Chapter 24 Forgiven #2
Jeremy straightened and then glanced toward the entrance. He raised a brow. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes, sir,” the manager confirmed with a firm nod.
Jeremy leaned back, smirking. “Good. And from the glass windows, he can see inside clearly? See me and Emily?”
The manager nodded again. “Yes. Everything inside is visible from outside. Mr. Cantrell can definitely see both of you very clearly.”
Jeremy’s lips curled upward in satisfaction. “Perfect.”
Just then, Emily walked up to him, her face glowing with excitement. “Jeremy, this venue is so beautiful,” she said with a bright smile. “I love it—every corner is perfect.”
Jeremy rose to his feet, smiling back at her. From outside, Lucas’s eyes lit up as he caught sight of her. His heart pounded against his chest, and happiness surged through him. He immediately began walking toward the entrance, desperate to reach her.
Inside, Sebastian emerged from one of the corridors. He crossed the hall and slipped his arm around Emily’s waist.
“Do you like it, baby?” he asked, bending down to look at her face.
Emily’s smile deepened as she hugged him back. “Yeah. It’s gorgeous. When I walk down the aisle here… I think I’ll be the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen.” She winked at him playfully.
Sebastian chuckled, brushing his lips across her temple. “You’re already the most beautiful woman to me.”
Her heart fluttered, and she smiled up at him.
“Mr. Jeremy,” the manager reappeared at Jeremy’s side, his voice hushed but urgent. “Mr. Cantrell is making a scene at the entrance. The guards are holding him back.”
Jeremy gave a short nod. “I’ll handle it.”
Quietly he turned and headed toward the entrance with the manager.
There, Lucas was pushing back against the security angrily. “Let go of me!” he barked. “I’m here to see the venue with my girlfriend for our wedding! Why the hell are you stopping me?”
As Jeremy approached, the guards hesitated and loosened their grip. Lucas shoved their hands off himself, glaring at the guards.
Lucas’s wild eyes snapped to Jeremy. “What the fuck is going on, Jeremy? Why are they holding me outside instead of letting me in?” Lucas snapped.
Jeremy raised a hand, signaling the guards to step aside “You want to propose to Emily like this? Barging in and making a scene? She waited five years for you to kneel down and propose. Do you really think she’ll accept you this way?”
Lucas’s chest heaved, his face pale as if his entire world hinged on Jeremy’s next words. His voice cracked with raw hope. “Then tell me—what’s happening? Has she forgiven me? Have you spoken to her?”
Jeremy exhaled slowly, slipping into his role with the smoothness of a seasoned actor. His expression carried just the right amount of sympathy, the kind that twisted deeper into Lucas’s need.
“No. Not yet,” he said, shaking his head.
“I brought her here under the excuse that this venue was for her jewelry line launch—just to see if she liked it. She does like this place. Later, you can decorate it to her taste and propose to her here. But if you rush in now, you’ll ruin everything. The proposal has to be a surprise.”
Lucas’s eyes widened, his pulse hammering in his throat. His hands trembled at his sides, caught between clenching into fists and reaching out for something—anything—to hold on to. “So… she’s really waiting for my proposal? If I propose here, she’ll… she’ll come back to me?”
Jeremy folded his arms across his chest. “Yes. But only if it’s a real surprise. You cannot appear in front of her now until the proposal day next week. If you want her forgiveness, you need patience. Let her cool off. Wait for the right moment.”
Lucas’s throat worked as he swallowed hard, his chest tight. Doubt flickered briefly in his eyes—weak, fleeting—but desperation smothered it in an instant. He nodded quickly, his voice breathless.
“All right. I’ll wait. Emily still needs time to cool off. You… you talk to her for me. Just convince her to come to me that day. I’ll do anything. In the future, I’ll follow whatever she says. She just needs to forgive me.”
Jeremy’s lips curved into a small, practiced smile, one that hid the satisfaction burning beneath. He clapped Lucas lightly on the shoulder before turning back toward the glowing lights inside.
Jeremy gave him a small, practiced smile before turning back inside.
Lucas took a step back, watching Jeremy return inside. His fists clenched at his sides, his heart racing wildly. ‘Emily, the moment you say yes to me… I’ll marry you on the same day. Nothing will stop me.’
Inside, Emily leaned happily into Sebastian, her eyes dreamy as she asked, “Can we have Italian food on the menu for our wedding day?” she asked, her voice sweet, hopeful.
Sebastian’s face lit up, his arm tightening around her. He brushed his hand against her cheek, his voice full of devotion.
“Mrs. Graves, you can have anything you want at our wedding. Whatever makes you happy, I’ll arrange it. Just give me your list—I’ll make sure everything is exactly as you dream.”
Emily’s heart soared. She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him, smiling against his lips.