Zenith Of Love

CHAPTER 1 Conrad stood by the window side, his eyes gazed on the night view of the city as soft giggles poured out from his face. Thrilled whilst on call with his girlfriend. “ I love you Carly " He said softly over the phone to her , " Good night my safe haven.” he muttered with a soft smile. " Good night my pookie. I love you Conrad,” She whispers, blowing kisses in the air. “I love you more Carly. And I will return the kiss tomorrow,” he chucked, " sweet dreams darling. Bye.” Conrad's face beamed with joy and warmth after ending the call , hearing from her tonight was more than a moment for him, it was everything. Because he could barely remember he was grieving the death of his father, who passed on a week ago. The pain, sadness and loneliness; were all gone. But his excitement wasn't just about her being so sweet and caring. But, because he had plans on proposing to her the next day. “Wait a minute"..... what if she says no, or will her birthday be ideal for me to propose? “Mhmm” He exhaled deeply, feeling numb with his hands crossed over his head as the thought runs within. But then again another thought flashed in , what if she says yes. He asked himself “Yes!" He whispered. Conrad affirmed it so passionately to myself. Immediately he absurd that as his conviction about the matter with no room alterations or doubt crossing. He jumps on the bed and lays on it in his cozy , dimly lit room. Scrolling his phone with precision. His eyes glued so deep on Carly's picture. his finger meticulously slid over the next. Conrad could hear his heart sing a melody, It's rhythm synchronized with the ambient of the room “I bet I could sleep tonight,”he said. He was indeed so amazed and full of anticipation. But slowly he drifted into a peaceful sleep. The next morning. The sunlight casted a golden hue into the room, siping into his eyes. Gradually his blurred vision came alive. He rose and stepped down from bed, quickly picking his phone which he heard buzzing to a notification. He smiled softly knowing it was from Carly, in response to the birthday message he had sent to her at 12am in the morning before he fell asleep. Then he carried the phone to read its contents,while walking into the restroom. It's read. “Hey love,” "You're the best thing that's happened to me, and your message made my day. Thank you for being my rock, my partner, and my forever love. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us.” “Wow” he smirked in amusement, rubbing my brows. Imagine getting such a text from someone you ate about proposing to? Conrad felt so thrilled , chilled, and refreshed, as he leaned my shoulder slantly on the wall. Only to realize he had already knelt down in the best gentleman posture. stupidity set in as he was rehearsing his proposal pitch. “Carly, will you marry me?" He giggles uncontrollably.“C'mon Conrad, put yourself together for once " he said laughing. It was past four in the evening . Conrad stood in front of the mirror staring at the ring case on my hands. Quickly he lunges closer to get the cologne and applies it all over before leaving the house. The door creaks open as he strides out to the parking lot. Carefully he settled into the car, while adjusting the seat belt properly. “Hey babe. Get ready, I'm on my way to your place right now. see you soon.” he dropped the text message. The car purrs to life as he drives out into the driveway. Moments later, Conrad pulled over at Carly's house after twenty minutes of driving. He was still inside when he started feeling nervous. “Breathe in," he said, holding his breath for 10 seconds. “Breathe out." He exhaled in relief. Conrad was quite nervous about his decision to propose, but he also needed everything to be in order so he phoned one of the event planners. “Hello, hope I am speaking with the manager?" He asked with keen attention. She responded lively, "yes sir, my team and I are done setting the place up. And we assure you a wonderful date as requested”. Her honest reply gave him a sense of assurance and relaxation as he confidently opened the door and walked towards her entrance. The door creaks open as he stride into her living room and sat on the chair “Excuse me " I said, calling the attention of the housekeeper. “Please go tell my girlfriend I'm downstairs,” he said gently with a smile. Conrad's legs were crossed when her maid returned and said ,“sir she will be done shortly.what can I get for you to drink?" She asked in admiration. "Just a glass of water will be fine,” Conrad said without giving her a face. But she nodded and whispers "alright sir" she added “you smell really nice" "thank you”. Conrad responded, and continued to press his phone. It took up to thirty minutes for her to come out, my God, when she did come out it was indeed worth the time she had spent. Conrad heard echoes of her steps from the staircase, immediately he stood up and walked to the stairs, and stopped. His focus narrows towards her instantly. “Wow!" He whispered. His eyes beams with signal of love Carly slowly flaunts her hair, dressed in a crystal-red gown as her smile deepens whilst descending the stairs, Conrad was left in awe of her in stillness. His feet itched to meet her half way. And before she could alter a word hw cut in saying. “Happy birthday my darling!, you look gorgeous and blooming” he said gazing into her eyes. Then he wrapped his arm around her as he pressed my lips with hers. She whispered with a luring look. “Thank you, my love, for everything.” she smiled. Conrad felt so happy hearing those words from her, “shall we my lady" he said, offering her his elbow. As their elbows cling together, they majestically walk the way towards the exit, leading to the parking lot outside. After an hour's drive, they arrived at the hillside of the woods. The camping ground was well dressed as ambient lighting added more touch to its beauty. Carly was stunned at the view of the place, as they walked into the area. She whispered. “OMG. Darling,this place is so beautiful.” "I'm glad you love it. Special for my beautiful lady,” he added. "Let's go make ourselves comfortable.” They both sat down under the well decorated space, just the two of them,enjoying the quietness and peacefulness of the place. In most cases , especially on outings and dates, Conrad normally prefers a personal driver to take them and so security backup. But that of today was different, no security or drivers, just the two of them. Shortly after they had finished eating and drinking, both of them decided to take a walk around the hillside under the beautiful sunset. “how did you even find this place?” She asked in her usual way. "Um, my dad and I came here often when he was still alive, to connect with nature and I connect with him." "Wow! look at the view. It's beautiful. What another word beyond beautiful, gosh it's breathtaking.” She smiled at him. Conrad knew the moment he had long anticipated was here, and making the best out of it was the goal. So he cleared my throat and said, “not as breathtaking as you, though.” Carly faced lightened up joy as he held her arms very firm. The reflection of the evening sun cast shadows on her, making her even more blooming and dazzling like the sun. “Yeah,there is something about you. There's this light that you carry,and it shines so bright even when you don't realize it. I feel so honored to be close to you.” he said politely. He added sagely. “I used to think love was an unrealistic thing but being with you made me realize love is real,”. Carly could only wonder at his vocabulary. “Wow! Are you just so good with words or it's the altitude getting into you" giving a positive smirks "Carly Catherine?,” he said firmly, swallowing hard. "Yes darling” she said gently, maintaining the gaze. Then an unusual feeling set in on Conrad, his heart beat increased and breathing at that moment for him was so hard. He just had to ask anyway . "Do me a favor by closing your eyes as I unveil my birthday present to you” "Babe, is that necessary?.”she asked Conrad nods slowly. "Trust me, it does." Now after Carly's eyes were shut. immediately, he knelt down and brought out the ring from the box in angst. His lips were literally shaking. “Carly, my mom used to say, love is like a flower. When in its bloom, a good gardener does not pluck it out of admiration, but instead nurture them by watering and weeding brushes and thorns from it. And so does love.” “ please Open your eyes" She opened her eyes to the sight of him kneeling down with a ring pointed towards her. She was mute, covering her mouth with her hands in shock. “ Darling, I can't imagine my life without you in it Carly. So I'm asking you to let me be that gardener who will nurture you in love and care" As he spoke , he totally lost connection with everything at that instance, and all that matters was her. Yet within him was mixed with both uncertainty and hope. Then he asked. “Carly, will you marry me?" He asked boldly, in the heat of the moment, their eyes remained fixed at each other.