𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐲 | ✓

13

Kristian hands over his glass and the spoon to a server and the girl scurries away. He takes the time to survey everyone gathered around him in a half-circle.

"As you all know, my father has officially become the MK enterprises' partner, and this partnership thrilled the Wright family. But." He clasps his hands in front of his chest, his dark eyes lighting up as he shifts to face me and holds out his hand, silently beckoning me to himself.

Not wasting a second, I inhale sharply and push my shoulders back, pulling myself to my full height. With slow and assured strides, I walk away from Spencer and go to Kristian.

My heart beats faster and sinks the further I go from Spencer. I sense his eyes boring into the back of my head. I resist the urge to wring my fingers on my sides from the building tension inside of me.

This is it. I signed up for it myself. I knew full well what I was getting myself into.

Yet, I'm not prepared for it. Nevertheless, I hide my second thoughts with a small smile as I accept Kristian's hand and he guides me closer to himself. Way closer than I like, but I don't resist it and stay rooted to the spot, my shoulder pressing to him as he rests his hand on the small of my back.

Kristian looks at me, my heels making me the same height as him. His dark eyes lock with mine for a moment before he turns back to everyone watching us.

"That's not the only way the Wrights and Stewarts are going to be together."

I note everyone's reaction, my focus zooming in on Mom and Mason standing in a corner. Mason furrows his brows in annoyance while Mom's sad gaze holds mine for a beat before I return my attention back to Kristian.

Kristian's hand falls away from my back and he steps away from me, interlacing his fingers with mine. "I've known you for over ten years, and I know you always wanted to keep whatever going on between us a secret but I believe it's time to show the world how much I love you," he pauses, a wicked glint sparkling his brown eyes.

I force a smile.

"And I want to show the world, and tell everyone how much I love you, Gracie Stewart."

I tilt my head, holding his gaze. "Aww Kristian, I love you too."

It's a wonder how I manage to utter these words without gagging. I hate this false show of affection.

"You make me a better man," he starts, and I know what's going to come next.

This is it.

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing, make him a better man, how lame and cliche. He could have at least paid someone to write something authentic for him.

"You make my days better and you light up my world."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, instead, I quickly scan the crowd's reaction. Everyone seems to be buying into his words, watching us like we're the cutest couple out there.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Showtime for me.

I fake a gasp as he lets go of my hand kneels before me, his other hand pulls out a blue box from his trousers' pocket.

Unfortunately, I can't force tears to my eyes, I hope Amanda doesn't fault me for it. I've had enough of these assholes for a lifetime.

He opens the lid, showcasing a ring with an enormous diamond in its middle, and a thin band decorated with smaller diamonds. "Will you make me the happiest man and marry me?"