This morning's news left Alexa in disbelief. Along with it came a large black box wrapped in red ribbon, which was just as surprising. The box was a gift from Nathalia, containing an elegant black dress that was perfect for the occasion.
What made her even more surprised was that Sean was going to propose to her. Nathalia had mentioned that Sean would propose to Alexa that night, at the place Alexa had once told Sean about the place where Alexa had always wanted to be proposed to.
Her hands felt cold, her heart was beating fast, Alexa took a deep breath. Her eyes focused on her reflection in the mirror. A hand was applying lipstick to her pale lips.
Alexa would look her best for her special day. She even called a makeup artist to enhance her appearance, even though her face was beautiful even without makeup.
Feeling that everything was ready, Alexa immediately went downstairs to be greeted by Alyssa. Alexa walked into the Sterling family car, which had been waiting for her at the Hart family mansion for a long time. It was the lady of the house's order to pick up her future daughter in law.
***
The carpet stretched from the rooftop door to one corner of the center. It was decorated with flowers that formed an arch. Decorative lights emitted a sparkling golden glow in the darkness of the night. Candles on the side of the wooden table with vases of flowers and several frames of photos of their high school memories added to the warm atmosphere.
Sean stands with his back turned, his head tilted back with his eyes closed, convincing himself that this is the best decision.
"Sean." Sean turned around. His eyes were teary, a smile plastered on his face. He walked towards the beautiful woman in a black dress. He took her hand and knelt down in front of her. He took the ring box out of his pocket. A pair of blue sapphire rings, the woman's favorite color, were visible. His body felt cold, and Sean swallowed hard before speaking.
"Before that, I want to tell you that you look really beautiful today. Over the past few years, I have been very grateful to have known you. It started with friendship, but without me realizing it, I began to admire you, I began to pay attention to you, I began to think about you. I didn't know what I was feeling. Those feelings kept growing and started to bother me. Then, I realized that I had fallen in love with you.
I want you to always be in my life. I want to grow old with you. I want you and me to become us. Let's make our dream of becoming a family a reality. I, Ocean Sterling, want you to be a part of my life.
Will you marry me?" The woman covered her mouth with both hands, unable to believe her dream was coming true. Sean had chosen her. Sean would be hers completely. Tears streamed down her face; she was happy today.
Sean stared at the woman, their gazes locked as they delved into each other's thoughts.
"Yes, I will." The woman nodded her head.
Sean wiped his tears. He stood up and hugged the woman. Happy cries could be heard from both of them.
At the end of the hall, a woman felt her heart being struck by thousands of stones. She turned her back on them. Her hands covered her mouth, trying to muffle her cries so they wouldn't hear her.
She ran, descending the stairs one by one. With her heels in her hands. Her feet are injured from touching the rough asphalt surface, but she doesn't care about the pain. She kneels down, her face looking up at the moon. Then, she screams, releasing all her feelings. Her sobs sound so sad.
Soon, rain fell as if the universe shared her sadness. She bowed her head, her crying becoming more pitiful, the rain now hiding her tears. She no longer felt the rain on her skin; her head lifted to see an umbrella above her. Alyssa was sheltering Alexa. Their eyes locked. Though the rain had obscured her sister's tears, she could sense how fragile Alexa was at that moment. Seeing Alexa's condition, her hands clenched, and she knelt down to her sister's level. She embraced her. Then whispered.
"You're not allowed to get soaked in the rain, Lexie." Alexa playfully hit Alyssa's shoulder and chuckled at the sarcasm.
Alyssa helped Alexa stand up and walk into the car. Inside the car, Alyssa put her jacket on her sister. She put aromatherapy oil on her hands and rubbed them slowly, hoping this would ward off the cold.
Every movement Alyssa made was under Alexa's watchful gaze. Her lips pouted, and she began to cry again. Alexa was deeply moved by Alyssa's thoughtful care for her. Hearing her sister's tears, Alyssa guided Alexa's head to rest on her shoulder.
***
A few hours ago, Alyssa was overjoyed to hear that Sean was going to propose to Alexa. She wanted to be a witness to their happy day. After Alexa left, Alyssa followed her in another car. She would watch them from a distance. It was fun to secretly take pictures of them.
Just arrived, Alyssa, who was still in the car, was surprised to see Alexa running out of her old school building. Curiosity filled her heart. She got out and walked up to the rooftop. She looked angry when she saw Sean and Liora hugging there. She opened her phone, scrolled through a name, and called.
What's wrong here? Why did it turn out this way? Didn't Nathalia say that Sean was going to propose to her sister?
With so many questions, Alyssa wasted no time and asked the driver to help her find Alexa. The rain was getting heavier, and Alyssa couldn't sit still. She kept looking out the car window. Her hands kept trying to call Alexa, hoping she would pick up.
Finally, she saw a woman in a black dress sitting on the street. Alyssa recognized this woman immediately. She got out of the car, holding a black umbrella. She walked towards Alexa. She stood behind her for quite a while until Alexa noticed her presence.
***
Elsewhere, a slap landed on Sean's cheek. The slap came from Nathalia. Her chest heaved, and she took several deep breaths. Sean looked at his mother with a questioning gaze. Nathalia shot her son a sharp look.
Nathalia arrived after receiving a call from Alyssa. Hearing Alyssa's explanation, her body felt stiff. She hurried to her son's old high school.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SEAN? WHY LIORA? DIDN'T YOU WANT TO PROPOSE TO ALEXA?" Nathalia snapped.
"Alexa?" His brow furrowed, trying to remember if he had made another mistake this time.
"You told me you were going to propose to someone you've secretly admired for several years," Nathalia snapped. For the first time, Sean saw disappointment in Nathalia's eyes.
Sean took a breath, trying to explain the misunderstanding. "I am going to propose to Liora. So what do you mean I'm going to propose to Alexa? I only love Liora. Of course I'm going to propose to her."
"Oh my God. The initials S ♡ A . I saw these initials. I thought they stood for Sean & Alexandra. Then why Liora, huh? You're not playing with women, are you, Sean? And this place, Sean. This place is Alexa's dream. She wants to be proposed to here." Nathalia rubbed her face. She couldn't believe her son's behavior.
"WHAT?" Liora stepped back upon hearing Nathalia's words. This place was Alexa's dream. Why did Sean propose to her at a place Alexa loved. Isn't that like a crime?
Why do I always live in Alexa's shadow, Sean?