Chapter 15 - The Proposal

Rafael Chancellor's Point of View:

She was beautiful.

Dad made it a point to argue with me yesterday and let me know that my time was running out but what he didn't know was that I didn't mind that I basically didn't have any time left because I already found the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It's like dad said about my mom, she saw him and Alissa sees me for who I truly am.

I wanted to meet up with her yesterday so badly but I had my duties and then after that I had a representative from Tiffany and Co meet me with some rings. I couldn't risk actually going to their building for fear that the paparazzi would recognize me and then Alissa would know what I was up to.

The box with the ring was secured safely in my breast pocket of my suit. I wanted to do it tonight but I had to wait for the perfect moment to do so. I really hoped she felt the same way that I do.

The car came to a stop and I could feel my heart beating wildly.

"We're here," I announced our arrival to her.

"And where are we exactly?"

"Why don't you look for yourself?" I rolled the windows down to reveal a view of the Eiffel tower in all its glory. All the lights were turned on making it even more beautiful. It looked great from afar but up close was a whole new experience and even after years of living here I still haven't gotten used to its beauty.

"Oh wow," she sighed "it's beautiful"

"Yes it is," my eyes were fixed on her the entire time.

I got out of the car and walked around to her side opening the car door for her. 

"Thank you," she grinned as I helped her out of the car. 

"You never have to thank me for opening a door for you"

She smiled but didn't comment and just allowed me to lead her inside. I rented out the entire restaurant for us so that if she did reject my proposal I wouldn't be too humiliated. I wouldn't stop seeing her if she did but my pride would be hurt. 

"Oh wow," she mumbled as we walked into the restaurant. 

I had the decorate the area with multiple different flowers and lights to mimic the day that we danced at the ball and went to my mother's garden. I also showed them a picture of the park where we met and had them make a small replica of it so that I could propose to her in the place that we met without actually being there. 

"Take a seat," I told her as I pulled out her chair.

"Where is everyone else?" she asked as she set her purse aside and sat down. 

I walked to my chair and sat down across from her, "I rented out the restaurant for our date" 

"What?" she gasped "Rafe you didn't have to do that"

"I know but I wanted to"

A waiter walked over to us, "bonsoir monsieur et madame... voulez-vous commencer avec du vin?"

"Un peu de vin serait super... merci"

He nodded and went back to the kitchen to get the wine that he mentioned. My eyes focused on Alissa has she looked around the room in awe. One of the many things I liked about her was that she was very down to earth. Even though she was raised by wealthy parents and now is a wealthy person herself she still managed to be a humble person.

"This really is beautiful Rafe"

"I'm glad you like it"

"Like it? I love it...you really outdid yourself"

We began to talk about our day and how the day before went for us. I've never been one to just sit and talk with someone about random stuff but she had that uncanny ability to have me blubbering like a fool just to get a smiled out of her.

The waiter came back with the wine and two wine glasses. He set the glasses down and proceeded to open the wine pouring some into each glass. He took out two menus and handed one to the both of us before letting us know he'd be back in five minutes to know what we wanted to order. 

"I'm surprised the menu is in English," Alissa muttered under her breath but I heard her. My face grew red from her findings.

"What is it?" she asked "why are you so red?"

"Um I-I had the restaurant make a menu in English so that you could order your food yourself," I rushed to explain myself when I saw she was about to laugh "in my defense I had no idea you could speak French, if I knew you could then I wouldn't have done that"

"You don't have to laugh at me?" I snapped feeling rather insecure.

What I thought were mocking tears were actually happy tears as she smiled the entire time, "I'm not laughing at you...it’s just that that's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me on a date"

I sighed, "I'm sorry for snapping at you"

She smiled gently, "it’s okay love"

She held up the menu in her hand, "thank you for this"

I muttered a quick you’re welcome when I caught sight of the waiter walking towards us. We ordered our food and waited for it to be prepared for us. In the meantime we chatted away.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" I questioned her.

She grew silent as she pondered my question, "yes I do believe in love at first sight"

"do you believe in it?" she asked hesitantly as if afraid of my answer.

I didn't even hesitate, "at first I didn't..."

She looked down, "...but after meeting you, I think it’s possible"

Her eyes snapped up to my own, "really?" her smile shone bright.

"Really"

She shyly tucked a strand of her hair behind her head and smiled. The waiter chose then to walk in with our meals. We thanked him and dug right in. We were silent majority of the time as we savored our food. I was in heaven as the food practically melted on my tongue and judging by the pleased look on Alissa's face she was enjoying her dinner as well. 

When we were finished I decided that this would be the perfect time to man up and pop the question. Women were happiest when their stomachs were full, right? 

"Before we have dessert can we talk?" I mustered up the courage ten minutes after eating.

"Of course Rafe," I loved it when she called my name.

"Come with me," I extended a hand to her which she eagerly took and allowed me to lead her over to the setup of where we first met. I must admit they did a fantastic job; they should consider being decorators as well. 

"Oh my God," she looked dumbfounded "this is where we first met"

"It is," I confirmed her thoughts "I wanted to ask you this where we first met because that's where it all started"

She gasped loudly when I dropped to one knee in front of her, "Alissa Moore I know that we haven't known each other long but it’s like I told you, I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met you. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want to be apart a second longer"

I pulled out the box from my pocket and opened in the reveal the princess cut engagement ring to her. Her eyes widened when she saw it, "Alissa Moore will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes," she screamed throwing herself into my arms "I love you too Rafe"

I pulled her into a passionate kiss. I was in total bliss as I slipped the ring on my soon to be bride, my soon to be wife. I was so lost in the moment that I didn't hear the door open or the person that walked up to us.

"Isn't this just cute," I looked up to see the one person I didn't want to see in this very moment. My cousin Harry, the person who would gain the throne if I weren't married.