She noticed him checking her out. Every ti their eyes locked, her stomach did flips.
After they wrapped up their al, Zayn stood up. "Co with ," he said.
"Where to?" she asked.
"The roof," he replied.
"What’s up there?"
Zayn grinned, looking mysterious. "Sothing special for you."
Emma could feel that sothing unforgettable was about to happen.
But she took his hand anyway.
*****
The elevator doors opened, and the rooftop was a total surprise. Red roses were everywhere, and candles flickered in lanterns. The city stretched out far below.
Emma just stood there, shocked.
Zayn turned to her. "What’s up?" he asked.
Her feet felt heavy, and her hands were cold. Butterflies were going wild in her stomach.
He reached his hand toward her.
Every part of her wanted to run.
But her hand moved anyway, sliding into his.
They walked to the middle of the rooftop.
Zayn stepped in behind her.
"Look up," he said softly.
Emma tilted her head back as fireworks started popping off in the sky.
Bright bursts of gold, red, and white went off in a dazzling spectacle. Emma gasped, totally blown away.
The colors painted the sky for what felt like forever.
Then, words showed up:
"WILL YOU MARRY ?"
Ti seed to stop for Emma.
Not "date." Not "girlfriend." "Marry."
She turned around.
Zayn was down on one knee, holding a ring box.
Emma’s hand went straight to her mouth, and tears started streaming down her face. She sobbed, her shoulders shaking.
Zayn jumped up, looking worried. "Emma? What—"
She couldn’t answer; all she could do was cry.
Her legs gave way, and she dropped down to the ground.
Zayn crouched down next to her.
"I’m sorry," Emma cried. "I don’t know what to say. Please don’t be mad—"
"Mad? Emma, I’m not mad." He wrapped her in a hug.
Emma pressed her face into his chest.
"Hey... breathe," Zayn murmured. "You don’t have to say anything. Take all the ti you need."
They sat there with Emma crying and Zayn holding her close.
Slowly, her breathing beca steadier.
"I’m sorry."
"Stop saying sorry."
"I ssed up your proposal."
"You didn’t ss up anything."
Emma chuckled, even though it was a bit shaky, but it was real.
She pulled back to look at him.
"I don’t know what to say."
"Then don’t say anything yet. The offer is on the table. Whether you answer tonight, tomorrow, or next month, I’m sticking around."
"But you don’t really know ."
"I know enough."
"This is crazy."
"Maybe. But I’ve never been more sure about anything."
Emma was quiet for a mont. Then she said, "I feel safe with you."
Zayn froze. "What?"
"I’ve never felt this way with anyone. But with you, I feel safe. Like nothing bad can happen."
Zayn’s face changed.
Not even with Alexander.
Does she really not feel safe with her own father?
That insight told him everything.
Maybe Emma didn’t realize how dangerous Alexander was — but so part of her already knew she wasn’t safe with him. Maybe!
And that understanding was a good sign.
"Emma," Zayn said, his voice a bit thick with emotion.
She looked up at him.
"I’ll always keep you safe. Always. No matter what goes down, you’ll always be safe with ."
Emma’s eyes filled with tears again.
"I believe you," she whispered.
They sat together, candles flickering and the city buzzing below.
The ring box was still open between them.
Emma didn’t say yes.
But she didn’t say no either.
And for now, that was enough.
*****
The dining room in the Virelli mansion was never quiet when all six of them sat down together.
Mr. Moore really outdid himself this ti. The table was loaded with grilled lamb chops, roasted veggies, fresh bread, pasta, and salads. Candles were flickering, wine was flowing, and for a little while, it felt like all the stress just lted away.
Leo stared at his plate, as if it personally insulted him for not being bigger.
"Mr. Moore," he said, piling his plate high for the second ti, "if you ever leave this place, I’m coming with you."
Mr. Moore gave a tiny smile. "That’s really nice, Leo. But I have a feeling Z might not like that."
"Your Z can whip up his own als," Leo shot back.
"I caught that," Zayden said without looking up.
"Good," Leo replied, all cheerful.
Ayla laughed, genuinely and freely, and it was nice to see color back in her cheeks as the dark circles disappeared.
Aylin noticed and let out a quiet sigh.
"Ayla, you should totally try the lamb," Liam suggested, nudging the platter toward her.
"I’m trying to pace myself," she said.
"You’ve mostly munched on bread for the past ten minutes," he pointed out.
"Bread counts as a al," she insisted.
"No way, it doesn’t," Reyes said flatly.
"Thanks for that, Reyes," Liam responded.
"Don’t thank . I just don’t want her passing out again," Reyes added in his deadpan way, causing everyone to pause until Ayla burst out laughing.
"Fair enough," she said, reaching for the lamb.
"So, how are your classes now that you’re back?" Aylin asked.
"They’re good! Emma’s notes are crazy, super organized, color-coded, and everything is labeled. She must’ve spent ages on them." Ayla shook her head. "She’s so sweet."
"She definitely is," Aylin agreed.
Ayla smiled. "Also, she has no clue she went out tonight with soone connected to this whole situation."
"So," Leo leaned back, "what’s everyone thinking? Is Zayn gonna pop the question tonight, or will he finally chill out for once?"
"Propose!" Reyes shouted right away.
"Propose!" Liam chid in.
"Propose!" Ayla added.
"Definitely propose," Aylin confird.
Everyone turned to Zayden.
"I’m not betting on my brother’s love life," he said firmly.
"That ans he thinks Zayn will propose," Leo said. "So, it’s a unanimous vote."
"I hate all of you," Zayden mumbled.
"No, you don’t," Aylin said sweetly.
Leo reached for food on Ayla’s plate. She caught his hand and smacked it away. Not backing down, he tried again.
"You have your own food!" she complained.
"Yours looks better," Leo shot back.
"It’s literally the sa food!" Ayla insisted.
Ayla looked at Aylin. "Is he always like this?"
"Unfortunately," Aylin agreed with a sigh.
"I’m charming," Leo declared.
"You’re annoying," Ayla fired back.
"Those are pretty much the sa thing," Leo argued.
Liam shook his head. "They really are not."
After dinner, they moved to the lounge. Zayden was sitting with Aylin’s legs draped over him, his hand resting on her ankle without him even realizing it. Liam took the chair closest to Ayla, while Leo and Reyes plopped down on the opposite sofa.
Leo was right in the middle of telling a story about a surveillance job that went sideways.
"You were in the dumpster for how long?" Ayla asked, shocked.
"Three hours," Leo replied, acting all dignified.
"I’ve got pictures," Reyes added, grinning.
"You do NOT have pictures!" Leo exclaid.
"Two servers. Super secure," Reyes insisted, with a smirk.
Ayla’s phone buzzed, and it was a text from Emma.
As she read through the ssages, her face went from curious to surprised, and finally to super excited.
"Oh my God," she quietly said.
"What’s up?" Aylin sat up straight.
Ayla shot a grin at Zayden. "Your brother is crazy fast." She tilted her head with a teasing look. "And you still haven’t told my sister you’d marry her. No offense."
"Was that from Emma?"
"ssages, actually. He proposed. Fireworks, rooftop, ring, the whole deal."
The room exploded with excitent.
"CALLED IT!" Leo said.
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