The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 104 The Proposal Liam Virtue took the cordless microphone and began her speech. | wiped my forehead with handkerchief, annoyed at myself for not being able to hide my anxiety.

my As | exited my car earlier, | surveyed the people gathered in front of the commercial complex and immediately saw Virtue. She stood out in her white and pink dress looking very pretty. There was r no doubt in my mind, she'd probably look like an angel in a wedding gown for sure.

| shut the door of my car and waited for Dan who had parked his car across from mine. He smiled, walking with a sk ip in his step, clutching a robin’s-egg blue jewelry box in his hand.

Jack, who had parked further away, was concerned with security. He was seated inside his car, speaking to someone on his CB rawhile he eyed the growing crowd.

Dan's eyes followed my gaze, noticing it had fallen on Jack’s truck. “You haven't told him, have you?” He asked while he handedthe Tiffany & Co. jewelry box. | quickly took it from him and opened it to check. The two- carat diamond ring sparkled under the sunlight, casting a rainbow of colors on the black paint of my car. It was even more beautiful than | had imagined... It was perfect.

From the corner of my eye, | saw a black head of hair emerging from the RAM truck. I quickly snapped the jewelry box closed and pocketed it. | didn’t want to spark a confrontation here.

“No, | haven't. | didn’t want any problems from him before proposing, especially when there's a good chance she’ll probably say no,” | answered, straightening my jacket.

“I have a feeling she'll say yes, unless Noah was able to get to her, Dan said.

“What do you mean?” | gestured for him to walk besideso we could talk while walking.

“We, uhm, bumped into Noah and Nicole in Chicago. After we had dinner, Noah dumped Nicole like a piece of trash on the sidewalk while he rushed back to New Salem,” Da answered.

“And how do you know he rushed back to talk to Virtue? He may have had a prior commitment he overlooked or an emergency,” | pointed out, 1/5 Sat, Mar CHAPTER 104 The Proposal “I don’t know how I'm going to say this, but | might have made a slight boo-boo,” Dan mumbled, lowering his head in shame.

What the f uck was it this time?! | waited for him to continue, to tellwhat had happened in Chicago, but | was only met with silence.

“Spit it out, Dan. | can’t read your mind for crying out loud!” | said impatiently. Dan sighed, looking defeated.

“I kind of mentioned the nof the girl who left New Salem during our junior year in high school,” Dan answered sheepishly. | automatically stopped walking and placed my hand on his chest to make him stop too.

“You what?!” | asked incredulously. “In front of Chip of all people?!” “I had been drinking all day and I slipped. But don’t worry... Nicole made up a plausible story and Chip... well, he really didn’t care too much about the details. He was more concerned about Virtue and the wedding,” Dan rambled nervously.

“And Noah?” | asked, staring into his eyes to check if he was lying to me.

“He, uhm, he was angry. He advised Chip to tell Virtue not to accept your proposal,” he answered quickly.

“Why did you have to tell Noah about the proposal in the first place? | wanted it to be a surprise.” | took a step forward and resumed walking.

“I couldn't help it... | was just so excited,” Dan replied, chasing after “Do you think Chip told Virtue aboutand what happened in our junior year?” | asked.

“I don’t think he did. He did ask for a liquor permit for the event though, knowing the both you would want to celebrate your engagement. | have the permit in my pocket.” of | closed my eyes for a second, feeling a bit relieved. If Chip was optimistic, then | should be too.

“That's good to hear, but I'm still nervous. It’s either | cout a champion or becthe biggest joke of New Salem... no thanks to your big mouth. Just keep your mouth shut and when | non the question, nudge her to say ves, ok?” 2/5 CHAPTER 104 The Proposal “Promise,” Dan said. “By the way, where's Cris? “He’s at home... feeling unwell. | have someone keeping an eye on him,” | said, fixing my hait. “Now, smile, Dan.

This is suppose to be a happy occasion.” As we made our way through the boisterous crowd, | took a moment to observe our surroundings. A large colorful sign on an easel announcing a promotional fifty percent sale on all items for the day was standing beside the glass door of Virtues shop. Surrounding the storefront windows were pink and white roses arranged in large bouquets positioned atop flower stands while appetizers, refreshments and glasses lay neatly on a long table covered with a pink tablecloth decorated with white-ribbons. It was simple, but everything was nicely arranged.

After greeting Virtue with a kiss on her cheek, we started the ceremony amidst the murmurs of the crowd who were already making speculations of my relationship with Virtue. Not many have seen us together and none knew we may be romantically involved. My kissing her on her cheek was a surprise to all.

| noticed Jack was standing in the back beside Noah who kept shaking his head, hoping Virtue would notice him. | immediately suspected Noah probably had a thing for Virtue. But if there's knew about Nicole, she was a jealous psychotic bi tch who would make ble for him. That was one of the reasons why | dumped Nicole in the e was an animal in bed, but she was always jealous of other women.

lif trying to get yourself out of that one, Noah.

ugh Noah kept his mouth shut and his head low, he never looked atwith the same. pect after Joy. Apparently, he was just biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity o sabotage me. Guessing by the scowl on Jack’s face, Noah probably already told him what my plans were.

| couldn’t have Jack becmy rival. After | propose, I'll talk to him and fix this. As for Noah, I'll get to him through Nicole.

The crowd suddenly broke into an applause, joltingback to the present. Unfortunately, Virtue was already done with her speech. My twas almost up.

My heart began to beat loudly against my ribcage, my hands began to shake, and my body went cold and clammy all over. For the first tin my whole life, | was s terrified.

Virtue turned off the microphone, gave it to Bo while he gave her a pair of oversized scissors. She suddenly placed a hand around mylarm. leadingto the pink ribbon. I was.

$65 CHAPTER 104 The Proposal out of it... | was completely lost.

“Mayor Cohen, would you please dothe honor of cutting the ribbon with me?” Virtue asked, handingthe scissors. | nodded my head, inhaling her sweet scent of rose, patchouli and orange. Her scent madelight- headed and woozy, like | was about to faint. If it weren't for her dainty hands on top of mine, | would have surely collapsed.

Unlike my sweaty palms, hers were soft and smooth. She was obviously at ease with the crowd. Virtue definitely had the makings of a politician's wife.

First, | needed to cut the ribbon, then | can go on one knee and propose. Let's do this.

| raised my eyes to look at the crowd and noticed everyone had their phones out recording everything. | gulped, fervently praying to Go d that Virtue would say yes.

Our hands moved in unison and together we cut the massive pink ribbon. Chip, Dom and Bo sprung into action and popped the corks out of the champagne bottles. People shrieked excitedly as the bubbles from the bottles cbursting out.

Dan suddenly grabbed my arm. “Chip said Virtue will most probably say yes. She likes you. Con. You can do this, Liam.” | smiled feeling a bit more at ease. All | had to do was ask.

It was now or never.

I held on to Virtue’s hand.

“I have something to say,” | said. Everyone stopped moving to look at the two of us.

“Liam...” Chip said, handinga glass of champagne. Liquid courage. | downed the glass, not even savoring its fruity taste.

| handed Chip the glass back and took a deep breath. For luck, | raised the back of Virtue’s hand to my lips and kissed it.

“You are so beautiful. Virtue, whatever happens, believewhen | say | adore you,” | whispered. She smiled and reached up to caress my face. It was a simple gesture, but it gave all the courage | needed.

| took another deep breath, thinking of what to say. | had prepared a speech, but standing here in front of her and the growing crowd had madeforget it. | decided to speak from the heart.

4/5 15.03 Sat, Mai CHAPTER 104 The Proposal “Virtue, if | could only explain how you makefeel when we're together. How every t| hear your voice, | feel all giddy inside. How every tyou smile, you make my heart literally s kip a beat. How every t| see you, | get butterflies in my stomach. How whenever I'm with you, | get lost in your eyes...” | sighed. “No one has ever madefeel this way. Honestly, | feel like I'm in heaven whenever I'm with you.” “Since the day | first met you, | have continously thanked Go d because | finally found the missing piece to my existence. With you, I'm complete. With you, Virtue, I'm happy.” | knelt down on my knee and | saw the stunned expression on her face as | took the little jewelry box from my pocket.

“Oh my Go d!” She exclaimed. She covered her mouth with both her hands and I noticed the tears begin to well up in her eyes. | smiled at her, feeling more confident. This was the sreaction Lisa had when Cris proposed to her.

“Virtue, | don’t want to waste any ton a long and fancy courtship because | know in my heart | love you and that | want to spend the rest of my life with you. But marrynow, Virtue, and | promise you, | will court you forever. Please makethe happiest of men. Say es and letlove you forever.” | opened the jewelry box and | swear | was momentarily blinded by the sparkle of the diamond. It was quite a rock.

The noisy crowd suddenly grew quiet, so quiet | could hear the vehicles driving by on Main Street.

We patiently waited for her to answer. My heart began to beat rapidly again. As | gazed at her beautiful face, | silently prayed to Go d.

Please make her say yes.

Chapter Comments Susan Wynne | like the story but it’s starting to drag on.

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