Chapter 5 The Proposal

Today, Sean came to my house to ask for my guest list. After Yesterday we measured the ring and ordered the invitation; today, he and I had to take it to the printer to complete the printing request. We sat on the couch in the living room, looking at the list of names we were going to invite to the wedding.

I handed him my list of names, and he frowned.

"Why only a little?" he asked to which I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I don't have many friends," I mumbled, Sean, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"Are you ashamed of this marriage?"

I was surprised and a little offended by the question. What does Sean mean by saying, 'I'm ashamed of this marriage?' Instead, I feel like the luckiest woman to be married to a billionaire.

"No, I don't have many friends; they're all just acquaintances, unlike you." I glanced at the guest list he had made.

"Why most men?" he asked again. Oh, God! What's wrong with this guy??

"Isn't that right? Isn't that great? They can tell I'm yours now," I commented, looking at him, trying not to upset him. Sean put my guest list on the top of his list; then, unexpectedly, he kissed me a little harshly and passionately.

I was getting used to his treatment; I wrapped my arms around his sturdy neck, one of his hands squeezed my breasts, my passion sped up, and my groin throbbed. Sean's kiss moved to my neck and continued down to my chewy mound wrapped in a bra; I shamelessly sighed his name; this was so delicious, millions of flying butterflies tickled my stomach. Sean unhooked my bra, which was in front of me, without realizing it when my shirt button was fully open. My position is now on the sofa, and Sean is fondling my chewy mound; I squeeze his hair while enjoying the caress, my groin is throbbing, and my body wants more. I hear the sound of a car entering the garage, and my eyes open in surprise.

"Sean, ah." I tried to fight this pleasure, but Sean's kiss touched my stomach.

"Sean, Mom." I stifled a sigh; Sean's kiss stopped in front of my groin, which was still covered in hotpants, I heard the sound of a car door closing, and we hurried to fix our appearance; Sean kissed the top of my breasts before he hooked my bra back on.

"Mine," he whispered sensually in front of my twin mountains; I held my breath for a moment, then exhaled again when Sean re-attached my bra and helped button my shirt; Mama came after a few seconds we finished cleaning.

"Wow, who's being intimate? Mama's jealous...," Mama mocked; I took a deep breath and then chuckled; I glanced at Sean, who was smiling, holding back his laughter.

"How was the invitation? Is it done?" asked Mom.

"Today will be, Mom," I answered.

"Yes, Mama, go to the room first; I want to rest for a while," said Mama, then left before us; I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Can I continue with that?"

One hit landed on Sean's arm, and the man groaned in pain.

"Feel it! Who told you to be perverted," I snapped, squinting my eyes in disgust.

"But you want?!" Sean giggled; I pouted my lips; he's annoying when he's in his annoying mode like this. He tucked my hair hanging down from my face behind my ear. He grabbed my chin and made me look at him momentarily, then kissed me again like a few moments ago. I tried to push his body, but it had no effect; I feared Mama would see us. When the kiss returned to my neck, I tried to make Sean stop.

"I'll see you later, Sean!" I said, trying to hold back my sigh.

"I want you now, Ariana," Sean pleads against my neck.

"Not now," I said, and Sean pulled his face away from my neck and looked at me.

"Why??"

I bit my lip nervously; I was not ready to do it anyway; he would be my first man if he did it after we married.

"I'm... not ready yet," I admitted, embarrassed; I looked at Sean nervously mixed with embarrassment; I knew he had often had sex with women.

"Have you ever had sex with a man before?"

I don't know what color my face is now; hearing that vulgar question, I'm embarrassed. I shook my head while looking down; Sean lifted my chin; he looked at me with a look I couldn't understand.

"Is that true??" he asked as if he didn't believe me. I turned my head and tried to shift my thoughts and attention to our guest list. I'm embarrassed; this is the first time a man has asked so openly about my sex life. Sean grabbed one of my hands which was currently holding the paper; he put the paper I was holding on the table, and he kissed my fingers which were in his grip.

"I want to be the first for you," Sean said while looking at me sincerely; I was stunned. I suddenly hesitated to make a decision.

"Not now; I'm not ready." That's all I can say, and it's a fact. Giving up one's virginity is not like giving up a packet of candy. Still, it's about the dignity and honor of a woman.

***

On our way to the printing press, Sean was still curious about my sex life and relationship. I started to open up to him, it's better than hiding something from him, but can I make him open up to me as I did?

"Sorry if I'm not what you imagined." Suddenly I was nervous because I was worried that Sean didn't like women like me; I was clumsy and not like women in today's world who have a comprehensive and accessible relationship. Sean smiled, and that made me ask.

"Maybe that's why you became my family's ideal son-in-law candidate," said Sean; there was a little pride in me, but why only the prospective son-in-law? Why not a future wife?

"I once had a serious relationship with a woman but failed; maybe we weren't meant to be," he said; I just listened quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

We arrived at our destination, and after our business was finished, Sean took me to his office. All eyes seemed to judge me from head to toe as Sean and I entered the elegant skyscraper. As if understanding my nervousness, Sean pulled me closer to him.

"It's a good thing you don't have fans in this office so that I can breathe a sigh of relief," he said as we were alone in the elevator.

"You don't like my fans, do you?" I asked; Sean put his hands in his pants pockets.

"I have a problem with people being mean to other people," he excused, I felt he was jealous, but I still had my doubts about this assumption.

"I'm just trying to appreciate people who want to support me while I'm in my profession; for me, fans are an important part of someone who has a job in Entertainment."

I don't mean to defend anyone; it's just that I want to appreciate the people who have supported me all this time.

"After we get married, you don't need your fans anymore," he concluded in a tone that didn't want to be disputed; the look on his face changed the atmosphere around me into an uncomfortable one; how profound is the impact the fans have on him? My Inner Goddess folded her lips into her mouth.

Sean held my hand as we walked out of the elevator. I love the warm grip of his hand, and it protects my little hand. Sean introduced me to his secretary, and I disapproved of him having a female secretary.

"Could you change your secretary?" I asked as we entered his cozy study. Sean looked at me questioningly.

"Why? She is a competent person in doing his job." Sean sat in his work chair while I sat on the sofa. I feel embarrassed, stupid, and nervous simultaneously, but I also have to put a rule here; after he wanted me to quit my profession and hate my fans, I felt I also had the right to neutralize my jealousy.

Wait a minute, am I jealous??

I am so embarrassed! My Inner Goddess blushed as she fanned her face gracefully.

"I think I have a problem with a female secretary led by a male boss like you," I said as I folded my arms in front of my chest; I turned my face to look at one of my shoulders.

"Problems?? What problems can arise between the boss and the secretary?"

I feel stupid voicing my opinion. I was too embarrassed to embarrass myself by forcing myself to admit I was jealous. My mood suddenly changed drastically; handsome master mood changer; this is very annoying.

"I've heard that the boss has an affair with his secretary," I guessed.

"That's ridiculous, Ariana."

"That's not ridiculous; I don't want to have that problem in the future; what is the worst thing in a relationship besides betrayal?"

"You're beautiful when you're angry and jealous simultaneously."

Look, he teases me when I'm angry. How annoying is this? Are men really like this?

"I'm not changing my secretary," he concluded, and I was disappointed. I woke up feeling angry mixed with disappointment.

"Then don't forbid me to meet my fans and leave my profession," I said, then stepped out of the room that was no longer comfortable for me.

When the elevator door was about to close, I saw Sean trying to chase after me, but in vain; the elevator had brought me down to the lobby. I wouldn't say I like it when I'm the only one who has to follow the rules. My feet took me to the bus stop near Sean's office, my cell phone rang, and I knew it was from him.

Why am I jealous?? Is it because he is also jealous of my fans?? But that's just my assumption, but the signs are like jealous people.

I visited a cafe owned by a close friend; countless visits to this place; when I wanted to be alone and think about something, this place became my choice. The cafe owner, a tall man with a pleasant smile, greets me; Eden always greets me with that smile when I come here.

"Wouw! Look, who's coming, our dazzling future millionaire," Eden exclaimed, which made me roll my eyes; I knew he was mocking me.

"Where's your future husband? Why don't you bring him here?" Eden acted like she was looking for someone.

"He's busy," I lied; I immediately distracted him with my order.

Eden also accompanied me to talk; I always liked to spill my thoughts on him.

"Women are very possessive of the man they love."

I think he's going too far to jump to conclusions.

"Me? Love him? Ed, we even met a few days ago at that sudden matchmaking event."

Eden looks at me with his patient attitude, which I like about him. He can be patient with me when I argue with him.

"You're getting married, Ana; you must know that it's no joke, and you're trying to take defensive steps because he's the same way about you; you're trying to make your relationship work later."

I sighed and asked myself, why didn't Eden become a psychiatrist and open a consultation service? I envy Carmen-his wife-who has a husband like Eden. The man's cell phone rang, and he begged to say goodbye to answer his cell phone call. Thinking back to Eden's words, I agree; I tried to make our relationship work without any problems initially; I tried to give a warning just like he did.

Eden returned, and we continued this severe conversation. I'm like consulting a psychiatrist right now about how to understand a relationship and the behavior it causes.

"I know you feel you are not getting justice here, but try to understand; maybe his judgment is right; he knows better about the people he works with."

"I'm trying to minimize the reproach for strangers trying to ruin my household, that's all; I admit his decision for me to quit the world that raises my name is a solid assumption, but isn't it worth my request???!" I don't know why I'm still trying to defend my actions.

"I think you have to look at it from all angles; you have to talk to him; you have to talk."

Talk to him??! I'm prestige. A couple entered the cafe and several other diners; it gave me a long pause to think while Eden was busy preparing food accompanied by a female and male employee. I stared out the glass wall, my first time in a relationship, a massive leap for me to not have to waste so much time dating, but I also felt this was a little rash. Without realizing it, Sean was sitting where Eden sat before; I was surprised when he looked at me with his gaze, which always gave deep reactions to my soul.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked; I nodded; maybe Eden was right; we should talk.

"I'm just trying to keep our relationship going with a little risk going forward," I said, voicing my thoughts.

"Me too," he whispered, which surprised me. He has the same desire as me; my Inner Goddess is like a teenager who a young man has just given romantic words.

"I'll try to consider your proposal, but changing employees isn't as easy as changing underwear; if he's competent, it's going to be very difficult."

Sean took my hand and held it; there was a seriousness in his eyes, and like magic, that made me want to do anything for this man.

"I want you, Ariana, more than you know; you're like a new hope to me."

I was taken aback, and the bubble of hope inside me slowly grew. I stared at his beautiful golden eyes, trying to find something to argue with. Still, something inside of me seemed to melt away, and a warm feeling slowly filled me.

"Marry me, Ariana."

And I was like being showered by thousands of rose petals with a heavenly fragrance, a man I never even imagined present proposed and asked me to marry him; this is more than just listening to your lottery number being mentioned and then getting the grand prize, all the debates that I had prepared just disappeared, and the offer became the solution to this problem.