Chapter 5 A Ring Waiting for a Yes

Victor.

Five years, and Bonnie’s room at home is still empty.

Some mornings, I woke up expecting to hear music blaring from her room. Then reality hit. She wasn’t here anymore.

The headaches never really left. Sometimes dizziness came with it, or moments where my mind went foggy and I forgot things I should remember. The strong meds helped, but they didn’t fix everything. I still felt responsible. If I had been stricter, if I had protected her better, maybe she would still be here.

I sat in my office staring out at the city. This building, this company — it was my father’s legacy. I had taken it and made it bigger than he ever dreamed. I had changed the world. But Dad wasn’t here to see it. Mom wasn’t. And the one that hurt most was Bonnie.

I rubbed my temple and tried to push the thoughts away. Today wasn’t the day for that. Today, I was going to propose to Jasmine.

I looked at the ring on my desk. It sparkled under the light. She lived in Amsterdam for her job as a senior investment banker. Brilliant, ambitious, the love of my life. I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

Tyler walked in without knocking, like always. He dropped into the chair across from me and grinned.

“Everything’s ready for the proposal. Private jet, violinist, the whole thing. Are you nervous?”

I picked up the ring and slipped it into my pocket. “No.”

Tyler laughed. “Bullshit. You look nervous, man. What time’s her flight?”

I checked my watch. “Thirty minutes. I should head to the airport.”

My phone buzzed. Jasmine. I smiled and opened it.

Baby, I’m sorry. I couldn’t board. A deal clicked at the last minute, and I couldn’t walk away. I’ll make it up to you.

My mood dropped. Tyler noticed right away. “What?”

“It’s Jasmine. She can’t make it.”

“I knew it.” He leaned back, shaking his head. “Why didn’t she tell you sooner? She knew you were waiting.”

I was already calling her.

She picked up on the first ring.

“Hey baby,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. Just stressed. This deal is huge, Victor. It could change everything for my career.”

“We talked when you were at the airport. You knew I was waiting. How could you decide to stay without even telling me?”

“Why are you shouting?” she snapped. “You’re not my boss, Victor.”

I wasn’t shouting. I took a breath. “Baby, I just miss you. I want you to prioritize me for once instead of work.”

“Work matters too,” she said. “If you want to see me, book a flight and come here.”

I tried to stay calm while Tyler gave me side eyes and mouthed things I ignored. “The last time I came to Amsterdam, I barely saw you. I stayed two weeks, and we didn’t even…” I paused, glancing at Tyler. I wanted to say we hadn’t had sex. Hadn’t cuddled. Hadn’t talked properly. I felt like a stranger in my own relationship.

I swallowed. “Look, I miss you. I want a family. It’s been five years of dating, and you keep putting it off. I don’t want to wait anymore. I want a woman in my life, Jasmine. I want that woman to be you.”

Tyler mouthed, "Not gonna happen." I ignored him.

She went quiet.

Then she asked, “Have you been cheating on me?”

“What?” I said, surprised.

“Have you been faithful these past five years? I know how horny you get, and we haven’t had sex in two months because I’ve been so busy. You must be getting it somewhere. Who is she? Is it someone at your company?”

“Excuse me?”

“Answer me, Victor.”

Tyler watched me like a hawk. I hated defending myself in front of him.

“I’ve never cheated,” I said. “I’ve been faithful. Why would you even think that? Is this about you? Are you—”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m not.”

I took a breath. “I want to see you. You have to let that deal go and come to Los Angeles.”

“Are you making me choose between you and my job?”

I’d had enough. I knew I wanted marriage. I had planned everything.

“It’s not an ultimatum,” I said. “But it’s time you prioritized me for once.”

“I’m done talking,” she said.

“Jasmine, If you hang up on me, that’s it. You no longer have me as a boyfriend. Understand?”

She hung up.

I stared at the dark screen. “She hung up on me. On the day I was going to propose.”

Tyler leaned forward. “Come on, man. Forget her. That girl doesn’t love you.”

I stood up and walked out. Tyler called after me, but I didn’t stop.

…

I didn’t know where I was going until I reached Bonnie’s grave.

In times like this, when my heart felt this broken, coming here had become comfort. I have done it so many times over the last five years.

I touched her name engraved on the stone.

“Bonnie, after five years…” I whispered. “Five years of me flying to Amsterdam, making time, trying to make it work, while she always had excuses. Work. Deals. Emergencies. It's finally over.”

The ring in my pocket felt heavy. I pulled it out and turned it over in my hand. I had planned a whole proposal today. I had pictured her face when I got down on one knee. Instead, she hung up on me.

"I guess it’s time to forget Jasmine. Or what do you think?"

I waited for an answer I knew wasn't gonna come.

Then, I slipped the ring back into my pocket. I didn’t know who this ring would go to now. Maybe no one.

Then I noticed the fresh flowers. I knew who put them there. Claire. Even after I told her to stay away. Why couldn’t she just leave me alone? I walked back to my car. I needed to see her. I needed to remind her to stay away.

...

I parked across the street from her little restaurant and sat there watching Claire through the window.

Why was I really here? To yell at her? To dump all my aggression on her like a punching bag? Yeah. That was probably it.

She had taken my baby sister away. Bonnie was sweet and innocent, and Claire ruined her. I hated her. The hate scared me sometimes. I wished I could wake up one morning and forget her. Forget how much I hated her. But I couldn’t.

I gripped the steering wheel, staring at the shop, rage boiling under my skin.

Then, three big men walked in. One grabbed her arm. She tried to pull away. He yanked her forward.

My first thought was, "This is her mess." He's probably one of her boyfriends. Let her deal with it.

I started the car but didn’t drive. What if something bad happened? Those guys looked dangerous. My conscience nagged at me. I hated that I still had one.

I killed the engine, got out, and crossed the street.

“Let her go,” I said as I pushed open the door.

Claire froze. Her eyes went wide, like she’d seen a ghost.

“Uncle Victor…” she whispered.

The man let go of her arm and turned.

“Who the hell are you?”

I pulled out my phone. “I’m calling the cops.”

I started dialling. He moved fast, grabbed a heavy metal plaque off the counter, and swung it at my head.