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EPILOGUE
Denise
It’s beena year and a half since I met Miller Davenport.
In that time, I’ve submitted my final documents for graduation. I moved into the high-rise with Miller. And we got a puppy.
I stopped working at the diner, and instead, I opened a cafe on the bottom floor of the InterMind Technologies building. You could say that I had an in with the guy who owned the company and he got me a pretty good deal with the owner of the building.
My life has taken some twists and turns since I met Miller. Aside from the drama with his ex when we first started dating to where we stand today.
And today, rather tonight, we stand in a grand ballroom of the charity event which shimmered with elegance and opulence, the air alive with the soft strains of background music and the gentle murmur of conversation. As I stand beside him, my heart swells with pride and excitement, unable to believe how far we had come since that fateful night we first met.
We’re here at a charity event, in the same ballroom which we met. We’re with the same group of friends that he generally brings to these events. While he prefers to keep his life private, he now enjoys coming to big events such as these. Tonight, we’re here, but also alone. No one approaches him, asks him for a photo, or joins the small circle. But they whisper and look at him as they walk by.
Miller Davenport remains a man who stays out of the limelight. A man who has people talk on his behalf in his business world. People know to give him his space, as if there’s an unwritten contract. While sometimes, while we are out in public, there are people who will take photographs of us and publish stuff on Page Six. However, rather than gossip about the two of us, the photos and accompanying stories written are about which philanthropist event, we’re at or he’s giving to. Or what farmer’s market he was walking around with a bag full of food because his girlfriend’s cafe only serves farms to table. Or a night together, doing regular date things. He doesn’t mind being photographed anymore, but still his privacy is important to him.
I glance at him, my eyes tracing the strong lines of his jaw and the warm smile that plays on his lips. He looks dashing in his suit, his eyes alight with the same spark of excitement that dances in mine.
“It’shard to believe it’s been a year and then some,” he remarks, his voice soft, his fingers interlocked with mine, and his voice soft and filled with emotion. “This is corny as hell, but time flies when you’re in love, doesn’t it?”
I nod, a smile spreading across my face as I think back to that night when our paths first crossed. I had been working as a caterer at a charity event, much like this, serving hor d’oeurves and drinks to the guests. I would see him across the room here and there, with his eyes glued to me. Then, I approached his group and our eyes locked as I made my offerings to his companions and him, with his charming smile and a twinkle in his eye, captivating my full attention and making my mouth dry.
“I’ll never forget the way you looked that night,” he continued, his gaze locked on mine. “You were the most beautiful woman in the room, and I knew from the moment I saw you that you were something special. That you would be mine.”
A blush crept into my cheeks as I recalled the butterflies that had fluttered in my stomach at his words, the thrill of excitement that had coursed through my veins when we spoke later at the diner that I had worked at the time.
Seems like years ago, not just one and change.
“And look at us now,” he said, his voice filled with wonder as he takes my hand in his. “Here we are, attending this event together as equals, as lovers. Who would have thought that we would come this far?”
I squeeze his hand reassuringly, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude for the man standing beside me. “I never imagined that I would find someone like you. Hell, honestly, I never thought that I would be with someone like you. I had written off you business-kind of guys as untouchable.” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m so glad that I did.”
“I’m glad that we were at your diner, of all places. It was then that I knew I wouldn’t let you go.”
As we stood there, lost in each other’s eyes, I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me, threatening to spill over at any moment. It was as if time had stood still, the rest of the world fading away as if we were the only ones in a room full of people.
And then, just when I thought my heart couldn’t possibly hold any more love, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, his eyes shining with hope and anticipation.
“I have something for you,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion as he dropped to one knee before me in a room full of people.
Time slowed.
“Something that I’ve been thinking about. You know, this thing between you and me? Well, I decided I want more.”
My breath catches in my throat as he opens the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring, its brilliance reflecting the love and devotion that shone in his eyes. Tears well up in my own as I realize what was happening, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone.
“Will you marry me?” he asks, his voice filled with uncertainty and hope as he waits for my answer.
A sudden hush fell over the room, as all eyes are drawn to the small space of the room we are occupying. The sounds of our hearts beating in unison.
And as I looked into his eyes, I knew with every fiber of my being that my answer was yes.
But for now, I let the moment linger, savoring the sweetness of his proposal and the promise of a future filled with love and happiness.
Over a year ago, we met. I took on a catering job to witness a night filled with good deeds, laughter, and dancing. A night that had changed my life forever.
And look at us now.
