Whisper Destiny

Chapter 24

~ Natasha ~

"Oh my gosh... oh my gosh... oh my goshhhhh!" Chase screamed once we were in the car.

"Nattyyyyy...."

"I think I'm going to die..."

He was rambling non-stop.

"Please be quiet, Chase. I can't focus on driving," I said, annoyed by his outburst.

"Omg, Natty. Catherine Ortiz just proposed to you," he exclaimed. "If I were you, I would have screamed yes, you know!"

"She knelt down on one knee just for you. Do you know how rare that is for her? She would never do that for anyone else on earth, Natty," he continued, still rambling.

I ignored him, trying to shut him out. My mind drifted back to Catherine. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. The fact that she bought an engagement ring for me was already unexpected, but her accepting my challenge to properly propose took it to another level.

It wasn't the grand, sweeping proposal I had always imagined. No moonlit beach, no serenading violins. Yet, as Catherine knelt before me, her eyes glistening with sincerity, I couldn't help but feel a rush of intimacy that took my breath away. Despite my reluctance to acknowledge it, her words, spoken with such raw honesty, touched a part of me I didn't know existed.

I recalled that moment vividly, my heart pounding like a drumroll, threatening to burst from my chest. I glanced at the ring on my finger, its sparkle catching the light from the streetlamp. The design was simple yet captivating, with a delicate band of intertwined gold and silver, symbolizing unity and balance. At its center sat a modest but stunning sapphire, deep blue and mesmerizing, encircled by tiny, brilliant diamonds. It wasn't extravagant, nor was it overly simple—it was just right, beautiful in a unique way that perfectly captured the essence of who I am.

"Natty, did you hear me?" Chase's voice pulled me back to reality. He would be staying overnight at my house since he was joining me for Catherine's event tomorrow. I needed his moral support, even though he can be annoying all the time to me.

From the day I accepted the proposal, I always tried to appear unbothered about this whole plan, but I couldn't ignore the nervousness gnawing at me about the announcement.

As Chase reached for my hand to inspect the ring, his eyes sparkled with admiration. "Chase, I'm driving," I reminded him firmly, my grip tightening on the steering wheel to emphasize the point.

Ignoring my caution, he continued, "It's exquisite. My muse truly has impeccable taste." With a sigh, I pulled my hand away, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Chase's excitement was palpable, as if Catherine herself had proposed to him instead of me. "You're one lucky pumpkin-pie," he remarked, his tone tinged with envy. "I'm super duper jealous of you."

Unable to suppress my irritation, I shot back, "Then why don't you marry her?"

He chuckled, brushing off my sarcasm. "She only has eyes for you, you know. Did you see the way she looks at you, and I'm gay, remember?"

"I thought you forgot you were gay" With a heavy sigh, I continue, "Chase, it's just an arranged marriage. And it's only temporary." But the words felt hollow, even to my own ears, as if I were trying to convince myself as much as him. Chase didn't comment further.

As we pulled up to my house, I hurriedly made my way inside, eager to retreat to the sanctuary of my room. The weight of the evening's events hung heavily on my shoulders, and all I wanted was to escape into solitude.

Chase stopped me midway, his expression a mix of concern and nostalgia. "Nat, I miss the old you—the spontaneous, cheerful, and happy you," he said, his voice laced with hope.

I paused, feeling a pang of something I couldn't quite name, but I quickly pushed it aside. That person had been long gone, buried beneath layers of change and experience. Without a word, I turned away from Chase and continued up to my room, seeking the quiet refuge I desperately needed.

Alone in my room, before slipping into bed, I found myself drawn once more to the ring. Its delicate sparkle caught the lamplight, captivating me despite my efforts to remain detached. I went to sleep tonight with heavy sighed.

******

By afternoon, people bustled around my house, to get me ready for the event. My mother gave clear instructions on how she wanted me to look. With a resigned sigh, I surrendered myself to their capable hands, allowing them to mold me into whatever vision my mother had concocted for the evening.

Meanwhile, Chase and my mother engaged in lively conversation, their excitement for the tonight event. Yet, despite their enthusiasm, my own nerves churned relentlessly. After the events of last night, I wasn't sure I was ready to face Catherine again very soon, but it seemed I had little choice in the matter. Desperate to calm my racing thoughts, I attempted to meditate, drawing upon the techniques I had learned in therapy, though now for an entirely different purpose.

After hours the team do their magic, I'm ready to go. My mother and Chase also has been ready for the event while my father will meet us directly at the venue.

"Natasha Helena," Chase commented, his voice a soft murmur laden with admiration, "you look absolutely stunning." His eyes sparkled with a pride that mirrored a doting father beholding his beloved daughter on her wedding day.

As I gazed upon the reflection before me, a surge of disbelief coursed through my veins. Could that truly be me?

The midnight blue gown, with its cropped satin jacket adding a touch of contemporary flair, teased at the edges of convention, daring to redefine sophistication in its own unique way. Through the sheer lace panels, my legs, sheathed in towering black platform heels, offered a tantalizing glimpse of allure, a silent promise of confidence and grace.

My hair was slicked back into a sleek up do, while a deep plum lip colour was the finishing touch to the gorgeous ensemble.

My overall look being completed by the engagement ring, which it seemed meticulously chosen to complement the ensemble, adding flashes of brilliance to the canvas of midnight blue. I believe, Catherine has been planning all of this, and I'm totally impressed.