Loved

Iris’s p. o. v.

—————

After a while of thinking and consideration, Claudette and I decided to make the proposal party a small one.

I personally wanted it smaller than that, possibly just two people and a ring but Claudette does know how to throw a fit.

So we chose his office as the venue and invited a few people asides from his employees.

Edward, Guillermo, Claudette, Mrs Reid and her children ( well except Meredith and of course Michelle ) and some business partners he was particularly fond of.

Mrs Reid took it as a point of duty to invite some of Meredith’s friends.

That also, I saw no use for.

Nine o’clock pm sharp.

It’s time for Michelle to walk into her surprise.

” Hurry! Cut the lights, Mr Reid is here ”

Here was our plan.

We’d decorate the office reception to throw a small party while Mr Reid tries to convince Michelle into coming here.

When they arrive, we shut the lights and wait for Michelle to step in. After which we’ll jump and yell surprise before Hunter proposes.

It was all Claudette’s idea and not mine, so I did mention to give her the credit. Not like he even cared.

Someone killed the lights and the room was suddenly shadowed in darkness as the silent clattering settled down.

Currently Chance and Clarissa were by my sides and we were diligently waiting for the expected guests to make an entrance.

The revving of a car engine was heard and everyone was certain that it had to be them.

In the darkness, I could make out Hunter’s frame moving ahead of the crowd with a little box in his hand.

He was so tensed that his stance was rigid and you could clearly see his shoulders rising and falling as he took breaths.

” Daddy are you sure he’s still at work? All the lights are out.” It was Michelle’s muffled voice from outside that was an indication of her nearness.

” Yes darling, just go in” Mr Reid encouraged in response.

” Daddy you love me right? So you wouldn’t murder me right?”

Mr Reid only laughed at her question and their figures became visible through the automatic glass doors.

As soon as they stepped on the mat, the door slid open, revealing the forms of Mr Reid with his hand on Michelle’s lower back who looked like she was about to say something before we cut her in.

Immediately, some one turned on the lights and Michelle blinked multiple times to adjust her eyes.

” SURPRISE!!” everyone shouted, including me and the expression on Michelle’s face was actually that of shock.

Hunter took a few steps forward till he was directly before Michelle and Mr Reid, meanwhile Michelle’s eyes followed his every movement as he approached her. Her eyes filled with a certain kind of affection I couldn’t place.

But when Hunter got down on one knee, she looked like she was about to pass out.

Hunter lifted the tiny box up with both hands and began speaking.

” Michelle. We’ve known each other for a long while and I swear I’ve never been glad to meet anyone as much as I have. I want your face to be the one that I wake up to, I want your laugh to be the only thing that keeps me at ease, I want to watch you grow old and tell stories to your grandchildren. I want us to conquer the world together. So would you do me the honors and be the wife to an idiot like me?” He concluded and opened the box to reveal a diamond that sparkled even from my point of view.

Awww’s were heard from every corner of the room and I swear I saw Mrs Reid wipe a tear from her eyes.

It was only Chance who smirked at the scenario and muttered ‘ pussy whipped ‘ underneath his breath.

Michelle took a few seconds to stare at him in awe.

” You’re.. you’re serious?” She stuttered and a little demon deep within my heart was expecting a rejection due to the fact that they haven’t been in good terms previously.

A rejection would be a very nice way for karma to pay Hunter back in his own coin.

He nodded at her question signaling he was indeed serious and so quickly, Michelle fell into his arms and squeezed him tight before yelling a very loud yes.

The excitement began buzzing through out the entire room and an applause was given.

Hunter stood to his feet and placed a long kiss on Michelle’s lips and she returned it whole heartedly.

I hadn’t realized that I was staring at the engaged couple making out till Chance pushed a glass of wine into my sight.

” Thanks” I silently said and accepted the glass from him. He only quaked a brow at my behavior but turned around and began making an announcement.

” Cheers to a new beginning” he shouted and everyone else shouted their cheers in reply and clicked their glasses together.

It was only now that I got a look around my environment to see that everyone had a glass in their hold.

Everybody bore smiles on their lips and began exchanging conversations.

My line of sight returned back to the latest couple ahead who were giggling and laughing in each other’s hold.

I’ve never seen such a smile on Hunter’s lips before. So genuine and heart felt. Not one of pretense or teasing. It came directly from his heart.

This is what I wanted for him right? For Mr Reid to help so he could be free and I’ll end up with Mason.

But why does it feel so wrong? Why am I having a choked feeling deep inside?

Someone turned on the mini stereo in the room locked away by R. City began blasting through.

If I got locked away,

And we lost it all today,

Tell me honestly.

Would you still love me the same?

If I showed you my flaws,

And if I couldn’t be strong,

Could you promise me.

Would you still love me the same?

I shouldn’t feel like crying when I saw Hunter twirl Michelle and they began dancing to the music.

I shouldn’t feel like running out of the room because everything is suffocating and choking my senses.

I shouldn’t feel this way.

But guess what?

I do.

I have no idea what is wrong with me. This was exactly what I wanted. This was the exact reason why I agreed to work with Hunter. Why does it now feel so foreign?.

” Someone doesn’t look happy for the couple”

I turned the see Chance standing behind me as he sipped his wine.

” What do you mean? I’m happy for them, I really am” I plastered a fake smile on my lips as I spoke.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

” Next time you wanna lie, make sure your eyes aren’t watering”

” It’s tears of joy” I lied. Again.

” I know” he sarcastically responded and took his eyes to the couple who were making out once again.

” It actually surprised me that you were able to stay under the same roof with that nincompoop. That idiot and I couldn’t stay in my apartment for a week before I kicked him back to his mansion” he took another sip of his wine but didn’t stop admiring the two lovers.

” We hardly see each other so there’s no big effect”

” That’s not what I’m referring to” he turned back to me and ran his eyes all over my face. ” I’m talking about the fact that after everything he did to you, you could still work for him, talk to him, heck even live with him. Jules you’re not real”

” What do you mean not real?”

” I mean, you’re the girl with the biggest heart that I have ever seen and I know I haven’t said this before, but I’m sorry. For what I’ve done to you in the past and for Hunter’s too”

” It’s okay. I hold nothing against you” I finally had a sip from my glass.

” That’s why I said you’re not real. A normal human would hold so many things against me and not even attend this engagement party. After all he’s done to you, you still wanna see him happy. Believe it or not Jules, you’re a good woman” he smirked at his last words and I laughed.

At least something to take my mind off the irky feeling.

” Well then, thank you” I smiled and he playfully ruffled my hair.

” Hey!” I whined but he only leaned in to whisper something into my ear.

” Someone’s waiting for you, maybe we’ll talk some other time” he said and pointed behind me.

So I looked around and saw Mason walking up to me with a smile on his face.

Chance disappeared immediately and left Mason and I by ourselves.

I’m actually grateful for that.

” Hey” he greeted.

” Hi”