Within The Shadows.✅ (WLW)

1 | Cheesecake

The Present

Fuck I am running late. I only have 30 minutes before Nate gets here and I still have to do my makeup.

Today is our 3rd anniversary and he is taking me on a romantic dinner, but he does not want me to know where we are going.

Yes, you heard me...I have a boyfriend. Honestly, I cannot believe I have had one never mind for 3 years now. But my parents like him and he treats me well.

I live in a small one-bedroom apartment a couple of blocks from campus because my parents did not want me to stay in the dorms. If it were up to my parents, I would still be staying with them, but my college is a couple of hours away from home.

*ping*

Nate

I am downstairs gorgeous.

Me

Coming.

Standing in front of the mirror seeing if everything is okay.

I'm wearing a black dress that hugs my curves just right. Looking at my hazel-coloured eyes and long brown hair, wondering if this is who I am.

"Okay, Mel you got this. Remember why you are doing this."

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"Please tell me where we are going," I ask Nate with my puppy dog eyes.

"Come on M you know I can't resist those eyes; I promise we are almost there."

A few moments later we arrive at Boniva. One of the fanciest restaurants in California.

"H... how on earth did you...It takes some people up to a year to get a reservation here?" I stutter too shocked for words. I cannot believe he got us a reservation here.

"A magician never reveals its secrets." He laughs.

As we walk hand in hand to the entrance, a middle-aged man opens the door for us to enter. At the front desk stands a gorgeous young woman. She has long black hair neatly tucked into a bun and beautiful green eyes as she looks up at me.

While I was, discreetly, checking the gorgeous women out. Nate interrupts my gaze "Evening, I have a reservation under Nate Scott."

As she walks us to our table, I cannot help but notice what fine ass she has and those legs.

Melanie Rose, you better stop checking that woman out before you expose yourself.

I know my conscience is right but fuck I miss the touch and feel of a woman.

As we are seated, she tells us that our waiter will be with us shortly. As I scan through the menu it is not hard to notice that nothing is under fifty dollars.

Not that I have ever struggled with money. Well, my parents never struggled with money. I mean my dad is one of the best surgeons there is, and my mom is a highly successful lawyer. And let us just say they were not incredibly happy that I chose to study to become a teacher.

When the waiter arrives, I cannot help but notice that he is checking me out.

God, I hate men. I thought.

After ordering our food and wine, a light conversion strikes up. Just how was your day and how did class go that sort of thing?

After we ate our meal, we were asked if we wanted desserts. We said yes, of course. I mean who comes to a shit fancy restaurant and does not order fucking dessert?

"Are you ever going to try anything else other than Chocolate Cake?" Every time we go on a date, Nate orders Chocolate Cake, I always try different things, but Cheesecake is my ultimate favorite.

"Nope I don't think so, I mean come on M who doesn't like Chocolate Cake?" I guess he does have a point.

When our desserts arrived, I did not notice, but when I looked down. There is a big diamond ring on my Cheesecake.

I gasp "Umm Nate?" But when I look up, he is already on one knee.

"Melanie Rose Newman." He starts nervously.

"On this very day, 3 years ago you captured my heart by being exactly who you are.

The sweetest, most loving, compassionate, and most beautiful person I have ever known. You have been my rock and best friend through the good and the bad.

You have been the reason that I smile, and you have given me comfort beyond measure when I have been down.

You have believed in me when no one else would, and you have shown me how to love with passion, purity, and unconditional acceptance. I promise the rest of my days I will spend by your side.

To laugh with you and cry with you to believe in you and support you.

Melanie, I love you with my whole heart, body, and soul and I promise to show you for the rest of our lives together, will you make me the luckiest man alive by marrying me and becoming Melanie Rose Scott?"