CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
Liam
Virtue took the cordless microphone and began her speech. I wiped my forehead with handkerchief,
annoyed at myself for not being able to hide my anxiety.
my
As I exited my car earlier, I surveyed the people gathered in front of themercialplex and
immediately saw Virtue. She stood out in her white and pink dress looking very pretty. There was r no
doubt in my mind, she’d probably look like an angel in a wedding gown for
sure.
I shut the door of my car and waited for Dan who had parked his car across from mine. He smiled,
walking with a sk ip in his step, clutching a robin’s-egg blue jewelry box in his hand.
Jack, who had parked further away, was concerned with security. He was seated inside his car,
speaking to someone on his CB radio while he eyed the growing crowd.
Dan’s eyes followed my gaze, noticing it had fallen on Jack’s truck. “You haven’t told him, have you?”
He asked while he handed me the Tiffany & Co. jewelry box. I quickly took it from him and opened it to
check. The two-carat diamond ring sparkled under the sunlight, casting a rainbow of colors on the ck
paint of my car. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined… It was perfect.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a ck head of hair emerging from the RAM truck. I quickly snapped
the jewelry box closed and pocketed it. I didn’t want to spark a
confrontation here.
“No, I haven’t. I didn’t want any problems from him before proposing, especially when there’s a good
chance she’ll probably say no,” I answered, straightening my jacket.
“I have a feeling she’ll say yes, unless Noah was able to get to her, Dan said.
“What do you mean?” I gestured for him to walk beside me so we could talk while walking.
“We, uhm, bumped into Noah and Nicole in Chicago. After we had dinner, Noah dumped Nicole like a
piece of trash on the sidewalk while he rushed back to New Salem,” Da
answered.
“And how do you know he rushed back to talk to Virtue? He may have had a priormitment he
overlooked or an emergency,” I pointed out,
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
“I don’t know how I’m going to say this, but I might have made a slight boo-boo,” Dan mumbled,
lowering his head in shame.
What the f uck was it this time?!
I waited for him to continue, to tell me what had happened in Chicago, but I was only met
with silence.
“Spit it out, Dan. I can’t read your mind for crying out loud!” I said impatiently. Dan sighed, looking
defeated.
“I kind of mentioned the name of the girl who left New Salem during our junior year in high school,” Dan
answered sheepishly. I automatically stopped walking and ced my hand on his chest to make him
stop too.
“You what?!” I asked incredulously. “In front of Chip of all people?!”
“I had been drinking all day and I slipped. But don’t worry… Nicole made up a usible story and
Chip… well, he really didn’t care too much about the details. He was more concerned about Virtue and
the wedding,” Dan rambled nervously..
“And Noah?” I asked, staring into his eyes to check if he was lying to me.
“He, uhm, he was angry. He advised Chip to tell Virtue not to ept your proposal,” he answered
quickly.
“Why did you have to tell Noah about the proposal in the first ce? I wanted it to be a surprise.” I took
a step forward and resumed walking.
“I couldn’t help it… I was just so excited,” Dan replied, chasing after me Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
“Do
you
think Chip told Virtue about me and what happened in our junior year?” I asked.
“I don’t think he did. He did ask for a liquor permit for the event though, knowing the both
you would want to celebrate your engagement. I have the permit in my pocket.”
of
I closed my eyes for a second, feeling a bit relieved. If Chip was optimistic, then I should be
too.
“That’s good to hear, but I’m still nervous. It’s either Ie out a champion or be the biggest joke
of New Salem… no thanks to your big mouth. Just keep your mouth shut and
when I non the question, nudge her to say ves, ok?”
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
“Promise,” Dan said. “By the way, where’s Cris?
“He’s at home… feeling unwell. I have someone keeping an eye on him,” I said, fixing my hait. “Now,
smile, Dan. This is suppose to be a happy asion.”
As we made our way through the boisterous crowd, I took a moment to observe our surroundings. A
large colorful sign on an easel announcing a promotional fifty percent sale on all items for the day was
standing beside the ss door of Virtue’s shop. Surrounding the storefront windows were pink and
white roses arranged inrge bouquets positioned atop flower stands while appetizers, refreshments
and ssesy neatly on a long table covered with a pink tablecloth decorated with white-ribbons. It
was simple, but everything was nicely arranged.
After greeting Virtue with a kiss on her cheek, we started the ceremony amidst the murmurs of the
crowd who were already making spections of my rtionship with Virtue. Not many have seen us
together and none knew we may be romantically involved. My kissing her on her cheek was a surprise
to all.
I noticed Jack was standing in the back beside Noah who kept shaking his head, hoping Virtue would
notice him. I immediately suspected Noah probably had a thing for Virtue. But
if there’s
knew about Nicole, she was a jealous psychotic bi tch who would make ble for him. That was one of
the reasons why I dumped Nicole in the e was an animal in bed, but she was always jealous of other
women.
lif
trying to get yourself out of that one, Noah.
ugh Noah kept his mouth shut and his head low, he never looked at me with the same. pect after Joy.
Apparently, he was just biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity o sabotage me. Guessing by
the scowl on Jack’s face, Noah probably already told him what
my ns were.
I couldn’t have Jack be my rival. After I propose, I’ll talk to him and fix this. As for Noah, I’ll get to
him through Nicole.
The crowd suddenly broke into an apuse, jolting me back to the present. Unfortunately, Virtue was
already done with her speech. My time was almost up.
My heart began to beat loudly against my ribcage, my hands began to shake, and my body
went cold and mmy all over. For the first time in my whole life, I was
s terrified.
Virtue turned off the microphone, gave it to Bo while he gave her a pair of oversized
scissors. She suddenly ced a hand around mrm. leading me to the pink ribbon. I was.
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
out of it… I waspletely lost.
“Mayor Cohen, would you please do me the honor of cutting the ribbon with me?” Virtue asked,
handing me the scissors. I nodded my head, inhaling her sweet scent of rose, patchouli and orange.
Her scent made me light-headed and woozy, like I was about to faint. If it weren’t for her dainty hands
on top of mine, I would have surely copsed.
Unlike my sweaty palms, hers were soft and smooth. She was obviously at ease with the crowd. Virtue
definitely had the makings of a politician’s wife.
First, I needed to cut the ribbon, then I can go on one knee and propose. Let’s do this.
I raised my eyes to look at the crowd and noticed everyone had their phones out recording everything. I
gulped, fervently praying to Go d that Virtue would say yes.
Our hands moved in unison and together we cut the massive pink ribbon. Chip, Dom and Bo sprung
into action and popped the corks out of the champagne bottles. People shrieked excitedly as the
bubbles from the bottles came bursting out.
Dan suddenly grabbed my arm. “Chip said Virtue will most probably say yes. She likes you. Come on.
You can do this, Liam.” I smiled feeling a bit more at ease. All I had to do was ask.
It was now or never.
I held on to Virtue’s hand.
“I have something to say,” I said. Everyone stopped moving to look at the two of us.
“Liam…” Chip said, handing me a ss of champagne. Liquid courage. I downed the ss, not even
savoring its fruity taste.
I handed Chip the ss back and took a deep breath. For luck, I raised the back of Virtue’s hand to my
lips and kissed it.
“You are so beautiful. Virtue, whatever happens, believe me when I say I adore you,” I whispered. She
smiled and reached up to caress my face. It was a simple gesture, but it gave
me all the courage I needed.
I took another deep breath, thinking of what to say. I had prepared a speech, but standing here in front
of her and the growing crowd had made me forget it. I decided to speak from
the heart.
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
“Virtue, if I could only exin how you make me feel when we’re together. How every time I hear your
voice, I feel all giddy inside. How every time you smile, you make my heart literally s kip a beat. How
every time I see you, I get butterflies in my stomach. How whenever I’m with you, I get lost in your
eyes…” I sighed. “No one has ever made me feel this way. Honestly, I feel like I’m in heaven whenever
I’m with you.”
“Since the day I first met you, I have continously thanked Go d because I finally found the missing
piece to my existence. With you, I’mplete. With you, Virtue, I’m happy.”
I knelt down on my knee and I saw the stunned expression on her face as I took the little jewelry box
from my pocket.
“Oh my Go d!” She eximed. She covered her mouth with both her hands and I noticed the tears
begin to well up in her eyes. I smiled at her, feeling more confident. This was the same reaction Lisa
had when Cris proposed to her.
“Virtue, I don’t want to waste any time on a long and fancy courtship because I know in my heart I love
you and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But marry me now, Virtue, and I promise you, I
will court you forever. Please make me the happiest of men. Say
es and let me love you forever.” I opened the jewelry box and I swear I was momentarily blinded by the
sparkle of the diamond. It was quite a rock.
The noisy crowd suddenly grew quiet, so quiet I could hear the vehicles driving by on Main
Street.
We patiently waited for her to answer. My heart began to beat rapidly again. As I gazed at her beautiful
face, I silently prayed to Go d.
Please make her say yes.
Chapter Comments
Susan Wynne
I like the story but it’s starting to drag on.
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