Dear Laura 2

Chapter 11

The best memory yet was on the last day when he blindfolded me and guided my steps. I could feel that we were at the beach because of the crashing waves and the sand under my bare feet. When he finally removed the blindfold, I saw a decorated area on the beach. There were beautiful lights and flower petals on the ground. It was so beautiful under the thousands of stars illuminating us.

"What's going on?" I chuckled in confusion.

"My love. My Mia." His words sent heatwaves through my entire body and drew all air from my lungs.

"I know we have only been together for two weeks, but I am so sure about you. I love you so much Mia Johnson, I cannot imagine life without you. You are the love of my life. My mom would kill me if I married you before I took you home so for now, I would like to present this promise ring to you as a symbol of my undying love and a promise to make you my wife very soon. If you are okay with us moving this fast of course. If you think it's stupid, that's also acceptable. I mean--."

"Will you shut up and kiss me Karim." I grabbed both his cheeks and collided my lips with his. I had teared up yet again. The love of my life wanted to unite us further. How could I say no to that? I was falling deeper in love with him by the moment.

"I'm assuming that's a yes?" He asked and I agreed.

"A thousand times yes." I kissed him again, showing him how on board I was. How sure I was with the decision I was making.

Nothing mattered anymore. Not the secret that I was hiding from him, not the way he used to treat me, not the lies he told me, not the cold breeze that I was feeling and definitely not the raindrops that had just started to fall unto us. The only thing that mattered was us, in that moment, relishing in the possibility of an impeccable future together, the lips that were crashing like the waves in our background, his firm grip on my waist as he pulled me closer, deepening our kiss.

I wanted all of him. I wanted to feel his love with every fibre and bone of my being. That man was my world. I was so glad that he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

He put the ring on my finger, and it looked too pretty to just be a promise ring.

"Never take it off." He told me as he looked into my eyes.

"Of course."

"Promise me." He pressed.

"I promise. Now can we leave, my hair has so much water, I need a salon tomorrow."

"I will take you." He smiled. We then ran to the car; our laughs being drained by the sound of the showers.

When we got home, we went to shower, and we made love. A lot. He went to the kitchen to make food for us while I was still getting dressed. Just as I was about to go to him, I got a call from Emma.

"Why didn't you tell me that you resigned? I had to see your replacement before I knew. And your flat is being rented out? I thought we were friends Mia." I had no idea what she was talking about, and it was clear from the confusion plastered on my face.

"Hey Emma, can I call you back." I was furious as I threw my phone on the bed and stomped my way to the kitchen.

"Hey baby. Food is almost ready."

"Baby? Didn't you go to my workplace to put in leave for me? What's this I hear about my resignation and my flat being put up to be rented?"He paused and shifted his gaze around.

"Speak! Are you mute?" I yelled my lungs out.

"First of all, we spoke about this. Please lower your voice when you are talking to me. That line should never be crossed, birth week or not." He closed the pot and directed me to sit down. Even when I was mad at him, his touch sent heatwaves up my spine.

He sat me down in the living room, telling me that the rain disturbed the second gift he had for me. He enveloped my hands with his and looked into my soul.

"I wanted to surprise you baby and I bet it was Emma who ruined the surprise. I remember you said that you could see yourself living in a beach house like mine one day so, because I have many, I thought I could transfer ownership of this one to you." He placed a title deed on the table. I could not believe my eyes.

"You can use the place in Joburg for rental income. A place like that can go for six thousand five hundred rands monthly. You would own two properties and you and I could live here."

"What?" I could not believe my ears either.

He was giving me my dream apartment, no strings attached, and he was letting me use the other one as income for myself. I was speechless, my vocal cords were failing me. When I realised how pure his intentions were, all anger disappeared from my body and my heart felt at ease.

"What about your job?" I managed to say after what seemed like forever.

"I'm merging with another company this side and my brother is taking care of things that side. I could fly there anytime to oversee things. As long as you are enjoying your favourite city in your favourite house with a promise ring on that finger."

He had it all figured out, but he did not discuss it with me beforehand. Which was odd because it seemed as though I had no choice. The title deed and the transferring papers were there, he flew me out already and he was already moving too. He did everything that was required that it seemed as though he had anticipated my approval to his plan.

"You resigned on my behalf? How could you?" I said with a defeated tone, a heavy sigh accompanying my words.

"Baby. I wanted to surprise you. I thought you would want to live in Cape Town." I did but it was upsetting to know that he went behind my back to do all that. But in all honesty I found it heart-warming. He went through all that trouble to make me happy yet again.

"Listen, I was thinking, whatever you earned at the school, I will triple it and give you an allowance. How much was it? Twelve thousand?"

"Seven." I whispered but loud enough for him to hear. The offer was tempting. It was Cape Town after all, and the money was good. He was setting me for life.

"Your rental will give you that money. Anyway, that's too small. I will stick to tripling the twelve thousand, how does that sound? That's thirty-six thousand a month and when we add the rental thats forty-two thousand a month. All yours baby. Not to mention that my new partner needs an assistant, and it pays sixteen thousand. For a nineteen-year-old that is a lot of money. You'd be dumb to choose the seven thousand over the fifty-eight thousand."

"All those numbers are scrambling my brain, but did you just say fifty-eight thousand monthly income?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Yes." He smirked.

I could use the money to study. I repeat, he was setting me for life. He was thoughtful. He chose property over diamond rings, and it made me love him even more. He wanted me to build wealth like did and I wanted nothing more. Fifty-eight freaking thousand monthly, two properties and a car at the tender age of nineteen.

I studied his face for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

"Is it happening? Are we moving to Cape Town?"

"Yes baby." I responded and he slammed his lips against mine to show his excitement.

"What about my car?"

"That can be arranged."

"Thank you. For everything." I said as I wrapped my hands around him. I let my body melt in his embrace.

"You deserve it." He told me.

Fifty-eight freaking thousand a month. Best birth week ever! Best boyfriend ever!

"I love you." I whispered.

"I love you more than you will ever know." My heart did backflips as the words he was saying registered in my brain. He had never said it like that before.