Strictly Professional

57: Daydream

ELLE
When You Came Into My Life-Scorpions

A simple, one worded answer to a singular question.

That was all it would take for my life to change. And even though girls were expected to anticipate the moment that would happen and dream about it, I hadn't allowed myself to do that. Part of the reason could have been growing up witnessing a miserable, toxic marriage first hand. Even from a young age, I was having trouble picturing such a drastic change. Not until him, not until everything we've gone through, not until I realised how much love I was capable of feeling for a man. His question rang in my ears right after it was spoken.

"Elle, will you please marry me?" Please, as if he was really expecting I'd reject him, I'd turn my back to him. When he knelt there, so vulnerable and exposed, holding a ring his mother gave to him for this exact moment. I was taking too long to answer, panic barely creeping into his gaze. But the sole reason I was struggling to speak was because of how overwhelmed I was. I released a heavy breath, accidentally letting out a sound that resembled a sob. I've never felt my heart pound so hard, to the point of almost choking me. Quickly, I covered my mouth and nodded. Forcing my voice to cooperate, I barely managed to choke out a verbal answer.

"Yes. Yes, I'll marry you." My voice cracked on its way up my throat, but I didn't care. All I cared about at that moment was the way his whole face lit up. It was enough to make me feel like I was ready to burst with happiness.

"Really?" He sprang up, a wide grin plastered on his face. I couldn't resist laughing a bit at how shocked he looked. I cradled his face, taking the one step I needed to close the space between us.

"Yes, really." I pressed my lips to his, taking notice of how his entire body seemed to relax, his arms wrapping around my waist. It was a soft, quick kiss, neither of us making a move to deepen it. I pulled back a few seconds later, nudging his nose with my own.

"I'd love to be your wife." Saying it felt surreal, thinking about it happening was something I doubt will sink in any time soon. He smiled softly, his eyes glistening in the moonlight.

"That's such a relief to hear, darling. God, I'm so excited." He pulled me into his chest, bowing his head into my neck as he wrapped both arms around me. I sighed in contentment, allowing him to squeeze me into his embrace for as long as he wanted to. I squeezed him right back, pinching my eyes shut as I breathed in his bergamot cologne, a scent so familiar and comforting to me. I knew that deep down, he was scared I'd say no again. And unlike last time when I had to contemplate my answer for a few seconds, this time there wasn't a single doubt in my head. I wanted this. I wanted him. For the rest of my life.

He took a small step backwards, unravelling his arms from around me and breaking the snug embrace. Looking down, I watched him as he carefully took the ring out of the box before closing it, shoving it back into his pocket. He lifted my left hand, which was evidently shaking. That put the tiniest bit of a proud smirk on his face. Even at times like this, he found immense satisfaction in knowing his actions always had a way of affecting me.

Looking up at me, he brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles before holding it between our chests, sliding the ring on my finger. The gold was cool against my skin, the diamonds heftier than what I expected. It would take a while for me to get used to wearing it. But I was mesmerized with how it looked against my skin, what it represented, what it meant for him to have me wear it. And it was the first time I'd actually really took in it's intricate design, realising the placement of the stones resembled the shape of a flower.