I was at the bookstore looking for a book about Social psychology and as I walked to the next aisle, I bumped into someone and all the other books he was holding fell down. "Sorry about that," he said as he scrambled to the floor, helping me pick up my books, along with his. "It's ok," I said, as I brushed a strand of hair out of my face while picking up the books. Then, my eyes met his, a beautiful mixture of hazel with glints of golden brown. I was starstruck, I've never seen eyes like his, before. His hair was a light shade of chestnut brown. In that moment, he looked at me, and I quickly looked away, finally gathering my books. "Thanks," my voice was barely a whisper, he offered his hand to help me stand up, as he said, "Noah," "My name's Noah Stone." He smiles at me, and for a second, my name slips out of my mind. "I'm Adalyn Willow."
Ever since that day, Noah and I embarked on so many adventures together.
Red Stiletto Restaurant has many exquisite features, there are chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, candelights placed at every table, along with neatly folded napkins with a rose placed in the center. I look at every tiny detail with awe as Noah chooses a table for us. "You look stunning," he whispers to me, "Thanks," I say, and smile at him. Jolts of electricity flow through my veins at the sound of his voice.
We're looking at the menu, when suddenly, harmonious melodies fills the air. Noah looks at me with an intrigued look, "Care to dance?" he asks, as he lends me his hand. "I would love to," I respond back, and he leads me to the center of the room. We dance along to the music for what feels like an eternity, until Noah does something unexpected. He gets down on one knee, opens a small velvet box, and says, "Adalyn Rochelle Willow, you are –" I don't hear the rest of his sentence, my vision starts to turn dark, and the world starts to spin, suddenly everything stops.
An hour later…
"Adalyn!!!" "Adalyn!!!" I hear faint cries in the air. Noah is next to me, his longing eyes pleading me to wake up. I close my eyes again, peace fills my mind. A tranquil state of rest, so simple, yet so wonderful at the same time.
I see my sister calling for help. Trying to unlock the door, but she can't. Blood streams down her arms. I hear shouts.
"HELP ME!!!" Her screams are so loud they pierce through my soul.
I wake up, gasping for air. I'm on the couch at home. My head still feels like it's in a blur and my vision is still cloudy. Noah sits in the chair beside me, "Adalyn?" he says as he hugs me. "I'm so glad you're–" he can barely finish his sentence, as he pulls me closer to him. His hair is unkempt and he looks like he hasn't slept in days. "I'm alright, Noah" I say, "I didn't expect to faint before you proposed to me though,". His eyes light up, and he looks at me, "I didn't finish proposing to you, did I?" he asks, grinning at me, "No, you didn't," He takes my hand again, and says, "Adalyn Rochelle Willow, you are the most magnificent woman I've ever met, and I am deeply in love with you. Will you marry me?"
Suddenly, I hear my sister's screams, "HELP ME!!" I see her banging against the door, fighting with all her might to escape. An electric jolt goes through me, "DON'T DO IT!!!" she screams. Then she disappears. Why am I hearing my sister's voice? And what did she mean when she said, "Don't do it"? Does she want me to say no to Noah's proposal? Fear travels down my veins. I don't know why this is happening and I need to find out soon.
My hand slowly retracts from Noah's. He looks at me with confusion, "Adalyn?" What's going on?" he asks, his voice gentle, yet urgent.
"I understand that you fainted from being too excited, but now you're showing signs of hesitation." he adds.
I try to steady my breath, my voice a strained whisper. "I'm hearing Mariana's voice, first she was screaming, calling for help. Now, she's still calling for help, but she also said "Don't do it", I don't know why I'm hearing her voice, and it's scaring me." I say, the words rush out in a chaotic jumble. The weight of my words hangs between us, the tension and fear palpable in the space that separates us.
"Scared of what? Marrying me?" Noah asks, confusion slowly turning to fury. "No, of course not," "I'm scared that I'm hearing her voice in my head." I say, "Kari could be involved in this, maybe she's trying to plan to do something sinister," Disappointment is etched on Noah's face, "So, you're just going to listen to a tiny voice in your head that said "don't do it"? Either you're hallucinating or you're having second thoughts," he says, his tone a mixture of pain and disbelief. Shock runs through me like an electric current. I can barely breathe as I ask, "So, you don't believe me?" "Of course, I don't believe you, do you really expect me to believe that the only reason why you're refusing my proposal is because of a voice in your head telling you something? It sounds absurd," he says as he gets up. "I've clearly been wasting my time with you," he says as starts to pack his belongings into a suitcase. "Noah, wait!!" I say, my voice a clear indication that I'm on the verge of crying. "Wait for what, another disappointment after three years? Not happening," he says as he walks out and slams the door.