Behind The Scenes

Chapter 18: A promise of forever

## A Promise of Forever

The air in Devora's apartment crackled with anticipation, not the nervous kind that usually accompanied a first date, but a charged, hopeful energy that made my heart thrum a steady beat against my ribs. It was a feeling I hadn't dared to hope for, a warmth that bloomed from the depths of my soul, fueled by the intoxicating memory of last night.

The first time.

It wasn't just the physical intimacy, though that had been exquisite, a symphony of sensation that had left me breathless and trembling. No, it was the way Devora had held me, the tender way her eyes had gazed into mine as if she saw my soul, and the hesitant, yet determined way her lips had met mine. It was the way she'd whispered my name, a silken thread weaving itself into the tapestry of my heart.

This was different. This was real. This was Devora.

She'd left earlier, promising to run errands and squeeze in a workout before coming home. It was a perfect opportunity, a chance to create the scene I'd envisioned in my head a hundred times over.

My heart thrummed a nervous rhythm as I moved around the apartment, setting the stage for our evening. The kitchen table was adorned with a delicate tablecloth, the centerpiece a bowl of fragrant lilies Devora loved. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air, a symphony of smells rising from the simmering pot on the stove. My fingers danced over the polished wood of the table, placing candles, their soft glow casting long, dancing shadows that played on the walls. A single, elegant glass of red wine, waiting to be shared.

The scent of lilies mingled with the familiar fragrance of Devora's favorite vanilla candle as she stepped into the apartment. She stopped mid-stride, eyes wide and lips parting in a gasp. Her gaze swept over the table, the candles, the roses, and finally rested on me, my heart hammering against my ribs like a hummingbird's wings.

"Devyn," she breathed, a single tear escaping her eye and rolling down her cheek. Then, before I could even move, she was in my arms, her embrace a soft, comforting cocoon around me.

"You are incredible," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

The words, whispered in a hushed tone, were enough to set my heart on fire. I gently pulled away, cupping her face in my hands, my thumb tracing the contours of her cheek.

"I wanted this to be special," I whispered, my voice catching on a tremor. "For you."

Devora's eyes were shimmering, a deep, soulful pool reflecting the flicker of candlelight. I felt a surge of tenderness, a protectiveness that surprised me with its intensity. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in this moment, frozen in time, savouring the quiet intimacy of her presence.

"I want to ask you something," I began, my voice almost inaudible. I felt my knees tremble, an unfamiliar sensation that made me clench my hands into fists.

Devora tilted her head, her expression questioning, but also trusting. The trust she placed in me, so readily, so willingly, made me ache with a strange, beautiful despair. I never wanted to disappoint her, never ever.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "You've been so patient with me, Devora," I began. "You've been everything I needed you to be through my heartache, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, and... the truth is, I'm in love with you. I want to be with you, for as long as you'll have me. And I hope you say yes. Will you be my girlfriend?"

The words tumbled out, a torrent of emotions flooding my being. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for her answer.

For a moment, there was only silence, the soft crackle of the candles filling the void. Then, Devora's lips curved into a slow smile, a beautiful, radiant smile that lit up her entire face. I felt a surge of relief that nearly made me weep.

"You've seen all my flaws, Devyn," she murmured, her voice husky with emotion. "And you showed me that my scars are beauty marks now. I realize that the ugliness I saw there, are pretty things to you. I don't have to cover anything. I share it all. I don't have to hide. You take me as I am, and I take you as you are. So yes, I will be your girlfriend."

My heart swelled, my chest tightening with emotion. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, the promise ring I'd chosen for her, a symbol of our beginning, a promise of our forever. The small diamond sparkled, catching the candlelight and reflecting back a dazzling brilliance, just like the love I felt for her.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I slipped the ring onto her finger, the smooth metal cool against her skin. This was only the beginning, and as I looked into her eyes, I knew with every fiber of my being that our story was just unfolding, a love story unlike any other, a story that would forever be written in the crimson ink of our shared passion.