In the Hands of the Mafia

Dinner Date

"Sheila, I am SO nervous" I confessed to my best friend on the phone as I paced the living room attempting to calm my nerves. My boyfriend Jackson of  4 years had planned a special night for us, one which required dressing up and a fancy restaurant, which was only our go to for big occasions. Once I told Sheila about it she immediately had the same thought as me which was that my wonderful boyfriend Jackson would be proposing. During the week I was able to push the thoughts away but now? I was an anxious mess and I still had 30 minutes before it was time to leave.

" Amelia, Breath deep breaths." her words which normally did wonders to calm me down were doing little for me now. "What outfit did you end up picking? How did you do your hair? What Jewelry?" I knew what she was trying to do but it was appreciated.

"I ended up putting on the long red dress, the satin one with the slit up the leg." I spoke soothing down my dress with my hands. "I wore the gold necklace he got me and the gold dangly earrings I have." I heard Sheila hum an approval.

"That dress looks amazing on you and gold goes beautifully with it. What did you do with your hair?" She questioned and out of habit I tucked a curl behind my ear. My hair was dark brown almost black and when straighten it landed almost to my butt so my hair was something I always struggled with. I let out a small laugh as I knew she knew my struggles with my hair.

"I just ended up curling it.... I tried several different styles but I hated them all." Shelia laughed at this and I was thankful my best friends knew me well enough and knew what to do as a distraction.

"I'm sure you look stunning. Jackson isn't going to know what hit him when you walk through the door. " Sheila and I kept talking for a bit and my nerves had completely gone away. After I while I looked at the time on my apple watch and let out a swear.

"Shit... Sheila, I got to go! At this point I'm actually going to me late to dinner....." I panicked saying a quick goodbye and hanging up the phone. Normally Jackson and I would be leaving together as we lived together but he had a few things he needed to do before there and I was supposed to meet him there. I gave myself a quick once over before grabbing my purse and my keys and heading out to my car. The drive was only about 10 minutes and I felt my heart racing. It wasn't that I was scared of him asking me because I was so ready, it was more the nerves and the excitement. Not to mention the let down I could feel if he actually wasn't going to propose....

Pulling up to the restaurant I rushed to find a spot, putting the car into park and opening the door. I made a dash like a mad woman to the door and tripped slightly over the rug. "Shitt" I mumbled as I started to fall, I braced myself for impact with the floor cursing myself for being so clumsy. Instead of the hard ground I felt a pair of arms wrap around me stopping me before I could completely fall.

"Careful.." The strangers deep voice spoke as I felt his muscular arms wrap around me.

"I uh.. thank you..." I stuttered as my eyes met his, they were captivating, dark brown with little specks of hazel within them and I was thankful when he broke the eye contact. His eyes scanned down my body before a small smirk appeared on his face, it stayed for only a second or two before his eyes drifted up and he scowled.

"You're welcome." He nodded before turning and heading into the restaurant not bothering to look back at me once. Speechless and confused by what had just happened I smoothed out my dress again before continuing into the restaurant.

"Hello, do you have a reservation?" The girl at the hostess stand spoke cutting into my wandering mind and I nodded my head before clearing my throat.

"oh uh yes, it should be under Steele." I spoke focusing back on the fact that I was sure in the next hour I would be engaged. The hostess checked the list before nodding a smile on her face.

"Ah yes, Mr. Steele is already here and at the booth, let me show you to your seat" She spoke before signaling for me to follow her. My heart raced as she brought me towards the table and my heart melted at the sight of Jackson. He sat with his back to me but Immediately I could tell he was in my favorite grey dress shirt. Approaching the table he stood giving me a hug and a kiss.

"Well don't you look absolutely stunning baby." He spoke as his eyes drank me in and I felt myself blush. I took my seat across from him and my nerves simply vanished, an effect that Jackson seemed to have on me a lot.

"And you don't look so bad yourself handsome." I smiled at him as I took in exactly how attractive he was. His blonde hair was gelled back, his grey dress shirt was just tight enough to show off how fit he was. I could smell his familiar cologne, the same one he had been wearing when we met a little over 4 years ago. He seemed tired, or maybe he was nervous it was hard to tell. " I am so sorry I was late..." I spoke but was interrupted by his phone going off. He ignored it but then it started to vibrate again, he gave me an apologetic look but answered it anyways.

"Hello?" it was evident in is his tone that he was frustrated by the unwelcome interruption. "I told you... I am at dinner with Amelia, I was not to be bothered tonight. I will be back in the office tomorrow...." he sat starring at the table for a few seconds listening to whatever the person on the phone had to say for a few seconds. "Thank you for letting me know, I will take care of that." He confirmed before saying his goodbyes and hanging up. "I am so sorry beautiful, I guess there was an issue with one of our customers." He spoke taking my hand in his and bringing it up to his lips.

"Are you sure you don't have to go? it's okay if you do..." I questioned and Jackson shook his head.

"Baby, I promise it's nothing important it can wait until tomorrow. I would rather be here with you." He spoke sending me a reassuring smile his words melting me.

A seconds minutes later the waitress made her way over and we ordered some wine and our meals. We chatted about work and life, losing ourselves in the conversations and time. He had received a few texts throughout the meal answering them quickly before placing his phone down each time. His secretiveness and phone use only made me more anxious and excited that it was a proposal. I excused myself to the restroom to take a quick breather. Once down the hallway I pulled out my phone shooting a text to Sheila.

Hey Sheila, No ring yet... what if he doesn't propose?

He will.... he loves you, its been 4 years. and he planned the fancy dinner no way he doesn't propose.

I slipped my phone back into my purse sighing. She was right, he loved me and I loved him, didn't these kind of things happen at dessert? Or after on the way home? I made my way back out to the table and just as I sat down I had the uneasy feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced around the restaurant my eyes landing on the same guy as earlier. He sat there alone with his sleeves rolled up, a glass of some kind of dark alcohol which I assumed to be whiskey in his hand. I watched for a few seconds as he swirled the glass around, taking a small sip his eyes never leaving mine. I could feel my body heating up at his intense stare and I didn't like the feeling. I broke eye contact and I looked at Jackson just in time to see him shift in his seat.

"Amelia," He started "These last four years have been an incredible journey with you. There have been ups and downs but you've stayed by my side each step of the way. I may not know what life will bring our way next but I do know one thing, I can't do it without you by my side." Jackson had slide out of the booth during his speech and knelt down reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a little jewelry box and opened it to show one of the most beautiful rings I had ever seen. "Will you please marry me" he asked and immediately I squealed tears running down my cheeks.
     "Yes, yes I will" I cried as he placed the ring on my hand before leaning in to kiss me.
       I was on cloud nine. Engaged to the love of my life and nothing... I mean nothing could ever take that happiness away.....