Captivated

A Heart Full Of Love

Well, I had to get in one more Les Mis reference as a title before this book ended... I think we all saw that coming. I can't believe that tomorrow's update is going to be the penultimate chapter to this book. It's finishing up with 2018, as I like to say. But enough soppy stuff for now, I'll save that for a few more days! Until then, enjoy/comment/vote!
-ab

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September 16, 2025

Patrick

Patrick: Love, Joe just texted me and said that he needs some help moving some heavy furniture, or something like that. Taylor's in the studio right now. He's going to feed me in return for help. It looks like I won't be home until late tonight... I'm so sorry.

Harper: No, no, no, that's fine! Have fun with Joe xxxxx

Patrick: Thank you xxxx

I smile as I tuck my phone away, having successfully deceived Harper. I really am meeting up with Joe, but not for the reasons which I've stated. We are actually going to the jewellery store. He's going to help me pick out a ring which I can propose to Harper with.

I'm probably going to do it sometime within the next few days. I'm nervous, for sure, but I'm also so excited to be moving on to the next step in our relationship.

"Hey," Joe says when I meet up with him in the park near the clinic. "Are you ready to get this ring?"

"I'm so ready," I laugh. "Where are we off to?"

"Goldsmiths. It's in Westfield London," he tells me.

"Are we taking the tube?"

"Either Hammersmith & City or Circle line to Wood Lane," Joe tells me. "Let's go."

"Is Taylor's driver with her?" I laugh, knowing that Joe tries to avoid the tube when he can.

"You've got it," he laughs.

Once we make it to the nearest station, I fish around in my satchel for my Oyster card, then scan it as we step into the station. We are able to catch the Hammersmith & City line, so we don't have to transfer trains until we find ourselves at Wood Lane. As I'm not too familiar with this part of the city, Joe has to lead the way until we are at the store.

"Hello," a sales lady greets us as soon as we walk in. "May I help you?"

She probably gets her paycheck based on commission, I think to myself.

"Yeah," Joe says. "This guy needs to buy an engagement ring."

Immediately, the lady, whose name tag reads 'Amy,' breaks into a huge smile. "Congratulations," she tells me. "Who's the lucky fiance-to-be?"

"My girlfriend, Harper," I tell her.

"Tell me about her," Amy says, as she leads Joe and I over to a case of rings near the back of the store.

"Well... she's just wonderful. I love her, so much."

"What does she do for a job?"

"She's an actress. She's got the best voice out of anybody that I know, and she just finished up a run as Cosette in Les Miserables on the West End."

"That's so amazing," Amy says. "So, she likes to sing... what else about her?"

"She's so sweet... she loves kids and cats, and she plays the piano, guitar, and ukulele. Oh, and Taylor Swift. I couldn't forget that," I laugh. "Taylor Swift is her absolute favourite artist, and she loves going to Taylor's concerts."

"That's so sweet. What's her style like?"

"Her favourite outfits usually consist of flowery dresses and denim jackets. With Taylor Swift patches sewn onto them, of course."

"So she likes colourful things?" Amy guesses.

"Absolutely. Pink is her favourite. Most of her wardrobe is pink."

"Why don't you take a look at our rose gold rings, then?" she suggests. I look to Joe for guidance.

"I think it's worth a look," he shrugs. "Of course, we may want to see others, too."

"Of course," Amy tells us. "Rose gold can be a starting point, though."

She starts pointing out rings which are rose gold, and I instantly feel overwhelmed. There are so many choices.

I know that Joe can tell how I'm feeling. "It's hard, isn't it?" he laughs. "Today, my brother, you are officially a man."

"I didn't know that manhood came with buying jewelry," I tell him cheekily.

"Manhood can be defined in many ways. This is one of them."

"Joe," I groan, "are you not going to help me out here?"

"My job is to whack you when you pick a ring that you can't afford."

Rolling my eyes, I turn my attention back to the display case.

"Pick a few that you like," Amy suggests.

"That one's nice," I tell her, pointing to a simple ring with a rose gold band and three little diamonds on the front of it. "Oh! I love that one with the diamonds in the shape of a flower, too."

"Oh, I really like that one," she says, picking up the rose gold band with the diamonds which look like a flower. "There's actually two types of that style- the .5 diamond and the 1.0 diamond."

"What are the prices?" I ask.

"£1500 and £3000, respectively."

"Oh wow," I laugh. "That's quite the difference. Can I see the cheaper one?"

Amy nods and pulls the ring out for me to look at. Joe peeks over my shoulder. "That's gorgeous," he remarks. "I could really see Harper wearing that."

"I could too," I nod. "Let's keep this one in mind."

Joe and I spend another hour or so looking at other rings, but none of them top the first one which we looked at.

"Do you want to go with that one?" Amy asks me, as I find myself looking at it again.

"I think you should," Joe tells me. "Seriously, man."

"It's still a bit expensive..."

"We can get you on a payment plan that starts at as little as £28 per month," Amy informs me.

"Well, that, I can afford," I laugh. "How many months until it's payed off?"

"The cheapest plan would take a few years..."

"I can put down £500 for the ring right now," I offer. "After that, probably £50 per month..."

"I can make those arrangements," Amy tells me. "That would get everything payed off in 20 months."

"It's still a pretty long time, but I suppose that I can work with that," I sigh. I can't believe that I'm about to spend so much money on a piece of jewelry, but I know that it is for Harper, and I have to get this ring. She's going to love it.

"If you find yourself with some extra money, then you can pay off more than £50 per month, but there is a £50 minimum," she explains.

"Your new job pays well, Patrick. You should be able to get the ring payed off in no time," Joe assures me. "Don't stress about it."

Amy nods as she brings the ring over to the register. I sign a contract for my payment plan, pay my initial payment, and then, she boxes up the ring and hands it to me.

"Congratulations," she tells me with a smile as she hands me the package.

"Thank you for your help," I tell her. I notice that Joe slips her a £10 note as we leave, as thanks for all of the assistance that she has given us.

"Are you happy with that?" Joe asks me.

"Absolutely," I tell him.

"Good. Now, all that you've got to do is pop the question."