Chapter 35 Dahlia
DAHLIA
Fears are only in our heads. Whatever thought you plant, it grows. You’d better water positive seeds; otherwise, poisonous weeds will take over, rooting themselves in your brain.
Nurture the good thoughts or remain a prisoner to the bad ones. They will trap you in a cycle of destructive patterns.
I choose to live a life full of wonder, of love, of going after what I dream of—unapologetically, wildly, freely.
From my side of the bed, I watch the biggest amazement of my life—my mountain of a man.
I am about to roll out of bed to let him sleep longer when he snatches me back by my waist and pulls me to his chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks in his deep voice, groggy with sleep.
I giggle, so utterly besotted with him. I think he can do no wrong in my eyes.
“Selflessly, I wanted to let you sleep some more.”
“Is that so?”
I nod, his spellbinding eyes throwing an impenetrable net around my being, capturing me forever.
A groan rumbles in his throat, deep with raw need. “Did I give you permission to leave my bed?”
“I didn’t know I needed it,” I sass.
He buries his face in my neck, nibbling along my sensitive skin. “Now you know.”
I thread my hand through his hair, loving this sweet moment. The gesture holds nothing sexual—it’s just intimacy mixed with comfort. It’s just as precious, just as soul-nourishing to me as our lovemaking.
I sigh dreamily, not believing how a few days can alter the course of your life. I’ve wished for years for this dream to become reality. Now that it happened, I am overcome with wonder, with a gratitude so big it fills me up.
“You’re mine now, Dahlia. Just mine. Forever mine.”
“You promise?” I ask, potent emotions overwhelming me.
A smirk pulls at the corners of his mouth as he wraps his arms around me. “I vow.”
Locking my arms around his neck, we remain in an embrace for long minutes, kissing leisurely.
“I wanted to wait, but fuck if I can any longer.”
Having no idea what he’s talking about, I scoot up in bed. He hops off and disappears into the walk-in closet.
When he returns, my eyes fix on his palm, where a velvet box rests.
My heartbeat picks up, threatening to burst out of my chest. I palm it to calm the erratic beats, urging the organ to stay in place. I need my heart so I can love him for as long as possible.
Tears blur my vision as he comes to my side and goes down on one knee, seeking my eyes.
I cup my mouth, but a choked sound escapes. “Oh my God.”
He shakes his head at me, groaning. “Still giving him all the credit.”
I giggle, overwhelmed in the best way possible. I ride a wave of emotions that takes me so high, I just need to reach out my hand and touch the sky.
“Sorry, baby. You’re right. It’s all you.”
“Better.” He smirks. “And I fucking love when you call me that.”
Smiling like the enamored woman I am, he clears his throat.
“I’ve loved you all my life. Have probably wanted you for longer than I should have, or realized that my feelings changed over time.
I’ve never had brotherly feelings for you.
You were the little girl I had to protect, the teenager I wanted to spoil, and the woman I needed to make mine or lose my sanity.
My life, my heart, my every breath are interwoven with you.
I am completely and undeniably yours. All I ask in return is for you to marry me, so I can keep loving you.
You’re my reason, baby girl. My purpose, zhizn moya. My ultimate destination! Marry me.”
Every word tugs at my heartstrings and I don’t care about the lack of question. There isn’t a reason to ask when you’ve known all your life that there is only one answer.
“Yes, make me yours. Keep me and never let me go,” I breathe out.
His eyes gleam with pure emotion. “I won’t. I swear.”
He flicks the lid open, and my eyes bug out, not believing what’s in front of me. This is not the first time I’ve seen this elegant emerald-cut diamond set in a platinum band of glittering diamonds. The ring is the one from Paris and is stunning.
I am too shocked to form words as he slides the engagement ring onto my finger, turning me into his fiancée. The stones catch the sunrays, sparkling in vibrant colors, but not more than my heart.
“How?” I choke out, knowing for sure that what I am living is not a dream. It’s real. As real as my love for him.
“Even when you think I’m not watching you, I always am,” he says, his voice ringing with softness, but underlined by unapologetic possession.
“But this is an engagement ring,” I say, gobsmacked. “And we were just at the beginning.”
He shakes his head, his features drawn in solemnity. “No, we were at the end of pretending. There was no going back after you broke my will so proficiently.”
I jump into his arms, and he catches me with ease. Holding me to his chest, he kisses me with such fervor that a rush of dizziness rolls over me.
“No more regrets?” I ask breathlessly.
“Not a single one,” he says, tone dipped in conviction.
“Can’t wait to become your wife.”
“All I care about is that it’s as soon as possible, but you still get your dream wedding.”
While I appreciate his thoughtfulness, I don’t care about anything other than walking down the aisle to him and calling him my husband.
A mix of excitement and impatience grips me. I want to tell my mother, Calla, and even my brother. But then I remember, and my delight threatens to waver.
As if he can read my mind, he grips my chin. “No. Just happy thoughts.”
“Really?” I giggle. “You think you can control even my thoughts?”
He raises a brow, determination casting over his features. “If they don’t make you happy, I’ll definitely try.”
I shake my head at him, beaming. “You’re lucky I love you.”
He grins so wide and bright, displaying his perfect white teeth.
“Maybe we can wait until things have settled,” I suggest. I’ve waited for so long that a few days seem inconsequential.
“No, we’re going to the compound to share the good news.” His voice leaves no room for argument.
I nod, wanting to move past the rift. Last night, I didn’t catch the entire conversation between him and my brother, but what I heard sounded promising.
I couldn’t keep being selfless at the cost of my heart slowly withering away.
After we change, he helps me into the passenger seat, and he tells a few of his men to follow us in a van. I smile, thinking he won’t be deterred in his plan of moving me in.
We spend the short drive with his palm on my thigh and his thumb swiping right and left. Heat creeps up my neck and cheeks, but I swallow the desire, postponing it for later.
I can’t stop gazing at the ring. The diamonds shine so brightly, catching the light and refracting it into hundreds of dazzling rainbows, making me impatient to celebrate my engagement with my family.
Once the gates open, the mansion comes into view.
The bout of nostalgia hits me out of nowhere. I guess it’s to be expected considering I’ve spent my entire life here. The good and bad memories flash before my eyes, but I refuse to be sucked into a vortex of past wrongdoings and what-ifs.
Fully anchoring myself in the present, I look forward to the future with my fiancé.
When we walk inside the house, one of the staff members informs us that my family is having breakfast.
Hand in hand, we walk into the dining room.
My mother catches on to my bright mood and smiles back.
My brother lets a mumble out, and my sister-in-law claps her hands together in sheer excitement.
I thrust my hand out, and the women gasp while my brother mumbles under his breath, but he gives a small, reassuring nod.
Calla is the first to rush over and congratulate us, wrapping her arms around us in a tight embrace.
My mother follows, hugging me tightly. “Enjoy every moment. Love every day. Live every second.”
I nod through the lump of emotions and wait for my brother to make a move.
My fiancé stiffens next to me, and when I look up, he glares at Enzo, the threat of violence dangling there.
My brother pushes himself out of the chair and walks toward us.
I wait with bated breath for his next move, my heart clenching at the thought of him not giving us his approval or blessing.
“Do you know what being his wife means?” he asks earnestly.
I nod, aware of the implications, aware of the consequences. But I’ve always been a gilded bird. I don’t want to spread my wings and fly away. It’s just not in me, and I refuse to allow anyone to shame me or guilt-trip me into thinking I should want something different.
I am well aware of what I want. I’ve never desired the world or to prove something to anyone. I play because I love to play, and I want to marry the man I’ve always loved. My wishes are simple like that.
I need familiarity. And I thrive on the known.
“Swear she will always come first,” Enzo demands.
Mika brings his palm to his chest. “Always.”
The honesty and truthfulness in this single word reverberate through me. I believe him wholeheartedly.
“Then let’s have breakfast together. We’re family,” Enzo says, stretching out his arms for a hug, which I eagerly accept.
That we are.
The moment we’re at the table, Calla squeals. “Show me the ring.”
Between hers and mine, they could be seen as weapons, the kind that could blind someone.
She is obsessed with jewelry and diamonds, cue her diamond studs, her engagement and wedding band, and her platinum necklace embedded with a singular diamond stone. That’s one piece she never takes off.
She grabs my hand in hers and admires the magnificent piece.
“I saw it in Paris.”
“You were in Paris?” my brother shouts. “How many men accompanied you?”
“Zero as she was with me,” my fiancé grits out.
“Enzo, amore,” Calla says in a placating tone, placing her palm on his hand.
That’s all she needs to do for my brother to back off and calm down.
And as I glance at my fiancé, I know exactly where we’ll get married.