Page 124 of Stronger Than Fate

My brothers left and immediately Niky looked at me seriously.

“They don't like Henry,” she stated. “It's obvious they have it in for him.”

“But they'll have to accept our relationship. I'm not going to separate from him. I love him with all my heart.”

At that moment, the man in question was walking toward us, and I had to hold onto his sister for support. Holy mother of love! Seeing him approach with such confidence and dressed in a black tuxedo left me completely hypnotized. That man stood out wherever he went. He was damnably attractive and sexy!

“Shall we go, beauties?” he proposed, looking at us.

“I'm taking my car, give me back the keys,” said Niky.

Hand in hand, we walked to his car. As soon as we were inside, Henry turned and looked at me seriously.

“Forgive me for being such an imbecile. I should have taken care of our relationship, I should have taken care of you. I was confused and terrified by everything I felt. Love turned out to be a very complex emotion for me. For the first time, I had no control over my emotions and it terrified me. Depending on someone else for happiness is a terrifying feeling. I became fragile, vulnerable, and nothing made sense if you weren't with me. I had never felt this need to have someone close all the time, at all hours. No one had ever made me feel this way, so full of life. And when I realized that if you loved me you felt the same, when I realized that I caused all those emotions in you, it was like an awakening. I couldn't lose you.”

“Henry, we love each other, but I know that's not enough for us to work. If we're really going to try this, I want to be in your life and have a secure place. I don't want you to stay in contact with your 'friends,' and that includes calls, messages, and sending photos. I don't want to feel like I'm in the way when you meet with any of them, because that's how I felt.”

“That won't happen. Nothing will come between us. No one will have any doubt that you're my woman and that I'm yours, only yours, because you're going to be my wife.”

My mind went blank. What had he said?

“I wasn't planning to say it this way or while sitting in a car, but after everything, it doesn't matter how I say it or where we are. What matters is what we feel. I want us to get married. I want to share my life with you. You're the center of my world. I never imagined it was possible to feel what I feel for you,” he stated with a solemn voice and eyes shining with emotion. “Youmake me happy, my Dalina, and I'll do everything necessary and more to make you happy too. I promise to care for you and protect you. Let's share our life, my love, let's enjoy all the good things and make sorrows more bearable by taking refuge in each other's arms. Dalina Dukart, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Fortunately I was sitting down, because otherwise my legs wouldn't have supported me. Get married?

“Henry, I love you, but I don't know...”

“Why do you have doubts, my love?” he asked, tenderly caressing my cheek.

“Isn’t it too soon?” was all I could say, because that was truly my biggest doubt.

“Is there some rule that establishes the right timing? Shouldn’t we consider the love we feel and our desire to be together as the reasons to take this step?”

“I suppose so.”

“So then...”

“I accept. Let’s embark on this adventure, because I’m certain you’re the best travel companion and by your side it will be wonderful. I love you and I choose you, Henry.”

“You and me, forever,” he affirmed, and sought my lips, kissing me with passion and love, so much love.

We arrived at the reception and it was obvious that everyone present turned to look at us. I was embarrassed, but Henry walked with his usual confidence and a smile on his lips.

At the table, my brothers watched us, but didn’t make any comments, and dinner proceeded peacefully.

My brothers invited me to dance, and I danced with both of them. I was sure they would take advantage of having me alone to lecture me about my relationship with Henry, but to my surprise, they said nothing. I also danced with Henry and with Niky, and the night ended up being fun, at least until the bride decided to throw the bouquet. At that moment Henry whispered to me:

“You shouldn’t go, leave it to the girls who still don’t know if they’re getting married.”

I couldn’t respond because Niky started tugging at my arm.

“Come on, Dali, maybe we’ll get lucky and catch the bouquet, with everything that implies,” she said, looking at her brother.

“Dalina doesn’t need that bouquet,” Henry stated.

Oh no! Please don’t say it now!

“Why not?” asked Niky, her smile changing to an expression of great curiosity.