Ethan.. are you sure you're alright?"
I asked him with concern. He didn't let go of my hand and answered,
"Grace, now, I'm going to tell you something that's been on my mind for quite some time. I've practised this again and again in my head, but still, don't interrupt me in between or I'll lose my words. Whatever you want to say, say it after I'm done.. okay?"
"Okay.."
"Good.. Grace, no amount of words can express my love for you. We didn't have a love at first sight and that makes it even more special. I love you in a way I've never loved anyone before. I love the way how you can be stubborn and understanding in the very same moment. I love having someone as beautiful and elegant as you beside me. I love and cherish every single minute we spend together. You have the kindest heart I've ever known, and I love your comely personality. I can cross all the limits, to get a glance of your blissful face everyday..."
I was smiling and blushing like crazies. As if this much wasn't enough, Ethan got down on one knee, produced a small box from his pocket, and opened it in front of me. It had a beautiful ring inside it, with a huge pink diamond, which was surrounded by many white diamonds. As I gasped, he continued.
"All I'm asking from you, is to make my work of keeping you pleased forever easier, by letting me be by your side... Grace; will you marry me, and make me the happiest man?"
Tears of happiness were welling in my eyes. Ethan too had a similar feeling. He was smiling ear to ear. Seeing my reaction, he got up and gave me a partial hug.
"I get the feeling. But really, Grace, there's no pressure.. it'll be a huge step, and as much as I want you to say yes, I want you to be absolutely sure about it. I'll understand if you decide otherwise."
I calmed myself down and thought with my logical brain. The answers given by the logical brain, may not always be the most cheerful ones, but they do promise a better future.
There's no doubt that Ethan loves me a lot and he has also proven it time and again. We've spent quite some time dating and it's natural that he wants things to move up to another level. But, I also can't deny the fact that I'm too young to handle the title of 'Mrs Reyes'. After thinking a lot about it, I made my decision.
"Ethan, I love you, and I'd like nothing more than being committed to you..."
".....but?"
"But I can't take this step right now. I still have so much to see and do. I'm not done with my studies even. I'm sorry Ethan, but I think we should wait a little longer for this."
I expected Ethan to be angry, or disappointed. Rather, he had a calm face, and even looked a bit proud by my decision.
"That's okay love. I'm happy to see you're seeing ahead of the present. But if you don't mind, I have another proposal. This one's slightly more reasonable."
"Go on.."
"Marriage is a far fetched idea right now, but is it okay if we get engaged? We can move in together and live as an engaged couple near whichever collage you decide to go to. That way, we'll still be together, and the ring won't get wasted either. But again, it's entirely your decision."
"When did you get this committed ?"
"Commitment, love, obsession, call it whatever you like. I'm simply making sure that no mediocre classmate of yours tries to cross their line."
"So the above average ones will be allowed to cross the line?"
"Absolutely not."
Ethan is too adorable when he's jealous and that always makes me laugh. Though the sudden overflow of Ethan's affection was a bit surprising.
Ethan was waiting for his answer and was getting impatient. He asked,
"Grace, say something.."
"Mr. Reyes. I have to say that you make quite a deal."
"....is that a ye-?"
I silenced him, mid sentence by a kiss and then said.
"Yes... That was a yes."
Overflowing with emotions, Ethan kissed me again. This kiss was more fierce and lingering. After the kiss was over, he slipped the ring over my finger and kissed it. Ethan then asked me if I had any problem with going official.
All the time we've dated, the paparazzi have been dying to know who Ethan Reyes' girlfriend is. Ethan and I will be living together, and people will surely see the engagement ring on finger, I thought it's about time we go official. Since Reyes international is sponsoring the event, few of the humble reports were invited as well. As "There's no time like now" is Ethan's favourite saying, he decided that the announcement will be made at this very event.
We made our way down the stairs and then Ethan took the stage. The crowd feel silent and listened to him attentively. He gave a small discription of our love story, not mentioning the name, creating a dramatic atmosphere. Then, he called me upon the stage. Ever single head in the room turned in my direction. Ethan took my hand as I reached the center of the stage. He was about to make the big announcement. I snaked my hands around his arm and leaned closer to him.
All of a sudden, a noice was heard. Like a short lived explosion. And at the very same time, I experienced a pang of pain in my back. Processing the scenario, only one explanation made sense. I had been hit by a bullet.
Some people gasped, some shouted, and some tried to run away. Energy drained out of my body at an enormous rate. I lost my balance and collapsed. Before I could hit the ground, Ethan dropped the mic and cradele me in his arms. He shouted instructions to call an ambulance and close the exits. He had a mixture of fear, regret, anger and helplessness on his face. He kept repeating the same sentence, telling me to look at him and not close my eyes. His voice went shaky and it appeared that he'll break into tears at any moment.
My face was wet with tears of pain, and I was trying really hard to hide the amount of torment I was going through, for the sake of Ethan. Because of the location of this event, it was taking longer than usual for the ambulance to reach. Though I'm not a quitter, and I never give up. But at a time like this, unpleasant thoughts are bound to come.
"Ethan.. I'd hate to see you cry at my last hour."
"Do NOT say that ever again!! I'm not letting anything happen to you, do you hear me?!?!"
"You are stubborn as hell.."
I said to him incoherently with a light chuckle and then all I remember is darkness, with the distant sound of sirens.
I don't really remember, how much time later, but I opened my eyes and found myself in a hospital bed. Gently stroking my hairs, sitting beside me was my mom. Relief washed over her face when she saw me returning to my senses.
"Thank God, you are up. Your fiance out there would have killed every doctor in this building if it took you any longer to wake up."
First I smiled at her, but when I repeated her words in my head, my expression changed to that of shock.
"...you know?"
"Of course I know. Ethan told us everything."
"Are you mad that I didn't consult you about this?"
"Gigi, this is your life, and whatever is happening in it, should be your decision. Moreover, Ethan is a great man. So,no. We aren't mad at you."
We chatted a bit longer and then mom left the room to inform everyone that I'm up. Within few minutes, Ethan entered the room.
"Hey there, Mr Fiance."
I said to him with the widest smile, possible at that time.
He smiled back weakly at me and sat beside my bed. I noticed his sleeves were rolled up. Probably to hide the spots of blood, which were still visible.
He took my hand in his and rubbed it's back slowly with his thumb. His face clearly depicted, what was going through his head, and I wasn't happy with it.
"Ethan, stop thinking about this so much. You know it wasn't your fault."
After a long silence, he spoke.
"If only I would have looked at the security protocol myself. Or maybe we could have avoided this if I didn't suggest on going official at that time. Or maybe I should have chosen a different occasions for-"
"What the hell is wrong with you, Ethan? The person who did this, must have been planning this for a very long time. This was inevitable."
"Nothing is inevitable, Grace... You could have died, and I would be responsible for that. Let me live with this, so I don't repeat this mistake again."
"Ethan.."
"I can't imagine a single day without you, Grace. I don't know what I may have done if you didn't wake up.... And the person who's behind all this, will have to face the consequences now..."
Ethan's expression drastically changed as he said the last sentence. I opened my mouth to reason with him, but before that, he kissed my forehead, ordered me to rest, and left the room.
I'm suddenly was feeling very concerned for whoever tried to kill me. Because Ethan's expression aren't promising any sign of mercy.
I was kept in hospital for some days. Mom, Reyansh, Abby, Carol, Kyle and Jason paid regular visits. Ethan was practically living in the hospital during this time. Dad came rarely.... Which was good.
Abby informed me that right from the night of our prom, the entire social media is buzzing with news of Ethan Reyes' fiancee getting shot by a bullet. I thought she was exaggerating it, but the day I got released from the hospital, the crowd outside was proof that she hasn't been kidding.
Two days later, Ava payed me visit.
She was crying and was begging me to convince Ethan, to change his decision. In the internet buzz and hospital rounds, I almost forgot about the culprit. Turns out, he's none other than, Noah. For the crime Noah has done, the maximum punishment is four to seven years. But rumors say that he'll be sentenced to life imprisonment. This, I believe, is Ethan's doing.
Ave said that she could prove Noah was with her for most of the nights, but since he has attempted the same thing earlier, I don't think I'll be able to help them this time.
For longer than an hour, she tried to convince me to help her. And though not entirely, but some part of me didn't believe that Noah was responsible for this.
But another thing which was for sure, was that Ethan won't be considering any pleading this time.
In a blink of an eye, the graduation day was over, and it was time for goodbyes. Abby got selected in Cambridge. I'm so proud of her. Jason and Kyle's scholarships landed them in Yale. Ava's brain was severely disturbed during the exam days, but still, she managed to get into Cornell.
Me?
I'll be taking a gap year. I'm developing a thesis right now, Which I'm aiming to convert into a book. On top of that, this gap will help me and Ethan figure things out in a better way, as we'll get more time together.
We won't be staying in the Reyes' mansion. It's too huge for my liking. But don't worry, the new place has been decided. It still is a mansion, as Ethan didn't believe small house would have been secure, but this one is comparatively a lot more cozier.
I was packing my last bag when Ethan hugged me from behind and kissed the top of my head.
"You didn't really had to do this. We could have bought you a new wardrobe."
"You mean, go shopping with you? No thanks."
"C'mon now. I have a nice taste."
"Maybe.. but you're bossy. You buy the first thing you like without consulting, and the first thing you like is generally laced stuffs with low cuts. Also, whenever we're-"
"Okay, okay, I got it. I'm a horrible shopping companion. Happy now?"
"A little."
"Since you're happy now... Shall we leave?"
Exhaling deeply and relaxing my nerves, I replied,
"Yeah... Let's go."