Can I Get My Wedding in Black?

The Proposal

Ch. I: The Proposal

          “Will you marry me?” Cyrus’ voice comes from next to me. He’s down on one knee, a small black, velvet box in one hand. I open my mouth to speak, but only a high pitched squeal comes out.

          “Evaline,” He questions my expression, “Are you alright?” I manage to nod, but my mouth remains open. The entire restaurant stares at me, waiting for an answer. Well, they were already staring even before Cyrus proposed, considering you never really think of seeing a goth girl in a nice place like this.

          The majority of ladies at Leonardo’s tonight are dressed in formal gowns. The rest are in business attire, but not me. In skinny jeans, a black Evanescence tee shirt, and adorned in studs, I stick out like a sore thumb. I turn my attention away from my audience and back to my boyfriend.

          “So, what do you say?” Cyrus’s smile never fades, nor does it stray from me. I can finally speak, but do not know what to say.

          “Um… I…”

          “Evaline, I love you. I want to be with you forever, and if you said yes, you would make me the happiest man alive,” He pleads. This is when I get opinions from everyone in the restaurant, and not all of them are kind.

          “Say no, you don’t deserve him!”

          “It’s so sweet, say yes!”

          “Get on with it!”

          “Say yes!”

          “You’re too young!”

          “I’m 20!” I intervene, “I decide when I get married!” Once the place is silent, I turn back to Cyrus.

          “Come on, Evs, I can’t kneel forever,” He smirks.

          “Well…” I begin to reject him, considering I’ve known him for only two months, but instead I end up locking eyes with him. His soft brown irises, his perfect smile, everything about Cyrus May’s gaze completely melts my heart. In fact, it breaks my mind down and renders me helpless. So I can only say, the only thing my emotions allow to slip out my throat is,

          “Cyrus… I…” That’s when it occurs to me that I haven’t seen the ring yet, and I eagerly tap the black velvet box.

          “I had this custom-made, I hope you like it,” Cyrus says, and opens the box. My breath grows shaky, and all I can do is gawk at my ring. It’s glistening, sterling silver, and has my name engraved into it. But that’s not what catches my eye. It’s the glimmering midnight black onyx right smack in the middle of the thing.

          “Ohh…” I breathe. It’s a dream come true. My ring is not diamond, but onyx. Dark, beautiful, black onyx. My tone grows shrill, far too shrill for my liking.

          “Oh my God!”

          “Hey, no vain,” Cyrus interrupts me, then I continue,

          “I love it! How can I repay you?!” He smiles, takes the ring, and places it in my hand.

          “Say you’ll stay, so you want me to stay. With your dark-angelic radiance, say you’ll haunt me. I want to marry you, Evaline,” Cyrus looks up at me, eyes sparkling, “Say you will.” At this point, my decision is crystal clear and final. I slowly slide the ring onto my finger. I take a breath, smile, and say,

          “I will, Cyrus. I’ll marry you,” We get light applause from surrounding customers as Cyrus gets up and embraces me.

          “Well, Mrs. Cyrus May,” He passes me my phone, “Spread the word!” Instead of dialing up people, I stuff my phone into my purse and rush across the restaurant. As I thrust open the kitchen doors, I scream the name of my best friend.

          “Malcolm! Malcolm Sutro, get over here!” The head chef at Leonardo’s turns his head to look at me.

          “Evs, what is it?!” Malcolm laughs as he saunters over to me, swag mode apparently on.

          “I’m getting married!”

          “No way!” After giving me a congratulatory hug, he throws his chef hat down and takes my arm. I walk with him out of the steaming kitchen, and then ask,

          “Where are we going?”

          “Celebrating. Get your good- for- nothing fiancée and let’s go,” Malcolm replies. So I walk over, get Cyrus, and we’re out, free of charge. As we step into Cyrus’ expensive car, I clear my throat.

          “I just have one question.”

          “Shoot,” Cyrus says whilst checking his mirrors.

          “Can I get my wedding in black?”