CALIX

Silence fell inside my car. Cass was painfully silent since we decided to leave town and be on our way.

I knew that my unexpected meeting with Gisele would lead to trouble but I didn't expect that Cass would be so mad at me.

Was she even mad at me in the first place?

I eyed her briefly before focusing my attention back on the road. So far, she had been stoic and sat stiffly in the shotgun seat. She was giving me the vibe of an icy companionship.

"Is everything okay, moro mou?" I asked conversationally.

"Of course," she replied impassively.

I hid my smile. A smart person would immediately realize that he had been entering dangerous territory with her answer and since I am a smart guy I am aware of it.

"You seem to be in a bad mood. Did you not have a pleasant lunch with your friend, Dan Takaaki?" I asked innocently while I had a guess what might be the reason for her bad mood.

Her dark eyes narrowed in my direction. If looks could only slit I've turned into pieces by now. "My lunch with him is fine. Thank you very much for asking."

I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from laughing out loud. Was it presumptuous of me to assume that the reason for her bad mood had something to do with my meeting with Gisele?

I've never seen her snap at me like this before. And if I have to be honest I was rather enjoying this more than I should have.  "Are you mad at me or something?"

"No."

I prevent myself from laughing out loud. Her one-word response to me was hilarious. She could deny it all her want but I knew for a fact that she was mad--even jealous, maybe.

Oh, wait... Is she?

"Cass," I said sanguinely, feeling suddenly blissfully happy. "Be honest with me. Are you mad because you saw me and Gisele--"

"Of course not!" Her sharp response drew my attention back to her. I stared at her with an arched brow.

"Are you sure?" I queried sardonically. "Because I can feel that you are furious at me  for some reason."

She snorted, crossing her arms in the middle of her chest. "Oh, please..."

"Cass."

"Eyes on the road, please. That last thing I want is to have a road accident with a distracted driver." She commented icily.

Normally, I should have been offended by the way she was questioning my driving skills. I prided myself that I hadn't into an accident since I got my license. But then, I also knew that she was just picking a fight so I decided to tease her more.

I whistled softly. "You know, Cass. There's no reason to be mad. My meeting with Gisele is completely unexpected. We just ran into each other."

She snorted, looking at her car window. "I am not remotely interested to know the details. Please spare me."

This time, I couldn't help it any longer. I laughed out loud at her unreasonable anger at me. "If I didn't know better I would assume that you are jealous, Cass."

She stared at me with wrath scorching in the depths of her eyes. "Excuse me?! Are you mad? Why would I be jealous in the first place?"

I parked the car on the side of the road. I felt elated seeing her reaction. She could deny all her wants but I knew for a fact that she was jealous and the thought made my heart triumphant.

I always assume that she still feels the same about me even though two years have already passed. I still hope that I still have a place in her heart after all that happened between us and it seemed that I still have.

She scowled in my direction. "Why did you stop the car? Drive. I want to go home now!"

"In a moment," I answered sanguinely. "I want to have a conversation with you first."

"In the side of the road?" She asked in disbelief.

I sighed deeply, preventing that naughty smile from showing on my face. I knew that she would get mad at me even more if she noticed that I was smiling for no apparent reason. "My Cass, you do know that I do love you, right?"

"I don't believe you." She said stubbornly.

The corner of my mouth curved with a smile. She was behaving like a child but she was still cute in my eyes. "You know in your heart that was only a harmless meeting. We just met unexpectedly and I decided to make my stance clear with her. I told her that I was no longer interested in dating her."

She stared at me as if she was measuring if I had been telling the truth. I gave her my most earnest look.

"From the start, you are the only woman I like even though you are busy chasing around my cousin and you don't see other people around you," I said bitterly, recalling those days that I have been watching her from afar with love in her eyes while looking at Loukas.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't even know that you were in love with me before! How can I? You are a notorious playboy. Dionne mention your affair once in a while to me--she complains that she lost track of your women. That you are seen with a different woman in your arms each week."

I winced upon hearing that. I think I need to have a word with my sister about this. She should be helping me to build my character with her friend instead of thrashing it like that. Besides, her assumption was exaggerated.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Mr. Spiridakou?" She asked saucily.

I threw a disapproving look in her direction. I knew my past behavior would come and bite me in the ass. Now I regret my past actions. "I know that half of Dionne's tale is untrue."

"Is it?" She raised an eyebrow in my direction as if it was a direct challenge. "Are you telling me that she's lying when she told me that you once slept with a woman who didn't even the name?"

I shifted in my seat as if my ass was on fire. What the hell Dionne had been telling her in the past about me? I cleared my throat. "Well, you see--"

"Is it true or not?" She demanded with sharp eyes that could kill me in an instant.

There was no other way but to be truthful. Besides, I didn't want to lie to her. "As I have said, I was drunk at that time and--what's with that look?"

I was sweating profusely even if the AC in the car was on full blast. Damn, I didn't sign up for this.

"What look?" She inquired with a sweet smile on her face. I never felt so scared to see a woman's smile in my life. "How can I trust a man who professed his love when he is a womanizer?"

"Hey! That's not true. Since we've been together I have been faithful to you. I never tempted to date another woman after you left."

My Cass gave me an are-you-certain look which forced me to reconsider my answer. "Um, well, that thing with Gisele is only one off. You see, it was all Dionne's idea to date another lady to forget you."

I'm sorry, monkey, but if I need to throw you out of the bus to save myself I would do it.

"So you're saying that it was all her idea?" She questioned skeptically.

"Yes!" I answered hurriedly. I would just have forgiveness for Dionne when I see her. For now, all I wanted was to save my ass. "You are the only woman I ever want you know that, do you?"

She gave me a challenging stare. "Why I should believe you?"

"Because I am telling the truth!" I said indignantly. "You are the woman I want to marry."

The astonishment on her face was palpable. In different circumstances I would laugh at the expression on her face right now--but not today. "A-Are you asking me?"

For the first time since our car ride, I felt I had the upper hand. It was time to make my move. I smirked devilishly in her direction as I slowly find to be at ease. "Why? If I ask will you even accept my proposal?"

She gave me a haughty look while her eyes began to twinkle with a smile. "How should I know how to answer you, you're not asking?"

"Is that a challenge?" I could feel that my blood was pounding in my ears.

She looked away but I couldn't miss the way her face was stained with color. "No. Not at all," she whispered under her breath.

I had already planned in mind how should I execute my proposal and I knew it was only a matter of time before that would happen. But knowing my Cass as I should have expected she threw a curveball in my direction. Now I have to alter my plans it may not be a romantic proposal as I am not a romantic guy but still...

"Where to?" I asked out of the blue. If moments ago I didn't want to be apart from her now it changes everything.

My goal was before this day ends I have an engagement ring securely placed on her finger. To do that, I need some time alone to execute my plan starting with purchasing the right engagement ring for her. It was a huge advantage that Loukas' wife was the manager of a well-known jewelry shop in town.

She stared at me curiously, probably wondering about the sudden change of topic. "I change my mind. I don't want to go home yet. Can you drive me to the hospital? I want to see my father."

That gave me pause for a moment. But then I reminded myself that I didn't want my resentment toward her father to ruin my plans for tonight. "As you wish, moro mou."

I changed gear and drove to the hospital where her father was. It was only a short drive and when we arrived Cass removed her seat belt. "Are you coming with me?"

I shook my head unclasping my seat belt too. "Nah. I have some errands to do. I may not be able to pick you up will that be okay with you?"

"Of course, I'll just book my transportation later."

"Let's have dinner together later." I invited you and I already have some ideas for the perfect settings for our dinner. I might need to pull some strings and ask the help of my cousin, some friends, and my sister to be able to become successful.

"Okay," she replied, still not suspecting what awaited her tonight. "Where?"

I got out of the driver's seat and opened her car door for her. "I'll text you the address later."

She glanced at me with distrustful eyes. "You're acting weird."

I suddenly felt nervous but I didn't let it show in my face. The last thing I wanted was for her to perceive my proposal tonight. I smiled brightly in her direction. "Am I?"

Her eyes narrowed while still looking at me with those pretty dark eyes. "Yes. You are not planning something, are you?"

The smile on my face faltered but I still managed to make a straight face. I held each side of her face with my hand. I couldn't resist the temptation and kissed her lovely lips. Also, it was a tactic to make her forget her suspicion.

I made sure to seduce her mouth with expertise so that all her distrust would go away. I didn't care if we were scene-making out in the hospital parking lot. I am just merely kissing my future wife.

Yeah, the thought made me smile. I like the sound of it. My future wife.

When I was finally satisfied I carefully broke our kiss. I could see the passion clouded her eyes and my cock was as hard as a rock. It didn't matter for now I have to focus on my plan. Because the next time I made love she is already my fiancee.

"I'll see you later, my love." I stole another kiss on her lips before leaving her standing still in the parking lot. I waved one last time before driving away.

I didn't waste my time as I called Sapphire asking her if she could accommodate me for engagement ring shopping which she was more than happy to do. She even squeaked over the phone congratulating me in advance.

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "I am not even sure if she will accept my proposal."

"Oh, I'm sure she will," Sapphire replied confidently. "Oh, this is going to be great. Another Spiridakou wedding."

Once I arrived at the St. Clair Diamonds, Sapphire was already at the entrance waiting for me.

"You don't have to wait for me," I informed her while hugging her.

"I am super happy for you, Calix, and Cassie. Finally. Come, I already prepared the engagement rings that might suit Cassie in the private room. All you have to do is pick what you like. Though, normally, I would suggest that it is best if you have a custom-made ring for her but this is unexpected I assure you that the rings I choose are the best of the best."

"I know this is so sudden," I admitted sheepishly. "But I don't think I can wait any longer. I already lost her once I don't want to repeat the experience."

"I understand," Sapphire said compassionately. "Come, let's pick an engagement ring for Cassie."

The whole process was more stressful than I initially thought. Everything Sapphire presented where beautiful but I was having a hard time picking the right one.

"Perhaps you want to see a non-traditional design," Sapphire pulled another velvet ring display box.

Immediately, among the sparking engagement rings, I plucked the first one that caught my eye. It was a pear-shaped ring with tiny diamonds surrounding the center stone.

"Excellent choice," Sapphire said. "This kind of engagement ring is on trend. That one is a five-carat clear-cut diamond."

"I'll get this one." I knew without a doubt that this would look good on Cass's hand.

After buying that ring that nearly wiped off my bank account. I went to my cousin's office on the top floor to ask for some favors.

Loukas was more than happy to help me. "Of course, I will help you."

"Do you think you can pull it off?" I asked skeptically.

My cousin gave me a sardonic look. "Of course. I can pull some strings for you, cousin. As it happens, I know who owns that old monastery that you want to use at the top of the hill. Wait, I'll just going to give him  a call."

After that, everything became a blur with the preparation for the romantic dinner. There was a time when I thought that we might run out of time because there was so much to do. Dionne was insisting that everything should be perfect.

By the time everything was ready and Cass was on her way here riding the helicopter owned by our family I was nervous as hell.

"You okay?" Loukas asked as they were here to help us set up the garden of this old monastery. "You look like you are about to pass out."

"Shut up," I hissed. He wasn't helping with my nervousness.

He laughed, tapping my shoulder. "Well, good luck. We will be in the kitchen and have some wine to give you privacy. The camera is already set up to capture the moment."

I nodded, once I was alone in the romantically decorated garden I could finally hear the roar of the helicopter about to make a landing on the helipad nearby.

I went to pick up the woman I love. I watched the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on step out of the chopper with wide eyes while staring back at me.

"What's going on? What's the meaning of this?" She asked looking around the beautiful monastery.

I grinned at her. "Didn't I tell you that we're having dinner tonight?"

"In here? We're having dinner in this place?" Her voice was filled with astonishment.

"Yes. Do you like it?" I offered my hand as I led her to the dinner set-up in the garden. I have to thank Dionne and Sapphire for the beautiful set-up. Even got an earful lecture from my sister for planning an impromptu proposal with Cass.

"Oh, my God..." My Cass muttered under her breath when she saw the garden. She was about to turn around to look at me when I was already on one knee in front of her presenting the ring inside the small velvet box. "Oh, shi--" her hands flew to her mouth.

"Cassandra Vitalis," my voice croaked. I have to clear my throat to get my voice back to normal. "Cass, I love you from the moment I first laid my eyes on you like a goddess who came down to earth. Will you marry me?"

Tears started to stream down her eyes. "Yes. Yes. Yes! I will marry you, Calix Spiridakou."

All my anxiety went down the drain as I let out a triumphant smile. I stood up and with shaking hands, I slipped the engagement ring on her finger.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and our mouths met for a kiss. I never thought that I would achieve such happiness in my life. Finally, the woman I always wanted was now truly mine.

"You made me the happiest man, my love," I told her with misted eyes.

"So do I, darling," she said with a smile. "I love you, Calix."

"I love you more, Cass..." 

Later that night, as we celebrate our engagement. My fiancée wore nothing in bed except the sparkling engagement ring on her finger as I made love to her all night long...