Chapter 7 A NIGHT OF RED AND ROSES

The days after Mira's departure were heavy on me. I tried to ignore the uneasiness that came with our last conversation. Bryan, on the other hand, became more attached, he never passed up a chance to be with me. Whether it was during his recovery sessions, meals, or when we would sit in the garden relaxing. I noticed how he touched me softly at every chance he got and how he would help me tuck my stray curls behind my ears. If he was falling for me, he didn't have a good way of hiding it, and honestly, I was falling for him too.

But I was hesitating; I thought of Mira and how she had not tried to reach me or agreed to speak with me on the phone whenever I called our home line. The next time I called, our mother answered, I could hear Mira's voice in the background but she walked away when I requested to speak with her. Our mother requested to know what transpired at the mansion; she said that ever since Mira came back, she had been distant and unhappy but refused to speak to them about it.

I couldn't tell our mother that my sister was envious of me. So, I tried to dismiss the conversation and told her it was nothing she should worry about. She wasn't convinced by my words; knowing her girls like the back of her palm, she addressed me with concern and firmness.

"The difference between you two is that Mira has always been one who wants more than what she could afford. But you have always been the contented one; she sees you for having everything she ever wanted". I remained silent as she spoke. "Don't allow her guilt trip you from reaching for something beautiful; only follow your heart, and peace will find you." Her words stuck in my heart.

As the sun was setting that evening, the housekeeper, Mrs. Divan, came to my quarters with a package she claimed was from Mr. Bryan. It was an elegant red box, wrapped with a glittering ribbon and she handed me the box.

With curiosity, I opened the package. It contained an elegant red dinner gown; it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen and there was a note. I picked it up and it read;

"Please meet outside at 7:00 pm. From Bryan".

Excitement and anticipation swirled within me as I read the contents of the note.

I dressed up and stepped out at exactly 7:00 pm; the gown complimented my figure, and the texture felt soft and comfortable on my skin as if it had been made for me; as much as I was anxious, I felt very comfortable in the dress. I wore my hair up, styled as simply and fashionably as I could.

When I got outside, I saw Bryan waiting for me beside a sleek limousine, standing with the support of his walking cane. He looked very handsome in a nicely sewn suit and his silk hair was nicely made. His eyes widened with admiration as he watched me walk up to him.

"You look dazzling". He said with a wide smile on his face, and he took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

I felt a rush of excitement and comfort swirling up from within me. We had a smooth and silent ride in the limousine. Bryan's attention was focused on me the whole time and this made me very shy.

I gasped when we arrived at the restaurant. It was the most expensive establishment in Queens. It had golden lights and marble pillars that screamed sophistication. Bryan held my hand and led me inside to a private table draped in golden linen that was reserved for us with a centerpiece of red roses.

We talked and laughed throughout our dinner. But Bryan was nervous the whole time. He tapped his fingers against his cocktail glass and this gave me a feeling of worry.

But just as the desert arrived, he brought out a small velvet box from his pocket. He stood up, holding his cane for support. He came to my side and right there, he went down on one knee. My breath seized as he began to speak.

"Dear Tessy, from the first day I set my eyes on you, I fell in love with you, you are different from every other woman I have ever come across. You are humble, strong, and kind. You changed my world when you came into it and you made me see life from a different view. I don't want to live the rest of my life without you in it". He said in a shaky voice.

Hot tears blurred my vision as I listened to him. I could not believe the man I had fallen in love with at first sight also felt the same.

He hesitated for a moment but kept his gaze locked on me before continuing. "I want you in my life to be a part of me. I want to be with you every single day, now and forever".

He opened the box and brought out a magnificent diamond ring that sparkled under the chandelier lights.

"Please, Tessy Dawn, will you marry me?".

I nodded as tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't find my voice at first.

I finally said, "Yes, Bryan, I will marry you, over and over again," and I saw his eyes light up with excitement. I stretched out my trembling hands and he slid the ring on my finger.

Our ride home was intense; we stared at each other with longing, and when we arrived home, Bryan took me by the hand inside his chambers without speaking a word; he didn't need to. He pulled me into his arms and left me breathless as his lips captured mine in a passionate and consuming kiss. We made love, lost in the promise of forever and I knew this was meant to be.