Chapter 149 Chapter 149 - The Ring and the Ocean
Chapter 149 Chapter 149 - The Ring and the Ocean
Pedro Hernandez
Adie left home a little over an hour ago. Abby and I are together in the living room, looking at some rings for the proposal later. I asked Burton to come to my house. I also asked him to come in a discreet car so we wouldn't risk anyone ruining the surprise later.
"What do you think of this one, dear?" I ask, picking up a ring with diamond stones, smaller than I'd consider an option.
"I didn't like this one, Daddy." His blue eyes focus on me.
"Which one did you like, then?" I ask softly, returning the ring to the sample box.
Abby leans over and picks up a ring that looks perfect to me. It's a ring with a large diamond in the center, surrounded by smaller, brilliant-cut diamonds set around the sphere, creating an intense glow in the natural light flooding our home.
"Your daughter has good taste, Mr. Hernandez," Burton says, his tone satisfied. "It was handcrafted by expert artisans. It has a classic, timeless style with a sophisticated glamour that encompasses the diamonds and platinum used in its creation," he explains, carefully observing the ring in Abby's hands.
I study it, unsure if Adie would like it, but if she didn't complain—that much—about a five-billion-dollar hospital, I don't think she'll complain about anything less. However, I want something exclusive for Adrielle. Something that belongs only to her and no one else.
"How about something exclusive? Something no one else can have but my future wife?" I ask, looking at him steadily.
"Uh, I think she'll like it," Abby says, her tone cheerful.
I give him a small smile.
Burton leans slightly over the briefcase he brought with him. It has keys and a padlock with a combination and fingerprint. Quite a bit of security, don't you think?
He opens the briefcase and takes out a small blue box.
"Look at this one." “It’s made with a 10-carat center diamond that fluoresces blue under black light, set with 100 flawless microdiamonds, and a platinum band infused with meteorite particles. This one is exclusive, just as you requested. The setting is smooth, and the diamonds would never bother you.” He explains, but I’m more focused on the brilliant ring on my hand.
It truly shines even brighter than the other one. It’s intense and beautiful. And I think it would fit perfectly on Adrielle’s finger.
“What do you think, dear?” I ask, looking at Abby, who’s focusing on the ring neatly tucked away in its blue box.
“Wow. It’s beautiful…” she says. “I think Mommy will love it.” Abby smiles, turning to me.
I smile, satisfied.
“Then we’ll keep this one,” I affirm.
“Excellent, Mr. Hernandez!” “Burton says, with a smile on his face.
After signing the purchase documents—and I discover there’s insurance for it—Burton leaves, happy to sell a four-million-dollar ring. Security escorts him to his car, and I see it drive through the gates moments later. I walk inside, satisfied with getting exactly what I wanted.
Things are going well today. I just need to complete the other part of the plan. I spoke with the mayor this morning. I didn’t lie about the part where I already made the reservation for us. I got a permit for exclusive use of the marina tonight. I want Abby to come with me to see our family’s newest addition. I know she’ll love it, because she can sail whenever she wants.”
“Abby, now we have to complete the other part of our plan,” I say with a small smile. “What do you say we go to the marina? I have something to show you.”
“Really? We’re going to see boats?” His excitement is intense. Abby is on her feet, bouncing up and down. "I want to see the boats. Can we, can we?"
"That's exactly what we're going to do, honey," I reply with a small smile. "Come on, let's go."
Abby doesn't even wait for me; she's already walking out the door, ready for the news I'm holding. We've already changed, so all I have to do is drive her to the marina. My daughter climbs into the back door of the car. And when I climb into the driver's side door, she's already buckled in and ready to go. She's so eager.
I start the engine and put it in gear. We leave our house and drive through the streets of Los Angeles to the port. On the way, Taylor Swift plays on the stereo again. My daughter moves excitedly in the backseat, dancing to the beat of the music.
Abby, please don't grow up. I'd love for you to be my little girl forever.
In twenty minutes, we're at the marina. The security guards' car follows us. I park my car in the port parking lot. I can see the boats and yachts docked in the marina. I should have thought twice before closing the deal; the yacht I bought seems to be the largest of all the others here. Someone will have plenty of arguments later.
"Look at the size of that yacht!" Abby points to the largest of them, our yacht.
I press my lips together, knowing I'll be reprimanded by her mother. She'll probably have arguments like, "That's the example you want to set for your daughter," or "A yacht that size to show off." I hope my wife doesn't have strong arguments later and just wants to accept being my wife.
Abby touches my hand as we walk into the marina. There are few people here, and that's a good thing. Security guards are on hand, ready to restrain any disruptive photographers. Abby and I are on one of the walkways that leads us to the very yacht she thought was large.
"Whose yacht is that? It's huge," she says as we walk.
"It's ours, dear," I reply softly. "I want to bring your mother to dinner later."
She stops walking, like a jerk. I stop and look at her.
"Without me?" Abby looks hurt. "Are you guys going on a trip without me?"
I give a small smile.
"We won't go on a long trip. It's just dinner," I say, bending down so we're at the same height. "If you're okay with it, we can go on a trip tomorrow afternoon. I heard the whales are really active this month. We can go to Farallon Island. What do you think?"
"You want to be alone with my mom to kiss her, don't you?" Abby crosses her arms, seeming to think about it. I think this girl will become a businesswoman when she grows up. "I want to see the whales tomorrow. But I don't want to see you two kissing. Grandpa said I can't do that."
"You can stay with Minnie tonight or with your grandparents while I take your mom to dinner, honey."
"Uh, Grandpa gave me a new Lego set. I want to build it." She says, remembering the gift Joseph gave her yesterday.
There really are a lot of pieces there, and she loves them.
“Okay. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a look at the yacht I bought,” I say, before straightening my posture. “Come on, you’ll love it.”
Abby takes my hand, and we walk back down the walkway. A small board is extended so we can enter the yacht. It’s actually bigger than I planned, but it’s perfect. The hull is made of carbon fiber with white metallic paint and deep blue stripes that reflect the light from the sea. The bow is sharp, and the stern is open with a swim platform. It seems perfect to me, and we haven’t even seen everything yet, but I know a few things from research: There’s a retractable glass roof over the main deck. The interior walls are covered in Italian leather with brushed carbon details. We have a dining table for eight in black marble with gold veins, and a bar with a clear champagne cooler with whatever drinks I want.
The cabins are divided into two types: the master suite with a floating king-size bed and a white Thassos marble bathroom; and three VIP cabins, each with underwater windows for observing marine life.
My daughter will love this.
There's also the helm room, with a touchscreen control panel with integrated AI. This will be great, so I can have the yacht to myself.