The final time Ralph came to the table, he brought a gorgeous bouquet of fiery red roses.
“Heather!” Hannah was taken aback when Ralph got down on one knee while holding the bouquet.
A violin player came over to play some music while other patrons looked over at them.
“Heather, although we’re engaged, I feel I owe you a proper marriage proposal. If you say yes, I’ll
ensure you live happily ever after. Will you marry me?” He opened a small brocade box, revealing a
ring with a sizable, dazzling diamond.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStupefied by his seemingly echoing voice, Hannah murmured, “Happily ever after…”
She was enticed by the promise, despite knowing it was unrealistic. She wanted to live happily ever
after but knew she was not qualified to enjoy such happiness with anyone.
She struggled deep down. Ralph could only observe as she remained silent because he had no idea
what she was thinking. He could never figure her out.
He was unsure if he had offended her. ‘Could I have upset her by proposing to her this way? If she
beats me up, I’ll be utterly disgraced!’
All of a sudden, he regretted doing this in public. If she were to say no or rough him up, he would
become a laughingstock among his friends.
‘What’s done is done. I can’t get up now and say I’m simply joking, can I?’
Holding the ring in one hand and the bouquet in another, he kept kneeling, his smile becoming rigid.
Beads of sweat raced down from his forehead.
Just as he was almost about to give up, she asked, “Are you… proposing to me?”
Stunned, Ralph looked down at what he was holding. “Can’t you tell?”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm‘I’m on one knee with the ring and the flowers, and I’ve just popped the question. How is it that she still
doesn’t get it? Did I miss something or fail to make myself clear?’
“Please ask me again.” She took a deep breath, turned toward him, and said solemnly.
Ralph was speechless.
‘She’s truly hard to predict. She didn’t answer yes or no and she didn’t physically harm me. Still, to
repeat it all over again? Does she think I’m an mp3 player?’
Nonetheless, he dared not to protest despite what he was thinking. “Heather—”
“Don’t call me by that name.” Hannah cut him off.
Taken aback, Ralph asked, “How about Annie?”
Seeing her smile, Ralph continued, “Well, Annie, I’m asking you to marry me. I’ll make sure I take good
care of you and that you’ll live happily ever after!”