Exchange (Sequel)

Chapter 19

"Elia Towns will you marry me?" The words played over, and over in her head.

She looked down at Devin, and the ring as she was completely overcame with mixed emotions.

"Well will you marry me?"

"De--Devin," she stuttered over her words. "I can not marry you. I am so sorry."

They both started to cry again. Devin got off one knee placing the box on her table. "You can keep it."

Devin grabbed the side of Elia's face and passionately kissed her.

"I love you Ms.Towns," he said as he went to the door.

Devin got into his car and just sat there. His emotions were already out. He cried as much as he could. He tried crying the rest of the pain away, but there was no more tears to cry.

"FUCKKK...." he said hitting his steering wheel. Finally starting up the ignition.

The entire time Elia was watching outside her window.

She wanted to say yes but she couldn't. That is what she wanted the most to be Mrs.Booker. But, if she would have accepted the ring they would do nothing but hurt one another in marriage. What's the point of taking a vow that'll break.

Elia stopped looking out the window when she saw Devin drive off. She picked up the box with the ring in it, and smiled as tears came down her face again.

Elia threw her phone, then she started to throw a little bit of everything. After she felt like she let all her anger out she picked up her house phone and called her mom.

"Mommy please tell me I did the right thing," she said crying like a baby.

"What baby? Slow down."

"De--Devin proposed," she said sniffing. "And I said no mom."

"Why did you say no? It seems like you're heartbroken about the situation."

"Because I felt it was right."

"You felt it was right, but knew it was wrong Lia."

"No mom I love him and he loves me."

"Okay now you're definitely confusing me. Baby I'm to old for you to be sending my brain in a whirl."

"I don't know."

"When you love somebody you want the best for them Lia. He's just not thinking beyond his age. Me and you both know that'll be a toxic relationship. You have to let go what you love sometimes. You live and learn."

"Bye momma."

"Bye baby love you feel better, and be strong young lady."

••••••••••
"Hey baby," Elia said picking up Armani in a hoarse voice.

"Hi mommy," he said hugging his mom. She was able to clean up the entire house before Armani came.

It was just a little broken glass here and there. But, nothing to over the radar.

"Mommy was wrong with you voice?" He asked.

"Nothing. Mommy will be fine. She just needs to drink some nice hot tea. Want to help make it with me?" She questioned him.

"Yes," he said while shaking his head.

They headed to the kitchen and grabbed a pot to boil the water. She grabbed two cups. Elia put a teabag in one cup. And a bag of hot coco in another cup.

"Dhank you mommy,"

"You're very welcome baby."

Elia smiled, because every time she looked at Armani she saw little more of his father in him.

Then she thought back to the ring, and the proposal. The tears and the emotions.

"Mommy don't try," she hadn't even realized she let some tears slip out her eyes.

"I know I know," she said wiping her tears. "Mommy is just not feeling it right now."

She got off the couch to fix her tea, and his hot coco.