Chapter 92 How About Marrying Me
Leopold spent two days in Seaside City, meeting Caroline's family elders during his visit. He really liked the Tudor family atmosphere - the warmth and harmony of a big family was something Leopold could only dream of having himself.
With his good looks and social skills, he won over Caroline's grandparents, and all of Caroline's relatives took a liking to Leopold.
Back at Solstice Mountain, Leopold started browsing properties online and had sales offices send him promotional materials. His unusual behavior caught Lily's attention.
While getting him to sign some documents, Lily asked, "Are you getting married?"
Actually, it was meant as a joke, but Leopold answered without hesitation, "Yeah."
Lily was stunned. Her first reaction was, "Mr. Preston Wipere agreed to it?"
Leopold: "He's not the one getting married. I don't need his permission."
"If Mr. Preston Wipere doesn't agree, how can you get married?"
Leopold said, "Do I need my father's signature on the marriage registration form?"
"Well, no, but—" Before Lily could finish, Leopold cut her off, "Say, to order a custom ring, don't I need to know her ring size?"
Lily's eyes widened, "This fast? You're already planning to propose? Do you even know her well enough?"
"Forget it, asking you is pointless anyway - you've never been married." Leopold got up and headed out, "I'm going back to Seaside City. Keep an eye on the hotel for the next couple days."
Lily let out a cold laugh, "I've never been married? What's so great about marriage anyway."
It was late April, the perfect time when spring flowers bloomed in Seaside City.
As Leopold approached the power company, he called Caroline, "I'm back, I'll be downstairs at your office in ten minutes. Let's go out for dinner tonight."
Caroline had just received verbal notice from her supervisor that she would be taking over as Seaside City's power manager. The official paperwork would come later.
"That's great! I have good news to tell you too. Dinner's on me tonight."
Hearing the joy in her voice and doing the math, Leopold had a pretty good guess, "Are your colleagues about to start calling you manager?"
Caroline said, "Right before you called, the HR department gave me the verbal notice."
Leopold was happy for her too, "Congratulations! What do you want to eat?"
Caroline insisted, "What do YOU want to eat? I'm definitely treating tonight."
Leopold said teasingly, "Alright, let me depend on my girlfriend for once. You treat." Then he added, "Let's not go too far, just eat somewhere near home."
"Okay, I'll drop my car off at home, and we can find a restaurant nearby."
Caroline happily drove out from work. As soon as she left, she saw Leopold's car parked by the road. The two cars drove one after the other toward Caroline's neighborhood.
The early spring breeze carried the scent of plants and trees. Everything was coming to life, and the spring landscape was turning green.
As they walked side by side, Leopold suddenly grabbed her hand, secretly measuring her ring size. Caroline had never held hands with him on the street before. She instinctively looked around, but seeing no one paying attention, she relaxed.
Though Leopold ordered the dishes, they were all Caroline's favorites.
"I'm happy today, I'll have some wine too." After filling Leopold's glass, Caroline poured herself one.
She raised her glass. Leopold said, "Congratulations on getting what you wanted."
Caroline smiled, "Thank you."
Their glasses clinked, and they drank it all in one go.
Caroline put down her glass and let out a satisfied breath, "You know why I've been working so hard?"
Leopold said, "You want to prove to Mr. Tudor that you can be like him - start from the bottom and build a career."
"Exactly!" Caroline was especially glad someone understood her. She filled another glass, and Leopold, knowing she was happy, joined her for another round.
She wiped the wine from her lips with the back of her hand and said, "Growing up, my dad was this huge figure in my mind. He was my role model, my lighthouse. But he thinks that as a girl, I shouldn't be too ambitious - just find a stable job, marry someone suitable when I'm old enough, and live a quiet, stable life. But I don't think that way. I want to prove to him that I can do it too. That my life has value. I want him to be proud of me, really proud, just once."
Leopold smiled, "You're excellent. Of course he's proud of you."
Caroline shook her head, "My dad is really serious. He's never praised me. No matter how well I did on tests, I never saw him smile. He'd just say, 'Try harder next time, be more careful.' My dad's the typical example of criticism-based parenting."
Leopold: "What about Mrs. Tudor?"
"My mom?" Mentioning Elysia, Caroline's expression relaxed, "My mom? That goes without saying - they're complete opposites. I'm her pride and joy. Whatever I do, whatever decision I make, she'll firmly stand by my side and support me. The fact that I didn't develop a terrible personality probably has a lot to do with my mom. She gave me so much love."
Seems like every family has its own struggles, just depends on who hides them better.
Caroline drank three glasses in a row. Drinking too fast made her head spin a bit, but luckily she could hold her liquor and felt better after a moment.
"Actually, I really wanted to tell my dad myself, hear how he'd praise me. But later, I thought forget it - someone will tell him even if I don't." Caroline propped her chin on her hand, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the table. She'd reached her goals in education and career, achieved a certain level - only marriage was left. "Leopold, do you want to get married?"
Leopold paused while pouring wine, "Yes."
Caroline looked down, "I may not have much experience with relationships, but I think one quality relationship is enough. We're both smart people. We know what we want and we know how to cherish it. So our chances of making a mistake are low. If you don't have any objections, how about—"
She looked up, "Let's get married."
Leopold stared at her for a long moment, even wondering if he'd just imagined what he heard.
Until Caroline said, "If you don't want to, forget it."
Leopold got up and sat beside her, pulling her into a hug and asking, "Answer two questions for me first?"
This was the main dining area, surrounded by other diners. Caroline felt embarrassed to push him away, "Just ask your questions, let go first."
Leopold knew she was shy. He let go but held her hand instead. Caroline couldn't break free, "What are you doing? I'm not going to run away."
"Can't be too sure." Leopold pulled out his phone and started recording them. Caroline said, "What are you doing? Why are you recording?"
Leopold: "I have to. I need evidence in case you don't admit it tomorrow. Then where would I go to argue my case?"
Caroline put her hand to her forehead, "What do you want to ask?"
Leopold: "First question - are you drunk right now?"
Caroline: "No, I'm completely sober."
"Second question," Leopold asked seriously, "Will you marry me?"
Caroline turned her face to look into Leopold's eyes, "What if I say no—"
Leopold covered her mouth, "Caroline, are you messing with me? Believe me, I'll kill you. Say it to the camera. Say what you just said to me again."
Caroline pointed at his hand - if you don't let go, how can I talk?
He lowered his hand. Caroline lifted her chin slightly, her smile confident and certain, and said:
"How about marrying me?"
Leopold's lips curved up, "I agree."