Chapter 4 : The proposal

The café was bustling with the sound of chatter and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.

As Anthony ordered their drinks and snacks, Catherina couldn't help but consider the recent happenings that made her heart heavy. 

She could barely see that light said to always be at the end of the tunnel. All she could see was an end to her relationship with Anthony.

It had kicked off so early that she planned, then, just like that, it was going down the hill as she hadn't planned either. All she had to do was look into his face and wait for what he had determined to do.

The order came, and she took a sip of her coffee and set her eyes on him. All he did was stare back too.

"I promise to love you with all that I am, to cherish you for the rest of my days," Anthony whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "You are the light in my life, the one who brings me joy and peace. I want to spend every moment with you, my dear Catherina." 

Catherina felt her heart swell with emotion, touched by his words and the love that shone in his eyes.

She was reticent for a while, and the world seemed to pause as she looked on. “Is this real?” She asked and reached out to touch his hand, feeling the warmth of his touch. It was then that Anthony spoke again.

"Catherina, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation. 

Catherina's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing with excitement and disbelief. She stood up, unsure of what to say, her emotions swirling inside her. 

"This...this is so sudden, Anthony," she stammered, her voice filled with emotion. "I...I don't know what to say." 

Anthony reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. 

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Catherina," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "Please, say you'll be my wife." 

A lot surrounded their love, and there seemed to be no way; this made Catherina shake her head, both in dismay and in nervousness. “You're traveling,” she said.

“And that is why I am doing this. Mother will make it happen. But she has her plans; I have mine, too. She doesn't want you, but I'll go and make sure you come join me. This will work only if you let me,” he added.

Catherina felt tears welling up in her eyes as she gazed at the ring, the symbol of their love and commitment. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. 

"Yes, Anthony," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Yes, I will wait for you." 

Anthony's face broke into a wide smile as he slipped the ring onto her finger, the cool metal sending a shiver of excitement through her. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they embraced. 

"This is my promise to you, Catherina," he said, his voice filled with love. "I will come back to you, no matter where life takes me. Believe in us, in our love." 

Catherina held onto him tightly, feeling the weight of his promise and the depth of his love. She brushed her lips against his, the kiss filled with passion and tenderness. 

“Don't forget me,” she said amid her tears.

“How can I forget you, my love,” he whispered back into her ears.

***

A week later, Anthony was on his way to the airport. His mother was beside him in the car and all he did was stare at the long and winding road.

He knew that the further he went, the more he was ripped apart from Catherina, and even though he wanted to stop this, he knew that he had his plans in motion.

“Anthony, my dear, here is Natasha's number. She'll receive up you,” Mrs. Moyes gave him Natasha's number and he took it without saying a word. Mrs. Moyes went on to talk about Natasha as a sweet girl. "Natasha is such a sweet girl, Anthony. I really think you should give her a chance."

"I remember her, mom. How can I forget my childhood friend."

"I can just picture the two of you together, Anthony. You would make such a lovely couple."

Anthony nodded with a smile. The nod affirmed his suspicion that his mother wanted him and Natasha to be; just as Natasha's mother, Madam Cash, wanted them to be.

After a while, Anthony picked up his phone and called Catherina, his mother listened in on the call.

"Hello baby, in fifteen minutes, I'll board the plane. I will call you with my new number when I get all right."

Mrs. Moyes couldn't help but interject after the call was over. Still making known her preference. "You know, Natasha would make a much better girlfriend than Catherina. She seems like a lovely girl."

Anthony remained silent. Just as his mother had plans, he had his, too.

At the airport, after Anthony hugged his mother and headed towards the aircraft, Mrs. Moyes put a call through to Madam Cash. "Madam Cash, Anthony is on the plane now."

"Thank you for letting me know, Mrs. Moyes. I will take care of things on this end,” Madam Cash replied from the other side.

Madam Cash then dialed Natasha's number and gave her some instructions. "Natasha, Anthony is on the plane already. Make sure you cut his communication with that wench. That is the first thing."

"I know what to do, mummy. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

"Remember, Natasha. Anthony is our ticket to a better life. He is the heir to all his father left. You, as his wife, stand a chance to do most of it after divorce. We can't let anyone get in the way of that."

“Don't worry, mummy. I'll make sure that Catherina is out of the picture by all means,” Natasha answered.

“Very well, my sweet little girl.”