THE PROPOSAL I

"Did you like what you saw?" His emerald eyes, calm and dark. He reaches for her hand. The sight in front of her truly takes her breath away. Sumire accepted it and let Mort escort her to the table where the fire and sand meet the sea under the clear night sky speckled with stars.

Mort pulled her a chair. When the maiden sat down, Klauss immediately awed them with his talent in playing the violin in the corner.

The melodious rhythm of the violin gives a romantic vibe to their surroundings along the serenade of the serene sea and the hum of the zephyr wind.

Her eyes feasted on the sumptuous food and the red wine on the table. She can hear her tummy growling in famish.

"Let's eat." A grin formed on his lips after hearing the cute sound of her tummy. He then feeds her and watches as she takes a bite and sips the wine. Sumire notices it. Blushes heavily. A shy smile slips out.

"How does it taste?" Mort asked. They lock eyes across the table. His eyes remains darted at her and he hadn't eaten yet. Behind his stoic face, he was enjoying watching her.

"I think it's delicious because you're the one feeding me," Sumire responded, revealing her left dimple every time she chomped. She bit her lower lip. Her eyes landed on how Mort's sinful tongue licked on his spoon that came out from her mouth earlier. He seductively eyed her while doing that.

"What's wrong? Did you fall in love with me all over again?" Mort asked as his face came closer to hers, leaning his large frame against her which made Sumire blush again and blinked. 'What's up with this man today?' the maiden mumbled in the back of her mind.

"No, I was surprised because you sounded like an old man," Sumire responded and her eyes lingered back on his mesmerizing pair of green orbs. Those perpetrating orbs are too enchanting and mysterious.

"That's harsh. Didn't I make your heart race even the tiniest bit?" Mort sneered as his lips playfully curved into a smirk. He stared deeply at her.

"Nope," Sumire teasingly replied, raised an eyebrow slightly, and gave him a siren gaze. Mort's gaze dwelled on her lips.

"That's too bad, I'll try harder next time," He said and stole a quick kiss on her lips before returning to his chair and sitting properly with a big grin plastered on his face.

Sumire noticed Klauss's face twitch in bitterness as he continued to play the violin. The secretary felt like third wheeling on their dinner date.

A playful smile curved on her lips. "I'll find you a girlfriend so you can stop being a menace, Klauss..." Sumire playfully suggested as the white-haired man's body shivered in disgust at what she said.

"Oh please, don't bother. I don't need a burden..." Klauss responded to which Sumire burst into chuckles. Something surreal is happening at that table. Mort feed her all over again, filling her empty belly with real food. They clinked on their glasses and sipped the wines together. Their appetites were nearly satiated.

When they finished eating, Mort rises from the table and stepped over to her. Sumire looked up at him with questioning eyes. Without beating the bush, he asked for her hand.

"May I have the honor to dance with you, moya luna?" He asked in a deep and husky tone as Sumire held her chest. Her heart thumped so fast, hammering out of her chest.

"The pleasure is all mine, handsome." She sweetly smiled at him and takes his hand and rises. Letting him lead the way, Mort takes her to the center and Klauss expertly changes the melody of the violin.

The hunk snaked her strong arms around her waist, and with her small frame, Mort easily lifted her and made her feet step on his shoes. His dark emerald eyes glistened, and a smile spread across her beautiful face. He moved smoothly, rhythmic, and sensuously along the thrum of the music.

"I never knew you can dance," Sumire complimented and rested her cheek on Mort's chest. She could hear his heart pulsating in a rhythmic pattern and it gives her so much warmth, peace, and serenity.

"My first time with you," Mort replied sincerely and honestly. Sumire is the only woman he pays attention to and he is ready to give his world for her, to prove himself he is worthy of her.

"Really? Am I your first time?" She brought her head up and sleepily opened her eyes and met his pair of green orbs. Mort leaned and their foreheads met, the tip of their noses intimately touched. Sumire's eyes closed when she inhaled Mort's intoxicating scent lingered on her nostrils and she seemed slightly dizzy.

"You are my first..." Mort responded and teasingly rubbed his exquisite nose on her cheek down to her lips parted. "...and my last." He added. Sumire's heart thumps loudly, she was deeply moved by what she heard. This is so unusual of him.

"They say that there are plenty of fish in the sea, but you are my perfect catch." Mort angled his face and sealed her lips with his. They kiss eagerly. Lips smiling. Tongues playing. They dance along to the melody of the music and the hordes of fireflies are their audience.

When Mort let go of Sumire's lips, he looked at her deeply in the eyes. Trapped in his massive frame, the maiden looks like tiny and fragile thing.

"Let's go somewhere quiet and alone." Mort sexily whispered between their parted lips and took the maiden's hand. They exited and he led Sumire towards a certain place. Klauss was left alone and didn't even notice them leaving. He continued to play the violin, vibing the music.

..................

They took the path with lamps lined up on the sand and lit their way. Mort helps the maiden with her steps until they reach the top of the lighthouse. Sumire was amazed at the island's night scenery. Gaze cruised the vast horizon under the galaxy and only the light of the moon illuminates the place. She felt serene.

"Wow! It's beautiful out here..." Sumire said with a big smile on her face as her gaze traveled to the horizon where the moon meets the ocean. "Isn't the moon lovely tonight?" She smiled, admiring the ethereal glow of the celestial orb on her sight.

The cold fresh coastal air swayed her long hair, caressing her cheek, revealing the slope of her delectable neck, feminine shoulder, and the peak of her cleavage peeking out from the thin silk of her nightgown she was wearing. She is an emblem of the moon.

Sumire froze when she felt the hot breath at the back of her neck and warmth spread on her body. Mort was standing too close behind her.

"Your beauty never fails to amaze me,"

Completely enamored by her Selene beauty, Mort nuzzled his nose on her neck which give her a tickle sensation making Sumire let out a giggle. His muscular manly arms crawled on her waist and pulled her closer to him. He made her faced with him.

"You make me nervous," she breathlessly uttered. Her unearthly face and lecherous smile truly captivate him.

His lovely green panther eyes hovered down and lingers on her eyes. His strange silence made Sumire inexplicably nervous. Mort held her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her palm.

"My days can no longer wait for your hand. You are the moon of my night. The light of my darkness. I undoubtedly yearn to make you my wife. You are the first thing that I want to wake up to every morning and the last thing I want to see before I fall asleep. I want my quest to begin and end with you."

Mort sincerely declared making Sumire's tears welled from her eyes. She was standing like a statue, too stunned to speak. He then kneeled with one leg in front of her and open the small black box in his hand, revealing an ancient green moss agate ring.

"In half affliction and hope. I ask you most earnestly to put an end to my turmoil, will you do me great honor of taking me as your husband and be the mother of my offspring?"

Hot tears slowly cascaded down her cheek like an endless spring. Gulping, she broke into sobs and hiccups.

"In a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds or realms, I'd always choose you. A thousand YES!" Sumire smiled, eyes sparkled in tears like diamonds in the night. She was overwhelmed with emotions. Mort put the ring on her finger and rose.

"You are mine. To those bastards who dare touch you need to die."

Under the vast universe, constellation of stars, and the moon, their gazes locked. He sealed the small space between them and lifted her hips. He kissed her with desire and passion. Tongues entangled and entwined, he savored her lips, his kiss is like cosmic and it feels magic. Her hands encircled his neck, Sumire kissed him back with equal fervor. Mort puts her into the lair of addiction to his touch, sexual obsession, and dark deeds. His dark romance with her ended up making out at the lighthouse before he took her back to the villa in a bridal style.