Silent Eyes

20, Months Later

It had been a while since Monica had been out at sea, but now she found herself standing on a boat surrounded by Andreas' friends and family, gazing down at the sparkling blue sea. She couldn't help but reminisce about their first date, sailing around the Aegean Sea while enjoying snacks together. The memory brought a soft smile to her lips, and suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around her. Monica looked back to see Andreas showering her neck with kisses, and she let out a gentle laugh. "Stop, that tickles!"

Eventually, she turned around, holding his face in her hands and kissed his lips. As she pulled away, Monica whispered, "Happy birthday."

Today was Andreas' birthday, and to celebrate, he had invited a group of friends and family aboard a luxurious yacht. People mingled, conversed, and moved to the rhythm of the blaring music, enjoying drinks and each other's company. Monica had met some of his cousins, who seemed nice but overly curious about their relationship. They bombarded her with intimate questions that left her blushing, prompting her to make an excuse to use the bathroom and slip away.

Once she found a moment of solitude near the edge of the boat to catch her breath, Andreas appeared by her side, his hands firmly grasping her waist. "Why are you out here alone?" he asked. Monica smiled sheepishly, feeling a bit embarrassed to admit the reason. "It's nothing major," she chuckled, but Andreas' smile wavered slightly, and Monica sighed. "Okay, fine," she said. "Your cousins, they ask really personal questions." Andreas held onto her tighter, his tone demanding. "What are they saying?"

Monica was taken aback by his sudden intensity and tried to brush it off with a laugh. "Babe, relax. They're just asking about marriage, uh... sex with you, babies, and things like that." She finished her sentence with a nervous swallow, and Andreas' warm smile returned. "Oh," he said. "Well, what did you tell them about marriage?" His smile now slightly lopsided.

Blushing deeply, Monica placed her delicate hands against his chest. When asked if she was willing to marry Andreas, she shrugged. She wasn't sure if she was ready, and she wasn't sure if Andreas was either. "I didn't have an answer," Monica admitted. "I guess only time will tell." Her eyes met his, and Andreas' smile stiffened. "Hmm, maybe," was all he could say.

The time had come for Andreas to blow out the candles on his cake. Everyone gathered around him, crowding the table. However, when Monica found herself pushed to the back, Andreas snapped his fingers, his expression serious. "Move!" he barked. "Let Monica come to the front!" All eyes turned to Monica as she nervously shuffled through the crowd, quietly murmuring apologies. Finally, she reached Andreas and gave him a timid grin, silently communicating that there was no need for such an outburst.

He wrapped a protective arm around Monica and began addressing everyone, expressing his gratitude for their presence at the celebration and acknowledging what great friends they were to him. The crowd applauded and sang "Happy Birthday" as Andreas leaned forward, blowing out the candles on his cake. Monica glanced down at the veins on his neck and his defined jawline, biting her lip. She quickly averted her gaze, reminding herself that now was not the time to feel aroused.

The cocktails were flowing as people pulled out their phones, capturing every moment of Andreas' sexy smile. He graciously opened his gifts, expressing gratitude and hugging his family members. Once all the presents were unwrapped and the scattered wrapping paper covered the floor, he excitedly exclaimed, "And I have another gift!" His words caused eyebrows to raise and whispers to spread among the guests. Monica, too, was puzzled, turning sideways to face Andreas, who met her gaze. "I bet she would love this gift," he smirked. Monica blinked, whispering softly, "Andreas, what are you talking about?"

Suddenly, Andreas knelt down, and a collective gasp filled the air. Monica's breath caught in her throat. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvety box. Opening it, he revealed a stunning diamond ring adorned with pink crystals on the side. It shimmered under the sunlight as he affectionately spoke, "I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you. You are everything I've ever wanted - a friend, a loyal partner. You make me happy, princess. And for that, I want to make you my beautiful queen." His dazzling blue eyes locked with hers as he asked, "Monica, baby, will you marry me?"

Monica was overwhelmed, unable to move. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a swirl of emotions washed over her. She brought a hand to her mouth, clasping it in disbelief. "Yes!" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you, Andreas!" Overwhelmed by the moment, she stumbled backward, but Andreas swiftly caught her, lifting her within his strong arm. A wide smile spread across his face as he kissed the side of her head, whispering into her ear, "Only time will have to wait, heh?" playfully teasing her.

Breaking free from his embrace, Monica's eyes glistened with tears of joy. She dramatically fanned herself, unable to contain her emotions. Andreas slipped the dazzling ring onto her finger, and as Monica glanced down at it, she whimpered, "I can't believe you want to marry me!" Overwhelmed with happiness, she fell back into his embrace, burying her head in his chest, while the crowd awed and cheered.

Andreas gently rubbed her arm, his touch comforting, before lifting her chin to deepen their kiss. Both their hearts raced, and when they finally pulled away, he was breathless. "I love you, my queen. And I promise to spoil you for life." Monica's lips trembled as she leaned in for another tight hug. She was a beautiful mess, and Andreas couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't expected her to be overcome with such joy, and a tear threatened to escape his eye.

As the party wound down, people patted Andreas on the back and congratulated Monica. She sat at a table, unable to take her eyes off her ring. She was in love with it, but even more in love with the man who had given it to her. Eventually, Andreas bid farewell to a few guests and joined Monica. He kissed her lips and took a seat. "How do you feel?" he asked, his eyes filled with love. Monica snorted, facing him with a radiant smile. "Andreas, my heart is racing, and I'm beyond excited," she said. She touched her chest, her voice breaking slightly. "We're about to get married!"

Andreas snaked closer to Monica, and his hand began to inch towards the end of her dress. "Yes, and you'll be mine just as I am yours," he whispered, his voice lowering. Monica's breath caught, feeling his hand creeping up her dress. His cold fingers started to play with her panties, teasing her. Swallowing nervously, Monica managed to utter Andreas' name. "Andreas..."

Thankfully, Emil and Irene arrived, interrupting the tense moment. Andreas quickly pulled away, putting on a smile as he greeted his friend. "Congrats, man," Emil exclaimed, slapping Andreas' shoulder. He then turned his gaze towards Monica, offering a wink. "And congrats to you too, Mrs. Samaras." Monica's face lit up with a wide beam, her dimples showing as she giggled. "Thank you, Emil!" However, Andreas' smile faded, and his eyes grew dark. He straightened up and forced a smile as he looked down at Monica. "Baby, why don't you chat with Irene while Emil and I have a little talk?" he suggested.

Monica's innocent eyes blinked in response. "Oh, okay!" she replied cheerfully. As Irene joined her, the men walked away. The women began squealing with excitement, and Andreas smiled softly. However, as soon as they rounded a corner, his smile vanished, replaced by a fierce expression. He forcefully slammed Emil against the wall, catching him off guard. Emil's eyes widened, his hands raised in defense. "What?" he gasped.

Andreas' blood boiled, his sharp teeth visible through his grimace. "If you ever make her giggle like that again," he seethed, jabbing a finger in Emil's face, "I'll put a bullet in the middle of your fucking head! You can cheat on your own bitch, but don't you dare play with mine!" With that threat, Andreas released Emil, causing him to stumble back. Emil, straightening his tie, wore an exasperated expression. "Okay!"

Andreas shot his friend a disgusted glare, then swiftly turned away, storming off. "Don't push me to the point of killing a friend, Emil."