Chapter 191: Will You Marry Me?

Brie sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time, her voice carrying a mixture of resignation and disbelief. “Amber, I still don’t know how you convinced me to follow you to this party,” she muttered, her tone half‑teasing, half‑serious.

Her fingers lingered on the delicate necklace resting against her collarbone. The stones shimmered faintly under the car’s interior light, catching her eye again and again. She could almost swear they were diamonds, though Amber had insisted otherwise. The uncertainty gnawed at her, much like the uncertainty of the evening itself.

Amber, seated beside her, only smiled mischievously. She smoothed the folds of her silk lilac dress, the fabric catching the glow of passing streetlights. “Why? You’ve been anxious all day. Didn’t you speak with Alex already?”

Brie rolled her eyes. She had spoken with Alex and told her about Amber’s plans to take her to a high-end showcase. He had readily agreed and promised to pick her up afterwards. “It’s not that. I don’t know. I just feel like there’s something about to happen, and I don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

A slow smile curved on Amber's lips. “You’ll see,” she said cryptically, her voice lilting with excitement.

Brie rolled her eyes, though her lips curved into a reluctant smile. Amber’s enthusiasm was infectious, even if Brie’s nerves were steadily mounting.

The car slowed, pulling up in front of a five-star hotel whose exterior gleamed with elegance and golden lights from both inside and outside the building.

Brie turned to Amber, her voice tight with curiosity. “Tell me again—whose party is this and what kind of people will be here?”

Amber only squeezed her hand, her mischievous grin widening. “You’ll see,” she repeated, her tone softer now, almost tender.

They stepped out of the car together, the cool evening air brushing against their skin. Brie adjusted her dress nervously, her fingers brushing the necklace once more. Amber led her toward the entrance, her steps confident.

Inside, the atmosphere was hushed yet charged with anticipation. They moved toward the lift, the polished marble floor echoing faintly beneath their heels. Amber glanced at Brie, her eyes sparkling. “Calm down,” she teased. “You look nervous.”

Brie exhaled sharply. “Of course I’m nervous. Obviously. You refuse to share information. Is this some classified event you can’t say, or you’re worried you’ll spoil the fun?”

Amber chuckled, squeezing her hand again as the lift doors slid open. “Maybe, both.”

They stepped inside, the mirrored walls reflecting their anxious yet excited faces. Brie’s heart thudded in her chest, each beat louder than the hum of the elevator.

When the doors opened, Brie gasped.

The room before her was transformed into a vision of romance and grandeur. Amber and several others shouted in unison, “Surprise!” Their voices rang out joyfully, filling the air with warmth.

Almost everyone she knew was here. Amber had walked over to Shawn, whose arms were entwined with Amber’s now. Then there were Lyn, Pierre, and a few others, whom Brie didn’t recognize. Yet none of them held her attention for long.

Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the center of the room.

Alex.

Her breath caught in delight. He looked immaculate in a black suit that seemed to have been tailored to perfection, and he looked so handsome that he stole her breath away. He was framed by a massive rose‑shaped design, the petals formed from hundreds of real roses, their fragrance enveloping the space. The artistry was breathtaking, each bloom arranged with meticulous care, creating a spectacle that seemed almost unreal.

Brie blinked, her eyes darting to Amber, whose eyes were now glistening with tears. Amber’s expression was tender, her smile trembling with emotion.

Too stunned to speak, Brie managed to step forward, her legs carrying her toward Alex almost of their own accord. Her gaze flickered briefly to the flower arrangements surrounding them—arches of roses, cascades of petals, candles flickering softly at the edges of the room, they seemed to form words. A low gasp escaped her lips, the sound barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

When she looked back, Alex was on one knee.

The sight stole her breath. His posture was steady, his eyes locked on hers, his expression a mixture of vulnerability and determination.

His voice trembled slightly as he began to speak, though his words carried the weight of truth. “Brie,” he said, his tone raw with emotion. “I stopped believing in love a long time ago. And after so long, I never thought I would fall again. But ever since you came into my life, everything changed. You’ve shown me what it means to feel, to hope, to dream again.”

Brie’s eyes blurred with tears, her chest tightening as his words sank into her heart.

“I’ve realized,” Alex continued, his voice growing steadier, “that I can’t live without you. I want to be there with you in the good times and in the bad. I want to be your anchor when you’re scared, your strength when you feel weak. I want to build memories with you, countless moments that will last a lifetime.”

His hand trembled slightly as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a ring that shimmered under the soft lights, its brilliance undeniable.

“Brie,” he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion, “will you marry me?”

The room seemed to hold its breath. Amber’s tears spilled freely, Shawn’s grin widened, and the others watched, their faces glowing with anticipation.

Brie’s heart raced, her mind spinning. She blinked rapidly, her gaze shifting from the ring to Alex’s earnest eyes. The necklace at her throat seemed to pulse with warmth, as though echoing the intensity of the moment.

Her lips parted, but no words came at first. She swallowed hard, her emotions overwhelming her. Finally, her voice emerged, shaky yet resolute.

“Yes,” she whispered. Then louder, stronger: “Yes, Alex. I’ll marry you.”