
AE-The Billionaire's Surrogate
Mae Muse · Ongoing · 35.6k Words
Introduction
Chapter 1
“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”
“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”“Why am I doing this again?” I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, a few hour’s nap just didn’t seem to be of any help to me. Particularly because of the chaotic flight I had, taking four more hours than it should to get here.
“Because we’ve got to look beautiful for the party, duh!” Kayleigh grabbed my arm and hauled me off the bed. “We’re going shopping.”
“I mean, why must I accompany you? I’m so exhausted and all I care for as of now is my bed and blankets.”
“Because you promised and you have to keep your promise.” She threw a towel at me. “You’ll feel much better once you take a shower.”
I learned she was right when I stepped out of the shower. No one could tell I had a sleepless night but I was sure the rest of my day was going to bring the exhaustion back. The wedding was several hours away but Kayleigh was in such a rush, dragging me around town like it was the last shopping we would do in our lifetime.
“Who even does their wedding at this time?” I asked Kay, dabbing powder on my cheeks. I’d had more sleep and was less cranky but still, I wasn’t down for a stranger’s wedding at three in the afternoon. I’d rather be in Lionel’s arms or my family’s company.
“Girl, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She stopped rummaging through the shopping bags to steal a glance at my face through the mirror. “I think you should stop there, I’ll do the rest of your make-up for you. Else, you’ll look like a clown.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching out for my phone to chat Lionel up. It was only a few hours since we landed and parted ways but I’d missed him terribly.
“We’ll be late, you have to get dressed,” Kay scolded, snatching my phone and tossing it on the bed.
With a heavy sigh, I got on my feet and made my way towards her on the floor. Clothes were strewn around her, the result of her throwing them all over the place because she didn’t have the time to go through them with patience.
“I think you should wear this.” I lifted a maroon strapless maxi dress for her to see.
“I like it,” she said, trying it on before urging me to do the same to mine.
I eyed myself in the mirror with awe. I was in a silver sequin off shoulder mermaid dress with a right leg slit. “Are you sure I won’t get thrown out of the wedding? It’s too beautiful.”
Kayleigh threw her head back in laughter. “That’s unlikely to happen but I’d die of laughter.”
I poked her shoulder, my giggles filling the air. “You’re so evil.”
“That’s why you love me.” She winked. “We have to finish up. We can’t be late.”
With our make up on, killer heels and elegant dresses, I knew people were going to gawk at us. But Kayleigh wasn’t the least bit unnerved, smearing more lipstick onto her lips once she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror at the backseat of our ride. She was truly a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but wonder why her crush still hadn’t made a move.
When the car pulled to a stop at the resort, Kay took out her phone to make a call. “The chauffeur just dropped us off, we’re coming in now,” she said to the receiver, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Come on.” She took a hold of my hand, leading me in an opposite direction to what I was expecting. Our surroundings were quite deserted for a wedding.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” she replied, the excitement in her voice not going unnoticed by me.
A few corners later, we came to a halt. “This is as far as I go. Go on, someone is waiting for you.”
“I don't understand. What is going on?”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, right?” I nodded, she smiled. “Good. Now you have to trust me and go.” She pointed at the path filled with roses, seemingly to guide me to the mastermind of the turn of events.
My palm connected with the back of her head for setting me up, the scowl on her face disappearing when I squeezed her into a hug. Following the roses, I took the first and only corner, my eyes locating a table for two overlooking the beach.
I knew it was Lionel before he even came into my view. I’d never seen him in a suit before but he was so strikingly handsome I was almost convinced every clothe he wore was made specifically for him.
His eyes twinkled with admiration when they met mine. “You look breathtakingly beautiful.”
My cheeks heated up. “So you’re the unknown bride who’s been giving me sleepless nights?”
He cackled, covering the distance between us to wrap me in an embrace. Pulling back, he tucked my loose hair behind my ear before pecking my forehead. My hands flew to my mouth when he began going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving mine, causing the butterflies in my stomach to double.
“I’m not good with words,” he started, chuckling as he reached for his pockets. “But I’m still going to give it a shot because I love you so much all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears were streaming down my face when he unfolded his hand to reveal a ring box. And I couldn’t help but gush at it when he popped it open.
“I would fight the world just to be with you, Shannon. I’ve always yearned to be the reason behind your smiles, to be there to wipe your tears on your bad days. I want to experience life with you, grow old with you and have a bunch of kids that look just like you,” he paused to take the ring. Holding it up to me, he stared deep into my orbs. “Will you marry me?”
My head bobbed vigorously, without batting an eyelid. Dropping to his level, I enclosed my hands around him. “Yes baby, I will marry you.”
He gently pushed me to my feet, his eyes moistening as he put the ring on my finger. “You just made me the happiest man alive,” he screamed, rising to claim my lips, hefting me off the ground and spinning us around amidst our titters.
“I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy. You and Kayleigh pulled this off well. I can’t believe I didn’t suspect anything,” I said once he’d put me down.
He threw me a smirk as he helped me into my chair. “Apparently, I’m good at surprises.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.”
Last Chapters
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Let Them Kneel
Cast out by her pack. Forgotten by the Lycans.
She lived among humans—quiet, invisible, tucked away in a town no one looked at twice.
But when her first heat comes without warning, everything changes.
Her body ignites. Her instincts scream. And something primal stirs beneath her skin—
summoning a big, bad Alpha who knows exactly how to quench her fire.
When he claims her, it’s ecstasy and ruin.
For the first time, she believes she’s been accepted.
Seen.
Chosen.
Until he leaves her the next morning—
like a secret never to be spoken.
But Kaelani is not what they thought.
Not wolfless. Not weak.
There is something ancient inside her. Something powerful. And it’s waking.
And when it does—
they’ll all remember the girl they tried to erase.
Especially him.
She’ll be the dream he keeps chasing… the one thing that ever made him feel alive.
Because secrets never stay buried.
And neither do dreams.
The Ice Between Us.
Then comes Jax Miller.
Jax is a hotheaded rookie with a lightning-fast puck and a reputation for burning bridges. He doesn't follow playbooks, he doesn't respect authority, and he’s determined to melt Julian’s icy composure. When a viral video of their on-ice collision threatens to bankrupt the program, Coach Clain delivers an ultimatum that feels like a death sentence: they must live together in a cramped, two-bed dorm for the duration of the season.
Forced to navigate the high-stakes world of sports fame, "forbidden" locker-room tension, and the mysterious blackmailer who caught their first mistake on camera, Julian and Jax must decide what’s more dangerous: losing their careers, or losing themselves to the person they were supposed to hate.
The Spy Who Left
"I still can't believe she actually did it. Aria Hart, filing for divorce. Who saw that coming?"
"How long do we think it'll take before she comes crawling back?" Another voice joins the conversation.
"Three days," Victoria declares. "Five at most. She has no money, no skills, no family. Where's she going to go?"
When Aria Chen divorced billionaire Leon Hart, New York's elite sneered, betting she'd crawl back within days. She never did.
Three years later, the world is rocked when Dr. Aria Vale, CEO of a revolutionary cybersecurity empire, steps into the spotlight. The mysterious genius who built a billion-dollar company from nothing is none other than Leon's discarded wife, the woman everyone thought was just a pretty ornament.
Now, every powerful man wants the queen Leon threw away a renowned scientist seeking partnership, a financial titan proposing an empire, and an actor offering devotion. Each sees the brilliance Leon ignored.
Then Leon discovers the truth: Aria's sacrifices, her secret double life, and the daughter she's been raising without him. For the first time, the man who once took her for granted must fight for her love. But can he compete with men who valued her from the beginning?
A story of love, betrayal, and power where the king must kneel before the queen who never needed saving.
Taste of Fate: The Vampire King's Human Mate
He reached for the back of my head and pulled me up just enough to reach my neck. When his fangs slid into me, the pain was instant, electric. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. My hands found his shoulders, clawing for something to hold. My legs kicked. Tears streamed down my cheeks.
He moaned against my throat as he drank, and the sound was devastating.
Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon
Four years ago, the Bailey family faced a devastating financial crisis.
Just when bankruptcy seemed inevitable, a mysterious benefactor emerged, offering salvation with one condition: a contract marriage.
Rumors swirled about this enigmatic man—whispers claimed he was hideously ugly and too ashamed to show his face, possibly harboring dark, twisted obsessions.
Without hesitation, the Baileys sacrificed me to protect their precious biological daughter, forcing me to take her place as a pawn in this cold, calculated arrangement.
Luckily, in those four years, the mysterious husband never asked to meet in person.
Now, in the final year of our arrangement, the husband I've never met is demanding we meet face to face.
But disaster struck the night before my return—drunk and disoriented, I stumbled into the wrong hotel room and ended up sleeping with the legendary financial mogul, Caspar Thornton.
What the hell am I supposed to do now?
Reborn 14 Years later: Fix My Broken Family
At least, that's what everyone believed.
One moment, she was trapped inside a sinking car beneath the icy waters of the Hudson River. The next, she woke up in her own bathtub and somehow fourteen years in the future.
Her husband is no longer the warm, easygoing man she remembers.
Her five-year-old son is now a nineteen-year-old stranger who looks at her with suspicion.
Her twins barely remember the mother they lost—one forever chasing affection, the other keeping the entire world at arm's length.
And the family she left behind has become something broken, distant, and unrecognizable.
Now Isabella faces an impossible challenge: rebuilding a family that never truly recovered from losing her.
Fourteen years have left scars on everyone.
Unfortunately for those causing the damage, Isabella Winston has returned to set things right.
King of the Underworld
However, one fateful day, the King of the Underworld appeared before me and rescued me from the clutches of the most powerful Mafia boss's son. With his deep blue eyes fixed on mine, he spoke softly: "Sephie... short for Persephone... Queen of the Underworld. At last, I have found you." Confused by his words, I stammered out a question, “P..pardon? What does that mean?”
But he simply smiled at me and brushed my hair away from my face with gentle fingers: "You are safe now.”
Sephie, named for the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone, she's quickly finding out how she's destined to fulfill her namesake's role. Adrik is the King of the Underworld, the boss of all bosses in the city he runs.
She was a seemingly normal girl, with a normal job until it all changed one night when he walked through the front door and her life changed abruptly. Now, she finds herself on the wrong side of powerful men, but under the protection of the most powerful among them.
Diaries Of A Hybrid And Her Mate
Beautiful Aubrianne Ivanov, raised by her single mom, had a tough childhood. With low self-esteem, she became an outcast and was alone one too many times for her liking. Time spent at her part time job, she eventually grew into a brave, confident, and determined young woman who walked right into an opportunity that would change her life forever.
Will Aubrianne truly feel whole? Will she find what has been missing in her life? Will she allow herself happiness and joy? Will she find love, and most importantly, will she survive what's to come?
Join Aubrianne on her journey as she discovers who/what she is and navigates all the heartbreak, betrayal, drama, and exciting and thrilling events that come her way...
Excerpt:
She lay before him in all her magnificent beauty draped across his king-size bed in the most compelling and provocative way known to man or beast. And for Alpha Zayne, it was the most captivating view he had ever had the pleasure of seeing with his own eyes.
She stared at his every movement, lips slightly parted, her stunning brown eyes scanning every inch of his gorgeously toned and glorious body while heat radiated off of hers. He was HERS.
Her body trembled in delight and anticipation; she was ready and wanted to be with him in every way.
As innocent as she was, she wanted him to...no need him to take her in the worse ways, bringing her to heights of pleasures she had never experienced before.
Fuck she is beautiful, one fine specimen, and she is all MINE, MY MATE. A wave of pure unbridled possessiveness vibrated through Alpha Zayne. He thanked the Divine Moon Goddess, for she has truly blessed him.
He drank her in, eyes trailing up her toned sexy legs spread wide for him, and she gave him that come-and-get-it look.
The Alpha King's Human Mate
“I have waited nine years for you. That’s nearly a decade since I’ve felt this emptiness inside me. Part of me began to wonder if you didn’t exist or you’d already died. And then I found you, right inside my own home.”
He used one of his hands to stroke my cheek and tingles erupted everywhere.
“I’ve spent enough time without you and I will not let anything else keep us apart. Not other wolves, not my drunken father who’s barely holding himself together the past twenty years, not your family – and not even you.”
Clark Bellevue has spent her entire life as the only human in the wolf pack - literally. Eighteen years ago, Clark was the accidental result of a brief affair between one of the most powerful Alphas in the world and a human woman. Despite living with her father and her werewolf half-siblings, Clark has never felt like she really belonged in the werewolf world. But right as Clark plans to leave the werewolf world behind for good, her life gets flipped upside down by her mate: the next Alpha King, Griffin Bardot. Griffin has been waiting years for the chance to meet his mate, and he's not about to let her go anytime soon. It doesn't matter how far Clark tries to run from her destiny or her mate - Griffin intends to keep her, no matter what he has to do or who stands in his way.
Tango with the Alpha's Heart
“He met her at the Alpha training camp,” he said. “She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice.”
My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks.
Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna.
Emily became the laughingstock of the pack on her 18th birthday and never expected the Alpha's son to be her mate.
After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that her mate has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, she disappears from the pack.
Now, five years later, Emily is a respected high-ranking warrior in King Alpha’s army.
When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate.
Will her mate figure out it is her?
Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
Bella and Her Beast
.
Locked in her frozen tower, Bella dreamed of warmth, of touch, of freedom and of love. Cursed with the power of ice and snow, she’s spent her life alone. A secret they tried to protect the world from. Her only escape comes in the form of the books she reads. Stories of heat, desire, and the kind of love that could melt even her frostbitten heart.
Damien is the Beast. A dragon King with a temper forged in flame and a soul hollowed by duty. The world fears him. The people call him a monster. But beneath the scales and the rage lies a man who has never been touched by love.
When frost meets fire, the world shatters. She was never meant to leave her tower. He was never meant to find her. But destiny doesn’t bow to kings or care for cages and now the question burns through them both: Can Bella have her Beast? Or will the girl of snow melt in the heat of his desire?
.
"I’m keeping her."
"What?"
Before I can react, he scoops her up. Her small body fits easily in the cradle of his talons. For a split second, she looks startled, but not afraid. Her hand rests against one scaled finger, and she stares up at him with that same curious wonder, as though she’s already forgotten she was ever meant to fear me.
"Put her down," I try to command, panic threading through my thoughts. "You’ll hurt her."
"She’s ours," the beast insists, possessive and fierce. "Our snowflake."
Where The Ice Gives Way
Blake Atlas scents his mate the moment Charlotte arrives. The bond hits hard and unmistakable, but Charlotte doesn’t recognise it. She doesn’t know why her chest keeps pulling toward the one boy she absolutely cannot afford to want. Blake is Charlie’s new hockey captain. Charlie’s chance at making something good. Charlie makes it clear; his sister is off-limits and Blake tries to do the right thing, but secrets don’t stay buried forever. Rogues prowl the edges of town. The ice cracks. The bond tightens. Then Charlotte’s rare white wolf awakens, the very thing that makes her powerful, also makes her a target.
Shanti needs Shakti. (Peace needs strength.)
Where the Ice Gives Way is a slow-burn YA paranormal romance filled with fated mates, protective alpha energy, fierce sibling loyalty, found family pack bonds, hurt/comfort, and quiet, aching tension. It’s a story about first belonging, learning to be cared for, and what happens when the girl who has always held everyone else up finally falls, and someone catches her.












