CHAPTER NINETY: ENGAGED.

MEREDITH:

After disappearing from Miles's life months ago, I felt empty. To occupy myself, I worked as a volunteer on various projects in the place I relocated to, with the most prominent and peaceful one being animal rescue. During that time, I regained myself and rediscovered that he was my happiness, and I wanted to be with him for as long as we lasted.

Two days ago, at the last minute, my lovely boss gathered me and the team to inform us that we had received a VIP invitation to a children's charity program in California. After hearing all the details, I couldn't resist attending. Believe me, the idea was to slip in and out without encountering him. I wasn't ready for that interaction, or truthfully, I feared facing him.

I should have known something was up when my boss handed over clothes, shoes, and jewelry, claiming that every member of the team got the same package. I should have known a hot billionaire had a hand in it. Upon our arrival, as I listened to his speech and heard him recognize Christian, tears welled up in my eyes. Yeah, that was my man, the one I would stick with through thick and thin.

There we were, lost in our kiss, having just watched him descend from the stage like a perfect work of art, dressed in a gray tuxedo. Then suddenly, he was down on one knee. The cameras were on our faces, and I felt a surge of anxiety. Was it happening? No, it wasn't. Was it?

His deep, masculine voice came with a hint of fear as he spoke. “Meredith Tate, I have never been happier until I met you. You motivate me, drive me crazy, and nurture not just me but all around me. I realized that life would be worthless without you in it. I have measures that guide my daily dealings, but you are the treasure that I need to make those dealings worthwhile.” He mimicked opening a ring box and taking my ring finger, "Will you marry me?"

I almost passed out from happiness, because he wasn't mad at me like I thought he would be. Yet, here I was, about to be in his forever.

“Please take my last name. If you say no, I am going to kneel all year until you reconsider,” he added. Everyone burst into laughter.

Vigorously shaking my head, “Yes. Yes! Yes!” The pitch of my voice went higher and higher.

He mimicked slipping a ring on my finger before he got up to kiss me. “Where is the ring?” Someone shouted.

“I am sorry, buddy, I will get one later. I just wanted to capture her before she ran away. She seems pretty good at that.”

We shared a kiss before walking hand in hand through the cheering crowd as we left the venue. I received hugs from well-wishers and employees. The happiest person was Zara. We talked for hours, ate, drank, and even shared a slow dance to 'All Of Me' by John Legend before Miles finally dragged me away. My heart was filled with joy, and I couldn't stop snuggling into his broad shoulders.

"Congratulations, Miss Tate. Good to have you back," Brandon greeted me as we approached the car, holding the door open for me. I crashed into him, hugging him as tight as I could. I have come to see him as family, all of them. "Thank you," I smiled. "Remember our first encounter? You almost hauled my ass out for breaking his lilies."

"You owe me an orchard, woman," Miles said, laughing. Brandon smiled, ushering me into the car. "I have a surprise, baby." Miles took my hand, kissing each knuckle. "I was afraid that you wouldn't come, but I had things in place just in case you did."

"Thank God, I showed up." I kissed him, feeling the intensity of our connection. We were about to lose control before remembering that Brandon, along with another guard, was in the vehicle with us. I withdrew and winked at him. We rode through moments of kisses, entwining ourselves with each other. We couldn't get enough of each other's touch. It was too much to hold on.

Luckily, before we made any more public displays of affection, the car pulled up to a secluded restaurant, adorned with a path of rose petals leading from the driveway. At the entrance, 'Welcome, Mine,' was displayed, crafted from an arrangement of sunflowers. Miles took my hand as we walked into the intimate setting, illuminated by a spotlight focused on only two chairs at a table.

"Don't tell me you rented this place."

"I did. I wanted it to be special."

I kissed him, touched by his thoughtfulness. He pulled out my chair, guiding me to my seat. Shortly after, our meals arrived, along with drinks and a bouquet accompanied by a cake. I couldn't stop smiling. Everything was perfect, a beautiful sight to behold.

Miles cleared his throat, about to speak, when a waiter wearing a black face-cap brought us another bottle of champagne. Miles's expression turned puzzled. "I didn't order that," he politely informed the waiter, who kept his face concealed under the cap. The waiter remained silent, drawing closer and closer. Something about his demeanor seemed off.

"Excuse me? I said I didn't order this," Miles repeated.

"I heard you the first time!" The waiter flung the bottle at Miles, then drew a gun from a holster hidden behind his apron. "I can see that you are happy after ruining my life and killing my fiancée," Alan yelled, removing his face-cap while aiming the gun at Miles. "Move away from each other."

"Alan, how come you are here? I thought that--"

"You thought I was dead?" He chuckled. "You needed to shoot me more than once, Meredith. You missed the other times. Next time, aim at the heart. I had to see my Queen at the morgue while running from the police, all because of you!"

"How is this our fault? You killed her brother and kidnapped us. Remember?" Miles reminded him, edging forward.

"Take a step and she dies. Don't be stupid!" His gun was now pointed at me. "You should have died. You too," he said, shooting into the air. "Now, all three of us have to die."

"I don't think so," Miles said, and the lights went off. Instantly, he lunged at Alan, knocking him out with one of the chairs. The lights were back on shortly. Miles had the gun in his hand, aimed at Alan's forehead.

"What the fuck happened?" Alan was dismayed.

"Project X happened. That was what Christian created." Miles was wearing the lenses which allowed him to take control of the electricity. "You should have stuck with the police." Footsteps invaded the place as Brandon and the other guard rushed in with their guns drawn. "She shot and missed. I am a better shooter, and I promise not to miss."

Jerking his head, Brandon led me away before I heard numerous gunshots. "Are you okay, Miss Tate?"

"No." I quivered. "Did Miles just kill Alan?"

"Don't think about it, Miss Tate. Alan was already a dead man."

Five minutes later, Miles walked out with a smile on his face, as if he hadn't just murdered my ex-boyfriend. He broke into a frown when I didn't smile back. "Touch what is mine, and you pay for it," he casually mentioned, hugging me. "Let's go home."

I didn't pull away or fight him. He was right. This was the same emotion I had when Louis had her gun on him. I didn't have a nightmare about it, and I was more at peace knowing none of them would be coming after us anytime soon. Was I justifying murder? No. I was only protecting what both of them wouldn't have hesitated to take.

"Come here, my superhero." I kissed Miles before we began riding home with the song 'Home' by Machine Gun Kelly Ft. Ambassador and Bebe Rexha playing on the radio. Indeed, Miles was my home.

Miles couldn't deal with the guilt of our ruined dinner. He kept apologizing over and over. I didn't mind. To me, we had a fantastic night. Once we got home, we dealt with numerous phone calls from different authorities, some of which we answered and others we put off.

The girls also kept giggling, hugging, and congratulating me on my engagement. "Who proposes without a ring?" Lucinda was displeased. Soon, we ended the night with more hugs, brief gossip, and a quick snack before I went back to Miles.

After amazing sex and a bath, we fell asleep. "Babe?" I heard him calling, trailing wet kisses all over me. I thought we were about to go for a second round when I heard him plead, "can you grab me a cup of juice from the kitchen?"

"You have to be kidding me!" I let out, causing him to laugh. My body was sore from all the steamy things we did. I pushed myself up because I couldn't refuse him.

I donned my robe, wrapped it around me, and headed for the kitchen. At the foot of the stairs, near the entrance, I heard grunting. Immediately, my heart sank. I grabbed the flower vase on the left side of the kitchen door, holding it tightly, ready to smash the intruder, when I opened the door if there was one.

Quietly, I twisted the doorknob, turning on the light because it was dark. On the island was Brandon, intimately engaged with Lucinda. "Oh, my goodness!" I gasped, embarrassed that I had interrupted their moment. I quickly jumped out of the kitchen, dropping the vase. "I'm sorry," I apologized behind the door.

"No, Miss Tate, I'm sorry." Brandon was out in no time, his cheeks flushed. He stared down, worry all over his face. "This isn't professional, and I understand if you would have Mr. Pierce fire us."

"Enough, you two. Nobody is getting fired. Just sanitize the kitchen when you're done," I winked at them. No more juice for Miles because I couldn't stand the embarrassment. I jogged back to the room. "We're out of juice, babe," I lied.

"That's strange. I thought they went grocery shopping."