A proposal at first glance

Chapter 1

"No, please, let me go! Let me go! That's my mom and dad! I want Mom and Dad!"

It’s been over four years since I lost my parents, and yet, I still remember it like it happened yesterday. A little girl crying on her birthday—the same day her parents were buried. I was so young then.

But I had Grandpa. Ever since they passed, he’s been the one taking care of me. He’s always been there, kind and dependable. I’ve always done my best to grant his wishes because he means the world to me.

So, when I found out Grandpa had cancer, something inside me shattered. I realized time was no longer on our side. One evening, I overheard him talking to Mr. Sholis, one of his closest friends.

"I want to see my Camila get married someday—even if it's the day I take my last breath," Grandpa said with a bittersweet smile. "It would make me so happy. She’s always been so distant when it comes to love. And she’s so beautiful, so ready to get married."

"I know she will, Damian," Mr. Sholis replied gently. "Just give her time. You can’t rush love."

His words began to fade into the background as I slipped into deep thought. If I don’t get married soon, Grandpa might die with that one wish left unfulfilled. And something about that made it feel like I'd be letting him down in the worst way.

Later that week, Kim, one of my closest friends and colleagues, approached me with her usual sense of intuition.

"Hey, girl. What’s up? You haven’t been yourself lately. Is everything okay?"

She always knew when something was off with me. We hadn’t even been close for that long, but for some reason, I found it easy to open up to her—and she to me.

"I’m just worried about my grandpa. He wants me to get married… and he has an incurable disease. I really want to make him happy while I still can."

Kim's eyes widened. "Wait—hold up. You say that like marriage is something you can just jump into. Even if you want to grant his wish, it’s still going to take time to find the right person."

I shrugged. "To be honest, I’ve never really cared much about marriage. It’s just not something I’ve ever been interested in. So I don’t mind marrying anyone, really."

Kim blinked. "Even if you’re not interested, your partner might be. That’s not something to take lightly."

I nodded slowly, realizing how complicated this really was.

"You should take a break," she said, her voice gentle. "I’ll cover for you today, okay?"

I smiled faintly, thanked her, and packed up my things. As I walked out of the company building, my mind was clouded with thoughts—so much so that I didn’t notice the person in front of me until I almost walked right into him.

"Watch where you’re going," a sharp voice snapped.

I stumbled slightly and looked up. "Oh my God, I’m so sorry," I blurted, trying to catch my balance.

"There are better places to think than the middle of the road. Next time, watch where you’re going," he said coolly before walking toward the sleek Bugatti Chiron parked nearby.

I froze. That voice… that face… it was him. My cold, handsome boss.

Despite his arrogant personality and dark reputation, nearly every woman I knew chased after him. And I couldn't exactly blame them—he was a dangerously charming playboy.

I wonder if marriage would mean anything to someone like him.

"Should I…?" I whispered.

"No, of course not," I muttered, shaking my head. Why would someone like him be interested in someone like me? I wasn’t desperate enough to ask my boss to marry me. Or was I?

Exhausted and mentally drained, I walked toward my car. A strange wish welled up in my chest—I just wish someone would ask me to marry them.

I ended up driving aimlessly around the city. Oddly, the roads were unusually clear, which was rare. Eventually, I pulled up in front of a bar, needing something—anything—to distract me.

To be honest, it was my first time going into a bar alone.

The music hit me the moment I stepped inside—louder than I expected. I glanced around and saw some married coworkers flirting shamelessly, hands all over women who weren’t their wives.

If marriage is supposed to be such a big deal, why would they do something like this behind their partners’ backs?

Disgusted, I made my way to the bar and slammed my hand lightly on the counter to get the bartender’s attention.

"A tequila, please," I said, keeping my eyes on the counter.

Just then, I heard a man’s voice beside me.

"Do you think I care, Grandpa? I didn’t like her. I’m not in a rush to get married. Just give me time," he said, placing some bills on the counter and turning to leave.

I turned and watched as he walked toward the exit.

There was something about him—his voice, his demeanor—that pulled me in. Maybe it was desperation, maybe fate, but I knew I couldn’t let that moment pass.

Without thinking, I dug into my purse, threw down some money for my drink—probably more than needed—and rushed after him.

He was just about to get into a sleek black Mercedes-Benz C300 when I called out, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Will you marry me then?"

He froze, his hand on the car door.

Time seemed to stop.

Even I couldn’t believe the words had just come out of my mouth.