A
    DIAMOND
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               HEART

Episode 43

The playlist for this chapter is 'Forest Blakk - If you love her Do enjoy🎶🎶🎶

Fernando's POV cont'd

A few hours later, Micaela and I arrived at the venue I had my mom decorated for us. The garden was perfectly decorated with beautiful lights, tables, and chairs covered in white fabric. My few guests were already on their sit having a drink and a meal. I returned my gaze to the woman standing beside me and a smile spread on my face.

"Have I told you how beautiful and elegant you look tonight?" I whisper and she giggles lightly.

"The 100th time now" she laughs and I joined her.

She was wearing a silver dinner gown that exposed a little bit of her cleavage, arms, and back. The slit in front of her gown exposed her smooth long legs to her thighs and it has got me drooling since the moment I saw her on this dress. Micaela is a dazzling completeness of beauty.

I glance around looking for the male guests that were present. I wanted to be sure none of them had their eyes on her, but unfortunately, I caught them staring at my woman. Have they forgotten she's my woman? Oh, well, I almost forgot they have no idea she is my woman. But still, that shouldn't give them the audacity to drool over her like they were doing right now. I'm afraid if they continue staring at her, I'll send them away.

"Wow, what a beautiful place we have come to. Everything here is awesome, the decor is so perfect" Micaela's voice intruded my thoughts and my gaze retraced its paths to her. Her eyes were sparking with enthusiasm. 

"You like it?" I questioned and she nods. My lips parted into a smile "I'm glad you do. I figured you'd like something like this, so I asked my mom to take care of it".

"You are always full of surprises, thank you" She pecked my left cheek and I gleamed in response.

With my peripheral vision, I could tell all eyes were on us. I glanced around and my suspicion was right, after all, they were all staring at us with jaw-dropped. "C'mon, let me introduce you to my family" I took her hand and led her to the table my family was dining at.

My mom, brother, Antonio's family, and Pedro were sitting next to each other chattering.

We both got to the table and all heads snaps up at us. "Son!" My mom exclaims and stood up to hug me.

"Mom" I whisper while sharing a hug with her. "Did I stress you out?" I ask releasing her from the embrace.

"Of course not, I'm fine. You know I'd do anything for you my boy" She smiles at me and touched my chin briefly.

"Thank you, Mom. Hello everyone!" I greeted them with a brief hand wave.

"Hi Fernando" they chorused smiling at us.

"Mom, guys, I want you all to meet my woman, Micaela Alvarado" I introduced and she gave a slight bow.

"Hello everyone, it's a pleasure to meet you all" She flashed them a glittering infectious smile which everyone responded to.

"Hi Micaela, we are pleased to have you here" Antonio responded and extended his hand for a shake.

"Welcome, Micaela" Antonio's wife stood and shared a brief hug with her.

"It's an honor to finally meet you Ms. Micaela" Pedro gave her a brief handshake.

"Oh my daughter, you are such a beauty to behold. You are as beautiful and gentle as Fernando describes you to be. You are welcome to the family" my mom let out and hugged Micaela.

"Thanks, ma'am".

"Oh please, don't call me that. Please call me Monica" my mom objected and giggles erupted from both women.

"Monica it is then" Micaela replied and we took to our seats.

I Watched her converse with everyone at the table like she had known them for a long time. A profound and eager hopefulness dwells in my heart, this is all I ever wanted, to have one big happy family. My mom and my fiancée will make good in-laws for a certainty. I guess it's time to break the news to her.

"Mine?" I called her attention and she turnaround and glanced at me. "I have a surprise for you" I continued and her eyes went round. She must be wondering what the surprise will be this time around.

Micaela's POV

When Fernando invited me over to introduce myself to his family, I was nervous and happy at the same. I was scared that they might not like me or want me to be Fernando's ladylove. I don't know if it happens to other ladies when they meet their in-laws to be for the first time, but it happened to me.

Regardless I was scared, I am happy that Ferd and I relationship has progressed to the point he is introducing me to his family and friends. I am even happier to know that his family likes me. I think now I have a new family to always turn to.

I was enjoying their company when I suddenly heard "Mine?". I squint at him and gave me those smiles of his that I adore so much. I raised a brow at why he was smiling. "I have a surprise for you" he announced and I gaped at him.

Surprises are what Ferd has given me since we've been dating. His love for me is beyond expectations. Many ladies would kill to have a man like Fernando. He is so caring, gentle, understanding, intelligent, loving, and romantic...yes he is so romantic! He is the most romantic man I've ever met.

I never knew he'll be this romantic even though this is the first relationship he's been into. I can bet he is more romantic than some men who must've been in different relationships. I'm the luckiest woman on Earth to have a man like Ferd in my life.

"Another surprise? What do you have in store for me now?" I whispered flickering my eyes. He rose from his seat and came to stand behind my seat.

"May I?" He asked extending his hand for me to obtain.

My heart pounded in my throat and I rose to my feet. He took a step back and his hand reached for my face and he covered my eyes. "Ferd, what are you doing?" I giggled nervously.

"Be patient, my own" he replied and pecks my neck.

"Hoo!" I heard voices coo at us and I felt so shy.

Gosh, he's causing a scene now, isn't he? "Walk" he whispers and his voice sent shivers down my spine.

I obeyed and he led me to God knows where. I heard the music stop playing and that triggered my curiosity. In the next few seconds, the music came on again but it was a different song from what was playing before the music went off. It was a song I'm familiar with by Calum Scott, not just any Calum Scott song but one of my favorites 'You are the reason'.

"Ferd what is going on?" I ask desperately. Enough with the suspense, I want to know everything now.

"Patient my love" he chuckles lightly and then two more steps and we suddenly halted. "Are you ready to see the surprise?".

"I'd kill for it. Show me already, please" I answered and he chuckles more.

"You are so impatient" he snorted and uncovered my eyes. "What do you see?"

I stood there awestruck by what my eyes is staring at right now. My mouth is left wide open for the night insect to fly inside it if possible because this surprise is enough to send me falling off the floor. I don't deserve this surprise, no, not at all. I Micaela Alvarado don't deserve this man standing beside me. He is too perfect for me to be with. I don't think a self-centered lady like me is meant to be loved by him this way.

"Micaela Alvarado, will you marry me?" I heard him ask what I just finished reading on the glittering board in front of me. Slowly, I glance at him only to find him on one knee with a small ring box opened and showcasing a diamond ring in it.

My face showed a pleased bewilderment. Lost in a delirious wonder, I covered my mouth to avoid those insects flying into it. My eyes flickered when I noticed both of us were standing in the middle of carved Love-shape lights and roses surrounding us. "Oh, my God!" I gosh out with wobbling legs. I couldn't stand it anymore if not I'll embarrass myself and faint right now. Instead, I went to my knees in tears.

Have you ever seen when two lovers proposing together? Well, I guess that's what is happening now. I'm on my knees proposing and accepting his proposal, only that I wasn't with a ring I would have given it to him.

I heard cheering around us and voices asking me to say yes. I buried my face in my hands and mumbled: "I don't deserve this, my love, I don't. You deserve this more than me".

"Hey babe, don't say that. You deserve everything that I've ever given you. You are mine, I love you so much. I can't continue to live a thousand miles away from you. I want you next to me every day of my life. Please, my own, marry me and let's live together forever. You made me a complete man, you healed me and you're still healing me. I want to build a family with you, I want to tour the world with you by side. I want you in my life more than I've ever wanted any woman. You are my first love and I want you to also be my last love-" he paused and took my hand.

His gaze penetrated my soul and I was staring at him with a seared vision. "Will you marry me, Micaela?".

I did my best to mask my sadness but my tears betrayed me and rolled down my cheeks. Feelings of guilt hit me like a plague, and so many thoughts danced in my head. Why does it have to be me? Why did I let him fall in love with me? Does he have any idea I was the cause of his becoming a rape victim? How can I live with him with such a secret in my heart?

I was stricken to the soul, I don't think I can do it. I should just let him know that I am the rapist in his past. Maybe he'll forgive me and let it go since I'm his healer.

Soar into a rosy zone of contemplation, I looked him in the eyes. My lips were itching to open and confess to Ferd, but then, I asked myself, what if he doesn't forgive me? I'll lose him forever and might even go to jail.

What do I do now? There was a brooding silence amongst us that sent shivers all over me. I stared at him with tears streaming down my cheeks.

A cliche is where I leave you guys.🤤

Xoxo 😘

Author
Maryel