PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL
CHAPTER 55

"I need you tell you something." He said, and my brows furrowed as I racked my brain on what it could be.

"Did something happen? Is something wrong?"

"No, no. Just...just listen please."

There was a pained look on his face. I could detect it in his voice as well, but I nodded.

"So, we, um..." He cleared his throat. "We'd only known each other only a few months back in New York when I realized I couldn't live without you Peach. You showed up that very day. The very day I saw you and I just knew you were mine."

My lips widened in a half smile, but for some reason I was really anxious. I found his hands and held them between us. "Relax, baby." I murmured, "you're shaking."

He smiled softly, letting in a deep breath before exhaling softly. "If had known..." He continued. "If I had known you were the same girl arranged for me. If I had known it was you all along, I wouldn't have hesitated in claiming you for myself. I wouldn't have hesitated in making you my wife."

Is he...

My eyes widened, almost tearing immediately as I realized what this was. "Oh, Damon...."

"I hated the idea of marriage then. So much. There was a reason I left the family...I gave up everything. But...right now, the only thing I care about is you. This isn't how I wanted, I mean I didn't plan this, but...I would be the happiest man alive if you would agree to be my wife, Liv. So please baby... this is me asking; will you do me the favor of marrying me?"

It felt like my whole life stood at a standstill at that moment. I couldn't process, couldn't tell how I was feeling at the moment. I wasn't expecting this. It was so random I initially didn't know this was where he was headed.

But this was the most sweetest proposal I had ever gotten. The only one actually.

Damon was still staring at me. Patiently waiting. But my heart was beating too loudly for comfort. And this was happening too fast...

My lips parted, but no words came out. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. I should’ve been happy. This was everything I ever wanted — him, us. But all I could think about was the arranged marriage, the threat still hanging over our heads. Love and uncertainty tangled inside me until I couldn’t tell one from the other.

I untangled my fingers from his, and placed them on his cheeks, finding my words. "If I had known you were the same person I was meant to get married to, I wouldn't have hesitated too."

I felt tears prick the corner of my eyes. "I mean, I ran from my Moms, down to New York just because I hated the idea of marrying someone I didn't even know. And then I met you. And loved you. So yea, of course I wouldn't have hesitated in marrying you then."

"And now?" He asked softly.

"I still love you Damon..."

He nodded. "I know." And then more firmly, "Will you marry me now, Peach?"

My mouth parted, the word tangled at the tip of my tongue.

"Is this bad timing?" He looked so worked up, like he was doubting every single thing.

But I inhaled deeply and smiled softly. "Of course. Of course, I would love to. But...."

He blinked rapidly, his jaw clenching as he nodded, "You would love to. But you don't want to."

"How about I give you an answer when we've resolved this... Marcus stuff? I just want to be certain he's..."

He pulled back, "You're not certain if you want to marry me? Or you are not certain what I told you about him was true?"

"No, Damon. I..."

Before I could finish, he gently pulled me off his lap and got off the bed, his movements sharp and heavy. His jaw was tight as he turned away from me, reaching for his shirt on the floor.

“Damon, please, that’s not what I meant,” I said, my voice trembling. I tried to reach for him, but he pulled the fabric over his head and began buttoning it with shaking hands.

“It’s okay,” he muttered, not looking at me. “I get it.”

“No, you don’t.” I scrambled off the bed, clutching the sheet around me as I stepped closer. “You’re twisting my words. I just meant—”

He cut me off, his voice low but thick with pain. “You meant you’re not ready. That you’d rather wait. That maybe I’m rushing things. And I totally get it, Peach. I do. If you really wanted to, you wouldn't hesitate.”

“That’s not fair,” I whispered.

He gave a small, humorless chuckle as he reached for his jeans. “Fair?” he repeated, slipping one leg in. “I’ve been living without you for three fucking years, Olivia. With a broken heart at that. Fair stopped existing a long time ago for me.”

I could see the muscles in his back tense as he fastened his belt. I took a step closer, desperate to explain.

“I’m not saying no, Damon,” I said softly. “I just want to clear things up first. Marcus has been a constant threat. I want to make sure—”

He turned suddenly, his blue eyes dark and distant. “You want to make sure what I told you about him is true?”

“That’s not what I said,” I breathed.

“But that’s also what you meant,” he replied, his tone sharp. “You don’t even trust me.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. He looked at me for a long moment, long enough for me to see the hurt behind his eyes—before he shook his head slowly.

“Do what you have to do,” he said finally. His voice was calm, but there was no emotion left in it.

“Damon...”

He held up a hand to stop me. “It’s fine, Olivia. I understand.”

He blinked a few times like he was trying to hold something back, anger, maybe tears. Then he looked away, his shoulders hardening.

He grabbed his jacket and slipped it on without meeting my gaze. “When you’re done with whatever this is, just let me know so I can see my daughter.”