02-The proposal

"You've no idea what you mean, Kevin." Mrs Kord objected "As the only son of the Kord family you deserve an almost perfect wife which will be if not impossible, difficult to find."

"Mother, calm down." Kevin said "I have someone in mind."

"You do?" asked a surprise Mrs Kord.

"Good then," Mr Kord remarked before getting up and leaving the table. Elliot followed suit but hid in the shadows to eavesdrop.

Mrs Kord leaned forward and whispered, "Who is she? Do you really love her or did you just make that up to impress your father??"

"No," answered Kevin "There is infact someone and you know her. I have always been in love with her mom."

"Oh, I see.." her words trailed of and then picking up her pace she asked "Are you speaking of Selene Wilson?"

"Yes."

"I..I thought you both are just strictly childhood friends??"

"We are," Kevin sipped his wine "But I grew to love her beyond a childhood friend."

"Alright..but..but does she love you?"

Turning, Kevin frowns and then says "Of course she does! I will have the beach floor designed to her taste because I'd propose to her there."

"Okay," Mrs Kord quietly agreed.

....

Elliot picked up his hood and walked out of the house immediately after dinner. He drove himself down to the Wilson's house and requested to see Selene with the excuse that he came to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

The Wilson's felt glad with Elliot's thoughtfulness and let him be with Selene. Offering him a glass of wine, Selene remarked,

"Never in years have you been to my house just to wish me compliments of the season. Tell me what's going on?"

Elliot forced a chuckle, "We're friends, Selene. I felt bored so I thought you'd be the right person to lift my spirit."

"Is that so?" Selene replied sarcastically and they both began to laugh.

"Well," Selene began "What's new about this year?"

"Kevin's intention of proposing to you," Elliot answered as his eyes held her gaze wanting to see her reaction.

It was priceless. Dropping her wine glass on the center table she sat down beside Elliot, her cheeks a faint color of pink.

"You..you don't mean that??"

"Of course I do," Elliot confirmed "Why are you flushed?"

"What do you mean by that?" Selene brushes it off "Kevin is handsome, charismatic and wonderful. Certainly any lady will be happy to be his."

"Not at all and that is why I have come to you," the seriousness in Elliot's tone made the romance in the air fade away.

Selene stared at him, "What do you mean?"

"Now, father ordered Kevin to get married or lose his inheritance. We all know it would be impossible, if not difficult to find a wife for Kevin due to his blindness. Due to this, they have decided you will be the wife as you're an easier catch. You have been a friend and of course, you love Kevin very much however he does not feel the same way for you."

"He will only be marrying you to secure his inheritance, nothing more."

"That's not true." Selene's voice was a whisper.

"You can think about it," Elliot finished his wine glass having achieved the desired effect from Selene "If he truly loves you he would have proposed years ago. You have been friends with him for twenty-five years Selene yet he only had to wait till it's necessary before he propose to you."

"I didn't want to be a bad friend by keeping quiet about this, I know you love Kevin but he doesn't deserve you since he doesn't love you. He will try to deceive you but to be forewarned is to be forearmed."

With that, Elliot left the Wilson's mansion and a happy Selene hurt. Either way, his mission has been accomplished. As he slid into his car, he grinned widely.

If Kevin does not find a wife to marry, the inheritance will come to him instead and for this reason Elliot will do anything to thwart Kevin's plans.

....

"You look quite happy today, Kevin." Ian noticed as he walked into Kevin's office the next day. "Is this excitement caused by the New Year celebration or something I don't know about?"

"I will be getting married soon, Ian." Kevin said with a big smile on his face.

"You're pulling my legs," Ian could not believe it "Why so soon?? You didn't have a girlfriend you kept from me, did you?? I'm your best friend!"

"Take a chill pill," Kevin crossed his legs, enjoying the show "Mr Kord asked me to get married soon or lose my inheritance. I can't let my elder brother have what's mine so I'm getting married."

"To?"

"Selene." answered Kevin.

"And have you proposed?"

"I'll be doing that tonight and that is why I have called for you. I need you to accompany my chaffuer to fetch the most beautiful ring, no matter the cost."

"You must really love her, Kevin. I've never seen you so happy."

"I do, Ian. If Mr Kord had not made this announcement I probably would have hidden my love for her for the rest of my life."

"I wish you all the luck in the world," Ian said.

....

The bar beach at Willow-ridge looked like a paradise by the time the decorations were finished. Every lady that had gathered there could not help but be eaten by suspense over who the bride will be.

All of them had come dressed in their best outfit incase the CEO is to choose from among the crowd. However their hopes were dashed the moment, Selene Wilson made her entry. The woman looked stunning and dazzling that her exquisiteness gave away the answer.

Everyone agreed that Selene was a bad choice for Kevin but who were they to voice out their opinion. They merely watched as Kevin and Selene shared a short dance and then everywhere became quiet.

The paparazzi took their stands, everyone's phone was active as no one wanted to miss this important moment in Willow-ridge. Elliot was surprised to see Selene in attendance. Didn't his words do enough explanation??

Kevin held Selene's hands in his, kissed her knuckles and went down on one knee.

"Even I kept waiting for this day, Selene," Kevin began with his mapped out speech "When I would finally be bold enough to tell you how much I have always loved you and I still do. Despite my blindness now, I have not forgotten how your beauty captivated me in our teenage years. I imagined you in my arms forever, fulfilling your dreams and mine. I..I want you with me, Selene because I love you very much. I promise to love you beyond your senses, take you to the moon and back, and be your knight in shining armor. Will you marry me, Selene Wilson?"

A long moment of silence ensued save for the clicking of cameras and the giggles of the ladies. The organizers were at alert as they had to let down beautiful and shining materials down on the couple once she agreed. Everyone could guess the outcome of this proposal and so there were already shouts and screams here and there which made the organizers lose focus and think Selene had actually agreed and so they let down the flowers.

At that moment, Selene opened her lips and said,

"No, I cannot marry you."