–Alyssa–
It rests against my skin like it has always belonged there.
The center stone catches the light first—oh, it really catches it. A pear-shaped gem, deep and dreamy, shifting between twilight blue and the softest blush rose. It reminds of the sky right before night fully takes over, when everything goes quiet and promises feel heavier... sacred. Every small movent of my hand sends little prisms dancing across the walls, like they’re whispering secrets ant only for .
The rose-gold band warms the entire piece, like the tal itself rembers his touch. It curves around my finger delicately—not loud, not excessive. Just certain.
Like him.
Like the way he loves .
The prongs cradle the stone with quiet devotion, holding it securely yet gently. The way he cups my face when he kisses my forehead. Steady. Protective. Careful.
On either side, marquise-cut stones shimr like wings. Guarding it. Their cool blue deepens the glow of the center stone, as if protecting its heart. Beneath them, slender baguette stones sit in perfect symtry—clean, intentional, precise.
Nothing about this ring is random.
Every angle. Every sparkle. Every detail feels chosen.
Chosen for .
And then there are the tiny diamonds scattered around like constellations. Small. Brilliant. They don’t demand attention on their own, but together? They’re breathtaking.
They remind of us.
The quiet laughter in the kitchen. The way he steals glances at in a crowded room. The soft kisses on my hair. The way he fixes things without being asked. Little things. Small monts.
But together, they are our universe.
When I look at it, my chest tightens in the sweetest, most overwhelming way.
This isn’t just jewelry.
It’s a promise shaped in light and tal.
It feels like his silent vow wrapped around my finger.
It feels like being seen.
Completely. Intimately. Endlessly.
I can’t stop staring at it. Not just because it’s beautiful—though it truly is—but because when it sparkles, I see him.
And when I see him, I rember—
I am loved.
In a way that feels powerful.
And impossibly tender.
"H-How..." Lore muttered.
Right. Back to Lore.
After I just described in my head how it looked over and over again.
"So," I asked, lifting my chin slightly, "tell what this ans?"
"You were supposed to open it in three or four years. I didn’t expect you to open it." He sighed.
I pouted at him.
"Put it back," he told , trying to sound serious, trying to ignore —but his ears were red. He was flushing like he was desperately trying to deny everything.
"It’s beautiful," I told him softly.
He removed his headset and closed his laptop.
"Tell ," I said, looking down at him. "Do you intend to marry ?"
"Of course." He sighed in frustration. "I planned it very carefully in my head. I have assets to secure your future. I know you have a trust fund and you can take care of yourself, but still..." He scratched his head, trying to explain himself—about the ring, about the puzzle box, about the gift he wasn’t supposed to give yet.
"Uhuh?" I checked the ring again and moved my hand closer to his face. "Then what else?"
He exhaled.
"Will you marry ? In six years?"
"Six years?" I scoffed. "I can’t even wait another month to marry you. And you want to wait six years?" I rolled my eyes dramatically.
"Four years..." He reached for my hand and kissed it.
"Next year," I said firmly.
"Babe, co on. We can’t get married at that age. You need to graduate first."
"I don’t care."
A knock interrupted us.
The door opened and Gina stepped in.
"We can hear you from the other room. Trivia: it’s not soundproof!" She crossed her arms. "What are you guys talking about—"
She froze.
Her eyes locked on my left ring finger.
She scread and grabbed my hand, twisting it gently from side to side. "What the fuc—" She covered her mouth and stared at Lore, who imdiately raised his hands in surrender.
Then she looked at .
"You’re serious? You just started dating and you already proposed?"
"It was supposed to be in four years," Lore exhaled. "Okay, both of you get out. I need a mont to breathe."
He pushed us out—but the mont the door closed, Gina and I squird in excitent and hugged each other.
Maris ca out of the bathroom, looking confused. I flashed my ring at her and she rushed over, squealing with us.
I told them to get ready for drinks while I slipped back inside, locked the door, and found him slouched in his chair, head thrown back, staring at the ceiling.
I walked over, straddled him on the wooden chair, and sat on his lap.
He imdiately rubbed my back as I kissed him.
His hand slid to my nape, pressing my face closer to his. The kiss deepened, hotter, slower. He’s been teaching how to kiss properly, and I could feel him growing tense beneath .
"Wait—" he breathed, pulling back slightly. "I can’t—"
He held tighter, stopping .
"Alyssa." He kissed my chin.
"Go down to the bonfire. Drink with the others."
"Yeah," he exhaled, trying to steady himself. "I’ll calm down there."
I giggled. "You know I can help."
He lifted my chin gently.
"I know. But no thanks. I don’t want to disappoint your parents. Or mine."
"I love you," I blurted out.
"You are my sunshine." He kissed my chin again.
I stood up, grabbed my jacket and phone.
"Co down, okay?"
He nodded.
I headed downstairs, still floating, still over the moon.
I don’t need a fancy proposal.
Because I know—
An intimate one is the sweetest.
And far more sincere than any grand gesture could ever be.
–Lore–
The only thing that cald my throbbing thoughts was diving back into work. I set a ten-minute cooldown tir after that dangerously sweet mont with Alyssa. System reboot. Focus restored.
Now my heart was racing for an entirely different reason—the thought of her parents finding out and personally escorting to my grave.
She’s young... too young.
Am I ruining her future?
Damn it.
But seeing her happy? That does sothing to . It rewires . She really is my sunshine—just like her nephews and niece keep saying.
I closed my laptop, locked it into its case, and slid it under the bed. Out of sight, encrypted, fingerprint secured. I grabbed my keys and jacket.
Before heading out, I secured a safe flight route for Sky, his parents, and his uncles and aunt. Multiple redundancies. Weather checks. Backup landing strips. I tracked the aircraft in real ti. They would arrive safely. I don’t leave variables floating.
Down by the bonfire, the air slled like pine and burning wood. Smoke curled into the cold Sagada night. Drinks were already lined up on a small folding table, and of course—my Alyssa saved a seat.
I sat beside her. She handed a canned beer like she owned .
Everyone was laughing, stories spilling freely into the night air.
My eyes drifted to her left hand.
The alexandrite caught the firelight—shifting hues from deep violet to bluish green. It glowed against her skin.
I want to marry her.
Right now.
If I were impulsive, I would’ve dragged her to Las Vegas—or anywhere fast enough to sign papers legally. Just seal it. Lock it in.
After a few drinks, we all headed back to our rooms.
I unlocked ours and helped her to bed—she was tipsy, smiling lazily. I discreetly checked under the bed.
Laptop still there. Good.
From my bag, I pulled out a thick blanket and extra pillows. I placed one between us. Boundary protocol. Safety buffer.
I turned off the main lights and left the small bedside lamp on—the warm yellow glow softened the wooden walls. No AC. No fan. Just the natural chill of Sagada seeping through the windows.
I grabbed my towel and stepped into the bathroom outside our room. Quick shower. Fast. Efficient. I didn’t like leaving the room unattended for long. My paranoia runs on premium fuel.
When I returned, everything was exactly as I left it.
I locked the door, dried off, put on my pajamas, then crawled onto the bed—carefully over my fiancée—and kissed her cheek.
I lay on my side and sent her dad a ssage.
We’re together. Nothing’s going to happen. I promised.
Send.
"Yeah, that’s it," I muttered. "Sleep."
I pulled the thick blanket over us. The air was freezing.
"Lore..." Aly mumbled.
"Hmm?"
"Bathroom. It’s scary there."
I smiled to myself.
I guided her there and stood outside the door like a bodyguard while she did her business. When she ca out, half-asleep and dramatic, I carried her back. She wrapped around like she’d done this her whole life.
Too lazy. Too spoiled.
By .
I tucked her in again. She turned toward .
"Lore..."
"Hmm?"
"I don’t really mind if we were always underground. Without sunlight."
I chuckled softly.
"Babe..."
"What I an is..." she whispered, eyes barely open. "I will marry you. Yes, I will. I don’t care if you’re not rich-rich. I just want you."
My chest tightened.
"I got it," I said, moving closer to kiss her forehead. "But you need to be patient. Let’s wait at least two more years. Then tell if you still want to marry ."
"Got it."
She pushed the pillow away.
I quietly placed it back between our waists—then let her curl up against my chest anyway.
Compromise.
I ran my fingers through her hair.
Alyssa Blackwell.
I never planned on proposing to soone this... high above . This rare. This extraordinary.
But she’s beautiful. Smart. Radiant.
And she’s mine.
Not because I trapped her.
But because she chooses .
And I’m going to make sure she never regrets that choice.
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