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Julia
I had been looking forwardto this evening for the past couple of weeks and it was finally here. Tonight was the San Francisco Bay Gala. It was the social event of the season and I just couldn’t wait to attend the high-profile formal affair, all dressed up on Edward’s arm as his date. I was wearing my new gown and new shoes and I’d spent the better part of the day at the salon having my hair and make-up done. It was the perfect opportunity to show off my stunning new diamond pendant necklace.
Edward finally came out of his enormous clothes closet dressed in his sharpest tuxedo. While I was tying his tie for him, I got an intoxicating whiff of his expensive elegant fragrance. He always smelled so damn good. And tonight he was looking extra fine! Like he could star in a James Bond movie! He actually made me sweat when I stood too close to him.
“You look amazing Julia. As always. Shall we go my lovely?”
“I’m ready Edward. And I must say you also look incredibly sexy and dashing this evening.”
The company limo was waiting out front for us so we climbed into the backseat and Edward poured us some champagne to start off the evening. Our driver headed down the winding driveway as I looked out at the city lights in the distance and pondered how lucky I was.
The gala was being held on the magnificent rooftop terrace of the ten-story Mandarin Gate Hotel, overlooking the twinkling lights of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The annual event benefitted the Bay Institute and the Bayside Aquarium; both huge recipients of Nonno’s past generosity. The waterfront hotel was the perfect venue for the gala, with it’s incredible view of the bay stretching out to the horizon.
The wine was flowing and the food was to die for. There was a silent auction and a jazzy swing band for entertainment. Several prominent oceanographers were featured guest speakers and Edward was scheduled to introduce the director of the aquarium. Pretty much everybody who was anybody in San Francisco was there. Funding and protecting our local waters and marine life was a worthwhile cause that the entire bay area elite supported.
Edward was so wonderfully attentive to me all night long. He made me feel so important and so special. As we mingled with the other notable guests on the rooftop, I actually felt like I belonged in their world. He introduced me to several local celebrities including George Lucas and Carlos Santana. It was awesome!
One of the highlights of the evening was when Edward twirled me around the dance floor to a high-energy swing number. It felt like we were dancing on a cloud! I had no idea that man could dance like that! I was slowly realizing that there was a lot more to Edward than I’d ever imagined. In fact before that night, I thought my attraction to Edward was mostly physical. But boy was I wrong! He was absolutely magnetic and he was literally charming the pants off me.
The only time he left my side was when he went up to the podium to introduce the aquarium director. And that was truly the best part of the evening. Before he made the introduction he asked the audience for a small favor:
“Ladies and gentleman if I could ask you to indulge me for a moment……..I would like to ask the special woman in my life a very important question…..”
The room instantly became quiet enough to hear a pin drop and suddenly all eyes were on me.
“Julia Jones will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”
People around the room started hootin’ and whistling and egging me on with shouts of “Say yes Julia!” It was unbelievable. Edward had caught me completely off-guard, which was perfect because then I didn’t have to act surprised. I had no idea he was going to formally propose in public like that so I was not only truly surprised but thrilled. Of course, Edward already knew exactly what answer to expect from me.
“Yes Edward Armani. Of course I will marry you.”
The audience erupted into cheers, more whistles and applause. When the congratulatory noises finally died down, Edward introduced the director and shook his hand as he came up to the stage. The poor guy leaned into the microphone and sheepishly said, “That’s a pretty tough act to follow Mr. Armani.”
Edward took his seat back at our table and we both listened attentively to the director’s speech. It was the courteous thing to do. Any public display of affection on our part would have resulted in the unforgivable stealing of the director’s thunder. The crowd’s attention would have been diverted to us for sure. So we waited until he was finished.
It was then that Edward took a small blue velvet Tiffany and Co. box from his coat pocket and popped the top open. The ring inside was spectacular; A brilliant five carat flawless diamond solitaire. He took it out and slid it onto the ring finger of my left hand.
“Oh my God Edward, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. You didn’t have to do this… It must have cost a fortune!”
“I’m glad you like it Julia. And please……the cost is not relevant.”
We kissed passionately and then the whole room erupted into applause once again. I spent the rest of the evening showing off my engagement ring to all the guests. People actually envied me! Me! Little Julia Jones! Somewhere along the way I lost Edward in the swarm of guests, but we found it each other again as the event wound down and the crowd thinned out. At last it was time to leave. I had wished the evening would never end. What a magical night! It was like a fairytale come true and I was the Disney princess.
