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“Ouch.” I exaggerate, scowling at her, though it didn’t hurt that badly.
“Not yet, I haven’t set them with hairspray.”
I huff and turn around, taking the dress from her hands as she sprays a cloud of hairspray around me that I choke on. After it’s cleared and my hair still feels surprisingly soft, I pull off my t-shirt and slip into my dress.
This one has got to be my favorite one that I’ve ever owned. And I’m glad that Olive forced me to take it along. At least if I can’t be alone with Adrik, I can motivate him to figure out how we can be.
It’s this gorgeous pearl embellished Miu Miu dress in a muted seafoam color with gorgeous cream flowers with diamond centers along the entirety of the square neckline and thin straps. A Mini-dress with the perfect amount of elegance and sophistication. Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law— former Miu Miu models— I was able to get custom matching flowers the size of a penny each, to fasten throughout my hair. Olive pulls open the satin bag they’ve come in and gently places them all over.
I feel beautiful and soft, and it only makes me wish we were going to be alone tonight— Adrik and I. There’s not much time to think more on this because I’m already late, so I distract my mind by picking out shoes. Olive wants me to go with these Prada sneakers, cream with pearls on them, like the ones on my dress. But I quite like the Miu Miu gladiator style sandals made from a cream rope material and the same flowers on the rest of my look.
“Sandals.” I point to her right, and she sighs, handing them to me.
“Prada to break up the monotony of Miu Miu.”
“That’s dramatic.”
“I like vintage.”
“Also, very dramatic of you.” I poke her nose, and she swats me away with a laugh before we both head to the door. I grab a long cream coat from Gucci that I have her hold, so it doesn’t ruin my outfit, and I reach for the handle, opening the door while simultaneously gasping at the sight before me.
Down both sides of the hallway are tea candles, lit all the way down, with the heads of varying wildflowers scattered about. There’s a song playing that I don’t recognize at first, then it hits me— Phantom of the Opera Medley, a song I told Adrik I used to listen to on repeat while reading. I told him months ago, though, on that first morning we sat atop the roof. Are these the same flowers from then? Where did he keep them to dry them out properly?
“Oh God.” Olive mumbles under her breath, but I don’t care. Tears progressively cloud my eyes with each step forward. Though I try to contain them the best I can as I follow the trail of candles— up another set of stairs, down many hallways, and into the room that leads to the roof. Carefully I climb the ladder, ignoring Olive’s muffled snide comments, until we push through the doors to the roof, and it’s even more beautiful than it was the last time I saw it.
He’s added towering trees of many kinds, some with different fruits adorning them. Grass is covering the entirety of the once brick roof. Lining all the stone walls are now bushes that have whimsical contrasting deep green and lime leaves. There are flowers everywhere and sticking out of random points of trees and bushes are little glowing fairy lights. There is an outline of a fairy, but they're only bright enough that you really have to look to notice them. I can tell, by the way, that they’re swaying, they must be connected with some sort of clear wire.
Throughout the garden on the ground, there are little mushroom garden lights that also look like they're from a fairytale. This entire rooftop is like an escape into the pages of a book, and that’s why my face is wet with tears as Adrik stands in front of me. He’s wearing a puffy white silk shirt and black slacks with suspenders.
All of his tattoos are so much more visible now, through the sheer top and the deep cut of it. He’s wearing his classic Prada coat boots with chains, that reminds me who he is, but doesn’t clarify why he’s gone to this length for a date he very well knows Olive is along for.
“Welcome.” He holds out a hand to me with a grin and helps me up from the ladder.
“Yep.” Olive grunts from behind us. “I’ll just pull myself up.” I glare back at her, but she doesn’t notice as she heaves herself onto the roof begrudgingly. She’s usually all about adventure, so I know the problem is Adrik.
I don’t blame her, either because all I’ve done is complain about him, and all he’s acted like is an ass around her. But with me, he’s been different. Yes, we’re hot and cold… but right now… everything is warm. My heart is pounding, hands are sweaty, and he looks like the beast finally turning into a prince.
“Do you like it?” He asked when I’ve been staring too long at him, admiring what he’s created.
“This is the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me.” I whisper with a soft grin, and he meets my eyes, wiping a tear with his thumb that was still rolling down my cheek.
“I’m glad you like it.” He seems a little nervous. Strange because it’s very rare for him to ever seem off his game. Oftentimes, I think he could spit-ball with anyone, get himself out of any situation just by how quick he is on his feet. But he seems different right now, and I don’t just mean the way he looks. He’s breathing heavier, swallowing more, shifting his eyes between me and the scenery far too quickly.
“Is everything okay?” I quietly ask, and he takes my hand, dropping to his knee. Yes, singular— one knee. Olive gasps louder than I do when he pulls out a little wooden box from his pocket, holding it in his hands like a clam and opening it up to reveal the most insane ring I’ve ever seen.
It’s a large kite-cut pink diamond, practically floating above the rose gold band that looks like a branch, and underneath are five tinier diamonds spurring out from the tip of the largest one. It’s the most incredible piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.
“Esperanza Maribelle Alder San Giovanni, I’ve been courting you for many months. And though our contract states that I don’t need to do this to be betrothed to you. I want you to know that I do choose you to be my wife. So, will you marry me?”
His words are smooth and rehearsed, but nonetheless I want them to be true. Why is this not in any way concerning me? I should be running away, telling Olive I’m done for the night. But I’m swept up in the emotions of it all, so I nod, tears brimming my eyes, though I don’t know what this all really means for us.
I sense Olive shift, her eyes between us as he slides the gorgeous ring on my finger and stands to his feet, leaning in to kiss me.
I should turn away, Olive shouldn’t know that we’ve kissed, let alone the other things we’ve already done. Technically, we aren’t breaking the rules because we are engaged…
I hesitate, but he gives me a chin nod, lifting my chin to his lips with the tip of his finger. He kisses me before I can think more on the technicality of it all, and I think I fall into the kiss a little too much, but everything feels like a fairytale. It always does when our lips collide and my chin gets that familiar chill, never ceasing to take me off guard.
“Alright.” Olive claps, but not to congratulate us. “That’s enough.” She pretends to gag and Adrik smiles into the kiss as he dips me down, hand under my back before raising me back to my feet and wrapping an arm a little too low around my waist.
