?”
She looked sheepish. “Sorry. I… left my wallet.”
He blinked.
A soft smile tugged at her lips. “Is the ride offer still available?”
Jared grinned and unlocked the passenger door. “For you? Unlimited.”
She climbed in, clutching her small handbag. “I figured you were more convenient than calling my brother.”
“Also better looking,” he added.
“Debatable,” she deadpanned.
Jared looked at her sideways.
This woman was driving him crazy… and she didn’t even know it.
He started the engine again.
One thought echoed in his mind:
Whatever her past is… I’m not letting her walk out of my life again.
- Writer
