Taming the playboy

Chapter Six

Rose Powell sighs contentedly as she walks into her boyfriend's apartment. Ever since she started dating Michael Donovan six months ago, he has given her a spare key to his home. It made Rose feel special. He has been nothing but a caring and loving gentleman to her. But as much as she wanted to convince herself that Michael was into her just as much as she was, she couldn't. She still had doubts.

She sighs again. Their relationship has been on a smooth sail for the past six months, no bump, no hurdle. But that was the more reason she doubted Michael loved her. It all felt too good to be true.

She knew she wasn't his type of woman. He had surprised her when he agreed to date her. But she just can't shake the feeling that he was just settling, and would leave her when he eventually meets his spec. This was the very reason women don't ask men out. Rose let's out a third sigh, as the thoughts keep roaming in her head . She really loves him, and hopes he could love her half as much as she did.

For the first time since she entered the apartment, Rose looks around her and noticed the house was in a mess. That was strange. Michael was impeccably clean, and his house was always tidy. She thought, as she started to put things in order. She picked up some clothes she found lying on the couch in the living room and took it to the bedroom and was putting it in the wardrobe when she saw something.

A small velvet red box. It was hidden behind a shoe box in the wardrobe, but somehow she had managed to see it. She stared at it for so long not knowing what to do. Should she open it? Or should she ignore it? Her curiosity got the better part of her. Rose slowly opened the box and found a solitaire ring sitting in it. Her heart beat accelerated, her eyes widened in surprise. Somebody pinch her. Was this real? Could it be what she is thinking?

"Oh my god! Michael is going to propose". She gasped out, and then smiled.

Michael Donovan comes back home to a sweet aroma seeping from his dinning room. He quickly goes there and sees a candle lit dinner set before him. Rose walks in from the kitchen with a bottle of wine in her hand as she greets him, her smile not leaving her face.

“Welcome back my love". She pecks him softly on the cheek. “Hungry?" She gestures towards the dining room.

“Looks good? What are we celebrating?" He asked still stunned by the whole scene.

“Nothing in particular". She giggles. “I just wanted to prepare a nice dinner for us".

Michael raising a questioning eyebrow at her. He still felt there was more. “Today isn't your birthday, neither is it mine". He moves closer to the dining table. “What am I missing?"

“My love, just take a seat and enjoy your dinner". She cajoles.

He obeys, and they both take their seat at the dining.

“The aroma is divine". He says picking up his cutlery.

“Thanks". She smiles at him, as he sends her a suspicious look but says nothing more as he began to eat.

As they dined, he kept sending her sly stares and she caught him most times, and kept smiling at him.

“The meal is delicious". He says after a while.

“I'm glad you like it". She says, her smile widening every minute.

Michael sighs, “Please tell me, I am dying of curiosity".

“Tell you what?" She teased.

“Come on Rose, don't keep me in suspense".

"Okay". She says, “I will tell you, but you have to promise not to be upset with me".

“Why will I be upset?" Michael asked, obviously confused.

Rose hesitates before she answers. “I saw this". She says, gently placing the red box she has found in his wardrobe on the table for him to see.

Michael looks up at her with shock, “Rose..."

“I know I am not meant to see it yet". She quickly says, cutting him off.“I am sorry".

Michael heaves a deep sigh, he didn't know were to begin to tell her it wasn't what she thought.

“Are you upset?" She asks, worried by his silence.

“Why where you going through my things?" He asks instead, getting up quietly from his seat obviously done with the meal.

“You clothes were everywhere, I decided to help arrange them in your wardrobe". She explains, her voice lacking the excitement it had at the beginning.

Michael sighs again. He didn't want to hurt her. But he wasn't ready for this.

“Michael, what's wrong?" She asks quietly as she stood and walked towards him.

“Nothing. Things are just not happening as planned". He says.

“I am sorry about that. But whichever way I am still happy". She replies, her smile resurfacing. “Don't you want to know what my answer is?" She asks after a brief silence.

“Your answer?" He says puzzled. Here he was thinking of a way to break it to her that it wasn't what she thought, as she was still demanding he pops the question.

She nods shyly. “Aren't you going to ask me? I have already seen it".

Michael swallows hard, as he breathes deeply. Whatever he says now, there was no going back. He looks Rose in the eyes. She is such a lovely soul, a good woman, who loved him deeply. But she deserves better. Better than he could offer.

“Rose..., do you want to spend your life with me?" He asked slowly. He had to. There was no other way out of it unless he wanted to hurt her, but that was not an option.

Rose beams. “Yes Michael". She answers happily, and kisses him.