THE WATCHMAN

The Proposal

Leroy rushed to Antonios' side immediately he heard Gwen's scream.

"What's going on Leroy?" Gwen asked.

"I thought you said he was okay?" She asked with a terrified look on her face.

"He was fine and conscious a few seconds ago!" A petrified-looking Leroy said as she checked Antonio. "I don't know what's going on right now because all his vital signs and normal".

After a few minutes of checking properly, Leroy breathed a sigh of relief and said... "I think the charge emitted by this device had a strong effect on him and this caused him to pass out. He actually needs the rest and from what I see he would be just fine!" Leroy said.

"Are you sure about this?" Gwen asked looking worried.

"Just put your mind at rest dearie, he will be fine. Let us allow him to rest a while while we go out and have a drink. You look like you haven't eaten in days! I'll get the chef to make us something and also for your friend Antonio when he eventually wakes up". Leroy said as he led her out of the room.

" Oh, that is so thoughtful of you! Thanks Dear". Gwen said.

"But first, I would love to freshen up and have a change of clothes if you don't mind. Gwen said.

" Definitely you can!" Leroy replied.

He led her into a large room. He then opened a large closet full of all kinds of female wear and shoes. "I'm sure you would find something that fits somewhere in here". He mockingly said.

" I guess this is where lodge all your concubines right? I hope I am not going to put on one of their clothes?" Gwen replied with a smile on her face.

"No, you're definitely not putting on any of their clothes! They are the ones wearing your clothes, all these are for you! Leroy replied sheepishly.

Gwen let out a soft giggle as she blushed and said. "OK, get out and let me have my bath. You don't expect to stay around while I'm having my bath do you?"

"But I haven't shown you the bathroom and it will be my pleasure to stick around and help you bathe Miss Schuler". Leroy said as he walked backward.

"Thanks, I can find my way", Gwen said as she shut the door in his face.

By the time Gwen was done having her bath and changing, the food was already served at the table.

She walked into the dining room. It had a long glass table and lovely chairs. And lovely windows with colored glass. It also had beautiful paintings on either side of the walls.

The table was lined with candles and filled with different assorted foods, specially prepared for Gwen and Leroy.

"Are you expecting any other guests today?" Gwen asked with a surprised look on her face.

"No I'm not, but a special guest is already around". Leroy said with a smile on his face.

"And who might that be?" Gwen asked sheepishly. She already anticipated his reply but Leroy kept silent.

He stood up from his seat and pulled out a chair beside him Gwen to sit down and pushed it back so she could sit properly.

"That so gentlemanly of you! Thanks". Gwen said as she smiled at him.

" You're welcome my love". Leroy replied.

"So who is the special guest that is around?" Gwen asked with a smile. Bringing them back to the initial topic.

"You of course!" He replied

"You are the only special guest I know".

"Hmmm..." Gwen said as she didn't have a reply for Leroys smooth talk.

"Can we eat now?" Leroy asked.

"Oh, yes we can". Gwen as they both picked up their cutleries and began to eat.

There was palpable tension in the room as they ate.

Leroy was unusually tense and Gwen had noticed. She wondered what would be on his mind.

She know Leroy had the hots for her since they were teenagers, but "What could it be that was making him so tense?" She thought to herself.

Gwen decided to find out from him directly once they were done eating.

But Leroy was unusually slow in eating his food so Gwen decided to break the silence.

Hey, Leroy, what is it you wanted to tell me? I'm all ears now".

Leroy was caught unawares by her sudden questions so he paused for a moment, dropped his cutlery, took a deep breath, and said...

"Okay Gwen, there's no hiding how I feel about you. Maybe I express it in strange and unusual ways, but this has gone on for years so you know that it's not a joke".

"I know that maybe my manner of expressing my feelings to you has caused you to think they were not true, but they are and they will never go away!"

"Oh! Leroy, please..." Gwen was about to say something when Leroy suddenly placed his hand over her lips and then dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a diamond ring.

He went down on one knee and said...

"Dear Gwen, despite all that's going on in the world right now there is only one thing that matters to me, only one person. And that person is you, Gwen Schuler".

"I love you Gwen Schuler, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I am prepared to lay down my life for you if it comes to it".

I just want to prove how much I love you and here I am offering all I can give. Marry me Gwen Schuler and make me the happiest man in the world!"

Going was shocked at Leroy's proposal, she never expected anything like it and for a few seconds, she was speechless.

"Oh Leroy dear, Why would you do this? Why would you take me unawares like this?"

"Just say yes", Leroy said.

Gwen held his hands in her own, using one hand to cover the outstretched ring before pushing it back to him and said...

"I cannot accept your proposal Leroy, as my heart is with another".

"Is it Antonio?" Leroy asked with sadness written all over his face.

"Yes, it is him". Going replied.

Leroys' head fell in disappointment as he got off his knee and returned to his seat.

"I'm so sorry Leroy, I didn't mean to do this to you. You know I will never do anything to deliberately hurt you or even toy with your feeling". Gwen said.

Leroy remained silent for a few minutes. His head bowed and his hands trembling.

Gwen took hold of his hand in a bid to stabilize them and console him.

When he finally lifted his head, Gwen could see tears streaming down his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Leroy!" She said in tears as she quickly got up and tried to leave the table but before she could leave Leroy grabbed her by the hand and asked that she remained at the table with him.

"You have not done anything wrong my dear, and I totally understand that this was not meant to be".

"Even when you didn't have anyone in your life, you were always straight with me and told me that we couldn't be together but I felt that it was worth just one more try".

"I am happy for you and I hope he treats you well and even better than I could have. But know that you can come here anytime and I will still lay down my life for you!". Leroy repeated with a very serious look on his face, which Gwen had never seen before and it scared her to her bones.

"Oh! stop saying that Leroy!" Gwen said. "No one is dying for anybody, and we will all find love. Your words are scaring me".

At that moment the door opened and Antonio walked in looking refreshed and in changed clothes.

"Antonio! Gwen exclaimed.

"When did you wake up? And you look refreshed! I thought you would be out for a while?" She said as she got up and ran to hug Antonio.

" I told you!" Leroy said. "It was just a nerve that was affected and he wasn't out for long. He woke up while you were freshening up so I advised him to rest a little more before freshening up and joining us here at the table". Leroy said.

"Thank you so much Leroy", Gwen said as she led Antonio to take his seat beside her.

As Antonio ate his meal, the three of them discussed for a long time. Gwen told Leroy about how that Antonio had lost his memory and Leroy promised to do all he can to help.

When they were all done eating, he urged them to stay over for the night before continuing their journey the next day.

A request to which they agreed.

Everyone decided to retire to their rooms, Gwen had asked Antonio to stay with her in her room and he was glad to.

Before they got to the room, Antonio told Gwen to go ahead... "I think I should go back and probably appreciate Leroy" he suggested.

"Yes! that will be nice!" Gwen said, delighted at the suggestion.

She then headed for the room while Antonio Returned to look for Leroy.

"Antonio!" Leroy said on seeing Antonio return.

"I just came to say thank you for everything, and I am sorry about my initial behavior towards you". Antonio said.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about bro". Leroy replied. "I understand that I wasn't putting up the best of behaviors too, so we are all good Antonio de Castillo". Leroy said as they shook hands.

Antonio's grip on Leroy's hand when he heard him call him by his full name.

The look on his face turned from jovial and casual to worried and serious.

"I'm sure neither I nor Gwen mentioned my last name so how do you know that my last name is Castillo Antonio asked.