Chapter 170: The Birthday Proposal

Chapter 170: The Birthday Proposal
Gabriel's POV

Oliver was mid-pitch, rattling on about our latest project, when he suddenly hit pause. He tapped his fingers on the conference table, trying to reel in the attention of one very distracted CEO—me.

"Dude, Gabriel, you even with us right now?" Oliver waved a hand in front of my face.

I glanced up, meeting his annoyed stare with zero interest. My head was miles away.

Luke chuckled from across the table. "Isn't it obvious? It's his birthday today."

"Oh shit! That's right!" Oliver's irritation flipped to excitement in a heartbeat. "Let's wrap this up and celebrate after work. My treat."

I kept my face blank, scrolling through my phone for the twentieth time that hour. Still nothing from Luna.

Luke shook his head, smirking. "I don't think that's what's eating him."

"Ohhhhh," Oliver's eyes lit up with that dramatic flair of his as he leaned in, grinning like an idiot. "Luna forgot your birthday, didn't she?"

My expression turned ice-cold. Smart people would've backed off, but Oliver? Never the sharpest tool.

"She wouldn't forget," I said, my tone flat and final.

Oliver shrugged, not buying it. "If you say so, man. I'm just saying, with all the craziness lately—"

"She. Wouldn't. Forget," I repeated, jaw tight.

Luke shot Oliver a warning look. "Maybe we should get back to the project before you turn this birthday into your funeral."

Oliver threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. So, for the deal—"

My phone buzzed, lighting up the screen and cutting him off. A text from Luna.

Dear Mr. Ashford, 5 PM, Vale University swimming pool. Don't tell anyone.

A grin tugged at my lips before I could stop it. I fired back: As you wish, Miss Gray.

When I looked up, Luke and Oliver were staring at me like I'd just sprouted horns.

"Holy shit," Oliver whispered. "It's like watching Beauty tame the Beast live. One text from Luna, and boom—he's glowing."

Luke nodded wisely. "Luna Gray: certified miracle worker."

"Who says we can't pick this up tomorrow?" I stood, pocketing my phone.

Oliver flailed at his half-finished presentation. "Whoa, hold up! What about the deal? We're only halfway—"

"You two got this," I said, already striding for the door.

"Where the hell are you going?" Oliver yelled after me.

I turned back, smirking as I flashed my phone. "My girl's calling."

---

The Bugatti's engine growled as I blasted through Vale University's main gates, turning heads from every student in sight. I couldn't care less about the stares. Only one person mattered right now.

I was halfway to the natatorium when Michael Brown burst out of his office, huffing and puffing, his face flushing beet-red at the sight of me.

"You! You! YOU!" he sputtered, hustling to cut me off. "What do you think you're doing?!"

I dodged him without slowing down. "Not now, Michael."

"Gabriel Ashford, I remind you—you graduated YEARS ago!" he barked, jogging to keep pace. "Who gave you permission to drive that... that monstrosity onto campus? This is totally inappropriate! You're disrupting the entire academic environment!"

I tuned him out, my mind laser-focused on Luna. His lecture faded to white noise as I pushed through the natatorium doors, leaving him mid-rant—and froze.

The swimming pool—our pool—had been completely transformed. A circular white platform floated in the center, ringed by scattered rose petals and soft, glowing lights. The exact spot where I'd first seen Luna years ago.

And there she stood in the middle, Luna Gray, dressed in a school uniform.

Our eyes met across the water, and the world narrowed to just us. My breath caught.

Luna held a microphone, looking equal parts nervous and fierce.

"Gabriel," she said, her voice echoing softly through the empty space. "No swimming lesson today. Can I... tell you something instead?"

I found my voice, heart racing. "I'm all ears."

She set down the mic and looked at me with raw sincerity. "Gabriel, I love you!"

"I love you so much!"

I started toward her on instinct, desperate to pull her close. She held up a hand, laughing through the tears welling in her eyes.

"Wait," she said. "I haven't finished my speech."

My pulse thundered as she reached into her uniform pocket and pulled out a ring. Then, in a move that floored me, she dropped to one knee.

"Baby!" I blurted, panic surging—I wanted to haul her up, not let her kneel.

But those gorgeous dark eyes locked on mine, rooting me in place.

"Gabriel," she said, her voice steady and clear. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for coming into my life."

My throat tightened. Is this really happening?

"Gabriel, I love you. Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and my chest felt like it might burst. In a blur, I closed the distance, pulling her to her feet and into my arms.

"I will," I rasped, emotion roughening my voice. "Luna, yes. I will."

She was full-on crying now, slipping the ring onto my finger with trembling hands.

Then she looked up, eyes shining, and kissed the back of my hand where the ring sat.

"Gabriel, I love you," she whispered. "Very much. So, so much."

I crushed her against me, like she'd vanish if I let go. "Luna, I love you too. Very much. Very, very much."

I kissed her then, pouring in every ounce of longing and promise I'd held onto for years. She melted into it, arms looping around my neck, matching my fire.

When we finally pulled back, she was beaming, eyes sparkling with joy.

"Gabriel," she teased, voice light, "are you satisfied with my proposal?"

I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by her—by us. "More than satisfied."

Luna held up her hand, showing off the matching ring already on her finger. "Happy birthday, my fiancé."

I traced my thumb over it gently, a deep sense of rightness settling in my bones—the kind I'd chased my whole life. "Is this my birthday gift?"

She bit her lip, and I couldn't resist— I kissed her again, backing her against the platform's railing.

"Baby, is it?" I murmured against her mouth.

Suddenly, an angry voice boomed through the natatorium, shattering the moment.

"What are you two DOING?!"