Part 14

17 0 0
                                    

As I stepped into my house, the unusual silence was deafening, and the absence of anyone, except for my dad who was leisurely gardening outside, was strikingly odd. Ignoring the eerie atmosphere, I made a beeline for the kitchen to grab another drink, my body still glistening with sweat from the run. Upon reaching the kitchen, I greeted my mum, who seemed to rush off upstairs in haste, adding to the sense of unease that had been lingering all day. Everyone had been acting strangely, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Placing my phone and AirPods on the countertop, I took a long drink and glanced at my phone, debating whether to text Charles to see if he had left yet. The urge to reach out to him grew stronger as the uncertainty in the air weighed on me.

As I pondered over the situation, my mind raced with possible explanations for my family's behavior and the unsettling stillness of the house. Maybe they were planning a surprise, or perhaps something had happened that they didn't know how to tell me. With every passing second, the atmosphere seemed to thicken with hidden secrets, urging me to unravel what was behind this unusual day. I took another sip of my drink, the cool liquid barely quenching the thirst that was now more for answers than for refreshment.

Deciding to confront the situation head-on, I called out for my mum, hoping she would provide some clarity, but the lack of response only fueled my anxiety. The house, usually filled with laughter and chatter, felt like a shell of its former self, echoing my solitary footsteps as I moved through the rooms. My dad, always a beacon of calm, seemed too preoccupied with his gardening to notice the tension brewing inside.

My thoughts drifted to Charles, wondering if he could somehow be connected to the day's peculiarity. The urge to dial his number intensified, but just as I was about to give in, a sudden noise from upstairs caught my attention. It sounded like hushed voices, trying to keep their conversation a secret from unwelcome ears. Was it possible that my family was hiding something from me? The thought sent shivers down my spine, mixing with the remnants of sweat from my run.

Resolved to find answers, I made my way upstairs, each step echoing the heartbeat that thudded in my ears. The closer I got to my my bedroom, where the voices seemed to originate, the more pronounced the feeling of dread became. It was as if the house itself was warning me to turn back, to leave the mysteries shrouded in their silence.

But I couldn't. The need to know, to understand what was causing this rift in my family, propelled me forward. As I reached for the doorknob, my hand shaking with anticipation and fear, I couldn't help but wonder if I was ready for the truths that lay beyond the door. Whatever it was, it had the power to alter everything I thought I knew about my family and myself. With a deep breath, I turned the knob, bracing myself for the unknown.

I opened my bedroom door to find the room adorned with balloons and petals scattered across the bed and floor, creating a whimsical atmosphere. Walking further into the room, I was met by Charles, standing there with a bouquet of flowers, a wide smile lighting up his face.

To my left, I noticed my mum standing there, beaming and recording the moment with her phone, adding to the surreal feeling of the scene. Charles placed the flowers on the bed and took a step closer to me, his nerves evident as he stuttered, "Yn, will you be my girlfriend?" Overwhelmed with joy, I exclaimed, "Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes!" before rushing into his arms, showering him with kisses. "I love you so much, Yn," Charles whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "I love you too, Charles," I replied, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me.

"I'm so happy for you two. I'll leave you alone for a bit," my mum giggled, stepping out of the room to give us privacy. "Thank you, Mum. I love you. Now I understand why you two were being so sneaky all day," I laughed, feeling grateful for her involvement in the surprise. "Thank you for your help again. I appreciate it so much," Charles added, expressing his gratitude to my mum.

With my mum gone, Charles revealed a few gifts he had prepared for me, including chocolate, a teddy bear, flowers, snacks for a movie marathon, and a beautiful necklace, each one a token of his affection and thoughtfulness.

He carefully laid each gift out, explaining why he chose each one, and how much thought he had put into selecting the perfect items to make me smile. As I admired the beautiful necklace, Charles gently fastened it around my neck, his fingers lightly touching my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. "This necklace represents my commitment to you, Yn," he murmured, his gaze locked onto mine. I was touched by the symbolism and the depth of his feelings, making the necklace even more special.

We spent the rest of the next few hours curled up together, watching movies and indulging in the chocolate he had brought, completely wrapped up in our little world. The room, still filled with balloons and petals, seemed to echo our joy, creating a perfect backdrop for our newfound happiness.

As the day drew to a close, I lay in Charles's arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment and love. "This has been the best day of my life," I whispered, not wanting the moment to end. Charles kissed my forehead softly, whispering back, "And it's just the beginning, my love." As I sat up to look at Charles I realized that this memorable day had not only marked the start of our relationship but also symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us, but I knew that as long as we were together, everything would be perfect.

"You'll need to get ready soon. I have a dinner reservation for us tonight since it's our special night," Charles announced with a hint of excitement in his voice. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up from the book I was reading, surprised and thrilled by the sudden plan. "Oh my gosh, really? Where?" I replied, feeling a rush of anticipation flowing through me, eager to know more about the evening he had planned. "Your favorite place, mon amour," Charles grinned, his eyes twinkling with delight as he pulled me back to snuggle against him, making the moment even more perfect. We lingered in each other's embrace for a while longer, lost in the comfort and warmth of our connection, before I finally decided it was time to go get a shower and start preparing for the evening.

Emerging from the shower, I found Charles already in the bathroom, dressed in a sleek suit, meticulously adjusting his tie. He looked over at me, a smile playing on his lips as he freshened up his hair and sprayed his favorite aftershave, filling the room with a scent I had come to associate with him. Once dressed, Charles and I made our way downstairs, hand in hand, where my parents eagerly awaited to see us off. They both looked so proud and happy, their smiles wide as the room filled with the sound of their laughter and well-wishes.

My mum immediately insisted on taking countless photos of us, directing us into various poses while my dad looked on, chuckling at our minor protests. Despite the slight annoyance, we both obliged, knowing it would make her happy, capturing these moments that would become precious memories for all of us. "Have a great night, you two," both of my parents said, their voices filled with affection as they gave us tight hugs before we headed out, making me feel even more grateful for this beautiful life.

Charles and I climbed into the car, the atmosphere charged with anticipation and excitement as he drove us to my favorite restaurant. As we walked in, hand in hand, I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness, knowing he remembered how much I loved this place. The evening was perfect, our conversation easy and filled with laughter, making me fall even more in love with Charles, if that was even possible. My heart brimmed with happiness from being with him, each moment more precious than the last.

After enjoying a delicious meal and making our way back home, we changed into comfortable clothes, the formality of the evening giving way to the comfort and intimacy of being together in our own space. Crawling into bed, we put on a movie, the glow of the screen casting a soft light in the dark room as we indulged in the snacks Charles had thoughtfully bought earlier in the day. Lying there, with him by my side, I couldn't help but relish in the simple joy of our love, knowing that no matter what the future held, these moments with Charles were what I cherished most.

Destined : Charles Leclerc Where stories live. Discover now