Epilogue #4
I dressed for him tonight. I am wearing my new hot fuchsia pink dress, it’s off-shoulder with lots of frilly layers forming the skirt of the dress that sits way above my knees.
I paired it with my nude Louboutins so I look taller when I stand next to Ryan.
My hair is falling down my hips loosely in a natural wavy look.
My makeup highlights my eyes but the rest of my face is plain.
I can’t wait for Ryan to peel the layers of my skirt.
Ryan holds a bouquet of red roses in his hand as he strides to our table, giving me his sexy dimpled lopsided grin. While a lot of women at the adjacent tables turn to admire him, his eyes are fixed on me.
Pride fills my stance as I see the confident successful man Ryan has become in the last two years.
The way his eyes roam over me, I can tell he likes my dress.
“Hey, beautiful. I love you,” he says, handing me the flowers and bending to kiss my cheek.
I hear the ohhs and ahhs from my mother and my cousins as he takes the seat next to me.
“He’s bringing her flowers on my birthday. Something’s fishy. Ryan, what’d you do now?” my dad jabs from the other end of the table.
“Be nice to my son,” Marcy, Ryan’s mother, warns my father while Owen sniggers.
My parents have been including Marcy and Owen in all our family gatherings.
While Marcy and my mother get along like a house on fire, she and my father always end up bickering like siblings.
Owen fits right in with my family as well, he is teaching my father how to play poker these days.
“Oh, I’m simply buttering her up before I give her the news,” Ryan replies to my father. “Happy birthday, sir.”
“Thank you, son. I loved the gift by the way.” My father grins. I have no idea what Ryan bought him. He said it was hand-delivered to my father this morning. It must be good because my father looks very smug at this moment.
But my heart beats faster as I consider what Ryan just said. Placing the flowers on the table, “What news are you referring to?” I ask Ryan, clutching his hand tightly.
“Oh look, isn’t that Mason?” Ryan says, squinting his eyes toward the other end of the room. I turn to where he is looking and sure enough, our friends are sitting a few tables away from us, blissfully chatting away.
“Let’s go and say hello,” Ryan says, pulling on my hand.
“Actually, invite them over to celebrate. The more the merrier,” my father adds. Just like that Ryan’s best friends and their partners join our table.
While the hotel staff rearrange the seating and add plates and cutlery for our guests, Aariv questions, “So how did the meeting go?”
I break out in a cold sweat when Ryan turns to me. “I signed with them for another year. Double pay.”
He signed already. Without even talking to me.
Everyone around the table starts to congratulate him, some walk up to him to give him a hug and pat his back. Every single person is genuinely happy for him. He is surrounded by so many people, while I suddenly feel so alone.
Excusing myself, I run toward the restrooms. I need a moment alone to myself. As I walk toward the narrow corridor that leads to the ladies’ room, I spot the glass door on the opposite wall. The view of the ocean and clashing waves is calling me to come out.
Without a second thought, I open the door and step on the wooden planks that lead to the jetty.
The salty, chilly wind roars around me and I take a deep breath, letting the ocean fill my lungs.
It’s freezing outside, the cold is making me shiver but it is still better than going back inside.
I cannot fake being happy with Ryan’s decision.
I step forward and climb the jetty, simply because I want to look at the waves and wait for this helpless emotion that is choking me right now to pass.
With slow shaky steps, I lead down the path on the jetty when a hand tightens around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
My heartbeat falters. He came looking for me.
“Why did you leave?” he asks, shunning all small talk.
“I need a minute alone.”
“Why?”
“Ryan, I’m a grown-ass woman. If I want some alone time, I’m not waiting for your permission.” My back is turned toward him and he can’t see the turmoil written on my face.
His hand that circles my wrist moves to hold my palm. My palm is face down on his, he is not gripping me anymore, he is holding me. My hand is so easily contained inside his large hand.
“I can’t read your mind, baby. Sometimes you’ve got to tell me with words how I can fix things,” he says, sounding pensive.
“There’s nothing to fix.” I take in a shaky breath.
“Do you doubt my love for you?”
“No.” I grip his hand tight and sigh loudly.
A pause ensues and when he speaks next, there is so much vulnerability in his voice.
“Are you planning on leaving me again?”
“What? No.” I turn to look at him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good. Because convincing my future father-in-law and getting his approval is like living with appendicitis pain. I don’t want to go through that again.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Ethan march toward us with his guitar.
My other cousin, Jet, is carrying his saxophone with him, walking beside my father and mother.
Owen and Marcy smile brightly at me, approaching the jetty.
Behind them are Aariv, Zoe, Jake, and Mason.
My cousins, Violet and Mara, my aunts and uncles are next to follow out of the doors of the restaurant.
“Why’s everyone walking out? It’s so cold outside,” I ask frowning, but Ryan tilts my face with his other hand, pulling my gaze back to him.
“Do you love me?” Ryan asks, turning me around so my back is to the restaurant and I am facing the waves as he stands before me. I can’t see where my folks are headed, but I want to tell them to go back inside because I still want to celebrate tonight.
“Do you love me, Ishika?”
“You know I do. You are right, you can’t read my mind.”
“So there is something that’s bothering you.” He moves closer.
“Yes, there is. I don’t want to spend my days without you. I have tried to tell you this before but you don’t seem to understand when I drop hints. I don’t want you to extend your contract with the network. Why can’t you do something close to home? I know I am being selfish but...”
“Love is supposed to be selfish. I’ll be damned the day you stop being selfish about me.”
“I’m glad you agree because that was a dick move when you signed with the network without talking to me first. We are a couple; don’t you think I should get a say in decisions that affect our relationship?
If my boyfriend plans to spend his days traveling while I wait for him at home, that is not exactly my idea of a perfect relationship.
I don’t want to be your weekend fuck toy. ”
Oh! How quickly his face hardens at that. His anger glowers as he almost flinches.
“Watch that mouth, Ishika. You’re beginning to piss me off.”
“Fine. I’ll buy a rabbit or star fish, or rose, what ever is the latest sex toy, the pleasure gadgets for lonely ladies are plenty.
The next time I miss you, I’ll use your replacement.
Come home whenever you want. There are always tools of virtual reality that we can incorporate in our already existing, super long-distance relationship.
I’m gonna change your name on my phone from Permanent Boyfriend to Temporary Fuckboy. ”
“Jesus, will you lemme explain? I signed the contract only because they want to film locally. This season is about local weekend escapes in New Jersey, it’s like ten episodes and then we are done.
I’m not leaving town; I don’t plan on traveling unless you can join me.
I’m sick of long distance too. I’m going to be home with you every night, but I should have checked with you before signing the contract.
I thought you would like the surprise, I am sorry. ”
“Wait! So you won’t leave town every Monday morning?”
“I won’t.”
“And you’ll cook for me every night?”
“Yes, baby.”
“You’ll vacuum and clean and mop, too?”
“We have a fortnightly cleaner. Did you forget that?”
“Okay. Apology accepted. I do love you.”
“Good. So you still want my cock?” he asks so seriously.
“Yes, please.”
“So no rabbits or rodents. Just me, then?”
“Affirmative.”
I giggle when he wipes the fake sweat off his eyebrows and lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Let’s go back inside,” I say.
“Actually, I have something to ask. I have been thinking about us a lot,” he says, waving to someone behind me to come forward. When I try to turn my neck to see who he is calling for, he holds my jaw. “Eyes on me, baby.” He smirks, giving me his dimple.
My eyes widen when he produces a black velvet box out of his pocket and goes down on one knee.
“Oh my God.” I clamp my hands to my mouth. He is going to propose in front of our families and friends.
Ethan begins a tune on his guitar and Jett starts a jazz tempo. Mason whistles. Aariv hollers. Jake oddly breaks out in a dance number. It takes Mason and Aariv combined to make him stop.
My father smiles so proudly at me. My mother looks like she is going to cry.
In the skies above a lightning bolt strikes and the thunder booms, tiny drops of rain start to fall down upon us. The barely-there drizzle is not strong enough to soak our clothing, but the cold air adds to the assault when it touches our skin.
“Hurry up, Harper, my balls are freezing. You couldn’t pick a warmer day, could ya?” This from Jake.
“Bro, no hard feelings but I can’t get wet for you. My manhood doth protests too much,” Mason adds.
“Shit, he forgot the lines again. He forgot the lines. Worst timing, my man. Somebody prompt him what to say,” Aariv announces to the crowd.
“Don’t worry, big brother. I got you protection.
Umbrellas for everyone.” Owen hoots walking over, handing out colorful umbrellas to everyone.
I have no idea how Owen manages to bring out this many umbrellas.
Owen comes closer to me and puts a yellow umbrella over my head while his big brother waits in the rain.
I would be lying if I said I am not enjoying this. The circle of our family and friends, beautiful rain, crashing waves, and Mr. Scrumptious, Ryan Harper, on his knee before me.
“Fuckers, shut up for a moment? I didn’t forget the lines,” Ryan yells, but his smile is so infectious that I’m grinning too.
“Can I stop playing? It’s not like anyone’s listening,” Ethan asks.
“Keep playing,” my father shouts. “Ryan got me tickets for the Cricket World Cup series. If anyone deserves to be my son-in-law, it’s this man.”
“They all knew.” My jaw drops in surprise.
“Yes girl, do you know how hard it is to keep a secret? I was bursting to tell you all week,” Zoe chirps, bouncing up and down with her orange umbrella.
Ryan clears his throat loudly and everyone stops talking. “So, Ishika, I was saying.”
“Yeah, what were you saying?” I laugh out now, equally nervous and excited all at once.
“Remember the first time I kissed you in the rain? The thunder and lightning. The pouring rain and you in the center of it all. I made a silent wish that night even though I was too afraid to believe in it myself. I wished that you would be mine. Forever. You made that wish come true when you agreed to love me back. I have another wish today that only you can fulfill. Ishika Fernandes, will you accept my ring and agree to become my wife?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh my God, finally. Yes.” I push my hand closer to him.
“My daughter was always impatient, but that is kind of borderline, desperate crazy.” Dad chuckles.
But who cares if I am crazy, I got my ring. I got my man. I am so madly in love.
Ryan places the ring on my ring finger and kisses my hand. His eyes holding mine full of so many raw emotions. I drop to the ground and leap on him. Wrapping my arms around him, I kiss him deep and long, closing my eyes. My ring is a beautiful, oval diamond solitaire, bound in a platinum knot.
Our family and friends laugh loudly and cheer, screaming congratulations.
The rain gears up speed and sharp droplets drench and soak into our bodies as we grope each other hungrily, shamelessly, and selfishly. We kiss in the rain, like we did two years ago, only this time, I have no doubt in my mind that he is mine. To have and to hold.
When I open my eyes, I realize we are alone and everyone has gone back indoors to have dinner.
“Remember how I ate your pussy in the rain?”
My cheeks blush at the memory. “How can I forget?”
“Care for a refresher? Your fiancé would like to feast on your pussy.”
“This dress cost me a fortune and I want my fiancé to ruin this dress.”
“Obviously. You think I haven’t thought about doing exactly that this whole time. My mind’s been running overtime since I saw you in this dress.”
We run in the rain, giggling and holding hands until we reach his car. Once I am buckled up, he turns up the heat. We start our journey home.
“That piece of land you gave me this morning, why that?” I should have known he was putting some thought into his gift. It was a gesture of something more significant.
“That land is yours, it’s a foundation for something permanent. I don’t care whether you use it to build your clinic or build a home. It’s a token of my hard work, my ability to be able to give the girl I love something permanent that you can call your own.”
“Thank you.” It must have cost him a fortune to secure that land. This is the first big thing he brought in two years so it means he was saving up for this too. “You think of everything, don’t you?”
“My beautiful girl deserves the best. I want to give you all that you ever dreamed of.” He takes my hand and kisses my ring, then he places it over his heart as he drives his car.
“See how it beats for you. I can’t wait for you to become my wife.
I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives together. ”
“I love my ring, it’s so beautiful. I love you, Ryan Harper. Oh! You know since you want to give me all that I ever dreamed of, you should fuck me in this business suit tonight. And after our first round, I want waffles and your sausage dipped in maple syrup.”
The End.