Noticing the lady in Mark's arms, Melissa took a step back. Sasha was wearing a short cringing dress and heels that made her stand face to face with him.
"Oh! Sorry sir. I didn't know you have company. Ms. White is here, should I take her to the waiting room?" Hearing the secretary's words, Mark pushed Sasha away making her stagger before regaining her balance.
"No, she is on her way out. Come in Melissa." When Mark dismissed her, Sasha looked at the secretary sternly eyes narrower with a frown on her face.
Seeing them together, Melissa held her bag tightly with both hands to stop herself from running out of the office.
'You're just his employee, not his lover so don't act jealous Melissa.' She said in her heart several times before walking into the office.
"Mark!" Turning his back on Sasha he looked at Melissa. He was trying to get rid of Sasha when they walked in, now he was anxious she might misinterpret and turn him down.
Sasha adjusted her dress, turned around looked at Melissa with eyebrows pulled down as her mouth quivered. She stood a few steps from her biting her lower lip, taking her bag she intentionally bumped into Melissa as she left the office walking gracefully swaying her hips.
Bowing her head for the hundredth time, the secretary apologized as she closed the office door leaving Melissa and Mark staring at each other.
The silence was broken by the ringing phone on his desk.
"Sorry for that, have a sit as I finish up." He sat behind his desk to answer the phone as she sat on the couch reading a business magazine.
A service lady brought coffee and Melissa's favorite ginger cookies as instructed by Mark. Seated there she wish she had stormed off as her instincts told her to. Now she was stuffing her mouth with cookies to calm herself down acting as if finding Sasha in his arms did hurt her.
Watching her attack the cookies put a smile on his face, more so hoping she takes tonight's surprise positively. He knew she was surprised and furious to find Sasha, but he was grand she didn't run off.
"Sir everything is set." The secretary informed him.
"Thank you, you can leave now." He dismissed his secretary. "Shall we?" He stood before Melissa offering his hand.
"Where are we going?" She asked placing the magazine on the table.
"It's a surprise." He held her hand.
~Have had enough surprises for one night.~ She murmured.
"What?" He asked for clarity.
"Nothing, let go. Can't wait to see what you have planned."
They went to the elevator that took them to the top floor that led to the rooftop. The sun had set leaving the dark night sky covered with bright dancing shining stars. A table for two was set before her with a bottle of champagne chilling and two wine glasses on the table. The candles arranged on the floor lit the way and some hanging around made the cool night feel warm and inviting.
"Wow." Everything was well arranged, from the candles to the red rose petals. She had never thought of Mark as a romantic, his secretary must have prepared everything but the idea of him having this prepared for her made her fall in love with him more. "This, wow it's breathtaking." He loved how her face lit up, eyebrows raised as she looked around.
For the first time in a long time, he saw that gorgeous lady he always watched at the park playing with spark. Her face lit up every time a spark brought her a rose flower just like it did. He walked to the table and opened the champagne. Poured the two glasses handing her one while she looked up at the sky.
"It's beautiful." She said looking at the stars.
"Breathtaking." He smiled looking at her smooth face. "I'm grand you didn't run off after finding Sasha in the office." He sipped his drink watching her reaction.
"I almost did but then I reminded myself that it's not my place to get jealous. You have known each other for a long, I understand it's hard for her since you called off the engagement." He was grand she understood their situation. Holding her hand, he walked her to the table giving her the single rose on the table as she sat down.
Smelling the sweet rosy smell, she saw a shiny object inside. Curious she peeled the petals one after the other to see what was inside. Perplexed she held the seven carat diamond ring in her hands, mouth agape she looked at Mark who went down on one knee taking her hand in his.
"Melissa, I know you think this is an arranged marriage but to me, it's not. For the longest time have been looking for that special someone but from the moment my eyes fell on you, I knew you are the one for me. Melissa White, will you marry me?"
"Oh my God, is this happing or I'm I just dreaming?" She said fanning her face. "Ouch, why did you pitch my hand?"
"To prove to you it's not a dream. I'm getting impatient here, my knee hurts can I get that answer?"
"Come on can't you let a girl savor the moment, I need a minute to think." She said laughing and enjoying the pitiful look on his face. Going down on her knees, she boldly kissed him on the lips. "Yes, I will marry you." Sliding the ring on her finger, he pulled her up holding her by the waist, and twirled her around laughing out of their breath.
The company staff uploaded as they walked out of the elevator congratulating them.
"Congratulations." Adam congratulated them as he went to open the passenger door for her but Mark stopped him. Opening it himself.
"Thank you." He took her hand in his kissing it passionately as he sat beside her. "You told Adam about the proposal dinner?"
"Yes, I told a few people." He said rising his shoulder helplessly. "I needed advice on how to carry myself since have never proposed before."
"I thought your secretary prepared everything. I loved the surprise but can I ask we keep this from the public?"
"Why?" He tightened his hold, afraid she may change her mind.
"Everyone knows Sasha is your fiancee and the big opening ceremony is coming up, I don't want this to spoil the event or have a problem with your grandfather. Most importantly, I don't want media following me around because of my work and investigation."
"Okay, that's not so hard. Grandfather was happy to see Tommy, he won't have a problem with us getting married."
"Okay but what of your employees, they may leak to the media?"
"They have signed a nonverbal agreement, they can't disclose anything that happens in the company." He kissed her palm affectionately. "I have to accompany Sasha at the party though." He looked at her inquisitively.
"It's okay, I'll be working most of the time, I know your grandfather asked you to, so humor him."
"Are you sure you will be okay? Since she knows about us she may cause trouble for you."
"Yeah it's okay, I can handle her myself." She put her head on his shoulder trustingly, though she didn't like the idea of him spending the entire evening accompanying Sasha, she didn't want to cause a fallout between him and his grandfather, especially on the important occasion.