Third person's pov
Meera couldn't believe her eyes, what lay before her was a scene out of a fairy tale. It was not the beauty of the extravagant and lavish interiors of the yacht which matched that of a seven-star luxurious hotel. No, it's not what caught her eye. The gold-coated intricate edges of the walls and every inch of the floor of the hall inside the yacht were covered completely with red roses, dozens of them. Scented candles were arranged on either side of a path laid before her in red petals of roses. Balloons floated in the air among the sweet fragrance of roses and candles. Various heartfelt notes were written on them,
"You are the sweetest and most beautiful rose in my garden"
"I feel alive when I inhale you"
"Your presence is as unique and gorgeous as the roses on earth in my life"
"Say yes to bloom in my world"
"Say yes to become a symbol of my love for you"
"Say yes to make my life a heaven"
"Say yes to the red of my heart to match yours"
"Say yes to my love for you"
"Say yes to soothe me as a rose does to a bee"
"la mia rosa, la mia bella rosa, dì di si"
She didn't know what that balloon said. The language was unknown to her. But she can guess it was Italian as Elijah is Italian. She was speechless, overwhelmed, to say the least. Her eyes teared because of the overflowing emotions. She was happy, very happy. To think she did nothing to deserve this made her full of gratefulness. Only one thing he asked her with a sweet message, marry him, say yes. She felt special, he can be so persistent but in the most romantic way.
Elijah engulfed her in a hug from behind. Kissing the downside of her ear, he whispered,
"La mia rosa, la mia dai dì di si"
Meera shivered unconsciously from the intensity of an accent in his voice. She didn't understand what he said but it sounded very sensual. He was speaking in Italian for the first time to her. A pleasant surprise to her ears. Leaning into his touch, Meera murmured intoxicated,
"What?"
"Come"
he simply held her hand and led her in the middle of the roses down the path. There was a big heart made up of roses, all black. And besides, it was another heart but of green roses. She gaped at the beautiful site. Elijah urged her to open the green one. Hesitating Meera gently plucked a green rose. Like a domino effect, the other green roses fell to her feet revealing an envelope. Frowning she looked at Elijah and then at the envelope. Smiling, Elijah gestured to take it. Questioningly she took it and started opening it.
Her eyes snapped to his immediately reading the contents inside the envelope. It was the official letter of the end of a five-year contract between them including the debt.
"I have set you free, doe"
she couldn't believe if it is all real. Yes, she asked him to do it and she has the proof in her hand now. True to his words, she has not bounded to him anymore. She is officially free from him, and the debts. She felt a burden leave her heavy shoulders making them light finally. She no longer has to worry about her job or parents. Oh, she is happy right now.
"I don't want you to feel bound to me. I want you to accept me willingly"
Elijah said honestly approaching her trembling figure ready to break down any minute. He can clearly see the relief in her teary eyes. Her rose petals lips quivered stifling a cry of joy. Pecking them, he voiced,
"I have hurt you enough. I want you to be happy now. With me"
Finally, a sob left her mouth and she hugged him. Kissing her hair, Elijah hugged back, saying sweet nothings. Meera cried because she doesn't know why. Is it for her parents, debt, house, or Elijah? She can't tell. Her heart was brimming with happiness. She felt light. Elijah freeing her proved his sincerity, his love. It was a huge deal for a dominating possessive man like him to do this, she is his greatest possession and he has always kept her to himself confined in his castle.
"Don't cry my doe. Only laughter and joy are allowed out of this sweet mouth"
pecking her lips he said. Wiping the tears with the back of her hands she sniffled. Smiling fondly, Elijah held her face and announced,
"My doe now you have the choice to choose me. You are not forced to do anything"
Nodding, she placed her hands on his. Tucking a stray strand of her hair, Elijah pulled out his phone.
"To our ideal start"
with that, he clicked their selfie with her looking at him and him kissing her forehead. And Meera truly felt what he said. It was a start for them. She stayed with him willingly, not forcefully.
It was the evening of their second day, both were lounging on the roof of the yacht overlooking the sunset. Meera had a soft smile on her face, admiring the deep orange sun in the mixture of colors in the sky. She laid sideways on Elijah who was kissing her forehead here and there in intervals of seconds. Sipping his cocktail, he asked,
"Do you like the sunset?"
"I love it! It's so beautiful here, above the horizon in the ocean, the orange sun looks magnificent"
She replied transfixed with the sunset. Taking out his phone Elijah clicked another selfie of them, with Meera looking at the sunset and him at her. She was looking beautiful in the orange hue of the setting sun.
The orange sky turned dark gradually. A hissing and booming sound filled the tranquil atmosphere. Startled by the noise, Meera sat up straight. But before she could turn to look at Elijah, fireworks started in the sky. Sparkling red, golden, silver and blue filled the night sky in a spectacular show of fireworks. Meera was mesmerized. It was an otherwordly view, in the ocean, on a yacht, in the star-filled sky, the fireworks were a sight to sore eyes. She couldn't take her eyes off it. She squinted her eyes in confusion when a message burst into the air from fireworks.
"Nothing in this world is more beautiful than my doe, la mia dai"
"Say yes, doe"
And the fireworks ended with it. Smiling like a Cheshire cat, Elijah saw Meera gape at him. He knew she loved the show and a little reminder wouldn't hurt.
"You are unbelievable!"
"Come on, doe, say yes to me"
Shaking her head in denial, Meera stood up and said,
"I loved the fireworks. I can't even imagine how you pulled it off and how much money you spent on it. But thank you. I will never forget this beautiful moment with you"
Without waiting for Elijah to reply, she ran downstairs. She can hear Elijah running after her. With the thrill still running in her veins from the fireworks, Meera laughed like a kid feeling giddy, and ran faster. Turning into a hallway, she stumbled upon the music room. A grand piano was set in the middle. Awestruck she entered the room decorated with pink roses and candles providing the only light, a golden haze. The atmosphere was romantic. The piano was covered with pink rose petals just like the floor. And another green heart was present in the room behind the piano. Beyond the heart was a ceiling-to-floor window overlooking the night ocean. The setting was breathtaking and beautiful.
Elijah came behind her into the music room. Taking her hand Elijah led her to the seat in front of the piano. Meera obliged silently. He can see her surprised and awestruck. Smiling he took the seat and started playing piano and singing, serenading his doe.
Oh, oh Oh,
oh, oh Oh,
oh Oh, oh,
oh Baby,
this love I'll never let it die
Can't be touched by no one
I'd like to see 'em try
I'm a mad man for your touch,
girl, I've lost control
I'm gonna make this last forever,
don't tell me it's impossible
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh) I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
Oh, darling, my soul
You know it aches for yours
And you've been filling this hole
Since you were born,
oh 'Cause you're the reason I believe in fate,
you're my paradise
And I'll do anything to be your love
or be your sacrifice
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh) I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
Meet me at the bottom of the ocean Where the time is frozen
Where all the universe is open
Love isn't random, we are chosen
And we could wear the same crown Keep slowing your heart down
We are the gods now
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
'Cause I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
I love you for infinity (oh, oh, oh)
His voice was honey soothing her ears with its melody. She was mesmerized by his singing. He played piano beautifully. She didn't know he can play this well. Tears filled her eyes with heavy emotions. Every word was coming from his heart. She felt each of them strumming the strings of her heart. He loves her so much. Even after he was finished singing she still felt the goosebumps left in its wake. She sat still, feeling the love he expressed through the song, his feelings, and emotions hit her like a truck making her heart heavy with delight and gratefulness.
Elijah smiled softly at his emotional doe. The song he chose to play and sing perfectly described his feelings which his doe understood. But no words can ever express his love for her. She is his love song, and he will forever sing her name. Standing up, he went to her. Cupping her face, he gently kissed her lips.
"Will you always cry doe whenever I will do something? Stop it. Shush already, my sweet doe. I love you, come"
Elijah led her towards the green heart. And like yesterday morning asked her to pluck out the rose. Meera did as told already anticipating what it held. Like before it had a white envelope. Meera carefully opened it. The documents state restoring her brother's college seat and her friend getting a permanent high-paid job. Her hand shook reading it, the paper crumbled in her hold, and tear-stained it.
Meera couldn't describe the emotions she was feeling. Happy, sad, overwhelmed, love. All at once. She knew what it meant for Elijah. One after another, he was removing the binds on her through which he brought her to him. It said volumes about his honesty and love. And Meera felt a surge of feelings for Elijah.
Without a second thought, she launched herself into his welcoming warm arms hugging him tightly. She felt him softly run his hand on her back, soothing her. It made her cry more.
"You love me"
"You can't imagine how much, doe"
His breathy voice filled her ears. She was feeling her heart fill with warmth his confession, touch and voice provided. Her eyes landed on the back of the paper where a sticky note was attached. She read it and laughed.
"How many times are you going to ask me to say yes!"
"Until you say it, doe"
he replied to her pulling back to look at the beautiful face of his doe. Suddenly he felt her kissing him feverishly. He replied happily kissing back intensely poring his love. They kissed until both felt the thirst for each other quenching.
The next morning Meera felt the bed empty beside her. Frowning, she sat up to see Elijah was nowhere and a gift-wrapped box was placed on his side. With childish excitement, she opened it to gasp in surprise seeing a beautiful black dress. A note was in the box.
"I am waiting at the end of the ocean where we met for the first time"
Surprise filled her veins. Shuffling out of the bed, she saw through the glass window that the yacht was docked in the harbor. The beach was unfamiliar to her. Happily in a hurry, she started getting ready wanting to meet him immediately. Her heart fluttered thinking about Elijah. These feelings, she now understood them. These two days and nights opened her eyes and she saw a future with him. She saw the real Elijah hidden beneath the domineering commanding man. And she has decided what to answer him. Yes! Her heart accepted him willingly. She will give him her answer. Thinking about his face she laughed in happiness. Twirling in the black lace dress reaching her ankle, Meera went out of the room to meet her husband. The word husband filled her stomach with thousands of butterflies. She couldn't wait to meet him.