A Heart Caught In Crime

Chapter 7 - Offically Yours

Three months has passed since I moved into the spare room in Christian's home. Everything has been going g a bit more smoothly which is amazing. It's a bit farther than I'd like away from the diner but all is worth it.

The morning sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the expansive dining room. A crisp, pressed linen tablecloth adorns the mahogany table, set with fine bone china, sterling silver flatware, and crystal glassware.

Scarlet starts by pouring steaming hot coffee from a French press into a delicate porcelain cup. Next, she delicately plates thick-cut smoked salmon from Scotland, arranged artfully with crème fraîche, capers, shaved red onions, and fresh dill.

The main course is an omelet made from eggs collected that morning from the local farmers market. Fluffy and light, the omelet is stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, crispy applewood smoked bacon, aged Gruyère cheese, and tender asparagus spears. It's accompanied by a generous portion of truffle parmesan hash browns.

I quickly dug into my plate just as Christian was coming down stairs. He gives me a smile and sits down at the table across from me.

The front door swings open. "Oh, Kage, you're bestie Mr. Westie is here!" The voice sounds familiar but I'm not sure why. My back is to the entrance to the kitchen to I turn waiting anxiously to see who had walked into the house.

Christian stands and makes his way to the kitchen entrance to greet the man. "Phillip! I've missed you where have you been?" He says walking out of sight.

The chat for a bit as I finish up eating, I grab my coffee and walk over to the boys. I slowly sip the hot beverage and give a small smile to the strange man in the house.

Christian puts his arm around me and said "Phillip this is Natasha, my... friend and roommate."

"Ohhhh, this is Natasha." he said taking my free hand and kisses it. "She's a pretty peach, Christian, you might end up with competition over this one."

Then it hit me. This is the formally dressed man from the diner a while back. "I'm sorry to burst your bubble Phillip but I'm not exactly interested in a relationship with you."

He seemed taken back. Don't get me wrong he is very handsome but I'm just not interested in the off comments he makes about not only myself but other women as well.

"I'm going to get dressed for the day, Christian. I know you had plans." I started walking up stairs coffee still in hand.

***Christian's P. O. V. ***

Natasha was walking up the stairs I love seeing her in any outfit but especially her bed wear. And today I planned to ask her to be my girlfriend. I turn to Phillip. "You keep your grimy hands away from Natasha, or I'll kill you with my bear hands. Do I make myself clear?"

"Kage you have never acted like this about anyone ever." He took a step back. "You really like this girl huh?"

"Yes Phillip I do. I need you to acknowledge my previous statement and promise you won't go after her."

"I understand and I promise although she doesn't make it easy."

I let out a small growl but quickly composed myself, "Would you like some breakfast, Scarlet made a feast."

"I'd love that actually" we both walked back into the kitchen and sat down.

"I had planned an entire evening to celebrate her, starting with a picnic in the park with her favorite foods from her childhood. I won't ask until we get back home I just want to make sure she has a good time. It's not uncommon for me to do things like this for her so she won't suspect a thing. I knew I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life." I tell him

We continued to talk about future plans and what would happen if Natasha found out that my father was Enzo Lovius, who is the Italian Mafia Ambassador

After breakfast I head upstairs to get ready and Phillip leaves to accompany his girlfriend whom I have never met come to think of it.

Around noon I step out of the room in a well-fitted charcoal slacks with a crisp white button-down shirt, leaving the top couple buttons tantalizingly undone. Over it, I have on a soft navy blue merino wool sweater. On the feet are luxe Italian leather loafers without socks for a touch of sprezzatura. A silver chronograph watch and a simple black leather belt accentuate the tailored silhouette. My dark features are freshly groomed and my slick black hair is perfectly coiffed with just a hint of texture.

Natasha wore a breezy yellow sundress with a floral print to wear on our date. The dress has a flattering V-neckline and cinches at the waist with a self-tie fabric belt before flowing out into a flirty ruffled skirt that falls just above her knees. She pairs it with strappy sandals and a worn-in denim jacket for when the evening cools off. Her brunette locks are pulled half up with loose curls framing her face. Simple gold hoop earrings and a few dainty rings complete her laidback yet chic look.

"You look absolutely stunning, Natasha." I look at her with a wide smile on my face.

"Why thank you Mr. Lovius. You look very well put together your self" she walked over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. I hold out my arm as I turn to walk down stairs. She wraps her hands delicately around my arm and we walk down in unison.

We go to lunch and then to a movie. Then we finally get to the point in the day I am extremely nervous about. The picnic.

As we stroll through Central Park towards the picturesque viewing area, I have my arm wrapped protectively around Natasha's slender waist. Our contrasting styles, I am in my Old World affluent aesthetic and she in her youthful bohemian charm, make for a striking yet undeniably romantic pairing against the iconic New York City backdrop.

As we sipped wine and watched the sunset, I couldn't help but gaze at Natasha's radiant smile and get lost in her warm brown eyes.

That night, after accompanying her home, I decided it was finally time to admit how I truly felt. My palms were sweating as I gathered every ounce of courage and said, "Natasha, we've been incredible friends for a little bit of  time now. But over the past few months, you've become so much more than just a friend to me..."

I took both her hands in his. "You're the most caring, intelligent, and wonderful woman I know. I can't imagine my life without you by my side. Natasha, will you be my girlfriend?"

A beaming smile spread across her face as tears of joy welled up in her eyes. She grabbed me and hugged me tightly, barely able to get the words out: "Yes! Oh my god, yes, of course I'll be your girlfriend!"