Charmed Destiny (The Charming Series Book 2) Page 2

  “Wonderful, wonderful. We will place it inside the box, and wrap it as you have instructed. If you would like to wait over there by the counter, I will return in just a moment.” He stands and I make my way back around the

  counter, looking in the glass cases.

  This is their way of getting you to buy more, but where I am going, there won't be any need for all this. She can have whatever her hearts, desire is there with enough golds and precious stones that she could roll around on

  them. I spot something out of the corner of my eye. It's two golden bands.

  Wedding bands to be exact. I ask the lady who has now been following me, if I can see those. She does this with a little bit of urgency.

  Calm down, lady, doesn't mean I am buying them, I am just looking. She hands them to me, and I decide on these too. I tell her to put these separate from the ring I just bought, and she seems to walk with a little bit of a

  skip. Mortals are so strange about money. They must really believe they need it to survive.

  “Mr. Andreas, is there anything else we can help with you today?” The man has both boxes, but I know exactly the one that is Selene's.

  The one that is wrapped with a small golden bow on top. My hands start to sweat again. This is really happening. I pay the man for the rings. He rushes to open the door for me as I leave. Thanking him for his help, I climb back in the Land Rover that Selene loves, and make my way to the next stop. I have Colin going to the airport to pick up our precious cargo, and Cali should be dropping off the first surprise for Selene, right about now. I try to zone in on her thoughts as I stand outside of the shop I had

  made it to.

  Cali. Ugh. What does she want?

  Oh, a gift? From Sebastian? A girl could get used to this kind of thing.

  What the hell? A cocktail dress and a note. Him and these dang notes.

  Meet him at the Blue Oyster by Seven O'clock. I thought we were going to the place close to here. What does he have planned now?

  I can't help myself. I am smiling like a dork as people pass me by, but I don't care. She is happy and that's all that matters to me. I walk into the shop, holding my breath. This better be perfect because I know for a fact that what I asked for was something they had to put forth effort to get.

  “Hello, may I help you?” What looks like a college student is in front of me?

  “Yes, I spoke to Roger.”

  “Oh, yes, Mr. Andreas I assume?”

  “The one and only.” What? Arrogance is just something I have an abundance of.

  “Right this way.” He leads me to a dressing room where I find my suit in a black zipped up garment bag.

  Opening the bag, it's exactly to the perfection I had requested. Black on black, with a red tie. It should match Selene's dress perfectly. I undress, pulling the pants on, when I hear a knock on my dressing room door.

  “Mr. Andreas, is this what you had requested?” I open the door, with no shirt on and only the black slacks. The girl's mouth drops open and I smile.

  “Yes, it's perfect. Thank you.” I shut the door smiling. Sometimes it's just fun to watch mortals get all google eyed, and yes it may be a little pretentious, but I wouldn't be me then, would I?

  The shirt, slacks, and suit coat fit me nicely. Tying the red tie, I step back to admire this suit. Not tight, not big, just perfect. I look inside the coat pocket for what I had specifically asked for. An anchor with roses surrounding it has been embroidered inside. I find the rings in my jean

  pockets, and slide them into their place. Patting the pocket one more time, making sure I had everything I needed. I put the clothes I was wearing inside the garment bag making sure I had my wallet. Looking down, checking the time, I see I am running a little behind. I take the garment

  bag and receipt to the counter. The cute college girl is shaking as I hand her my gold card. Smiling at her, I thank her one more time, and leave for the next place. This night needs to be perfect, and so far everything was

  going according to my plan.

  “Hey, did you get the cargo?” I call Colin from my phone that's installed in the Land Rover.

  “Yep. Sure did. We are headed to the Blue Oyster now.”

  “Great. I have one more stop, then I will be there. Did you send the limo for Selene?”

  “Yes. She wasn't happy about it, but she should be there after we are. I had him take her the express way.” We both laugh.

  “Oh, she will hate that. Great thinking. Stall her for as long as you can if she gets there before I do.”

  “Yes, boss.” Colin snickers, as I hang up.

  One more thing to get, and this night should be what she was hoping for the first time. Let's just hope that she isn't too mad at me. The flower shop is right around the corner, and Iris said that this was the best place for them. The sweet aroma of flowers fills the store as I walk in. There is an older lady with her back to me working on a flower arrangement as I walk to the counter.

  “Excuse me.”

  “Oh, hi. Yes, Sebastian?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just finishing them up for you.” The lady has a gentle smile while turning back around to work on the bouquet I had called for.

  She turns around holding the bouquet of gorgeous pink fire and ice roses. They are over flowing. Different shades of pink and the vase is crystal. Gold specks of glitter shimmer in the water. It's exactly how I had planned. I owed Iris for this. The flowers had already been paid for and now it was time. Nerves begin to get the best of me. I try to drown out the feeling of nausea with music in the vehicle, but that really wasn't working.

  Focus on what is important. Selene. You can do this.

  I mean you already asked her to marry you one time and she said yes, so what would be the difference this time?

  Chapter Three

  The Proposal

  Everything was ready to go for the night, except me. My nerves were starting to make little butterflies in my stomach, and I had forgotten what that felt like. It's not like she may turn me down or anything, but there is a

  slight chance she could, and that is the feeling that is keeping me from being sure of myself. Checking everything not just once but twice over, seeing if I have everything, I step out, and make my way inside to the

  restaurant. Luckily, I knew a guy who ran the place otherwise there wouldn't be a chance for me to have the I reserved.

  “She's not here, yet. The driver called and said they were about ten minutes out.” Colin tells me while taking the massive bouquet of flowers I had bought for her.

  “Good. One more thing.” I turn away from him, patting my pocket one more time. Both boxes are there. Safe and sound.

  “This is so exciting.” I hear a voice say.

  “Yea, she will be shocked to say the least.” I tell her. I ask everyone to please take their seats.

  The Blue Oyster is overly crowded, and very loud. Glasses clinking together, hearing people running around to get the customers their meals, I keep standing, pacing around the table. Then she walked in, wearing the

  red cocktail dress I had bought for her with her blonde long hair flowing down. She is wearing the anchor necklace I had given her for graduation, she is gripping it tight with her delicate fingers. She was nervous, and it

  was cute. The waiter finds us. I greet her with a kiss that makes me and her both nervous.

  “Have a seat.” I pull out her chair for her. She has yet to notice who is sitting at the table with her.

  “Oh my gods!” She exclaims jumping from her seat.

  “How did you... how? When? Oh my gods!” She is hugging each of them tighter than I have ever seen her do anyone.

  “I just thought you could use some friendly faces.” Motioning for her to sit back down.

  She does, and the most beautiful smile is upon her face. I am still nervous, and can hardly take my eyes off her. She looks radiant. Her smile, the dress fitting like a glove, and her skin looks milky smooth. I hope I have the cour
age to pull this off. Colin hands her the flowers. Selene smells

  them, without the smile leaving her face. She loves them. I knew she would. It's her flower. She never knew that those flowers were made especially made for her from her father. The fire and ice rose was made for Selene, it's as beautiful as her. I have yet to share that news with her, but one day I might.

  “This is just... I'm just...” She is speechless reaching for her mother's hand.

  “Sebastian did all this.” Her mother's eyes glisten as she tells Selene of what all I have done.

  “Why?” She turns to me.

  “You deserve only the best.” I take her hand in mine, and feel the warmth of her palms.

  “I already have the best.” She squeezes my hand.

  “I, for one, am famished. Who would like to order.” Chloe looks at Selene.

  “I don't know if I can eat. I can't believe you guys are here. When did you get here?” Selene is still in shock from seeing that I had flown in Chris and Chloe for this evening.

  “Sebastian called and said everything was set, all we had to do was get on the plane.” Chris winks at me.

  “I miss you guys so much.” A crack in her voice from what I believe she could possibly start crying.

  “We miss you, but hey, it's just for a little while longer.” Chloe tells her.

  “Let's eat shall we?” I take the lead in the conversation. I don't want Chloe saying anything before I can.

  I wave the waiter over and everyone orders. Oddly, Chloe and Chris order French food. They must really enjoy being in Europe. Selene orders what I thought she would. The salmon. I order the same, as her mom keeps

  looking over the menu. I try to reassure her that the meal is paid for, and please order whatever she would like. She does, hesitantly. Colin and Cali both order, as Cali keeps trying to talk to Selene. Whom keeps ignoring every word she says. That is starting to really bother me. I had thought her and Cali were becoming friends, which she will need when we go to the mount, but she hasn't let up since the night Ian died. Something isn't right, and I haven't pushed the subject anymore, but she will need Cali. The only thing I can think is that Cali might have killed Ian, but that just doesn't make sense to me. She is on our side. I try to push all those thoughts aside

  and enjoy our meal together. Everyone is laughing, listening to what it's like in Paris for Chloe, and how Chris enjoys his job at Ferrari. He tells me how I should buy one, and I nod, but I won't need a car much longer. I

  won't be staying on Earth after tomorrow. Selene's face tells me she isn't quite ready as she thought she was. My fears are becoming real. If she doesn't come with me tomorrow, she may never get too. The dessert comes, as they all eat, I lean down, pretending to get something off the ground. Kneeling in front of Selene, I take the small box out of my suit jacket.

  “Selene Athans, will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?”

  I say to her, louder than I thought.

  She drops the fork from the dessert, searching my face for the right answer. I hand her the box as she says YES! Loudly. The restaurant explodes in cheers. Cali and Chris being two of the loudest ones. She opens the little box with the bow, and her mouth gaps open, taking the

  ring out. I made sure I charmed it before she put it on. This time the ring would be to help her in both worlds, not just on earth. She hasn't put the ring on yet, and my heart begins to race. May be she doesn't like it. Maybe

  I was wrong. She just admires it. Then she glides it down her ring finger, and there it is on her hand shining like a star.

  “Sebastian... it's...” She doesn't finish her sentence. I am still on my knees, hoping that she loves it.

  “It's gorgeous.” She speaks, and my heart fills with such a joy I almost scream out from excitement.

  “Are you sure?” My voice quivers.

  “Yes, a thousand times, yes.” She just stares at the ring, then to my surprise, she kisses me. Kisses me with a fiery passion I have never felt from her.

  “Let me see!” Chloe squealing from excitement.

  Selene shows all of them the ring, and each one saying something about how beautiful, and jealous they are, and how she is a very lucky girl. All the while, Selene keeping the biggest smile I have ever seen across her face. I get back in my seat taking her hand in mine. I never want to forget how happy she looks right now. Everyone making a fuss over her. Her making a fuss over me. Tonight, had to be the best night of my life. We finish our meal, and this was the time I had really been dreading. She would have to truly say goodbye to them. If my loophole works, then we will be back, if not this will be her last night to see them for what could be a very long time. Offering for everyone to take the limo back to my house, Chris and Chloe accept, but I had to drive myself back. I thought she would need as much time with them that we could cram into one night. Her mother declines and leaves Selene in tears. Her mom knew Selene wasn't happy with her, but it didn't matter, all said and done, they were

  mother and daughter, and the bond was hard to break. Kissing Selene goodbye as I got into my vehicle, was harder than I thought. I wanted to be with her, but I guess I have forever with her, what was a mere twenty or thirty minutes without her. I had walked her mom to her car, and she made me promise that I would take care of Selene and I would protect her.

  Never would I let that promise be broken. Selene was my whole world, what I lived for now, and that wouldn't change. I follow behind the limo, Colin and Cali following behind me. I decide to listen in on the

  conversations of the others. Or at least their thoughts.

  Is he aware that Selene may have just said yes because she didn't feel she had any other option?

  This ring is beautiful. Just beautiful, Gods, how much did this cost, and the roses? HE did all this for me? I am lucky, just like Chris said.

  We need to get this night over with, I am ready to go home. Dammit, I almost missed the turn.

  Between the three of them, I now had worries; and yet, felt a sense of relief. Selene loved her ring, and Cali sounded like a jealous hag, and Colin just wants to go home. I can understand how they all felt, but the

  only one I truly cared about what they thought was, Selene.

  Chapter Four

  Goodbye to the old

  We all arrive to my house, and honestly, I just wanted to be alone with Selene, but I know she needs this night. The house was prepared for us to be leaving tomorrow, and I had forgotten we had our bags beside the door.

  Crap, they would ask questions, and now I would be left to lie. Oh, well. Nothing I could do about that now. We walk to the balcony, as I try to rush everyone. This may have been a bad idea.

  “Hey, where's Ian?” Chris was the one who had noticed.

  Shit. This needs to be a good answer, because he wouldn't believe if I just said he was busy.

  “He had another engagement tonight that he couldn't miss, but he already knew that I was going to ask her.” I take Selene by the waist holding her in my arms.

  “Sorry, I just thought that. I mean I wouldn't think he would miss this.” Chris won't let it go.

  “He had to help his dad. He didn't really have a choice. You know how parents can be.” I try to play the weakness of having parents, and doing what they say.

  “Yea, I know how that goes. My dad has called me like every day since I left.” Chris shakes his head, and a relief comes over me.

  “I am sure he has.” Selene raises her eyebrows with a small grin that lights up her face.

  “We can't stay long; we have to catch the red eye soon.” Chloe says.

  “What? You guys aren't staying the night at least? You just got here.” Selene pulls away from me.

  “I know, I know. I'm so sorry, but I have a shoot I can't miss, and I could only be here for a couple of hours.” I had been unaware of this. Their tickets had been paid for them to leave tomorrow afternoon.

  “Sebastian, I'm sorry you had to waste your money, but I couldn't miss this, and I c
an't miss my shoot.” Chloe's eyes begin to fill with water. I nod, the money wasn't an issue.

  “It's okay. I got to see you, and that's all I care about.” Selene gives Chloe a huge embrace, and holds her for a minute longer.

  “Shit. I didn't know that either, Chloe.” Chris takes a seat on the couch closest to where he is standing.

  “I know. I messed all this up, but I so badly wanted to be here when Sebastian called and said that this was his plan.” Chloe lets go of Selene making her way to Chris as he sat down on the couch.

  “I hate it when you do that.” He rolls his eyes at her.