Chapter 58: Chapter 58

Annabelle's POV

"Come here, Anna. Stefan informed us about the handover of your inheritance. It's a good decision to shift your dance institute here. A friend of mine owns a commercial building nearby. Do you want me to talk to her about renting it out to you?" Asked Audrey.

"Yes, I would love to see it, mom," I told her.

"Fine, I'll talk to her and get back to you," said Audrey.

I was a little restless since it had been nearly fifteen minutes that I was here and yet I didn't see Stefan or the boys anywhere. Has something important cropped up at work? Where did they all go?

"Umm, Martha, has Stefan left for work or something?" I asked hesitantly. Gran curbed the smile that was threatening to break out on her lips while mom looked away, trying to avoid answering me. Martha looked uncomfortable.

"He must have gone out. I'm not sure," she said, making me a little suspicious. Why were they behaving as if they were trying to hide something from me? I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. Arielle walked inside and looked at me with horror.

"Mommy, wear a pwetty dress, please," she pleaded. I looked at my old ripped jeans and blue tee shirt to see what was wrong with the dress.

"I'll wear a pretty dress tomorrow, sweetie. I'm feeling rather lazy today," I told her.

"No no, mommy. You don't understand at all. You have to wear a pwetty dress!" she exclaimed, looking agitated.

"Wear one, Anna or your daughter will create a tantrum. You know how stubborn she is, just like her dad!" said Audrey. Gran chuckled and so did Martha.

I saw how excited they looked. What were we celebrating? Was it someone's surprise birthday? It wasn't Stefan's since his birthday is four months away. It wasn't Arielle's either. Hers is next week. We're they celebrating it early?

"Hurry, Mommy! You're so slow," said Arielle.

I gave in. "Okay, okay. I'm going," I said, getting up to go back to my room. I could hear them all giggling and cheering back at the room the moment I left. It made me all the more suspicious. Nevertheless, I searched through my closet and chose a white, A-line dress with a red rose satin applique at the waist. The boat neck added to its charm and I swept up my hair to add to the dramatic effect.

I walked downstairs and to my surprise, the whole floor was empty. There was no sign of gran, mom, or Martha. Where did everyone go? Suddenly upbeat music started playing from the terrace on the second floor. I went upstairs to the terrace. The glass door was open and I could see the decorations from the entrance itself.

As I walked outside onto the terrace, I gasped seeing the whole place decorated with heart-shaped balloons and white chairs and tables. Rose bouquets tied with white satin ribbons adorned the entire area. There was a buffet table with food and wine laid out.

Whose birthday was it? I couldn't remember. I didn't buy any birthday gifts for anyone. I thought of asking gran when the music stopped and a piece of soft romantic music started playing in the background. I saw that everyone was there, gathered around the table. Stefan came towards me with a smile on his face. He caught hold of my hand and led me to the center of it all.

Before I could ask him what was happening, he dropped to one knee in front of me and I gasped. Is he doing what I thought he was doing? Was he proposing to me?

"Rosy, I had fallen in love with you since the day I first saw you. We have patiently waited for each other as our love was true, it was pure. You told me once that each person has a soul mate, a soul mate he's destined for. You told me that God has created a match for each of us. When the time is right we will be destined to meet our match. I didn't believe you then, but I do now. You are my match, my destiny, my true love, my home, my everything, Rosy. I love you with all my heart. We are destined to be together forever. I will cherish you like a prize throughout my life. So will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?" Stefan said, holding my hands with his own. His other hand dived into his pocket as he brought out a small velvet box.

I couldn't help the tears. They were tears of joy! My dream was coming true. I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. My heartbeats accelerated and I felt the tears trickle down my cheeks. The only man I have ever loved is proposing happily ever after to me. What more can I ask for?

"Yes Stefan, I will marry you," I said. He smiled happily and placed a beautiful, heart-shaped diamond ring on my finger. I gasped at the sheer beauty of the ring. It was the most precious piece of jewelry for me. It bound me to Stefan, it made me engaged to him. Everyone clapped and wiped their tears. It was an emotional moment. Stefan got up and pulled me into his arms with happiness. Everyone congratulated us, making us immensely happy. Afterward, we had the lavish dinner Jenny and Martha had prepared.

So I was right about my suspicions. Stefan had planned this with his brothers and while we were in his bedroom, they were busy decorating the place. Although it took me by surprise, it was the most beautiful moment of my life. I just couldn't believe that now I was an engaged woman. I was Stefan's fiancée. There was a time when this was all I used to dream of. I had never imagined it would ever come true for me. It had and I have more reasons to thank God for it.

After dinner, beautiful music started and Stefan held out his hand for a dance. I placed my hand in his and he pulled me close. We danced to the slow music, both of us lost in the magic of the moment. I rested my head on his shoulders as he held me close. I felt content, protected, and blissfully happy.

Soon the others joined in. Mom and dad, gran and Julian, Tristan and Arielle, and Adrian handled the music. It was a family bonding. Later on, everyone left to go home. Gran went off to her room with nurse Ellie. Beth took Arielle to bed while Stefan picked me up in his arms and carried me to our bedroom. The day was so full of pleasant surprises that I was indeed on cloud nine at the end of it all. We were so exhausted that all we did was kiss and cuddle together and sleep.