Chapter 97 Finally Proposing.

Chapter 97 Finally Proposing.
Maureen’s POV
~continuation~

Without wasting any second, I was outside my apartment, and then my driver stopped the car in front of me and I slid in. In no time, we got to the restaurant just as dusk settled into the city. Through the glass doors, I saw Liam already waiting. He stood when he noticed me, that familiar smile softening his face.

Dinner moved at an easy pace, plates were shared, shoulders brushed, laughter slipped between bites. When we were done, he wiped his mouth, leaned forward and whispered, “I have two surprises for you.”

“Really!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in excitement.

“Yeah, but……” he paused, searching my eyes, “One good and one partly bad. Which one do you want first?”

I smiled, “The bad first, please.”

His fingers tightened around his glass. “My mother,” he said, then paused, “and Angela were behind the video. They were also behind what almost happened to you.” He said, his eyes full of something I couldn’t explain.

He watched me closely. I did not flinch. I only nodded. He frowned.

“You knew?” he asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

I shook my head, “Not exactly,” I said, slow and honest. “But I always felt they knew something. In as much as I hate to admit this, but I have no other enemies, Liam. Not at work. Not anywhere.”

He exhaled, relief and anger crossing his face at once.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, squeezing my hands into his tight.

“It’s fine, I just hope we can stop all these and just move on with our lives, especially Mrs. Alexander.” I whispered, the concern written evidently on my face.

There was a long pause, sensing the tension I decided to bring up a topic, thinking it was funny, but it wasn’t. Liam just played along, forcing a smile on his face. Then I remembered he hadn’t told me the second surprise.

“So…what’s the good part of the surprise all about?” I asked.

“Oh, that. Can’t tell you now.” He said flatly.

“What? Why?”

“Because telling you now would ruin the surprise.”

“Huh, I see.”

Then we talked for a while, voices low, hands moving as if shaping the truth between us.

When it was time to leave, Liam offered to drive me home. Outside, I declined my driver and followed Liam to his car. The city lights blurred as we drove, but instead of my street, he turned towards the coastline. I opened my mouth to ask why, then closed it. His phone rang. He answered in a hushed tone, glancing at me before looking away.

At the beach, everyone had fully settled. The sand was cool. The waves sounded steady, patient.

“But…why are we at the beach?” I asked cautiously.

“Uhm, nothing really. Just wanted to spend more time with you.” He said, looking at me and smiling so wide.

“Awnn…..someone’s missing me already,” I teased, and we both burst out laughing.

But he was acting weird. He stayed restless. He checked his phone, typed, slipped it back into his pocket, then pulled it out again. When I spoke, he sometimes did not answer. He kept looking back and forth as if he’d been tailed. His eyes drifted past me, his shoulders tense.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He nodded too quickly. “Yeah. Yeah.” He said, forcing a smile.

He stood close, then stepped away, hands flexing as if he did not know where to keep them. I felt confusion curl in my stomach.

“Maureen!” someone called from behind. I turned and saw Scarlet. Joy rushed through me. I hurried over, laughing, and she wrapped me in a tight hug.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Oh, I came with a friend, but he just left to get us drinks.”

“Huh, I see someone is hooked already,” I said playfully.

“Yes girl, you can say that again.” She said, turning around, her hands raised up as she dramatized.

We talked at once, voices overlapping, surprise and warmth filling the air.

“Oh, Liam is here too. You should go say hi to your cousin brother,” I said to her.

When I turned back, the beach no longer felt quiet.

Liam was on one of his knees, holding a shining diamond ring with his right hand. Trumpets sounded, sharp and bright. People who seemed scattered suddenly stood together, raising placards with ‘Maureen will you marry me?’ on it. Flowers appeared, passed into waiting hands, surrounding me.

My breath caught. “Oh my God,” I whispered.

From somewhere I heard Linda shout, “Say yes, bestie!”

I froze. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Liam looked up at me, eyes shining, one knee still pressed into the sand. “Maureen,” he said softly, still holding out the ring. “I know our journey together has been filled with hurt, fear, and most importantly, joy and happiness. But that is what love is all about. Without you in this journey, I honestly don’t think I can survive it.” He paused.

I noticed he was looking around for Scarlet, maybe trying to remember his rehearsed line, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You know what, scratch the epistle,” he said. “Maureen, I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

My hands trembled as tears filled my eyes. The ocean roared behind me, aligning with the rhythm of my heartbeat.

I nodded before I could think. “Yes,” I finally said, my voice breaking.

Cheers erupted. He stood, pulled me into his arms, and the world felt suddenly steady, bright, and entirely new.

I stayed pressed against him, breathing him in, his heart racing under my cheek. Applause rolled around us, strangers smiling like they had known us forever. I laughed, cried, and held his shirt, afraid to let go.

“We’ve got a wedding to plan,” Scarlet said excitedly, rushing over to us and joining in hugging us.

“And I can’t wait to be my bestie’s chief bride maid,” Linda said too, and joined us.