*****

"Love is blind; friendship tries not to notice."

*****

Sharleen stared blankly at the pot of flowers that was in her tiny hands. Ever since she accepted Kevin's marriage proposal she had been at war with her conscience.

Marrying Kevin was the right thing to do. Kevin had helped her father with a big case that had almost left her family bankrupt. He was a good lawyer, and a kind man at that. He even went as far as making his dad get a compensation from the case, money which brought the family business back to its feet.

So when one day Kevin came to visit the family and he found interest in her, her family couldn't be happier. They pleaded with Sharleen to give Kevin a chance, and because she didn't want to disappoint her parents neither did she want to disappoint the man that had shown her family kindness through a difficult time, she agreed.

The dates she had with Kevin were fun and amazing. Kevin did not do anything inappropriate and acted like a true gentleman.

Though he was busy with work in the weekdays, he ways managed to find time in the weekends and they would either have lunch or dinner together. Sometimes they would just walk in the park eating ice-cream and telling each other random stories and jokes.

Her parents were happy to see the progress made by the two kids. Her father, Nelson, even went as far as telling her that she will never get a better man than Kevin as her husband.

One day after their afternoon date, Kevin went away with her dad saying they were going to have 'the men talk' before Kevin left. Sharleen brushed it off as some business talk and went to help her mother preparing dinner.

During dinner, Sharleen sensed something was off. Her dad who always was talkative while at the dinning table was surprisingly quiet. She thought maybe it was from his 'men talk' with Kevin but she was not sure.

"So, how are you and Kevin?" Nelson asked out of nowhere.

Sharleen who was caught offguard, tried to quickly formulate an answer in her mind. "Ahh... We're fine. He's been a... good friend." She answered carefully not knowing the sudden interest her father had in her relationship with Kevin.

"Kevin is a good man sweetie, and a man like that doesn't stay single for long. I would advice you to seize this opportunity." Her father advised, a serious look on his face.

"Dad, we've only known each other for a month now, i agree he is a good person and a good friend but i don't think i am ready to take that step yet." She tried reasoning with her father.

"Think about it sweetie, you know we want what's best for you, and i think Kevin is the one." Her father advised.

"Let her be Nelson, she's a big girl now. Honey, when you fall in love you will know, trust me." Her mother patted her hand and smiled at her. Sharleen gave her own smile in return and went back to eating her meal.

The following week Kevin called on Friday and told her that their next date, the following day on Saturday, was supposed to be a special one and that she was supposed to be prepared by 7:00pm.

When Saturday came, Sharleen couldn't have been more prepared. She had been ready ten minutes earlier than the time he said, waiting for him.

She had worn a red dress and matching shoes. On her face she applied minimal makeup even though she preferred none at all on a normal day. She was sure she looked beautiful, even her mother had complimented her before the walked out after hearing Kevin's car engine outside.

Kevin on the other hand looked handsome in his black suit as he walked out his car to come pick his date. "You look beautiful, Sharleen. Am the luckiest man tonight." He commented grinning as he approached her.

"You don't look too bad yourself Mr. Man" She teased back. "Where are you taking me for the date?" She asked hoping this time he would answer. He had told her it was a surprise but she was not a patient person. She trusted Kevin but she had this funny feeling in her stomach that she couldn't shake off.

"If i tell you then I would be ruining everything. Relax, beautiful lady, and let this young man spoil you tonight." He assured her, making her smile

"Well, okay. But i have to warn you that am already spoilt young man." She retorted giggling.

"And who is that who spoilt you if i may ask, oh beautiful lady?" He asked again amused that she was playing on.

"Ahh... It's my dad, my dad spoilt me. Aren't we going to be late?" She asked trying to change the subject.

"Sorry, i was still captivated by your beauty. Let's go." He led her to his car and being the gentleman he always is, he opened the door for her and she slid in mumbling a quick thank you. He also slid to the driver's side, revived the engine and drove her off to their date that changed her future - literary.

Kevin packed the car outside the most expensive restaurant in their town. Luxury. She had never entered the restaurant and there were rumors that the food here was crazy expensive and only the stinking rich could be able to afford, AND to enter you needed a reservation. Was this the like a cult or something? She always wondered.

"Is this the surprise?" Sharleen asked not at all comfortable with going into THAT restaurant and mingling which rich fools who had nothing to do with their time and money.

"That's just half of it, you haven't received the real surprise yet." He answered with pride at what he had accomplished after setting their 'special date' and did not see the worry in her eyes.

Let's get this over with. You can do it. Sharleen thought to herself while he escorted her to their table. The restaurant was too classy and expensive for her taste. It looked more of a place for holding business deals and not for romantic dates. Everyone was serious and businessy, no laughs, just some few fake smiles here and there.

"Well, do you like the place?" He asked, looking at her trying to judge her expression.

Sharleen calmed herself first since she was very nervous. "Yeah it's very beautiful." She answered truthfully. "Don't you think its a little expensive though?" She asked him with a worried expression. She did not like it that he was spending much money on her.

"Sometimes you forget your date is the best lawyer in town." he chuckled, "Money is not a problem and am happy that am spending it on you." He explained. "Take the menu and order anything you want, oh, and there will be a special dessert so gather enough appetite." He grinned.

Sharleen nearly dropped the menu when she saw the prices of the dishes. How can all these people waste so much money here while you could get the same dish at a tenth of the price in normal restaurants??

She did not understand at all. Damn rich people and their wastefulness. After a lot of thinking, she decided to order the least expensive dish that she could eat so as not to drain her date's pocket.

Kevin signalled the waiter who took their orders and after a little while their food arrived. They began eating and chatting here and there making Sharleen become a little comfortable.

"How's your food? Is it to your liking?" Kevin asked, after sometime into their meal.

"It is surprising delicious, we have to thank the cook that prepared this." She joked, throwing him a smile.

"Of course it must be delicious, it was prepared by the best." He laughed. " I am glad you are enjoying the food."

Sharleen ate much more than she had planned because sincerely, the food was great. Apparently rich people also had good taste. She joked in her head. "Where is the surprise dessert that you promised? I am almost full and we don't want your surprise to go to waste, do we?" She winked at him.

Kevin almost chocked on his food. Sharleen had always been the shy one. Never had he seen her this carefree. He was sure that she had she liked him. Or maybe even love him? He was not sure but he was going to know in just a few minutes.

He nodded to her as an answer and signalled the waiter again to bring the dessert. The waiter came back two minutes later carrying wine and two glasses on one hand and on the other he carried a beautifully decorated cake. Sharleen's dad had shared with him the secret that she loved chocolate cakes and if you gave her a piece then you would be on her good side forever.

Sharleen smelt it before she even saw it. Cake. Chocolate. Her mood changed to a hundred percent happiness and eagerly waited for the cake to arrive. Damn! Kevin was thoughtful. He knew what she needed that moment!

Wait..

Only her family knew how much she loved - no, how much she was in love with chocolate cakes.

That was when it dawned on her. 'The men talk'. Her father had spilled out her secret so that she can fall in love with Kevin. Ughhh... She will think about that later. For now she had an important task she had to complete.

Devour the cake until you cant take it anymore.

She was already armed with a knife and fork when the waiter placed down the cake. From the sweet smell, the cake was still fresh and she was sure it was prepared today specially for them. The sides were decorated with chocolate cream of different colours that made her mouth water.

Her poor taste buds...

On top of the cake were beautifully calligraphy that were written - no, wait...

Sharleen tried to read and reread the writings to make sure her eyes weren't playing games with her.

She looked up to where Kevin sat and found him standing up and slowly going down on one knee, his one hand stretched out to her while the other holding a beautiful diamond ring.

Sharleen couldn't breath. She looked at his eyes were now begging her, his right hand that was holding the ring and then lastly looked at the beautiful cake that had clear writings on the top.

Will you marry me Sharleen?

*****