Chapter 112

Derek’s POV

I must have looked at my watch about five times in the same minute. Why was I nervous? I've made far more risky decisions, and none have ever made my heart beat this fast. The house had already been set, our dinner table was perfect, and the garden was just as I had instructed. Clara would be arriving any moment from now, and I was almost done cooking. Everything was perfect, so why was I this nervous?

I wiped the sweat off my brow. Vincent was right; my idea was stupid. What was I thinking about planning a proposal here? Surely, I could have thought of a better idea.

I needed to calm down. Hopefully, she had another busy night, and she wouldn't show up.

Maybe I should turn off my lights and pretend I wasn't home. But she'd walk in. That's what I get for giving her an extra key.

Since we've both been tied up with work, we have dinner almost every evening. It made sense that we'd both have the keys to each other's apartments after she moved out of her mother's.

I needed to get a grip. I've seen her countless times. Hopefully, this time, it won't be any different.

The pan nearly slipped from my hands as I turned on the stove. At this rate, the night was about to end in a disaster.

I froze after hearing the doorbell. She was here, and I was nowhere near prepared.

I rubbed my hands together and proceeded over to the door.

And there she was, dressed in a crimson silk knee-length gown. I was astounded by how well the dress complimented her figure. I must have stood there for more than a minute simply staring at her.

"You look..." I found myself dumbfounded as I continued staring.

"We had an event at work, and I managed to get out early." She explained.

I needed to do this soon. She was not walking around like that without a ring on her finger.

She leaned for a kiss after I welcomed her into the house. "You are shaking. Are you sure you are okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," I answered dismissively. I couldn't even hold myself together for two minutes.

"What's for dinner?" She asked instead as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Nothing special," I shrugged, continuing with the cooking.

She settled on a stole and talked about her day at work. All I could think about was how not to screw this evening up.

Clara's relationship with her father has improved significantly. Not only do they see each other at work, they have dinner together once a week.

Her stepfather got a job at a security company. Clara's mom is still sceptical, but he has been around a lot often.

Her mom is doing pretty well, too. She finally opened the bakery she wanted, and everyone has been raving about her pastries. It's fantastic that I get to be one of the few who try her new recipes first.

"Your dad was wondering if you'd be free this Saturday to watch Tyler's football match." She said next

"Since when does he even care about that? He only ever came to mine so he wouldn't look bad and because it was a great place for him to meet new business partners," I answered.

"His Facebook posts say otherwise; besides, this is for Tyler. He needs a lot of love and support from all of us." She answered. She was already wrapped around his finger. She hadn't seen the monstrous side of him yet.

"The poor kid, they are going to ruin him. I should probably report this to social services." I said, concerned.

"He'll be fine," she laughed. "Besides, your parents are probably what he needs after everything he has been through." She reasoned. It's hard having overbearing parents, and it's even harder when they abandon you.

I got an email from my grandfather.

He has been trying to make contact countless times even though I'd made it abundantly clear that I no longer wanted to have anything to do with him. I used to think it was his way of trying to protect me, but now I finally realise just what a terrible person he is. The things he is willing to do make me sick to my stomach, and I'm finally done.

He deserves everything coming to him. I was glad that the trial with Maddison's mother went smoothly. Turns out, there is nothing Maddison loves more than her reputation and money, and for that, she is willing to let her mother rot and make herself the victim.

I was finally done with the cooking and dished our food in the dining room.

I slipped my hand into my pocket, ensuring the ring was safely secured.

Clara voiced her approval. I'd made a Pad Thai dish for her, knowing it was her favourite. I finally influenced her.

"If my mom calls, please tell her I'm not pregnant." She stated this in the middle of her dinner.

I nearly choked on my food as my eyes widened.

"Are you pregnant?" I questioned, puzzled.

"Of course yes. She came over the other day and found a pregnancy test in my bathroom." She explained.

"Oh," I noted, amazed. "That explains why she's been texting me a lot more often." I am very happy.

After our dinner, I cleared the table.

The proposal could probably wait. This was a dumb idea, anyway. Now that I think about it, I could think of a better suggestion. I just needed to keep Clara away from the backyard. The lights outside were turned off, so she'd never know unless she stepped out.

But I was too late.

I had finished clearing the table and returning to the living room when Clara stepped into the backyard.

It would be so easy to hold her back and stop her from going into the backyard.

What if I ruin everything we have now because I decide to move too quickly? Would I be happy with myself knowing that I'd ruined everything?

I rushed towards her as she turned on the lights. I should have planned this a lot better.

She immediately froze as everything came to light. With all of the flowers and foliage, the entire garden was illuminated. I'd ordered a fountain to be placed along with a trail of rose petals that trailed to a sign that boldly lit up reading, 'Will you marry me?'.

Why wasn't she saying anything? Did she hate everything? Was this too soon, like I had thought?

It was now or never. There was no way to turn back now.

I got on my knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket.

She turned around to face me, the shook written all over her face. A mixture of emotions flooded her face, which I tried to decipher.

Before I began, I cleared my throat. "I thought I was okay until you showed me how pointless my life was." I can't picture my life without you, and I've realised I don't want to. I'm grateful for every time we've spent together, and I'd die happy merely for the chance to have known you. As chaotic as our journey has been, there's nothing I'd rather do than spend every moment with you. Every day, I want to be a better man just for you. So, I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve and defying all the odds that say we shouldn't be together. Will you marry me and continue this crazy adventure with me?" I finally asked.

She stared at me tearfully. I thought I'd be calmer after getting all the words out, but my heart continued faster.

It was a relief when she finally nodded vigorously before saying the words I'd been waiting to hear. "Yes, I will," she answered.

I readily slid the ring onto her finger and sprang up in joy.

Without another thought, I pulled her into my arms. Our lips met hungrily with the same intensity. Everything else seemed to fade away at that moment. Nothing else mattered because everything we've been through led to this moment, and I wouldn't change any of it.

"I love you," she whispered, breathing heavily as she pulled away.

Everything was finally exactly how it should be.

The End

A/N: Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed this chapter.,