44. Daniel
44
DANIEL
R osie’s been in the hospital for a week and is being discharged today. I’m picking her up and taking her to her surprise, it’s something I’ve been working on all week.
“Hey my beautiful girl,” I say.
Rosie rolls her eyes at me, but even with her bruises, she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world to me.
“I’m ready to go home.” She sighs as I help her into the car, her arm in a sling thanks to the dislocation. I put the seatbelt on for her and make sure she is all good before hopping in. “Where are we going?” she asks as we take off.
“Patience, little one, I promise you will like it.”
She gives me a frown but looks out the window. “The city fascinates me so much, the old mixing with the new.”
“Are you looking forward to building a life here?” I ask.
“Not forever, but for the foreseeable future, yes.”
“Good.” I turn and grin at her as we head toward The Palms.
Rosie has remained relatively quiet through the journey, taking it all in, but she’s probably exhausted, too. We head into the gated residential area, and I can see she’s sat up straighter as she stares at the luxury villas we pass by.
“Where are we?”
“I just need to drop something off to someone, hope that’s okay?” I tell her. She’s taken aback but nods. We arrive at the sand-colored villa with its palm trees out the front. I jump out of the car, walk around, and open her door.
“Oh, you want me to come in, too?”
“Yes, they would love to see you.”
“Daniel, I look like shit.” She moans, and I know she doesn’t feel up to it, but I promise she will be happy when she walks through the door.
“You’re fine, come,” I say, helping her out of the car. She gives me a couple of frustrated huffs but does, and I walk her toward the door. I push the door open, and we walk in.
“We’re in someone’s house, Daniel,” she says, tugging on my arm.
“I know. It’s ours.” I grin, and when we turn the corner, there in the garden are all our friends who yell ‘Surprise’. Rosie gasps as she stares at all our friends, everyone is excited to see her.
It takes her a while to get back to me, but she finds me in the kitchen grabbing a drink from the bar.
“I can’t believe you did this for me, the villa has a beach. A beach in Dubai.”
“Welcome home, baby.” I grin at her, leaning down and kissing her.
“But … how? Who the hell buys a house in a week?”
“If you have enough money, you can do anything.” I grin.
“Do I want to know how much this cost?” she asks. I shake my head. “Also, did you know there is a brilliant interior designer called Rosie Hunt, and I would love for her to put her touch on this place.”
“What’s the budget?” She grins.
“Whatever my baby wants.” I smirk at her.
“That could be dangerous.”
“As long as it makes my woman happy, I don’t care,” I tell her. A blush falls across her cheeks.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky,” she says.
“I’m the lucky one,” I say, bopping her nose. “Also, one more thing,” I say, holding out a set of keys. “This is the key to your new car,” I say, placing it in her hand. Those green eyes widen as she stares at the key. “It’s in the garage, wanna see?”
“Yes,” she says excitedly. I take her good arm, walk her into the garage, and there with a bright red bow, is her new G-Wagon.
“Daniel.” She gasps.
“Don’t. Let me spoil you,” I tell her.
“It’s too much.”
“Babe, this is Dubai. People like their cars here, and it’s a status symbol, if you want to be the best interior designer in Dubai then you need to put your best foot forward. What I wanted to buy you was a Ferrari, but the girls talked me out of it saying you would much rather this.”
She smiles. “They’d be right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Also, see this key,” I show her.
“It isn’t to another car or a house, is it?” She giggles, and it’s the best sound in the world.
“No, but it is the key to the brand-new DuPont Gallery opening up right next door to Starr Designs.”
“What!” she squeals.
“I told you, you were going to be stuck with me and I meant it. The thought of heading back to London without you by my side was never going to be an option. I’m packing up and moving in with you in Dubai, if that’s what you want. If not, I can find somewhere else to stay because I didn’t really ask if you wanted to live with me, and …”
“Shut up and kiss me,” she says, pulling me to her.
And I do.
THE END