|Cold Feet.|
"Wait! Is this because of Thomas?"
Malisha got really quiet and Duke move to kneel before her again. For the fifth time that day, he gently clasped her hands and ran small circles on her thumbs. A move that was meant to be comforting but was now making Malisha to become uncomfortable especially with the growing familiarity.
"I see that I have hit the nailright on the head." He smiled softly as he attempted to lighten up the mood, but Malisha was still not responding.
"Lisha. You should know by now that I truly adore that boy. Since I met him, I have grown to love him as if he was my own. In fact, I have always wished that he was mine." She still would not say anything, so Duke tried a different approach.
"I could always adopt him..."
"What?" she finally exclaimed an alarmed look taking over her eyes.
"I mean it and this time, I assure you. This is not me trying to take him away from you."
Malisha studied him for a while and she confirmed that he was truly really serious. Now that she had explained it, she could finally see where he is coming from and where he is going with it, but a part of her still wanted to make him sweat just a little bit more.
"I mean, I can continue asking him for more time, but lets face it, I already know what my answer will be." She thought even as her inner voice cheered her on.
"You go girl."
"Finally, you are on my side."
"What?"
She smile as she turned to face Duke.
"Fine, I am down with it."
"Really? You will?" he intoned in a surprised voice and she nodded her head.
"You really want to and not because of that whole media thing?" She nodded her head again, watching and smiling as different emotions crisscrossed his face even as he tried to grasp the meaning of it all.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" She teased him, her features still showing her amusement.
"Yes. Yes!" he added with more conviction in his voice. "Now all we need is the ring. Hopefully, you did not flush that away."
"You know me," she said with a shrug. "I considered it, but then thought of your mother..."
"Why am I not surprised?" Malisha said nothing. Instead, she opened her silver purse and retrieved the little velvety box that held the ring and that had been concealed inside. "You now carry it around?" he questioned her with that annoying grin marking his face.
"No way. I was planning on giving it back tonight."
"You were? And what changed your mind, if I may ask?" he riposted wryly.
"Duke!"
"Yes..." she gave him a look and the man repented. Slowly, Duke took the jewelry box from her hands and popped it open. He retrieved the engagement ring from its interior and reached out for her left hand before slipping the ring onto her ring finger.
The man did it so fast, that it left Malisha gawking much to the amusement of her inner voice who had a lot to say on the matter.
"I think he's afraid that you will somehow change my mind." The voice said and Malisha had to agree.
"So...my future Mrs. What next?"
"I think this is where you tell your mother that I did not flush her ring into the toilet and pray to God that I don't change my mind."
"Oh, I'll pray. Harder than have ever done before."
It was almost an hour later when she bid his good night. Who for someone who was supposed to be tired and very sleepy was also very awake. She hugged with tears in her eyes. Tears of joy at their engagement and the two got into Duke's Limo before driving away. Through out their short journey, Malisha appeared to be lost deep in her own thoughts. Her fears were finally rearing their head and uncertainty clouded her mind even as she registered the full impact of her decision.
"Will I wake up tomorrow morning and think this a mistake?"
"I don't think so." Her inner voice reassured her. However, knowing Malisha, it still knew that she needed time to absorb and digest everything even as she prepared for the changes that were sure to come her way in the days that followed the engagement.
"What's on your mind?" Duke suddenly asked, breaking the silence that had somehow descended on them. He could tell that something was bugging her and was only seeking to alleviate her worries.
Malisha turned and look at him. After a moment, her gaze dropped to her hands which were lying in his lap and which she had not been aware he was holding. Her gaze lifted even as she looked back into his eyes and his green eyes stared back at her.
"I hope you are not planning to run out on me?" he joked unaware of how true his statement was.
"No, I am just thinking about the impact this decision is going to have on my life. So much is going to have to change and I am not sure I know how I'll adapt." she finally confessed.
"Let it not worry you." he reassured her. "We will go through all these together. Okay?"
The woman sighed even as Malisha released a laboured breath.
"I don't know. What about your work, my new responsibilities..."
"Lisha my love," he said leaning forward to gaze more deeper into her hazel eyes. "Of course I will be busy, that's a given. Running a country does that to you but I promise, I will always make time for you. Although, I am sure you will be too busy planning the wedding to even notice my absence."
"But my responsibilities!" Malisha tried again. Her emotions were flaring and she was beginning to feel exasperated. It was hard for her, hard to express her thoughts and the sudden fear that she was not properly suited for the position of future Domina. It bothered her, but try as she may she fell short of expressing herself and making Duke understand what her concern really was.
"First Malisha. You are a mother and my fiancée above all things. Then there will always be family,but I insist that you do not worry about it. Things will work out and I am sure that there will be time to learn everything. Knowing mother, she must already be planning something and I am sure that she will be more than willing to help you."
"You seem to have everything figured out." the girl replied sarcastically but immediately felt guilt for the tone she had taken with him.
"Malisha..." Duke groaned, shooting her a pained look.
"I'm sorry. I did not intend for it to come out that way. I had a long day today and I'm worn out. Probably, that is why I am feeling so cranky." the girl excused herself.
"In that case, we should get you get you back home promptly and in your bed as soon as possible." His fiancèe nodded back her agreement and as if to support that statement, her mouth went wide open even as one noisy yawn escaped from it. Duke chuckled lightly and Malisha smiled back sheepishly. It was embarrassing but thankfully Duke took no note of it and allowed her peace away from his usual bullying. Soon they were pulling up in her driveway. The man gave her a chaste peck on her cheek and sent her off into the arms of her waiting mother.