Melted by her Love

PART 19:-The Night of the Proposal

The night was warm, the air buzzing with the excitement of the grand party being held at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. It was a celebration of business achievements, attended by CEOs, investors, and key industry figures. Emme had been invited by David, who had become a close friend since his return. Alex, naturally, was also present as one of the most prominent business leaders in the city.

As Emme stepped into the ballroom, all eyes turned toward her. She looked stunning in a deep emerald green gown that hugged her figure, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. The sparkle in her eyes and the warmth of her smile caught the attention of everyone in the room, not least of all Alex, who stood in the far corner, nursing a drink.

He watched her as she moved through the crowd, greeting people with her usual grace and charm. She seemed to light up the entire room, effortlessly drawing people toward her with her warmth. Alex’s chest tightened as he realized just how captivated he was by her. He had always admired her spirit, but tonight, she was something else entirely—dazzling, radiant, and untouchable.

David, dressed sharply in a tailored suit, made his way over to Emme, offering her a drink. The two of them fell into easy conversation, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Alex could feel the burn of jealousy creeping into his chest as he watched David stand so close to her, his hand occasionally brushing hers as they talked. The way David looked at her—like she was the only person in the room—made Alex’s stomach churn.

But he didn’t move. His cold demeanor remained intact, his face betraying nothing of the turmoil he felt inside. He took a long sip of his drink, trying to drown out the uncomfortable feelings that were bubbling to the surface. He had no right to feel this way, he reminded himself. Emme wasn’t his. He had made sure to keep his distance, to maintain the walls he had built around his heart. This jealousy was irrational.

And yet, it gnawed at him.

As the night went on, the party grew more lively. Music played, guests danced, and laughter echoed throughout the grand ballroom. Alex remained in his corner, brooding, as Emme and David continued to steal glances at each other. It was clear to everyone that David had strong feelings for her, and Emme—while not giving anything away—seemed comfortable in his presence.

Then, as the night reached its peak, David took a deep breath and turned to Emme with a look of determination. He took her hand, gently pulling her to the center of the room, where the crowd of partygoers parted to give them space. Alex’s grip tightened around his glass as he watched David’s next move.

“Emme,” David began, his voice strong but filled with emotion, “we’ve known each other for so long, and since I’ve come back into your life, it’s reminded me of how much you mean to me. You’re kind, strong, and everything I could ever want in a partner.”

A murmur spread through the crowd as people realized what was about to happen. Alex’s heart hammered in his chest, though his expression remained impassive.

David smiled warmly at Emme, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. He dropped to one knee, looking up at her with adoration. “Emme Carter, will you marry me?”

The room fell into a hushed silence, all eyes on Emme. She stared down at David, her face frozen in shock. She hadn’t been expecting this—not tonight, not ever, really. Her mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. She cared about David, she did. But marry him? The question hung in the air, suffocating her.

Alex’s jaw clenched as he stood in the corner, watching the scene unfold. His chest was tight, his hands curled into fists at his sides. He felt a surge of anger and frustration, but it wasn’t directed at David. It was directed at himself. He had stood by, keeping Emme at arm’s length, letting her slip through his fingers, and now someone else was offering her the world. And yet, he remained rooted in place, unable to do anything about it.

Emme didn’t say a word. She couldn’t. Instead, she took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The room seemed to close in around her, and without another word, she turned and fled. She didn’t wait for David’s reaction or for anyone to stop her. She just needed to get out, to breathe.

She rushed through the doors and into the cool night air, her heels clicking on the pavement as she made her way to the river that ran through the city. It was her favorite place to think, to clear her head. She stood at the water’s edge, staring out at the shimmering reflection of the city lights on the surface, her heart still racing.

She didn’t know how long she stood there before she heard footsteps behind her. She turned, expecting to see David, but instead, it was Alex. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his face shadowed by the dim light. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them thick in the air.

“I figured you’d come here,” Alex said quietly, stepping closer.

Emme crossed her arms, trying to regain her composure. “I needed some air.”

Alex nodded, his gaze fixed on the water. “You didn’t give him an answer.”

“No,” Emme replied, her voice soft. “I didn’t.”

He was silent for a long moment before he spoke again. “Why not?”

Emme turned to face him, her heart aching with the weight of her emotions. “Because I’m not sure it’s what I want. I care about David, but… something doesn’t feel right.”

Alex’s eyes met hers, and in that moment, something shifted between them. The walls he had so carefully constructed around himself seemed to crack, just a little. For the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to be vulnerable, to acknowledge the feelings he had tried so hard to deny.

“You don’t have to marry him, Emme,” Alex said, his voice low and sincere. “Not if you don’t want to.”

Emme’s breath caught in her throat. There was something in his tone, something raw and real, that made her heart skip a beat. She stepped closer to him, their eyes locked, the tension between them growing with every passing second.

“Why does it matter to you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But then, with a sigh, he finally spoke. “Because… I don’t want to see you with him. Not like that.”

Emme’s heart raced as his words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. She had always sensed that there was more between them, but hearing it from him, even in such a roundabout way, made her pulse quicken.

Alex stepped closer, his eyes intense as they searched hers. “I’m not good for you, Emme. I know that. But I can’t stand the thought of losing you to someone else.”

Her breath hitched as she looked up at him, her mind swirling with emotions she couldn’t quite name. “Alex…”

Before she could say anything more, he closed the distance between them, his hand gently cupping her cheek. His touch was hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure he should be doing this, but the look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.

And then, in a moment that felt both inevitable and impossible, Alex leaned down and kissed her.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but as their emotions surged to the surface, it deepened, filled with all the things they hadn’t said. Emme’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as the world seemed to fade away. There was no party, no David, no past—just the two of them, standing by the river, lost in each other.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

“I don’t know what this means,” Emme whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Alex’s thumb brushed gently against her cheek. “Neither do I. But I want to figure it out… with you.”

They stood there for a long time, the night air cool against their skin, the river flowing softly beside them. For the first time in a long time, Alex felt something other than cold calculation. He felt hope.

But as the night wore on, both of them knew that the future was uncertain. There were still so many things left unsaid, so many challenges ahead. And with the secret from Alex’s past still looming over them, they knew that this moment of peace might not last.

But for now, in this quiet moment by the river, they allowed themselves to just be.