Chapter 23
Nelly
“Ethan Everhart, you’re so dead when I finally see you tonight,” I complain through gritted teeth after trying Ethan’s number for the third time that evening.
He canceled dinner, and it's been three hours since past that time now.
Why isn’t he home? Why hasn’t he called?
Worry cripples my thoughts as I pace around our living room. Ethan is never unreachable, especially to me, so is something up? A knot twists in the pit of my stomach, but I try not to dwell on any negative thoughts.
Sighing, I dial his line again, but it rings straight to voicemail. I’m about to storm out of the living room when the doorbell suddenly dings.
“Ethan,” I call, hurrying to open up with a smile on my face. There’s a delivery man on the other side, an impatient look on his face as he hands over a box to me. “Mrs. Everhart?”
“Yes,” I answer with a frown because I’m not expecting any deliveries today, and Ethan didn’t mention any package either.
“Sign here, please.”
The man hands me a pen, and I scribble down my signature before he hands over the box, and salutes me. After he drives away, I head inside and lock the door carefully.
There’s a card securely placed under the black ribbon tied in a bow on top of the box, and I take out the card first, before lowering myself to a couch in the living room.
To the love of my life. You deserve the best, and tonight’s all about that.
A smile creeps over my lips once I read the note, and I finally open the box to peep at the red dress inside.
“Oh my,” I gasp, admiring the vivid red dress as I lift it out of the box to stare at its intricate designs. It has lace patterns with a long, thigh-high slit in front of it and a low neck-cut that will expose just the right amount of skin.
There’s a pair of silver sandals sitting next to it, and a jewelry box containing a pair of silver earrings. I find another card inside, one that reads:
In the city where we first met, there’s a rooftop restaurant. It should have been our first night together, but I screwed it up. It’s the start of our journey. See you there …
The smirk on my lips widens while I’m shaking my head. Ethan’s taking me on a memory ride, and excitement jumps through my nerves as I glance down at the dress one last time, then chuckle.
I take about an hour to dress up, and by the time I’m exiting the house, there’s an exotic Audi SUV waiting out front for me.
“Right this way, ma’am,” the driver says to me before holding the door open for me. I get in the car and hold the single red rose sitting on the chair close to my chest.
My heart pounds during the drive over to the restaurant. It’s the same rooftop spot where I planned to confess my feelings five years ago. I had told him about that night after he confessed his feelings to me.
Recalling the flash mob dance makes me smile again. My heart leaps with joy at the memory, and a warm flush fills me.
When we arrive at the restaurant, it looks empty. I realized Ethan reserved the entire space when a waiter leads me to the rooftop, and I also find it empty. It’s unusual for a place this popular to be empty at night. Most of L.A.’s elite love to eat here.
There’s a trail of red petals leading me towards a table set for two, and a violinist in sight, poised and ready to play.
There’s another card on the table, and once I pick it up, the violinist plays a slow R&B groove by Chaka Khan and Marvin Gaye.
Our first dance was five years ago, at a charity fundraiser we attended because of your parents. Tom and Robyn were so engrossed in their own things that they barely noticed us. I first felt my heart beat for you that night, Nelly.
A swoon nearly sweeps me off my feet. Oh Boy. This grand, romantic gesture on display could only mean one thing.
He’s going to propose.
I nearly squeal with excitement at the thought. Ethan and I are married, yes, but a grand proposal and a church wedding has always been my dream.
Tears fill my eyes as I glance around the dimly lit rooftop, then I lift my gaze to the skies when I notice it’s starry. Fireworks explode right then, and I gasp from shock because I didn’t expect it.
It’s a lovely sight … A blend of gold and silver sparkles in the sky as I look at the stars.
A waiter approaches me with another card after that, and I’m eager to read what’s in it as I tear it open.
BelAir is where our love leads, Nelly. I hope you find your way to me just like I did to you.
The only thing in BelAir that is of importance to Ethan is his grandfather’s mansion, so I instantly know that’s where he’ll be. The driver’s still waiting by the Audi outside when I get there.
I pick up the skirts of my dress and get into the back seat again.
“We’re going to BelAir,” I tell the driver, then proceed to give him the address.
By the time I arrive, there’s music playing around the house, and the live-in maid leads me to the garden where every person dear to me already is.
Josie, Tom, and Robyn rush forward to greet me first, and I hug them all with tears in my eyes, holding on because they threaten to fall any moment.
Julia and her grandfather are present too, and she walks over to me slowly, a smile on her face as she greets me. “Hey, Nelly.” There’s a hint of sadness in her eyes as she smiles at me. “I’m sorry for everything that happened to you. Everything …”
I hug Julia, unable to hold any grudge against her. We’re still in that embrace when I finally spot Ethan walking into the garden slowly, a wide grin on his face.
“You’re in so much trouble,” I say after pulling away from Julia and rushing towards him.
“This is where we begin, Nelly,” he whispers to me, before taking both my hands.
“Five years ago, I fell in love with you … Maybe even earlier … Your charm, your wits, and your dedication. I was a fool, so caught up with my fears that I didn’t realize I was missing out on the best part of my life … I didn’t realize I was missing out on you, Nelly. Not anymore.”
He goes down on his knees after that, takes out the shiny diamond ring from his tux’s breast pocket, and holds it out in front of me.
“Marry me, Nelly … For real this time.”
“You’re so …” I trail off before extending my left hand for him to take out my previous ring and slide on another.
“Yes,” I blurt out with tears and laughter all mingled into one. “For real this time,” I murmur, too, admiring the ring on my finger as the tears rush down my cheeks.
“Am I still in trouble?” he asks as he gets on his feet and flashes me that sheepish grin that melts my heart every time.
“No, not anymore,” I whisper as we come together for the perfect kiss. One that seals the promise of our love in front of our friends and family. One that sparks hope for an amazing future with him.