Chapter 22 - Sayid
After returning from Nora’s apartment, I needed to act. Dealing with Tyson is going to take a bit of time to orchestrate. And as I tuck Nora into our bed so that she can finally get some rest, I know that the first thing I needed to do is propose to her. This step of safety will be the claim needed to show my intentions to not just Tyson, and the Pavlova’s, but the rest of the world as well.
I already know exactly what I want to do for Nora, and I have my assistants get working right away. Nora is safe in bed sleeping the day away, so I shift my focus on channeling my rage into something else. I am going to deal with Dr. Ian Kasey before his desires get any more delusional than they already are.
My security team has been keeping tabs on him, and knows the details of his schedule. Today, he will be leaving the hospital, mid shift, in order to attend an important luncheon at the university. I make sure my security team has access to any cameras in the parking garage, and I set out to intercept Dr. Kasey. Alone.
I lean against the hood of his car, running my fingers slowly along the sleek surface, my movements deliberate. He has good taste—for a man who can only afford one nice thing. A luxury Mercedes, pristine, well-kept. The kind of car a man like him saw as a status symbol, and nothing more. A small, fragile grasp at power.
I almost feel sorry for him. Almost. But the rage I am currently containing, leaves little room for mercy at this point. I hear his footsteps before he sees me. The way they falter slightly when he realizes someone is standing between him and his precious possession. I don’t move. I want him to come to me.
When he finally stops a few feet away, he squares his shoulders, trying to mask his unease. “Can I help you?”
I glance up at him lazily, then back at the car, tapping my fingers against the hood. “Nice ride.”
His brow furrows. “What do you think you are doing?” I push off the hood, rolling my shoulders, exuding the kind of nonchalance that I knew would unnerve him more than aggression.
“Just admiring the only valuable thing you own.” I let my words settle, watching his expression tighten. “Tell me, doctor—do you always take such great care of your possessions?”
His eyes flicker with something, a brief spark of arrogance. “I take care of what’s mine. ”
I smile. Slow. Dangerous. “Ah. Mine. An interesting choice of words.” I take a step closer, my voice dipping. “You see, I take great care of what’s mine as well. But unlike you, I don’t lose what belongs to me.” The slight twitch in his jaw gives him away.
“You were told no,” I continued, my tone remaining calm and even. “You pushed too far. She left. And yet, here you are, still grasping, still lurking. Sending flowers. Waiting for her after her exam like some desperate teenager, hoping that she might come back to you.” I tilt my head, watching his composure crack just a little more.
“Tell me, was that the plan all along? Did you come to Boston for her?” His reaction is all the confirmation I need. A small shift in his weight. The subtle way his gaze darts away.
I hum, as if considering. “Interesting. Because I recently made a rather sizable contribution to this hospital and to the university. The kind of contribution that gets one into very exclusive rooms and keeps its anonymity. The kind that lets me see exactly when a certain doctor applied to transfer here.”
His lips part slightly, his breath stalling. I lean in just enough to make him uncomfortable. “I wonder what the board would think if they knew the real reason you came here.”
He exhales sharply, regaining his bravado. “You think you can just throw money around and control everything?”
I let out a low chuckle. “No. I know I can. ”
He scoffs, shaking his head. “You’re insane.”
I shrug slightly. “Perhaps.” I check once more to make sure no one is around and that we are out of sight from the cameras. Not that my team isn’t already erasing every feed as we speak. I strike fast—just a shift in weight, a movement that catches him off guard as I grab the collar of his jacket.
He barely has time to react before I twist, forcing him back against the concrete pillar. His pulse throbs against my grip, his body tense beneath the force of mine. But the panic in his eyes—ah, that is what I was waiting for. The moment he realizes he is standing before a man he can’t control.
“You broke her trust, manipulated her fears. You had a contract, and you broke it.”
His nostrils flare. “I never…” His jaw clenches. “She’s not yours.” Something deep inside me rumbles. Dark. Possessive.
I lean in, my voice barely above a whisper. “Every inch of her is mine. ” The way his breath hitches tells me he's finally getting it.
“You don’t know who you’re fucking with,” he says, but his bravado is slipping.
I let out a soft chuckle. “No, doctor. You don’t.” I release my grip on him, and step back just far enough to be able to straighten my suit.
“Let me make this clear,” I say, my tone eerily calm. “I do not take kindly to those who believe they have any claim over what belongs to me. You will not speak to her again. You will not look for her, or find excuses to run into her. And you most certainly will not be sending her anything else. You will simply forget she even exists.”
He swallows, adjusting his shirt. “Or what?”
I smile. A slow, sharp thing. “I don’t make threats. I state facts.” I pause, letting my next words settle deep in his bones. “I am the man that powerful men fear. You will obey, Dr. Kasey. Because the alternative…” I step closer again, lowering my voice to something more menacing. “The alternative is that I take my gloves off. And I assure you, you do not want that.” His throat bobs with a swallow.
I slowly move back to his car and pat the hood as I pass by it saying, “consider this your only warning.” I continue walking away from him, towards the exit of the garage, never looking back. Because I already know—Dr. Kasey learned his lesson in ownership.
∞∞∞
With things coming to a head with Tyson, faster than I originally anticipated, and after the confrontation with Doctor Kasey, I know that I need to declare my intentions to Nora as soon as possible. Proposing to her carries multiple meanings. Number one fact and the most important reason being that she is the only woman I want to spend eternity with. I love her more than my own life and happiness, and will do absolutely anything for her.
The other, slightly more pressing reason, is the fact that she needs my protection, now more than ever. By declaring her as my intended bride, more importantly, my Princess, she will gain a plethora of added protection. She will be seen as off limits, and untouchable to not only those that are around me, but anyone that I conduct business with and have any idea of who I am.
After a quick phone call to Liam, I made all the arrangements necessary for the perfect proposal. I reserved a private club box to watch Nora’s favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Socks. The only details I give her to get ready for this evening is that she should dress for some casual fun. I am hoping that she will be most comfortable this way, and can really enjoy herself.
The energy of Fenway Park is absolutely electric as the cheers of the crowd vibrate through the walls of our private club box. This is my first time at this stadium, and I can see why Nora is drawn to the excitement. The game has been intense all night, but my focus is solely on her—from the moment that her face lit up with the realization of where we were going.
We stopped by the fanshop to get some apparel before heading to our private seating area. Nora picked out a button-up striped style jersey that fit her perfectly. I even let her pick me out a ball cap. I would wear anything she wanted when her bright green eyes lit like emeralds.
She was in awe of the view from the club seats. Even though I could have easily ordered a five star meal for us to enjoy, I knew she would be happiest with the ballpark essentials. She even giggled at the site of the spread that awaited us. Hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, nachos, and of course her favorite red licorice rope. That I knew I couldn’t forget.
Her laughter was contagious, especially when I teased her about dropping a nacho in her lap when she yelled at a bad call at third. Then there was the way her eyes lit up as she sipped her beer, and followed every single play, completely in her element. This was her place. Her kind of magic. And after tonight, it would hold something even greater.
The hostess arrives, setting down a bucket of ice and a bottle of champagne, with two flutes. Nora raises a curious eyebrow. “Champagne at a baseball game,” she smirks with amusement dancing in her voice. “Only you would bougie this place up.”
I shrug, keeping my expression casual. “Felt like a special occasion.” She smiles, but I can see the wheels turning in her beautiful mind. As the seventh inning stretch is finishing, the scoreboard flickers to life with announcements for those celebrating birthdays, and anniversaries.
“Wow! They have been married for 50 years, that’s incredible.” Her sincerity deepened the pounding in my chest as I waited for the real moment to begin. I squeezed her hand, knowing that would be us someday. Maybe even back here to celebrate as well.
I barely glance at the screen to know exactly what the next words that appear in bold, bright letters across the screen says:
Will You MARRY ME, Qamari?
I didn't see her reaction at first—I was already getting down on one knee beside her, pulling out the velvet box from my pocket. My heart is pounding harder than ever before. When she finally turns, her eyes drop to find me kneeling below her. Her emerald eyes wide with shock as her hands clasp over her mouth.
“Nora,” I begin, my voice as steady as I can make it but still filled with something raw, something completely vulnerable. “I never believed in fate until you. I never thought I could crave someone so deeply, so completely, that I would move heaven and earth just to keep them safe. But then you—” I exhale, shaking my head. “You came into my life, and everything changed. I don’t care if it’s fast. I know how long I have felt this way, deeply and completely for you. Only you.”
“I don’t care if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. The only thing that matters is that it makes sense to us. The only thing that matters is you.” Her breath hitches, her eyes gloss over with unshed tears. “I love you Nora. I want you for a lifetime, Qamari, and then some. I want to wake up to you, take care of you, love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
“I want your laughter, your stubbornness, your fire. And I swear to you, on my life, that you will never know fear again. That you will always be safe in my arms. I will give you all the protection that I am capable of. And I will destroy anyone that even looks at you like you are anything less than worthy of absolutely everything you deserve.”
I open the ring box, revealing the diamond ring nestled inside, with two small emeralds on either side. “So tell me, my love. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She lets out a shaky breath, then nods her head enthusiastically. “Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you Sayid!” I reach for her hand to slip the ring on her finger, but she is jumping up and down too quickly. She then launches herself into my arms, almost knocking me onto my heels as she whispers, “I love you.”
She pulls away so we can both steady ourselves upright. I slip the ring onto her finger and I keep a hold of her hand in mine. “But how did you know?” Her eyes crinkle with the cutest curiosity.
A slow smile tugs at my lips. “I called and asked Liam for his blessing. I knew his opinion was the one you valued the most.” Her laugh is a mix of disbelief and joy, tears slipping down her cheeks.
“You asked Liam for permission?” I nod. “He told me you always dreamed of being proposed to at a baseball game.” I cupped her cheek, brushing away the moisture on her skin. “I’d give you anything, my love. But this… I wanted this to be exactly how you dreamed it would be.”
“This is absolutely perfect. There is only one thing left I need now, one thing missing.” Her eyes deep with a mischievous gleam as she looks up at me through her thick lashes. “I need you inside of me again, making me feel complete.”
I can barely contain the sudden strain of my cock now pressing against my pants. I also needed inside of her. I needed that connection between us that makes everything else completely disappear. The roar of Fenway Park fades away, the only sound that matters is the rapid beat of her heart against mine as I kiss her. “Let’s go, Habibti.”
I can’t bear to pull my mouth away from hers the entire ride home. And by the time we are hidden in my private elevator, I am already taking her clothes off. I can’t get my eyes on her soft glowing skin fast enough.
I wanted to take her slow and tenderly, and really show her my devotion. But I also desperately want to thrust inside of her as fast as possible. Feeling the completeness around me. I want to be one with her, inseparable, just like how I want her by my side for the rest of our lives.