Calhoun was waiting at the end of the staircase. He kept on checking on his gold-plated Rolex watch. He had got it at the boutique earlier today. Ariana had said it looked good on him and he knew in that moment that the wristwatch had automatically become his favourite.
He straightened his tuxedo one more time. Making sure he made the right choice of shoes as well.
Finally, the door opened. Calhoun could hear the sound of Ariana's heeled shoes as she approached. He lifted his eyes and at the top of the stairs was an angel. His angel.
Her radiance flooded the room. Ariana appeared like a goddess in the glittering red gown that started off from her chest midway, down, as it swept the floor. Calhoun gasped as he noticed all her curves perfectly displaying.
She descended the stairs with elegance. Every step took Calhoun's breath away. When Ariana got down and was close to him, Calhoun was still tongue-tied. Her hair was packed to a side and the sheen she had applied made it shiny under the light. She smiled at him as she used a finger to adjust a few strands of hair off her eye brows.
Her eyes were round and as beautiful as ever. Her cheeks pink and her lips red, just like the dress.
"Was afraid I'll appear overdressed," Ariana apologized.
"No my love. You look just amazing," Calhoun unfroze his tongue and kissed her on the left cheek. He held out his hand and she locked it in with hers. They both walked out like a prince and his princess.
Yes, this was his woman, Calhoun thought to himself proudly. He'll never ever let her go.
The car drove until it made its stop at an opening in what looked to Ariana like the woods. Long trees, green grasses all over and a ghostly quietness. Except of course, for the buzzing of fireflies that glowed through the night.
Calhoun held her hand out of the car and they walked. Yes. She remembered this place. This was Eagle park.
"How sweet of you, to have brought me back here, " Ariana said gayly, "I really love this place."
"I knew you would," Calhoun smiled.
"When you said we're going out to dinner, I thought we'll be going out to some restaurant or something," Ariana tried to understand what was going on. "Now you've brought me out here. You're not some serial killer, are you?"
They both laughed. Ariana didn't laugh so sincerely. She was getting scared. She's read about it in some novels how some couples were ambushed and killed. The guards who followed them and surrounded the whole perimeter didn't make the matter any better.
Calhoun could perceive Ariana was no longer comfortable.
"When we came here two days back, I didn't get to show you the best part of this place," Calhoun laughed.
"What other part?" Ariana questioned, frightened and confused at the same time.
"Close your eyes," Calhoun beamed. He was smiling all along. He seemed to be the only one enjoying this whole strange rendezvous.
Ariana's eyes increased in size as she stared at him. This was the exact thing that happened in movies right before the couples got killed by the serial killer lurking in the dark.
"Come on, just trust me. Close your eyes," he pleaded.
"Okay, okay. Fine," Ariana finally agreed.
Calhoun made sure her eyes were close. Ariana heard him clap twice and she was itching to know what was about to happen.
"You can now open your eyes," Calhoun announced.
At first Ariana couldn't believe it. It was like she had been transported to a different place. A different world entirely.
The whole park came alive. It became like daytime. Lights from paper lanterns hung on trees were everywhere. There was a white table at the small clearing at the centre. In this part of the park, the trees gave way for an opening above and the stars danced around the moon.
"Let's sit, shall we?" Calhoun gestured with his hand towards one of the chair around the table. He was a proper gentleman this one.
"Thank you," Ariana barely mumbled. Calhoun drew the chair for her and she sat. He went over to the other side and sat as well.
No sooner had Calhoun sat had three people appeared from no where. Ariana was startled.
"Don't be afraid," Calhoun assured, "It's just food."
The people who had appeared were holding silver trays and they set them on the table. The appetizing aroma filled the atmosphere as they opened the dishes and served.
"Bon appetite!" Calhoun exclaimed in French. He was starving, and so was Ariana. They both dug into the steamy spicy meal that was set before them.
In minutes, they had ravaged the tasty lobster. Calhoun took a sip of the red wine and cleared his throat.
"This may be a little 'uncooked' cause I barely had time to prepare it well," Calhoun announced. Ariana wondered what he was going on about.
Calhoun cleared his throat a second time and began, like some opera singer:
"I've got lost in your eyes,
A million times over,
Only to be found
in your arms,
And my emotions take over.
You've been the air that I breath
The only beauty that I see
The concoction that is sweet
To the very portion of your lips.
And I've been a patient of your love,
Will you be mine?
Let's live forever, my love
And let fools keep track of time."
Calhoun walked closer to the other side of the table where she sat, and he knelt on one knee. "Ariana Brown, will you marry me?"
Her heart froze as he held out the shiny object towards her. Ariana had lost her breath. For a split second it seemed the whole world was staring at her. How could he still want to marry her after all he's known about her parents? Who falls in love so foolishly?
"Yes," Ariana said with a tear in her eye. "Yes, I'll marry you Calhoun Lawson. Loving you is the only thing that makes sense in my life. And getting married to you will just be the encyclopedia I need to live."
Calhoun jumped in excitement and steadied himself to place the ring on her finger. He hugged her and showered her with kisses.
"I've waited for this day the whole of my life. You've no idea how happy you've made me," Calhoun stared passionately into Ariana's eyes, "and I'll take care of you. You'll never regret this, my love, I promise..."