Chapter 42
Ahelicopter waited on the private pad of the roof. David led her to it. Nicolas had called and told her to let his assistant do his job and not question anything.
Nicolas stepped down the descending stairs of the aircraft like a model would.
She stood frozen before his gorgeous appearance. Black dress shirt rolled at the elbows and matching slacks.
He sweetly kissed her mouth. “Have you been well, amore mio?”
“I saw you earlier,” she chuckled.
“While I did see you only a few hours ago, it feels like it’s been weeks in my opinion.”
He was being cheesy again.
Emily looked at Nicolas whose eyes sparkled impishly as they soaked in every little detail of her. She grew uncomfortable and was about to tell him to knock it off but then he spoke. “You’re looking way too desirable right now, Em.”
“Now you’re just exaggerating!” She laughed. “I’m wearing jeans and a white tee because David told me not to worry about looking fancy.”
“Still,” he insisted. “And I have a team on standby to have you get dolled up when we arrive.”
She shook her at his sweetness then turned to the helicopter. “I’m still confused about why I have to get dolled up.”
Nicolas brushed his lips against her ear, knowing how sensitive she was there before whispering, “Today’s our official honeymoon, baby.”
“What?!”
“Close your mouth, darling. You’ll catch flies.”
She snapped it shut immediately.
Nicolas pinched her rosy cheeks. “I’ll explain everything once we’re abroad.” He turned to his assistant. “David, please allow Cameron and the staff to help you load the rest of Emily’s luggage.”
“Even he’s here?” She looked for that intimidating bodyguard of hers.
“Yes, he’ll be needed. Now let’s go. We’re going to be behind schedule if we wait any longer.” He slipped his hand into hers, leading her up the stairs.
Not too long after, they found themselves in their seats. David and Cameron were at a short distance away from them.
Emily turned to Nicolas. “Where exactly are you taking me?”
“I told you, on our honeymoon.”
“I know but where exactly is that?”
He prompted her forward with a motion of his finger. She leaned in.
His eyes flickered down to her lips. “Nowhere but the City of Love.”
Her pupils stilled. “You mean…”
“Oui, Paris.”
The black SUV that picked them up at the Charles de Galle Airport drove slowly. The Parisian streets glimmered. Art, music, and love were everywhere.
Emily always felt inexplicably liberated here.
As promised, Nicolas had a glam squad waiting for her. She’d been taken to a salon and had her hair and makeup done.
She now sat in a tulle evening dress, mauve in color. It was complemented by diamond stud earrings, a Tiffany cluster bracelet, and elegant curls which framed her face into a classic lob look.
Nicolas couldn’t stop gushing about how stunning she was.
“I don’t think I can explain what I’m feeling right now,” she aired, feeling buzzed.
He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb over the base lightly. “Don’t get too overwhelmed yet. The night is young and you’re still in that dress.”
Emily glanced at her reflection and smiled.
“We’re going to reach the hotel where we’ll be staying at this week in a few minutes.”
“We’re staying here for a week?” Her eyes darted to his face. “Can your company handle you being gone for that long?”
He brushed his hand affectionately against her cheek. “I think they’ll manage.” He smirked. “What’s the point of being the boss if you can’t do whatever you want?”
“Whatever you want?” It was her time now to raise her brows at him. “Not so sure about that one.”
His mouth tried fighting off a smile. “I’m—” He failed as his words came with a slight chuckle. “I’m truly offended.”
“Good.” She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Come here,” he growled playfully before taking her by the arms, only to unleash a set of tickles.
Emily squealed at his attacks. He covered her mouth once he caught Cameron looking at them in the rearview mirror. The bodyguard shifted his gaze uncomfortably.
She reddened.
“It’d be in your best interest to stay quiet. You don’t want them thinking we’re doing something we shouldn’t be in their company, do you?”
Nicolas gave her one last look before removing his hand from her mouth. She returned one that said it’s all your fault before turning away to gawk at the view once more.
The car pulled into the lot of a tall building which Emily recognized right away. The Théatre National de Chaillot.
Nicolas stepped out the car and opened her door.
“What are we doing here? I thought you said we’d be going to a hotel.”
“We will. After I’ve given you your surprise.”
Anticipation crept into her bones as she took his outstretched hand. Just like she’d recalled, the grand foyer stretched with floors that echoed everyone’s steps. The ceilings were high, and warm light hit them at every angle.
Emily spotted a staff quickly coming to help. It seemed Nicolas was expecting them as he leaned in and whispered something. She didn’t catch it.
He led her to the main theater. The red seats were vacant, so was the entire place. The production lights were still on though.
Strange.
Nicolas brought her past the many rows and to the front where he sat her down.
“Don’t move.”
He disappeared behind the curtains.
Her eyes surveyed the surroundings. Because of this, she’d failed to notice that Nicolas had reappeared to prop a bag of popcorn into her lap. She giggled as his figure dashed behind the red curtains once more.
Genuine perplexity still came at the situation. Nevertheless, she decided to just enjoy it as her hand went for the treat he’d offered her.
The curtains began to rise.
Two dancers were revealed to be in an embrace at the corner of the stage. Classical music flooded the room. On cue, the performers’ story came to life. Emily’s mouth slowly parted as she saw a very reminiscent scene of the musical act they were showcasing.
It was Pride and Prejudice.
The slight tap of a microphone came in the background as the music lowered to accommodate what was going to be said.
Emily found her heart racing at the smooth sound of Nicolas’s voice.
“I bet you’re sitting there with the most dumbstruck look on your face, Em,” he began with a good-natured chuckle, and he was right. She was staring at the stage with her eyes bulging out in pure shock.
She tried to look for him, but he was nowhere to be found. Only a pain-stricken Darcy was seen professing his love to Elizabeth, but as predicted, she turned away from him.
“I’d love to see that expression of yours, but it’ll have to wait until later,” Nicolas continued, still out of sight but never out of mind.
He always made sure of that. “You see, I contacted your mother a few days ago asking where your most cherished spot is because we hadn’t discussed something like that before.
She told me it was right here. At the Théatre National de Chaillot.
It’s the place you’ve spent many days watching the Pride and Prejudice musical repeatedly. A Jane Austen fan indeed.”
She chuckled lightly at his commentary.
“I wanted to bring you somewhere special in light of an occasion reflecting the same spirit,” he said firmly as if it had been a lifetime belief of his.
What does he mean?
The music halted abruptly and Darcy and Elizabeth, who had reunited without Emily realizing, gracefully left the stage after taking a bow.
The screen of a projector lit up on the stage. Emily set aside the popcorn and was at the edge of her seat.
Hand flying to her mouth in mortification, she watched as a video clip of her from years ago started playing. Her features were young and she could see the rookie thirst for success in those brown orbs. She remembered the essence of the interview before the old her even got a word out.
“What would you say makes a great proposal? The one from this movie you’ve starred in has gotten great reviews for arguably being the most unique one ever.
Do you have any personal favorites from a film?
” the female interviewer inquired as she inched forward to move the microphone in front of the young actress.
Past Emily stared into the camera. “I think what makes a proposal great is how much thought is put into it matching the couple’s identity.
How it reflects the bond they share as a whole.
It should also take the female’s preferences into account.
Some may like a big extravagant proposal while others would love the simple wake-me-up-from-my-dreams-to-propose kind of event. ”
“Are you referring to that scene from the recent Rachel McAdams movie…what was it called again?”
“About Time.”
“Yes! Is that one of your personal favorites?”
“Yup, it’s a memorable one. There’s also the translation scene from Love Actually, the street proposal from When Harry Met Sally and my all-time favorite is from Pride and Prejudice when Darcy asks Elizabeth to ‘end his agony’ by accepting his hand in marriage,” young Emily replied with stars in her eyes and hands clasped.
“That sounds lovely,” the interviewer remarked with a low chuckle, and as she opened her mouth for the follow-up question, the video paused.
From the side of the stage, another person made an appearance. However, this time it was no performer.
It was Nicolas. Her Nicolas.
He’d reappeared on stage, holding a microphone in one hand as he locked his eyes with hers.
“I know you have these fantasies of a perfect proposal and I’m not sure if learning about them is going to be enough, but I’ll still try.
” He took a shaky breath before giving her the most heartbreaking smile.
“I’ll try because I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
I want to be the main character of this movie called your life.
And I want you to be the best part of mine.
With the well anticipated happily ever after, of course.
For us to love, cherish, and grow old together.
Because I love you that much, Emily. More than words could ever explain. ”
Without even realizing it, her eyes had filled with tears. Her heart was about to burst out of her chest as she stood up and began to fan herself. Even her mouth had gone completely dry.
“All I want in life is a chance to keep making memories with you,” Nicolas’s voice lowered to a whisper as he began walking off the stage. Emily was full-on crying at this point. He incited a sob from her when he lowered to prop himself on one knee, disposing of the mic to the side.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he drew out a black box, which he opened to reveal a ring. The band was crafted from rose gold alloy. Gemstones lined the sides of it, and in the center lay the biggest diamond.
Nicolas’s eyes shined with depths of adoration. “With that being said, Emily Pinault, will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?”
She hiccupped.
“Again,” he added.
The only thing that could be heard was the beating of her own heart. Answer him, Emily!
Nicolas waited patiently, tilting his head. “Well?” he prodded, “will you marry me?”
“Y-Yes.”
His mouth grew into a grin. “Yes?”
Emily nodded eagerly as her brain started functioning again. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He was off his feet in a flash and embraced her in a tight hug. She squealed as her feet came off the ground and he spun her around, happily kissing all over her face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you…”
She giggled at his display of such boyish charms. “Put me down or you’re not gonna have a wife again because you’ll have already broken her.”
“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly before setting her back on both feet. “I’m just so happy.”
“So am I,” she agreed easily, her eyes exuding a kaleidoscope of passion as she cupped his face in her hands. “I love you, Nicolas.”
Emily gently leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. As she went to pull away while taking a shaky, shallow breath, affected by just the feel of him, Nicolas was finally able to get ahold of himself.
His hand firmly held the back of Emily’s head and brought her into a passionate kiss. Her hands worked their way around his body nimbly, feeling each muscle of his physique.
As they pulled apart, both were gasping for air while reopening their eyes, staring deeply.
His were full of conviction and love, while hers were full of serenity and adoration. He removed the ring from the box and then took her hand in his to slip it on.
It fit perfectly.
Nicolas delivered a peck onto her knuckles as she stared at it, eyes twinkling. “I love you more,” he replied to her earlier admission while holding her gaze. “Always.”