God of Temptation

Epilogue-2

~Remington~

Today, Dad is hosting a party, but it's not just any ordinary party—it's a very special one. It's an engagement party where I am going to propose to Ariella. I am ready to make it permanent with her, 'til death do us part—though I doubt even death can separate me from her.

Nevertheless, today Uncle Cole's nightmare is finally going to come true, and my biggest dream will be fulfilled if Ariella says yes.

I don't know what her reaction will be. Will she say yes, or will she say no? What if she says no? It would be so awkward then. I might just drown in a puddle of water.

I am fidgeting so much that even Vivian had to reassure me a thousand times that Ariella would never reject my proposal, but it doesn't help.

"Remi, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Ariella touches my cheek with the back of her palm, her drink in the other hand. I take her hand and press a kiss to her knuckles, which immediately gets her blushing like a tomato.

"No am I perfectly fine, Jailbait. I am just a little nervous,"

"Nervous about what?" Ariella puts down her drink, her attention fully on me.

"Just somethings," I say and that gets her frowning. "Are you keeping a secret from me, Remi?"

"I am not, you'll know in a bit," I peck her forehead and Ariella leans in sighing. My eyes meet Uncle Cole's who shoots me a death glare.

Oh, Uncle, oh. Just wait a few minutes and I'll love to see that glare of yours turn into a horrified look.

From my peripheral vision, I see Viv signal me, and I know it's time to proceed with the plan. The entire room darkens, and I feel Ariella stiffen, her hands holding onto me tightly. I get on one knee, and when the lights come back, it's just a spotlight shining on us. At first, Ariella looks left and right, searching for me, but when her eyes look down and spot me on one knee, her eyes fill with tears. Her lips quiver as she whispers my name like a prayer, making me confident that there's no way she is going to say no.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment before I open them and stare into my world. "The first time you touched me, I knew I was going to be yours forever. Every fiber of my being belongs to you, and I want it to belong to you until the day I die, and even after that. I love you, Ariella, and I would be honored if you choose me to be your husband. Jailbait, will you marry me?"

By the time I finish, Ariella crouches in front of me, her tears streaming down. I wipe them away, but her lack of response gets me nervous. "Baby, I need to know your answer."

"Yes, yes," she nods before taking my lips in a beautiful, heart-shattering and mending kiss. "I would love to be your wife, Remi," she whispers against my lips, resting her forehead on mine.

I slide the ring on her finger; it fits her perfectly, shining. It's blue and green, just like her beautiful eyes.

As I gaze upon the woman before me, the one who never wavered in her belief in me—except for that moment when she had to bring me back to reality—my heart swells with gratitude. She has been my steadfast warrior, offering love when I was too frightened to embrace it. I am indeed a lucky bastard who got to enter her forts and see her for who she is and be the light that brightens her universe. I hate the fact that I wasted so much time, time that could have been devoted to adoring her. Yet, I am certain of one thing: for the remainder of our days, I will worship Ariella. Her name shall be my sacred prayer, her laughter that is my religion, and her very being the altar at which I worship. 

She glances at her ring, eyes filling with tears. "Thank you," she whispers.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, ma chérie," my own eyes fill with happy tears as we seal our mouths in another promising kiss of a happy future.