The Not So Perfect Love Story

32|| The Scray dip

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this; where I does not exist, nor you.

So close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

-Pablo Neruda, Sonnet XVII

32|| The Scray dip

Saturday was finally here and everyone in the house was going crazy about getting ready and looking their best, while I was running out the house in my sweatpants and hoodie to go over and take care of the last minute things.

Planning events is a real pain in the butt. I have no idea how Mia does it, but I really wished she were here.

About an hour and a half before the event officially starts Illuka, James' adoptive younger sister, comes running towards me carrying my bags telling me to get ready. The hall where the event is being held in is part of one of the Knight's hotels and had some rooms blocked off for our use.

I grab the bags from her when she tells me the time left and rush upstairs getting to my room and running straight to the bathroom. After washing away the day's sweat under the shower I step out and dry myself, while trying to decide what to do with my hair. I decide on just pulling them into a slightly tame slightly messy bun and then start on my makeup, keeping it as simple as it can get. 

Once I finish, I wear my dress and shoes and picking up my phone, I make my way out the door and down to the hall.

Outside the elevator, Ebby stood as if waiting for me and brightened up the moment he saw me. I run my eyes down his form, smiling when I see him wearing the tie I bought for him because of the rarity of the colour of my dress.

"You look gorgeous as always, sweetheart." He said pulling me closer and I blushed slightly.

"You look dapper yourself." I say with a slight shy undertone.

We both then made our way back to the hall and go about checking the last minute things one last time. Soon our parents and the Knight family arrives and they fuss about how good the event set up is, mum going as far as saying I did a better job than Mia, making me roll my eyes.

The first guests start arriving and then soon the whole place is bustling with important people from all over and most importantly the people from the press. The launch was going to be recorded and live relayed by a bunch of different general and business news channels, and newspaper and magazines people were hoping for a press conference kind talk that they can report.

When it was time and we were sure all the people had arrived, Bash and I went up the stage made our joint speech about the product and the basic motivation of it. 

We agreed it had been because we wanted to a something for the public that will showcase the friendship between the two families and what better way than to come up with a dip that can be used in all parties; our friendship getting celebrated all the time.

The press and the other guests seemed to have enjoyed the speech as well as the dip that was being served with chips, nachos, hotdogs and all the other finger foods present in the event. Many people have come up to us and spoken about how much they like the dip and wishing us success. Some even said they'd like for us to come up some more foods like this because it was that good.

My parents and our friends seemed to be having a good time too; although dad seems to keep throwing not so subtle glares at Ebby. I wonder what that's about.

About two hours after the speech the guests had all finished with the dinner and Ebby suddenly tapped at the mic on the stage grasping everyone's attention. We all turned to look at him and he looked slightly nervous but mostly excited as he started speaking.

"Thank you friends and members of the press that refuse to accept being called our friends, for coming for this event today." Everyone chuckled and he smiled. "So far we have enjoyed the first and main reason for this event. Now it's time for the second part of it that not many of you were aware of."

He got off the stage and walked over towards me while the people parted ways for him. When he was close enough to me he took my hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it and smiled at me. I smiled back at him but I was thoroughly confused.

"What is– " I begin asking but he cuts me off.

"Charlotte Maria Scott, I don't know when I fell in love with you. It was sometime during the last 17 years that we've spent together. Especially in the last four, almost five, years where I've seen you grow into a woman who wouldn't let a man, or any person, define her life. Who bounced back from a messy break up and managed to complete her degree with straight A's. 

The strong woman who managed to win over a whole board of major shareholders with a very simple idea and then managed to prepare for the taking over in a short time too.

You've shown the world you don't need anyone to live your life, Ari; especially not a man who doesn't realize your worth. You've become a major inspiration to many women and young girls. And you've motivated men to know the worth of a woman and love her for what she is.

I love you so much Ari that those three words barely do any justice to the feelings in me, and I know we haven't been dating for long. But I need to ask you this right now, or I'll lose my mind.

Charlotte Maria Scott, will you marry me and make me even happier than I am now?"