The Sweet Encounter (Completed)

Chapter Sixteen - The News

           

The ride was as silent as an empty cathedral. Brie gazed through her misty eyes at the thick clouds out the window. They seemed so tranquil and moved with grace and agility. Her life seemed the complete opposite at this moment. There seemed to be tension and jealousy. She thought as an adult that being involved in a more mature relationship wouldn't cloud her judgment, but she realized her thought process had all been erroneous. Where did she go wrong? How did it get so intense and complicated?

Trey didn't say a single word to her, and she feared what he thought of her now. She shared details of their relationship to Jerry. Of all people, her ex-fiancé, but Jerry was a friend with a good heart. He knew her well, and having him listen to her, even if it was unreasonable, gave her a little comfort.

They walked into her condo, and still no words were spoken. She placed her keys on the counter and slipped off her shoes. It didn't take him long, but Trey held her from behind. His nose dove into her hair, and she could hear his breathing of sorrow.

"Brie, your silence is killing me. I know what I did was wrong, and I don't know how else to apologize. I don't want to lose you. Not when I just found you."

Brie was stunned. All this time, she thought she had wronged Trey, yet he was feeling guilty the entire time over what he did to Jerry. Granted, Trey did leave it at peace and walked away, but Jerry provoked Trey even further. She twisted herself to face him and held his face with her hands.

"Why would you think that you would lose me?" She saw tears down his face and didn't realize it hurt him so. The pure thought of losing her scared him this much. She wiped the tears away with her thumb, and wanted him to open his eyes.

"Trey. It was wrong of me to open up with Jerry about our issues."

"I'm not even upset with that. I know you need to confide in others. I'm upset at myself for hurting the people you love. Seeing Mrs. Lockhart staring at her son when she just lost her husband, it pained me. I felt like a reckless piece of shit."

"You're far from that, Trey." She pulled him closer to comfort him.

"Brie, I've never been this close to someone. I've never had to worry about my feelings because I was never this invested into a relationship. So yes, I regret what I did. Now, I don't know where to go after here."

"You're not going anywhere, Trey."

"That's just it. I wasn't willing to move in with you, but let me say this. The more I spend time with you, the more I realize you deserve everything and more."

She didn't understand what he was trying to imply, but she wasn't feeling secured about his plea.

"I don't understand what you're wanting, Trey. I didn't mean to cross any boundaries you're uncomfortable with. To be honest, I thought you were further ahead between us."

"Brie, I'm beyond imagining any other life without you. The possibility of not having you in my life terrifies me. All I know is everything falls into a harmonious balance as soon as you're here. The moment I laid eyes on you at your shop, I knew I wanted you. The evening you walked into the charity ball, I knew I needed you. And when you left my house that night, I knew I loved you then. I want more than sharing an apartment together. Brie."

While holding her hands, Trey gracefully placed one knee on the ground. He took out a velvet maroon box with one hand. He opened the box, and Brie saw a stunning antique solitaire diamond ring. She clasped her hand over her mouth. Her breathing stalled for a moment.

"Brie Staples, I want to share the rest of my life with you, not only as your lover, but your husband. I want to be able to honor you, protect you and love you. Please accept this ring and accept my flaws that come with it. So will you have all of me, Brie, because I want everything about you as my wife?"