Random Writings

Tell Me Why

"Paige." I vaguely hear my name as I cram clothes into my suitcase. My mind is set on one thing: leaving. I couldn't believe how blind I had been. I should've known he was too good to be true. Too kind. Too caring. Too funny. Too "honest." Ha, yeah, too honest. He told me he would never lie to me. He knew my past and everything I had endured, and he promised over and over that it wouldn't be like that with him... and I had the audacity to believe him. 

"Paige." My name is louder this time, but I choose to ignore it once more. I don't want to hear what he has to say. No more lies. 

"PAIGE." He grabs my arms this time, stopping me from throwing anymore clothes into the carry-on. My head snaps up, and I lock eyes with him.

"Let. Me. Go." I snarl. 

"Not until you let me explain."

"Why? So you can just feed me more of your lies?"

"I haven't lied to you. You just don't know the whole story."

"That's rich, Bryan. Where'd you hear that one? Did she tell you to say that?"

Bryan goes silent, a puzzled look taking over his features. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head as if this is some grand riddle he's desperate to find the answer to. Unbelievable. Like he doesn't know.

"Wait... you think... you think I'm cheating on you?" He stumbles over his words, and I almost by into his charade. Almost.

"Think?" I ask, disdain evident in my voice. "THINK? I know! I saw her text message on your phone."

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"Oh, pardon me. Let me remind you. 'Everything is ready. Tonight is going to be perfect. I can't wait!' You act like I'm crazy, but you're literally seeing her tonight. All I wanted was a night out with my friends. Little did I know it was giving you the perfect opportunity to go see... Tess? Is that her name? You know what? I don't even care. It doesn't even matter."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. It does matter."

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to offend you're side chick."

To my astonishment, Bryan struggles to fight back laughter. He literally snorts because he's trying so hard. 

"I didn't realize this was a laughing matter." If looks good kill, Bryan would be a dead man.

"It wouldn't be if it were true. Paige, I would never in a million years cheat on you. Never in my life have I met someone so headstrong, so stubborn, so driven. You don't let anything get in your way once you've set your mind on something. You give 110% in everything you do. You have supported me when my entire family called me crazy for pursuing what I love. There's no one else I would rather scream musicals with at 2am or dance with in the kitchen after we've put a patch of cookies in the oven. I could go on forever trying to explain to you just how much you mean to me and how amazing you are.'

I scoff and roll my eyes. I open my mouth to speak, but Bryan cuts me off.

"No, I'm not finished. Yes, I have been texting Tess for quite some time now."

"I knew it! I knew you--"

"BUT," he says over me. "But not for the reason you think."

Bryan shakes his head. He's still holding my arms, but his hands loosen and slide down to find my own. I look down at our joined hands, trying to figure out what is going on in this man's head. Normally, I would've been able to tell you. I thought I knew Bryan better than I knew myself. I guess I thought wrong. 

As that last thought crosses my mind, Bryan clears his throat and brings my focus back to his face.

"Ya know, this isn't how I wanted to do this. I had a plan."

"A plan? A plan for what? Bryan--"

I don't get to finish. Bryan lowers himself onto a knee in front of me, letting go of one of my hands to dig around in his pocket. He retrieves a small box, and my heart drops to my stomach. Time seems to slow down, realization hitting me like a tsunami. 

"Oh, Bryan..."

"Ah, ah, ah. I don't wanna hear it, you stubborn woman. You're going to let me talk." He takes a deep, shaky breath and lets it out slowly. "I would've been more prepared for this if you weren't such the detective. But I guess you could that's one of the things I love about you. You always keep me on my toes. So, I first want to say that I was most definitely not cheating on you with Tess. Tess is an engagement/wedding planner that my sister introduced me to when we went to pick out your ring. I knew I couldn't possibly plan everything on my own, so I enlisted some helpers. Turns out I probably didn't need them after all. You never were one for the conventional way of things."

Bryan chuckles, and I feel my eyes start to get full. I was just accusing this man of cheating on me less than five minutes ago, and all he was trying to do was propose.

"Paige Renee Knightly, you light up my life. I didn't know what love was until you walked into the coffee shop that day. You took my breath away the moment I saw you. Love-at-first-sight seemed like a myth to me... yet you proved that it was not. I never thought I would be lucky enough to call you mine, but you decided to take a chance on me... and I will thank God everyday for that. I want to spend forever with you. I want my kids to have your kind eyes and loving smile. I want every moment, good or bad. I want all the memories and life lessons. I want it all... and I want it with you. Paige, my dear, will you marry me?"

The tears are falling now and all I can do is nod my head frantically. Bryan's face is overrun with a radiate smile as he slides the ring on my hand. I watch as he does so, and I'm blown away by its beauty. It's perfect. Bryan gets to his feet, snaking an arm around my face, and pulling my close. Our faces are mere inches apart, his chocolate brown eyes looking at me with all the love and adoration in the world.

"So," he whispers. "Am I forgiven?"

A laugh erupts from my mouth, tears still streaming down my face. Oh, this lovely man. 

"I think I should be the one asking for forgiveness, Bryan."

"Paige, honey, DARLING, you will always have my forgiveness. It doesn't matter what you do. You're stuck with me.'

Smiling, I respond. "And you're stuck with me."

Bryan reaches up and pushes a stray hair out of my face. He traces my jawline with his fingers, cupping my chin. His grip around my waist tightens, and he tilts my head up. His lips capture mine, and I relish the feeling. This kiss symbolizes our future together: full of hope, joy, and love. We both pull away, our foreheads coming to rest upon one another. We stay here for some time, neither one of us wanting to let this moment slip away. 

Suddenly, Bryan's phone buzzes. He sighs and fishes it out of his pocket. Looking at the screen, he grabs my hand and proceeds to pull me towards the door.

I giggle, "Where are we going?"

Bryan stops in his tracks and spins around to face me.

"We, my love, have an engagement party to get to." He flashes me a grin and places a quick kiss on my forehead. 

And then I'm yanked out the doorway behind the one man I get the privilege to call mine forever.