Chapter 48

Rolling to my back, my hand scanned for Lionel, my eyes flying open when all I could feel was a blank space. The door opened before I could come up with an idea of his whereabouts, a smile gracing his lips as he walked towards me.

“Morning, babe. I made you breakfast.”

My stomach rumbled in response. I was yet to get used to his special treatment even after months of being together. “You’re too sweet.” I sat up as he positioned the tray of delicacies on my lap. “Thank you, baby.”

The mattress dipped with his weight as he sat beside me, his mouth opening to munch on the egg I was now feeding him. I leaned in to peck his forehead which he returned with kisses all over my jawline and down to my cleavage then back up.

“Are you still going to the wedding?” he asked, combing through my hair with his fingers.

“Oh well, I have to. I already promised Kay my company. What I don’t get is why she’s so determined to go when she doesn’t know anyone but the bride.”

The fact that I would have to cut my vacation short for a ceremony of a woman I’d never met is what got me riled up.

He shrugged. “Well, you know Kay, she’s complicated at times.”

I nodded, feeding him some more, his lips finding their way to mine at intervals. As I was leaning in to claim his lips in another passionate kiss, my eye caught something at the foot of the bed. “What’s that?” I pointed at a tiny box.

He smiled, reaching for it and tossing it from one hand to the other. “It’s a gift.”

“For me?” I asked, grinning from ear to ear at the excitement coursing through me.

He shook his head, the smile on my face faltering for a split second. “Who is it for?”

He let out a belly laugh, my queries seemingly amusing him. My attempts to grab it from his grasp were met with more laughter and dodges but I was having none of it. I gently pushed him back so he was laying on the bed, making it easier for me to get what I wanted but his tight grip on the gift wouldn’t let me have it.

“You bring me so much joy. I can’t wait to marry you,” he suddenly said, my hand freezing and my eyes meeting his. I placed my head on his chest, his heartbeat soothing me unexplainably.

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, you know that?” I asked.

He chuckled. “That’s my line, you better create yours.”

I smacked his chest playfully, earning a feigned cry from him. “I don’t know what I would do If were to lose you.”

He lifted my head so I could look into his eyes. “You won’t. You will never lose me. We’ll grow old together. I promise.”

I nodded, nibbling his lips. I trusted he would keep his word.

“Here’s your gift.”

I smiled sheepishly as I took it and snapped it open. Something gold-like fell from my grasp to the bed but I reclaimed it instantly, my heart swelling as I examined the bracelet engraved with our names. “It’s beautiful, Lionel. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it. Let me help you put it on.”

I turned my arm so he could lock it, a grin spreading on my lips at how well it fitted.

“I got you something too,” I said, jumping off the bed to unlock the wardrobe. With the box in my hand, I plopped back on the bed and handed it to him. “I’m terrible at gifting so . . .”

He let out a low laugh, unwrapping the box to reveal a pair of soccer shoes. He loved football but didn’t have the boots because it had been a while since he played.

“I love it, you’re amazing, baby. Come here.” He pulled me in for a hug, pecking me all over the face, his hands tickling my tummy but I wasn’t ticklish. “You’re the first girl I know who doesn’t laugh her heart out cause of my tickles.”

“Well,” I started, cradling him and fastening my hands around his neck. “There’s a first time for everything.” With that, our lips met in a sensual kiss, our hands working their ways to each other’s bodies.

* * *

“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.

“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”

“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”

“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”

I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.

“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.

“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”

I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.

“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.

With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.

“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.

“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.

I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”

Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”

I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”

“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”

With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.

When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.

“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.

A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”

“I don't understand. What is going on?”

“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.

My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.

I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.

His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”

My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”

He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.

“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.

“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”

My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”

He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.

“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.

He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”

“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”

Our delight was evident as we chitchatted about anything and everything throughout our engagement date. A variety of food and drinks rolled in and out of our table till I could down nothing more.

“I think it’s time we went inside. Everyone’s waiting to see us,” Lionel suddenly said.

My brows drew together. “Everyone?”

“I mean our parents, friends and family. They're all here for the engagement party and they’re thrilled,” he explained.

“I’m just speechless. This is so sweet.”

He stretched his hand towards me, a wide smile adorning his face when I took it. Lifting my hand to his lips, he placed a kiss on the ring before moving on to my mouth. Whispering sweet nothings to each other, we slowly made our way to the life of the party.