Illusions

16. roof

Roman's POV

It was so difficult to get this all set up on such short notice because I originally had it all at my house. 

Sadly Amira's mother seems to weasel her way into our lives and mess things up so here we are.

My people are working on that, she won't bother Amira for much longer.

Luckily, Juliana and I could make things happen and now everything's perfect for her, exactly as she had wanted. 

I grab Amira's hand and lead her out of the elevator and to her roof, then I open the door and check out the setup for the umpteenth time.

It's everything she wanted. 

There are roses and candles everywhere, making a heart and path to the heart for us. Towards the side, I have a table set up with her favorite desserts and other things.

"Can I take this off now?"

I reach down and take her blindfold off and watch her face light up after seeing the roof. Her eyes scan the area multiple times and then they lock with mine and she smiles at me. 

It's a real one, the one I was hoping for.

Watching her smile makes me smile, and for once, I don't want to stop it from taking over my entire face, and we stand there for a couple of moments just staring at each other. 

She looks stunning, her hair's in loose waves, she has a bit of makeup on to highlight her features and her eyes shine in the light of the candles. 

I find a bouquet of red roses that they hid for me to give to her and hand it to her.

"These are beautiful, thank you," she smiles again, fuck she's ethereal, "you really went all out for this?"

I nod and grab her hand in order to lead her to the center of the heart and get down on my knees.

I'm not even proposing but this is what Juliana said would get people invested.

I pull a Tiffany box out and open it to reveal a simple tennis bracelet. 

Amira's eyes meet mine and she's shocked because it's real.

The bracelet is.

Everything else is an illusion for the public. 

"A while ago, I went to a fashion show that I didn't want to go to," I say while looking straight into her eyes, "but I'm glad I did because in a sea of black and white, I saw you in color and I couldn't let go of the feeling your gaze gave me," I pause to take a breath and continue, "you were looking at no one in particular but you managed to get me on my knees, someone who had not ever thought of being with anyone never even thought of love. I knew I had to have you in every way possible, and selfishly so, I knew how badly I needed to make you mine.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Do her eyes shine with tears?

She's a good actress.

Her hand tightens on mine and she nods.

I stand up and move to put the bracelet on for her, but she pulls me in for a hug instead. 

So we hug, I'm not sure for how long but I don't hate it.

I feel her pull away and then look down at her face to see a huge smile on her face.

"You got me a real tennis bracelet," she asks, staring at it, "why?"

I grab her wrist and put it on for her.