Sweet Surprise

Chapter 4

                 

The ice cream parlor on W 14th  Street offered the best chocolate ice creams. There were at least seven distinct flavours to choose from, Dia finally zeroed on a dark chocolate hazelnut ice cream.

As she was about to enjoy the first spoon of sinful goodness, a chair moved in front of her  and said

" I hope you don't mind if I join you." She could not bother to answer, and nodded in affirmative, and indulged in the chocolate fantasy in front of her. She was about to take another spoonful, when a voice cleared, she was  gobsmacked.

Adam Carson, was sitting opposite and was observing her carefully, before his blue eyes locked with her doe eyes and said,  " I'm sorry to come in way of your ice cream, but I wanted to speak with you."

Dia admired Adam's restraint at addressing her politely, because, had the tables turned, she would not behave so patiently. So she replied, awkwardly, " Its just ice cream. How can I help you ?"

"Very well.  Dia.. We need to. No. We have to .. " Dia could sense his difficulty at forming constructive sentences, and then her mind enlightened her, as to what Adam could possibly say, she piped up , " Well I'll help you find Karen. I promise. "

Adam gritted and said, "No, you don't have to. Dia marry me ?" and pushed small black box in front of her. She was astonished at his proposal and tongue tied at the simple diamond ring. Everyone around them started clapping, and hooting.

"Oh Just say Yes. Girl ", someone hollered. The crowd guffawed.

She managed to whisper, "I don't believe this. I never imagined anything like this. " Then to her horror, Adam slipped the ring on her finger. She was bedazzled by it, surely this was a dream, her mind conjured. But the ring felt real, and her heart reaffirmed it.

She was about to rebuke Adam for his childishness, when her mobile buzzed incessantly. She looked puzzled, she really wanted to tear Adam apart, but then this call was important, Rosa had asked her yesterday to keep the afternoon free. She had to decide soon.

"Take the call Dia. I promise we will speak once we are outside.", Adam said calmly. Dia looked at him sternly and finally managed to hear what Rosa had to say.

Adam hoped, earnestly that Dia would not refuse his proposal, although she had every right to do so, but the livelihood of five thousand people depended on his marriage, he was desperate. Gramps and Mom would be happier, if he married. Dad however would be more than elated, his dreams would be fulfilled, Lawrie would finally be family.

"I'll see you in 10, Rosa ", Dia's voice ended his musing and he said, " I can drop you , if you want."

"No.. You won't . Actually just leave Mr.Carson. just leave.", Dia said angrily, she used exactly his words from the other night, but then she hardly cursed people. Impeccable manners were essential when you operate a upscale restaurant. So she straightened herself, and left the table with the half melted chocolate goodness.

Adam did not miss a step, he followed her straight, and found himself in front of a hospital close to the subway station. He imagined the worst, and raced inside only to find a rather distressed looking Dia, clutching reports, and a dark haired girl, squeezing her hands gently.

"It's a routine procedure Dia, but the sooner its done, better", he hear her say.

"Are you sure Rosa ?"

"I would tell you if its serious right."

Dia nodded and then crunched her eyebrows and asked, "  What's the approximate cost for this procedure ?"

"Anything between 20000-30000. But he has insurance right ?"

Her eyebrows raised at the cost, they had a loan outstanding for the renovation work of Rizzo's. It was a tight situation, but Dia was quite sure, if she managed to power up the breakfast meal, then this would be comfortable, and she twirled a loose hair.

"Dia I didn't expect this from you. ", Rosa observed the simple diamond ring, and a man desperately trying to make himself inconspicuous, almost had her in splits, but she wanted to know the truth, after all tabloids were never a reliable source of information.

"What are you talking about ?", Dia asked curiously. Rosa eyes glinted at her engagement ring, she could not help but mutter ," That stupid man –"

"Is right behind you, two steps away", countered Rosa with a wink,  "Don't look back. Tall , dark, handsome. I forgive you about your secret engagement."

Dia muttered "I could not possibly inform you about my engagement, because- "

"I proposed to her ten minutes back", offered Adam, and then brought his hand forward to Rosa , "Adam Carson. I hope everything is alright with Dia, she seemed indisposed, Dr ." , trailed off uncomfortably at the dazed expression of Dia's friend.

"I am Rosa. Resident Nurse. Pleased to meet you  Adam.", Rosa found the situation amusing, as both the protagonists looked extremely uncomfortable around each other, and Dia recognized the scheming look that Rosa sported, she tried to convey her  "don't-do- something –stupid" look, but it was a epic fail, as Rosa had to conveniently leave to attend Room No. 401 and suggested that lovely café  the just round corner for  "young love".

Dia gathered the reports , and walked away confidently, Adam pulled her forearm and said, "Dia, please can we talk ? "

"There's nothing to talk about ok. Mr. Carson", Dia replied arrogantly, Adam was persistent, and said, " There is and you know that. We have to talk about the wedding."

" I am not marrying you Mr. Carson"

"Its Adam. I know its not ideal situation, please understand." Dia turned around and faced him, she could see that his eyes reflected genuine concern, and hopelessness. She felt overwhelmed, and said, "I have twenty minutes before I leave for prep time." Adam led her to his car, and  once he ensured that she was seated, he started driving.

"Dia, I can assure you that I didn't think of marrying after I saw that note. My dad insisted that if we don't get married, then the chairmanship will pass on to Chris", Adam said in a grim manner. Dia felt, that this Chris character was not the best candidate for the position, but she had to verify his intention, "And you don't want Chris because he is your rival, right ?"

"No he is not my rival, Chris is my younger brother, he wants to be an actor, Broadway and all. It would be terrible to remove him from his dream, when he just managed to land a significant role. I don't want the future of five thousand employees livelihood in jeopardy, because of my whims.", with that he made a turn towards the business district and the car made the inadvertent traffic stop.

" I'll think about it," Dia answered, and she noticed that Adam's hand held the wheel tight, but she was surprised when he didn't reflect his anger and requested, " Please consider. If you want we can even have a pre-nup –"

"Stop right there. I don't want a wedding with terms and conditions applied.", She said seriously, and began to wonder, whether Adam was really noble as he was trying to portray.

Adam brought the car to a stop in front of Rizzo's and went to her side swiftly to open the door, Dia was amused, she said," Charmed. Mr. Carson."

"It's Adam for you Dia. I'll be expecting your call", and slipped his card on her palm in a secretive manner, Dia's cheeks flushed at their contact, but she managed to say "Good bye."