Mr. Badass ✔

41 Ending

Gemma's POV.

I didn't expect to be woken up at six in the morning.

The sky isn't bright yet, and the quiet space is filled with Luke's voice, "Gemma."

"Hmm?"

"Gemma."

"Are we late?" That's my first reaction.

I take off my sleep mask to grab my phone from the nightstand, see the time, and then put the mask back on.

I can sleep for another hour.

"Gemma, I love you."

"I love you too," I murmur, already drifting back to sleep.

"Gemma, can you sit up?"

"No."

"Sit up." Luke's tone is gentle, but his actions are firm. He grips my arms and pulls me up.

I'm getting impatient. "I warn you, don't disturb someone who's sleeping, or else—"

Luke takes off my sleep mask.

I open my eyes groggily and swallow my words.

Because overnight, the house has transformed completely. Under the glow of the nightlight, the walls are covered with balloons, and the tables and chairs are adorned with red roses.

I turn to look at Luke.

He gazes at me with an incredibly earnest expression and says, "...Will you start life with me from today?"

I'm taken aback.

Then he pulls out a dark blue square box from his pocket, opens it to reveal a ring, stands up, and kneels before me.

"Gemma, please marry me."

This scene is oddly funny. I just woke up, my hair is messy, and my nightgown is nearly slipping off one shoulder, while a man in a suit is kneeling to propose to me.

"We're getting married in two hours," I state the obvious.

"Exactly, so we must complete this important ritual first."

"I wasn't expecting you to propose." I only brought up marriage to resolve his jealousy issues.

"I know. But most women look forward to this. What other women don't have, you should have. What other women do have, you should have more. I don't want you to suffer any grievances being with me."

I can't help but laugh. "How long did you prepare all this?"

"One sleepless night."

"I do," I nod and extend my finger to Luke.

The early morning air is cold, and the ring feels large and chilly on my finger.

I lie back down to continue sleeping, but Luke hugs me from behind, transferring all his warmth to me.

But I can't fall asleep anymore.

"Luke, I love you," I say, looking at the lightening sky through the curtain.

"I love you too." He gently kisses my cheek.

Today is September 19, an ordinary day without any holidays, and the process of getting the marriage certificate is simpler than I imagined.

At the moment I receive the certificate, I feel like I'm dreaming.

I stack the two certificates together, lift them for a photo, and post it on social media.

My phone starts buzzing non-stop as colleagues and friends send their congratulations.

This includes the lament of the real estate tycoon's son who was pursuing me.

Luke logs into his social account, likes my photo, and comments: "Love you."

I turn to look at him. "Are you satisfied now?"

"More or less," Luke smiles.

I have an important meeting in the morning, and Luke drops me off at the car dealership before leaving.

When I get home after work, I find Luke standing in the kitchen.

I change my shoes and walk over to see a pile of oddly chopped vegetables on the cutting board. He's holding his phone, checking a recipe, apparently trying to make beef udon.

I ask him what inspired this.

Luke turns to me, blinking. "My dad told me that cooking is one of the essential skills for a man."

I laugh. "What else?"

"Washing clothes, cleaning, watering the plants..."

I can't help it. "Wash your hands first; I have a more important task for you.

Luke reaches into the sink, turns on the tap, and washes his hands. The bright light and clean water contrast with his well-defined wrist and long fingers.

These hands are works of art; they shouldn't be wasted on frying udon but should be on my skin, playing some kind of melody.

I reach out, gripping his fingers in the cool flow.

Luke turns to me, and I push him back slightly, standing on tiptoe to kiss him.

The water turns off, and the vegetables and steak rest on the cutting board for now.

On the sofa, Luke begins to fulfill his more significant duties as a husband.

The prime Australian grass-fed steak ends up in the garbage bin at the door.

Luke holds me close. "This house is too small; we can move to an apartment in Manhattan."

"I don't want to."

"You prefer a villa? We can go to the suburbs; I have a house there too."

I sit up. "How many properties do you actually have?"

"I've never counted," Luke replies. "But I have houses in almost every major city in North America. Or do you want to go to Europe? London? Paris? Sicily? I have vacation homes there."

I lie back in his embrace, giving him a kiss.

"Why not just knock down the walls between the two houses? I love living here with you."

Luke thinks for a moment and smiles. "Alright."

Life is still long, but I want to spend it with this man.

This place is proof of our passionate love.

P.S.: Hey guys, so glad you liked this story about Gemma and Luke.

I will be away for a while due to my studies. But it won't be long; Will be back in late November with a new story.

Thank you for your support. Love. <3