Chereads / surrounding me / Chapter 12 - chapter twelve- the marriage proposal

Chapter 12 - chapter twelve- the marriage proposal

We eventually arrived at an elegant restaurant perched on a hilltop, offering a breathtaking view of the city below. Christopher parked the car with practiced ease and swiftly came around to open my door. As he extended his hand to help me out, I took it, feeling a surge of gratitude and affection.

Inside, the atmosphere was serene and sophisticated. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the carefully set tables, each adorned with fresh flowers and sparkling glassware. I followed Christopher, maintaining a slight distance as nerves fluttered in my stomach. Waiters greeted us with polite smiles, guiding us to a table by the window that offered a panoramic view of the city lights twinkling in the evening dusk.

"The place is beautiful," I whispered, taking in the scene. The decor was understated yet elegant, just the way I liked it. Christopher pulled out my chair, and I sat down, still marveling at the view. He settled across from me, his presence calm and reassuring. As I glanced around, I noticed there were no other diners, just the waitstaff discreetly attending to us.

"Is it just us here?" I asked, curiosity and a bit of awe coloring my voice.He smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Yes, I booked the entire restaurant for us tonight. I wanted it to be a private evening, just for you."

I said nothing in response, utterly speechless. The grand gesture left me stunned; I never imagined anyone would go to such lengths for me. The thoughtfulness of it all made my heart swell, yet I was too nervous to meet his gaze. His eyes remained fixed on me, unwavering and intent. The weight of his stare made my pulse race. "You look beautiful in white," he said, his voice soft yet sincere.

I glanced up, meeting his eyes for a fleeting moment before looking away, feeling my cheeks flush. I knew he could see the effect his words had on me; my surprise and shyness were undoubtedly written all over my face. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, as I fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth.He continued to watch me, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. "You realize why we're here today, don't you?" he asked, his tone gentle but probing.

His question caught me off guard. I looked up at him, my expression betraying a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Maybe..." I trailed off, the uncertainty in my voice matching the tumult of thoughts in my head. My mind was a whirlwind, struggling to grasp the significance of this evening. He seemed to sense my bewilderment, a knowing look crossing his features.He leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving mine. "You know what the most annoyingly beautiful part of you is?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.

I stared at him, still trying to make sense of everything, my confusion evident in my eyes. "Your eyes," he continued, his voice almost a whisper. His words sent a shiver down my spine. There was a sincerity in his tone that felt almost too intense to bear. I felt exposed, as if he could see right through me, uncovering every hidden thought and feeling. For a moment, the world seemed to shrink around us, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of raw emotion and unspoken words. The way he spoke, the way he looked at me—it was as if he was peeling back layers I hadn't even known existed, revealing parts of myself I'd never acknowledged.  I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart. "I..." I began, but the words caught in my throat. What could I possibly say in response to such a profound declaration?

"Let's get directly to the point," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an underlying tension. My nerves spiked, and I felt a sudden surge of anxiety. What is his motive? What does he want to say? My hands began to sweat, and I sat upright, trying to maintain composure even as my heart pounded in my chest. I tried to meet his gaze, but each time our eyes met, I hesitated, feeling the weight of his presence. His aura—commanding, magnetic—seemed to overpower my thoughts, making my body disagree with my mind's insistence to stay calm.

He leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed but eyes intensely focused on me. "Do you remember when we first met?" he began, his tone softening. The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I nodded, trying to hide the nervous tremor in my voice. My mind raced back to that evening, the event that had felt like a distant dream, now brought vividly to the forefront of my memory.

Christopher continued, his voice steady and sincere. "From that moment, I realized you were different." His words were like a gentle caress, yet they carried a profound weight. "I saw something in you, something I've never seen in anyone else. A strength, a quiet resilience, and a kindness that drew me in."

As he spoke, I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the depth of his feelings laid bare. My breath caught in my throat, the intensity of the moment almost too much to bear. He reached across the table, taking my trembling hand in his. His touch was warm, grounding, and as he held my gaze, I felt a rush of emotions, a mixture of fear, hope, and a burgeoning sense of something extraordinary.

"Evelyn," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying an unshakable certainty. "I've spent my life surrounded by people, by wealth and power, but I've never felt truly seen until I met you." His thumb gently caressed the back of my hand, a soothing gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. "You make me want to be a better man, to protect you, cherish you, and make you happy."

My heart pounded in my chest, every word he spoke resonating deeply within me. The room seemed to close in, the world outside fading away until it was just us, suspended in this moment. Christopher took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I know this may seem sudden, but life is short, and I don't want to waste another moment without you by my side."

He stood up slowly, still holding my hand, and moved to kneel beside me. My breath hitched, and time seemed to stand still. Christopher reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly even in the soft light of the restaurant. The air felt charged with anticipation, every nerve in my body tingling with the gravity of the moment.

"Evelyn Bernard," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the man who makes all your dreams come true, who stands by you through every high and low, who loves you unconditionally." His eyes shone with sincerity and a tenderness that made my heart swell. "Will you marry me?"

For a moment, the world stopped. My mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me—disbelief, joy, love, and an overwhelming sense of rightness. *Christopher Hemsworth? Proposing to me? Is this a dream?* This felt more unbelievable than any dream I could have ever imagined. The surreal nature of the moment left me breathless, as if I were floating in a strange, wonderful haze.I looked into his eyes, searching for answers, for some confirmation that this was real. His gaze met mine, steady and sincere, and in that instant, I saw the depths of his soul. There was no pretense, no shadow of doubt. His eyes held a truth so pure, so unwavering, it felt like a warm embrace, enveloping me in its certainty. The depth of his feelings was laid bare, and I could see the man behind the fame, the one who stood before me with nothing but his heart on his sleeve.

Christopher's voice broke the silence, low and earnest, filled with a vulnerability that took my breath away. "I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to tell everyone that you're mine. I want your ocean eyes looking at me with love, every single day." His words were like a balm, soothing and intoxicating, creating a tingling sensation that spread through my entire being. Each sentence wrapped around me like a warm blanket, making me feel seen, cherished, and desired. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the weight of his confession. *Is this how being loved feels?* It was a sensation so overwhelming, so foreign yet incredibly right, that it left me reeling. A part of me wanted to say yes, to leap into his arms and let this incredible man sweep me off my feet into a future filled with promises and dreams. But another part of me, the cautious side that had been bruised and battered by life, hesitated. This was all happening so fast, so suddenly. I needed to understand why, to grasp the reason behind this sudden turn of events.

i took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions within me. "I need time," I whispered, my voice barely audible, yet it felt like a roar in the quiet of the moment. My words hung in the air, a fragile thread between us, delicate and uncertain. His expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of understanding. He nodded, his hand still gently holding mine, as if he feared letting go would break the fragile connection we had. "I understand," he said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Take all the time you need." His words were a promise, a vow of patience and respect. He didn't push or pressure me; instead, he gave me the space to breathe, to think, to feel. The warmth in his eyes remained, unwavering and constant, a silent testament to the depth of his feelings. I felt a rush of gratitude, overwhelmed by his kindness and the depth of his understanding. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this intimate bubble of vulnerability and honesty. As I looked at him, a man who had everything yet stood before me with a heart full of love, I knew that whatever decision I made, it would be from a place of truth and clarity. For now, the answer would have to wait. But in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of his presence and the tender sincerity of his words, I felt a flicker of hope, a glimmer of possibility. And maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the end of the story but the beginning of something extraordinary.