*2 months later*
–Nile Eve Plaza–
*Evangeline's POV*
"Evangeline Pilar Hidalgo?"
I stared wide eyed as Luca's left knee made its way to kiss the ground and in his hand,a black box holding the display of a big--not–necessarily beautiful droplet diamond ring.
"Luca?"
My boyfriend's child-like grin widened,his hazel eyes brightening under the glow of the chandelier above us.
I soon realised,as violins started playing from a distance that this was in fact a proposal…of marriage.
My heart was full,with mostly panic but nevertheless it was full,and so I straightened and braced myself for impact.
We've known each other for six months and my family will definitely disapprove,especially my father–who has gotten remarkably stricter since the 'incident'.
"From the moment my eyes saw you,I knew living without you was simply an impossibility." Luca said,holding my gaze. "And you,in your kind grace have made sure that that is not a misery I ever had to experience."
The onlookers began to 'aww' as I held Luca's free hand in mine,hoping that somehow physically holding him kept me present and in the moment.
"You brought life,joy,order and love to me…"
But you see,I had told him very clearly my father would not approve of us,though I left out the important detail of it being because he was a detective.
A normal family would have been elated to meet Luca,a normal family will have called the police when masked men aimed guns at my head,a normal family wouldn't have an army of 'bodyguards'–you see where this is going?
"Evangeline,would do me the honour of being my wife?"
I stared into Luca's eyes,he was so perfect,truly,I wish I was exaggerating.
If I were to whip out my dairy from when I was in second grade and read out the qualities of my perfect man,I would be describing Luca.
He was well-off,driven,refined,patient,handsome,wanted a family and–if I had to add a little extra,not rooted in crime.
The restaurant grew uneasy on his behalf,starting a series of whisperings of my delay,but Luca and God bless him,was patient or was it confidence?
Either way,he held my gaze softly,quietly,basking in his quiet sureness,I almost wanted to say no just to test that faith.
"Yes,I "
I let out a stale breath along with my whisper,not caring to make it loud enough for the uninvited audience. "I will marry you."
His smile grew even brighter as he pushed the ring on my finger and soon the rooftop restaurant erupted into cheer.
I stood up with him and his hands found my waist,pulling me into his clean,minty embrace.
"You just made me the happiest man in the world Evangeline."His lips found mine and we shared a kiss that kick-started my heart again.
My senses began working correctly and joy finally reached my heart.
I loved this man for God's sake,what exactly was I even afraid of,this is what I had always wanted.
"I love you Luca."I said as his mouth left mine,so I could hear it for myself.
"I love you."He said firmly,pushing my hair behind my ear. "I love you desperately,you have no idea."
A giggle escaped and pulled him in for the next kiss.
This truly is the start of the rest of my life.
"Do you want to go somewhere else and celebrate after this?"He pulled out my chair. "I have the whole night planned."
"Aren't you just full of surprises Mr.Alvero?"
"One of my best qualities future Mrs.Alvero."He laughs,kissing my hand.
Tranquility was beginning to familiarise itself to me again and my tensed shoulders began to relax.
"How long have you been planning this?"
"Truthfully?"
I nodded.
"Ever since we met."
I laughed and guided my glass to my lips.
"My parents can't wait to meet you."
Wine turned solid in my throat and I nearly choked.
"Pardon?"
"My parents,"he repeated,pouring more wine into my glass "They can't wait to meet you."
"Oh." I stared at my refilled glass in confusion,did this man not see me nearly choke?
He paused and stared at me.
"What is it?"
I pushed the drink aside and sighed. "What is what?"
"That look on your face,"he reaches to caress my cheek but I pull back instinctively.
A frown crossed his features "Now you really have to tell me what's going on."
Someone tried to kill me and I haven't felt safe since, I feel watched–I don't know if it's paranoia or trauma but I cant leave my house without feeling as though someone has a gun pointed at my head from afar.
"Nothing."
I'm not a fan of lying,and by the look of disbelief on Luca's face,I didn't do a good job at it.
He reached out and held my hand,
"Evangeline,do you trust me?"
"Of course I do."
At least that was true.
"Then that means you'll tell me when something is bothering you right?"
I opened my mouth to speak but nodded instead,maybe gesticulating will not make me look so pathetic at lying.
"Listen darling,"he took a deep breath. "I didn't want to say anything before but you've been a bit distant lately and I think I know why."
My eyebrows pulled together. "You do?"
"Of course,"he nods vigorously. "I am a detective for Christ's sake."
My heart dropped,how could he know? We never reported it to the police,this was supposed to stay under the radar,is my dad aware the police are involved?
"Its about your father."
My chest tightens and I squeeze his hands
"Luca-"
"You don't have to say anything."He replies calmly, "Father-daughter bonds are some of the strongest,it's only natural that he is that protective of you,that's why you are getting so scared since we are getting serious."
I blinked.
"I know I can win him over,trust me,there's no reason to worry.Its not like he's going to kill me or anything."
I laugh nervously and pulled my hand out of his grip.
"It's going to be harder than you think Luca."I say,digging my fork into my barely touched salad.
"You think I'm underestimating your father?"
"No,"I pointed. "I think you are overestimating yourself,there's a difference."
"No father can resist charm and dad jokes."
The hair on my neck stood and my eyes ran across the restaurant in a panic.
Someone was watching me–again.
The place was crowded and everyone seemed to be immersed with themselves. No one has glanced this way since the proposal but I could bet my heavy engagement ring that someone was watching,I just couldn't see–bingo.
A waiter,he was standing still near a marble statue of an on-flight dove and our eyes met during my second sweep of the restaurant.
I frowned and turned to Luca,whispering cautiously.
"I think the curly haired waiter near that dove is watching us."
Luca looked at me strange. "Why would the waiter be watching us?"
"I'm telling you he's watching us–"my hands grabbed him before he could turn."Don't let him know we are on to him,he might be dangerous."
He slowly tore his eyes off me and set it on the target,I watched his jaw relax as he spots the waiter in question.
"That's just Miguel,I asked him to take pictures as I proposed."
"Oh.."I say,feeling the crown of stupidity and paranoia nestle on my head.
"He's a bit weird,"Luca laughed,getting up from his seat. "I don't think he does well with social cues.Sorry about him."
"Where are you going?"
"To get the pictures…"Luca's eyes turn worried and he rested his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
My stomach churned uneasily.
"Yes,I'm fine"
"Bad appetite and all but you look beautiful."He leans down and kisses my cheek. "Let me get back with the pictures so you can get your surprise at the next location,okay?"
"Okay."I breathed.
"Are you sure you're okay,love?"
I nodded and took his hands off my shoulder.
"Go,I'll be here waiting."
He gives me an assuring smile and strides away.
I am inches away from madness,aren't I?
This is just the beginning,my paranoia will be the end of me,I can just feel it.
Heavens help me.
Looking at Miguel now,he looks more nervous than dangerous.
I wish I had my rosary with me,I should have put it in my purse or something,or better still,I never should have left my house in the first place,that way I wouldn't have been proposed to,acted like a paranoid freak and now have the burden of announcing my engagement my father.
I stared at my drink decisively,maybe if I took two more glasses,this feeling would go away.
When have I ever needed alcohol?
I groaned and dropped my head between my hands,I could feel a headache kicking in already.
"Miss Hidalgo?"
I raised my head to face the voice."Yes?"
It belonged to a tall, poised waiter who looked like he was meant to be on a magazine cover, his eyes were direct,firm and possibly angry.
He pushed a black wooden box towards me before I could decide if I wanted to connect him to one of my model scout friends.
The glass opening of the box allowed me to see the burgundy and gold designs on the wine bottle,whatever brand of wine it was,it must have been really exotic for me to have never seen it.
I accepted the gift with a polite smile,taking a closer look and nodding in satisfaction at the burgundy liquid dancing in the bottle. This was good wine.
"The restaurant sent it as a gift?"I asked curiously.
"No."the waiter replied in a non-customer service friendly manner.
He turned and walked away as silently as he came,leaving no room for further questioning or appreciation. Even his walk screamed model–maybe he was already one,there's no way he's just a waiter,this restaurant's main job requirements must have been duality or something.
Luca was still chatting with the photographer/waiter,fully involved in the art of looking at photographs.
I smiled to myself at how happy he looked just looking at our pictures,the optimism was almost contagious,and just like that,my nausea was gone.
That's all it ever took,one look at Luca and I was grounded again.
I tried to imagine how much happier he would be when he saw this gift.
I looked down to observe it again and noticed a little piece of white paper trapped inside the case and immediately got curious.
I have seen a lot of impressive packaging but not once had I seen a torn sheet of paper folded in place.
I turned a tiny knob,yes–a knob and took out the wine and read the brand's name.
"Santarella,1996."
That's why I haven't heard of it before,it is a new brand,only as old as me.
I set the bottle on the table and took out the paper to read what's inside.
A feeling of dread sat on my chest as my eyes made contact with the glaring red words.
"You are already taken."
A strong familiar stench invaded my nose and realisation began to set in,the letter was written in blood.
I glanced around the restaurant frantically looking for the waiter who brought it to me and in my reckless desperation,I knocked over the wine bottle and it fell to the ground with a loud shatter,splashing it's contents at the foot of my white dress.
The smell got stronger and my chest began heaving uncontrollably,it wasn't wine.
"Is that blood?!"the woman eating at the table closest to me asked ,looking like she was about to vomit,she squints and sniffs and jumps out of her seat screaming.
The screams erupted around me and almost sends me deaf.
I remain frozen in my seat,unable to move,scream,look for Luca–look for calm.
I opened my mouth to breathe properly as I realised my nose was beginning to fail me.
I wasn't paranoid,I wasn't overthinking.
I was right.
And that's the scariest thing that could ever happen tonight.