Chapter 20

Another year passed.

It was not an entirely peaceful year, but it was filled with little moments that made Elena and Alexander's relationship stronger.

Elena graduated from university.

Alexander became more settled in his work and began taking on greater responsibilities within his father's company.

His family got to know her, and her name became a familiar presence in their home, as though she had been part of it for years.

As for Elena's family, they had grown accustomed to Alexander being in her life.

His appearances were no longer a surprise.

They had become perfectly natural.

As time passed, their relationship no longer needed an explanation.

Everyone knew that Alexander and Elena belonged together in a way that could no longer be ignored.

But Alexander was hiding something.

Something he had been working on for weeks.

One morning, Elena received a message from him.

"Be ready at six this evening."

She stared at the screen in confusion, then typed,

"Where are we going?"

His reply came quickly.

"This time, I'm not telling you."

"Alexander."

Another message appeared.

"My little angel, be patient. Don't be so impatient."

Elena paused at the word angel.

He had been calling her that for a while, but every time he said it, she felt something warm slipping into her heart.

She typed,

"I don't like surprises."

He replied,

"And I love seeing you surprised."

"If it's a bad surprise, I'll leave you all alone."

His response came immediately.

"Then I'd better make sure I succeed."

She smiled at the screen.

She had no idea that night would become one of the most memorable nights of her life.

At exactly six o'clock, Alexander arrived.

He was wearing an elegant suit, but nothing about his appearance felt overly formal.

When he saw Elena, he remained silent for a few seconds.

She looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

He smiled.

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"Because you're beautiful."

Her cheeks turned red.

"Alexander..."

"What? It's the truth."

Then he held out his hand to her.

"Come on, my angel."

She looked at his hand before placing hers in it.

"Where are we going?"

He smiled.

"You'll find out."

"That sentence doesn't reassure me."

He laughed.

"Trust me."

She got into the car with him.

Throughout the drive, Elena tried to figure out where they were headed, but she couldn't work it out.

Whenever she asked him, he gave her a vague answer.

Eventually, the car stopped in front of a place she had never expected.

Elena stepped out, then looked up in astonishment.

Before her stood a spacious, peaceful garden, with a small lake at its center reflecting the evening lights. A long path stretched ahead, bordered by trees and tiny lamps.

The garden looked as though it had come straight out of an old fairy tale.

She looked around.

"Where are we?"

Alexander closed the car door and approached her.

"It's a place I used to come to whenever I needed to think."

She turned toward him.

"Why did you bring me here?"

He smiled.

"Because I wanted this place to witness something important."

Her heart began to beat a little faster.

"Something important?"

"You'll find out."

She let out a sigh.

"You're seriously awful."

He chuckled softly.

"I know."

Then he held out his hand to her again.

"Come here."

She placed her hand in his.

Together, they walked between the trees.

The tiny lights shimmered across the surface of the lake, and the evening breeze carried the scent of flowers.

The farther they walked, the quieter Alexander seemed to become.

He was no longer joking as he usually did.

The familiar mischievous sparkle was absent from his eyes.

He looked as though he had been thinking about something ever since they arrived.

They stopped at the end of the path.

There was a small open space overlooking the lake directly.

In the center stood a little table decorated with white flowers.

Elena stared at it in astonishment.

"Alexander..."

He turned toward her.

"What is it?"

"Did you plan all of this?"

He smiled.

"Maybe."

Then he took a step forward.

"My angel..."

His tone changed.

Elena immediately understood that something was about to happen.

Her smile faded.

Alexander gazed at her for a long moment.

Then he said,

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

Despite her nervousness, she smiled.

"How could I forget? You helped me pick up my books."

He laughed.

"You were the one who dropped them."

"You're not supposed to remind me of that."

He moved closer.

"That day, I had no idea I was about to meet the person who would change my life."

He fell silent for a moment.

"I thought it was just a chance encounter."

Then he smiled.

"But I was wrong."

Elena lowered her eyes.

He continued,

"After that, I started looking for every opportunity to see you."

She laughed shyly.

"And you kept pretending it was all a coincidence."

"I had some dignity back then."

She laughed.

Then silence returned.

But this time, it carried something far more significant.

Alexander reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

Elena's eyes widened.

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

"Alexander..."

To be continued...