Chapter 69
Ciara was kind of shocked at how understanding Callum is. She knew him from the past who was driven by business agendas so much that he even married her to own the throne he wanted so badly in the company of his
“You…aren’t…uh… she hesitated to name it.
parents.
“What? Mad that you got the opportunity I wanted?” He raised his brow, and there was a playful smile on his lips.
Ciara paused as she couldn’t really tell if he was pissed or being playful When Callum leaned closer and reached for her hand as his thumb caressed its back gently, she saw how Callum’s eyes twinkled.
“Let me support you this time. You’ve been there for me through all of the things I’ve done so, I want to witness your milestone too. Your success is my success. I am happy to see you grow, Ciara
She slowly smiled. It tickled her stomach. She felt like she would melt anytime soon, the way he looked at her and the way his sincere words every scar she had from the past.
She was now healing. And she knew that the past didn’t weigh any more, which could change her mind about marrying Callum
She doesn’t want to open it up, as she wants to wait for him to propose again. But she knew that if Callum were on his knees in front of her, she’d immediately say yes.
Serra called her on that day to review the final design of her new brand, Cara, to be built in Paris.
“Yes. I think this one is what I really imagined. Ciara nodded as soon as the blueprint was presented to her.
She reviewed each floor and was amazed by the intricate designs.
“So the construction would start tomorrow. Are you still flying out by the end of the week for Paris? Or have you changed your mind? Serra smirked at her.
“It’s really up to Cara. Serra. But yes. We might fly out. Though Cara wasn’t talking about it anymore because she was distracted with Callum, if she changed her mind so suddenly, I am fine where she really likes to live.”
The moment she saw Cara in the province and how she was talking about coming back there, she could really tell her daughter had already developed some fondness for the place, the province, and the home Callum built for them
“Callum visited earlier, actually. I told him about the offer from Mr. Johnson, and he said he’s going to support me in my
decision
Serra’s face lightened. “Wow. That’s actually good news. It just showed that Callum doesn’t really see you as his rival in the business industry. What a gentleman!”
“I didn’t expect it either. I know how business–minded he was, and he’s driven by it. But he wasn’t as disappointed compared to what I familiarized him with in the past when there was something he really wanted to close a deal, and yet he couldn’t just
have it
“Well, maybe because he has bigger priorities than those things now, something he wanted to have than those businesses he wanted, Serra shrugged.
Ciara started thinking about it, curious what Callum would be thinking–that he doesn’t mind not getting the things he wants in his business.
Serra squeezed her hand. “You know, Ciara I really admire your courage. I’ve been playing around with men around me. Though some were showing some signals, none really pursued me deeply. Or maybe I was expecting more. Something blazing Like a fire that no one can put out, not even rain. A love that would envy the women once they found out about it And yours really made me realize that those kinds of love exist.”
Ciara looked at her carefully, as she had seen how sweet her smile was.
“I’m always happy for you. And always remember that you can always lean on me.”
She smiled and nodded. “Thanks Serra…”
After the meeting. Serra drove her on the way home, where they were welcomed by Cara again, who ran to her.
“Mommy!” Cara called excitedly.
Ciara crouched down just to level her as she hugged her daughter. Seconds later, she felt Cara putting a blindfold on her eyes, which wasn’t new to her as she was now thinking she had prepared another dinner for the both of them, like how she would surprise her.
“Don’t take it off, mommy. Here. Hold my hand,” she said carefully as she handed her hand to Ciara.
Ciara gripped it and chuckled as she stood, and she was slowly dragged by Cara to the pool area.
“Careful, mommy,” Cara said as she was slowly guiding her mother.
“You really love surprising me… Ciara smiled.
As soon as they went out of the house and were now standing in front of the pool, Cara stopped, and Ciara stopped as well. She lets go of her hand and runs somewhere.
“Okay, take the blindfold now, mommy.”
Ciara slowly took it off until her blurry vision saw the physique of Callum holding a bouquet of flowers while standing beside the round table where there was a candlelight dinner. He was wearing a tuxedo and his hair was brushed backward, making him handsomely hot with his intense eyes looking at her like she was the most beautiful woman in his eyes.
She gasped when she noticed that it wasn’t just Callum and Cara who were there, and even Serra, together with her parents, including her two brothers along with Gwen, were at the sides watching her surprised expression resurface on her face.
The whole place was designed enchantingly. Lotus candles were floating on the water of the pool, and the floor was scattered with petals of roses. Everything was set up so nicely that she realized Serra calling her to review the design again was just an alibi so they could distract her while Callum was planning a surprise. And this time, he got her family’s approval.
“Oh, my god.” Her eyes widened as she couldn’t believe what was happening
Callum walked toward her while his eyes were twinkling as he handed the flowers to her.
“You really planned this out so well, huh?” she chuckled as she received the bouquet of flowers.
“Tactually asked for our daughter’s permission, which she agreed to, and of course, I wanted your family to be the witnesses to this, Callum said carefully, taking out the box from his pocket.
Though Ciara was already anticipating the proposal again, now that Callum was really doing it, she couldn’t help but still get shocked to see him slowly bending in front of him as he was now on his knees and opened the box while looking at her with his hopeful eyes
Her eyes turned into bloodshots, and she could feel how her vision became blurry. Her family was smiling from ear to ear, and even Cara looked so happy as she was also smiling, seeing her parents soon to get married.
“As what I promised to our daughter, which I wanted to be the mark of my words that would linger on your family as well, I want you to know that I will love you for a lifetime, Ciara. I will protect you and this family we have. I will always prioritize you, and our family, over anything else. Marry me again, Ciara. But this time, there is no pretentious act anymore. This time, we will truly build a home not because we are business partners, but because I am in love with you, and I am willing to spend this lifetime with you.”
Ciara’s tears fell so hard that she couldn’t help but cry out of joy. It was like a dream come true. It was a dream she once had that she thought she would never have again, but it was already in front of her as love found its way home to her.
Ciara looked at her family for a while. Her mother nodded with her twinkling eyes; it seemed like the tears of joy were mingling as well, including those of Serra, who was grinning as her happiness reflected in her sparkling eyes. Mr. Sullivan looked so moved by what he was watching. Chance looked satisfied while smirking as he was carrying Cara, who was also smiling, and Louis, who was crossing his arms, looking so serious, but his eyes say how supportive he was in the way he participated. Gwen looked serious as well, but then Ciara knew that she was one of those who would always support her no matter what.
Ciara looked at Callum again, and as she looked at him, her future flashed before her eyes while she could hear the laughs and the mornings full of smiles with her new family–with Callum and their children..
So she nodded slowly and showed her hand while her tears continuously fell down.
“Yes, Callum Haynes. I am in love with you. And I can’t wait to spend my lifetime with you too.”
