19. Rory
RORY
Clear blue skies, the white sandy beach, and the heat of the sun shined down on us. The private jet was perfect. I slept in Aasim’s arms on the way down here. When we pulled up to the villa, I knew I would never want to leave. Aruba was even more beautiful than I expected it to be.
Aasim hired a chef, housekeeper, and butler to ensure we wouldn’t have to lift a finger while we were here. We even had a driver if we left the villa. The moment we walked into the villa, the staff greeted us. While the butler grabbed our bags, the chef led us to the kitchen to go over the menu.
The butler offered to give us a tour, but I preferred to explore on our own.
We took our time exploring the place we would call home for the next five days.
The moment I saw the backyard with the cabana and pool, I knew he chose the right place.
It was perfect if we didn’t feel like going over to the beach.
“I can tell it’s going to be hard to leave here,” I said.
“We’ll have to leave at some point. If you really like it here, we can get a rental property,” Aasim offered.
I leaned over and kissed him. The rental property sounded perfect.
“What do you want to do first?” he asked.
“I’m starving, so we should eat. Then we can lie by the pool. I just want to lie around today if that’s cool with you,” I said as I looked over my shoulder at him.
“Whatever you want.”
I went into the bedroom to change into a bathing suit.
The chef was already working on lunch for us.
Aromas flooded my nose and made my stomach rumble.
I grabbed my current read S.O.L: Save Our Love by Kami to keep me company by the pool.
Kami was one of my favorite authors. When she called her latest book a pamphlet, I knew it would be perfect for this trip.
I took a seat under the cabana. The butler came over. “Ms. Towns, can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’ll take a pina colada with Malibu rum please,” I replied.
“Coming right up,” he said as he left.
Aasim made his way out, puffing on a Cuban cigar.
His six-pack and tattoos were on full display because all he wore were swim trunks.
I could stare at him all day. He was all mine, and that was all that mattered.
Aasim sat next to me and placed his arm on my thigh.
As he got comfortable, the butler and chef came over with my drink and some finger foods.
Life looked very different today than it did several days ago.
If it wasn’t for Aasim, I didn’t know how different things would be for me.
I rubbed his head as he laid on my chest. Gratitude filled me as I recalled the conversation we had about trusting each other.
Trust was the foundation of everything we’d done together.
I got some reading done while he did some laps in the pool. After we ate and grew tired of the sun, Aasim and I found ourselves in bed. We made love until we were both tired. Between the sun and our time in bed, I was exhausted. We woke up several hours later.
“Wake up, sleepy head. We’ve got dinner plans,” Aasim whispered in my ear.
“I thought we were staying in. I’m too tired to move,” I groaned.
“If you miss dinner, you’re going to be upset. I promise.”
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. This man was always up to something.
“Oh, and wear that baby blue dress I saw you trying on yesterday,” he said.
I didn’t ask questions, just dragged my tired tanned body out of the bed.
An hour later, we were dressed and heading out the door.
I looked around for the car and driver, but no one was out front.
Aasim took my hand and led me on a short walk toward the beach.
When we touched the sand, I removed my sandals.
This was my first time on the beach since we arrived, and I needed to feel the sand in between my toes.
Aasim hated the sand and didn’t dare to remove his slides.
As we got closer, I realized there was a table with a white tablecloth and candles on it. A balloon arch said “I Love You” using baby blue and white balloons. There were also small lights that resembled candles that lit up the beach.
“Aww, Aasim, you did all of this for me?” I asked as my eyes watered. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
When we reached the table, he pulled my chair out so I could sit.
He then walked over to the opposite side of the table and sat down.
The sound of the waves crashing was music to my ears.
A slight breeze was just enough to keep me from sweating.
The sun set, giving off an orange glare that made everything about this evening perfect.
The chef walked out, then went over tonight’s menu with us.
“Good evening. We’re starting out the evening with a Mediterranean mezze spread.
For the main course, there will be a grilled seafood platter with several options that include red snapper, shrimp, scallops, and calamari.
To accompany the seafood, a garlic butter pasta and mixed green salad.
The appetizer will be out shortly. Enjoy,” she said as she left the table.
The butler came over next with a bottle of champagne. He popped the bottle open, then filled each of our chilled glasses. When we were alone, Aasim raised his glass.
“A toast to our future. I see a lot more trips with white sandy beaches in it,” he said.
I smiled as we lifted our glasses.
“Toast to our love. I want many more days under the sunny blue skies with you.” We clinked our glasses.
“Being here has allowed me to think. Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future.
I’ve officially resigned from the firm. Our time at the community center solidified what I’d been feeling.
I want to help the people in our community.
Everything that’s happened since we met has changed my view of life and my career.
I’m ready to start my own practice and see where that leads me. ”
“I’ll support anything you decide to do. I’m happy you’re not giving up on practicing. Whatever you need for the business I got you.”
“Thank you, baby.”
The rest of the dinner we sat and talked some more about what our future would look like.
We discussed his exit plan from the club.
He asked for three months to complete his club affairs.
Now that I no longer worked for a firm, his club business wasn’t such a pressing issue for me.
After seeing him at the community center, I saw why he needed to keep his promise to Mr. Jacob.
The same smile he had around Gavin and Jaxx was the same way he looked at those kids.
The club gave him a family outside of Yaya.
He would always have that bond with his crew.
The community center would mold him into the man he needed to be.
I couldn’t wait to be by his side as helped shape the lives of those kids.
He had so many plans for the center and other ways to improve the community. I couldn’t wait to be there for it all.
After dinner, we took a stroll on the beach.
A little further down from where we had dinner, there was a band playing live music.
I snapped my fingers as the singer belted the words to Anita Baker’s “Angel.” Nostalgia hit me as I reminisced about my childhood.
Anit Baker was one of my mother’s favorite singers, so her music stayed on rotation in our home.
When we reached the area near the band, I noticed there was no one else on the beach.
Aasim took my hand, and we slow danced under the stars.
The band switched to Beyonce’s “1+1,” which was one of my favorite songs of all time.
This playlist felt personal, like Aasim gave the band my favorite love songs.
“I told Yaya the day after we met you made me feel things. Those feelings have only grown more and more with each day. I realize now that I knew I would fall in love with you. Now, I can say that I’m in love with you.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to prove my love to you.
I promise to keep your heart, body, and mind safe from anything that takes away your smile.
Rory Towns, will you do me the honor of being my wife?
” Aasim said as he fell down to one knee.
He pulled out a blue velvet box that held a five-carat, halo engagement ring.
I became inconsolable once I realized what was happening.
The man I loved just asked me to be his wife.
Aasim was down on one knee, holding the most beautiful ring I ever laid eyes on.
I cried ugly tears as I looked into his handsome face.
He stood up to wipe my tears and pulled me in for an embrace.
When my body calmed under his touch, I gathered myself.
“I’ve trusted you with my life, and you’ve protected me. I know you’ll protect my heart the same way. Aasim, I love you. Yes! I’ll marry you. Nothing would make me happier than being your wife,” I expressed.
Aasim shouted to the band, “She said yes! The love of my life agreed to marry me!”
The band clapped for us. They played their next song, which was Ashanti’s “Sweet Baby.”
“Let me find out you gave these people my playlist,” I said.
“If I’m paying someone to play music, it better be what I know you like.”
He pulled me closer as I whispered the words to the song in his ear. We stayed on the beach for hours, dancing and holding each other close. This feeling was one I could only dream of. Everything since arriving in Aruba had been perfect. I never dreamed I would come here and leave an engaged woman.