Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 111

Sophia covered her mouth with her hands.

She realized she was just as every female lead was when she was being proposed to.

“Just to be clear, you’re not proposing to marry me… right?”

Nicholas gave her a look.

“Are you going to allow me to continue or what?” He asked her.

“Right, sorry, continue on with what you were saying,” Sophia giggled.

Nicholas smiled appreciatively before he kneeled.

Sophia lowered her head to see him. He hadn’t denied her assumptions.

Was he actually…?

No, it couldn’t be.

She was in denial, as usual.

“A replica of my family’s heirloom, my parents wouldn’t pass it down to me, so I had one made to your liking,” he said bashfully.

He chuckled, “I know it’s quite soon, but in every future possibility I have, it’s always included you.”

“So, Sophia Helena, he hesitated before finishing, “Victoria Belle Windsor.”

He read her mind, “Yes, I did memorize your full name, it was quite a daunting task.”

He managed to make her laugh with his joke.

“Will you do me the absolute honour of accepting this proposal and becoming my girlfriend?”

Nicholas asked hopefully, giving her those eyes she found harder and harder to resist with time.

Sophia remained silent, ad Nicholas’ doubt grew and grew.

What if she said no?

What if she declined and walked away?

What if she wasn’t ready for the idea of dating?

What if she wasn’t ready for the idea of having him as her boyfriend?

What if she never considered dating before?

What if she just didn’t like him?

They’d never discussed it before, nevertheless he was hoping she’d say yes.

He was hoping she’d relieve the anticipation he felt.

With all sorts of emotions bubbling up inside him, Nicholas felt mortified.

All kinds of possibilities swarmed through his mind.

She could’ve said to him what she said to Bartholomew.

‘No, she wouldn’t do that,’ a voice in his head coaxed.

She warned him, “Mind you, I’ve never dated anyone before so this whole dating is new to me.”

Nicholas smiled, “I know, it’s my first time… too.”

He wouldn’t rather have dated anyone other than Sophia. She was his world.

Now whether or not she’d be his was in her hands.

“What’s your answer?” He brought up, hoping she had an answer and wasn’t stalling.

“Yes,” Sophia whispered, a small smile forming.

“What?”

“I said yes,” Sophia repeated, her smile widening. She couldn’t help but smile, it was a joyous occasion and something to celebrate!

His jaw dropped.

“YOU SAID YES!” He yelled, picking her up and spinning her around as though she was that lightweight.

Sophia exclaimed mid-air, “I said yes!”

“You said yes!” Nicholas repeated just as excitedly.

“We’re dating now!” She said, she couldn’t believe it, she raised her hands in the air in triumph before asking him to let her down.

She was dating him.

He was her boyfriend.

He was her significant other.

She was his girlfriend.

She was a girlfriend.

She had a boyfriend now.

He was hers.

Things were different than before.

She had a glimpse of the sky. She wondered if her mother was watching.

She wondered if her mother was somewhere in heaven watching over her.

“I’ve got a boyfriend, mom,” she whispered indistinctively, staring at the evening sky.

“I’ve got someone who cares about me.”

Something landed on Sophia’s nose right after Nicholas placed her down.

“Is it snowing?” She asked.

“That’s impossible, it’s still autumn,” she stated before she realized it wasn’t snow, but rose petals.

She looked upwards.

“How…”

Nicholas motioned to what stood behind Sophia. They weren’t the only ones there.

Clarisse was beaming from ear to ear, standing beside Blaine.

Louis nodded at her, Sophia grinned. She’d gotten his approval. Finally, she’d gotten his approval.

Oliver watched from afar, proud of his brother. He’d gone for it, and he’d succeeded. Nothing stopped him.

He’d gone for exactly what made him happiest, what made him keep going all this time.

He didn’t hold anything back when it came to him and Sophia, and he wished he’d find love as pure as theirs.

He knew what he wanted. He knew exactly what was stopping him from achieving it and making a move.

He didn’t want her hurt in the middle of all the crossfire, nor did he want her to have to feel guilty for not reciprocating his feelings.

He watched as Sophia and Nicholas kissed.

He closed his eyes and looked away.

His brother and his girlfriend kissing was the last thing he wanted to remember seeing.

“Nope,” he looked away.

“I should go now.”

He wished Clarisse and Blaine goodbye before he left to return back to the palace.

The… ah, festivities had ended, there was no reason for him to stay any longer.

He entered the palace, replacing his previously merry facade with his usual, gloomy disposition.

“Another nightmare of a day,” he grumbled, feeling lonely as ever.

Right behind him were Clarisse and Blaine.

“Do you have to leave?” Clarisse asked him, pouting.

“Can’t you stay any longer?” She asked, a glint of hopefulness in her eyes.

He secretly wished he didn’t have to work. Sure, he was grateful to be able to run such a successful company but it made him unable to spend more time with those he loved most. Say, his own girlfriend.

“Babe, you know I can’t,” he replied guiltily.

He said the two words she despised hearing, “Duty calls.”

It was selfish to want him all to herself but she still did.

“Bummer,” Clarisse said disappointedly.

“I really wish you could stay,” she said.

“I do too, babe.”

“But I really got to go.”

“See you for breakfast? I’ll be working till midnight,” Blaine informed her.

“Alright,” Clarisse nodded.

Oh, the disadvantages that came with dating the CEO to one of the world’s most powerful corporations…

__

“So you’re no longer single anymore,” Clarisse said to Sophia enthusiastically.

“Grats, Soph.”

“Never thought I’d see this day if I’m being honest.”

She cooed, “But I was wrong.”

She said singsongingly, “You’re all grown up now.”

Sophia was weirded out.

“You’ve got to stop,” she said to Clarisse.

“I’m just trying to enjoy my first ever breakfast as a… no longer single woman.”

“Shouldn’t you be off somewhere enjoying breakfast with your boyfriend?” Clarisse asked, emphasising the word ‘boyfriend’.

Sophia shrugged.

“I decided I’d spend my first day with my friends and family.”

“He asked grandmere for permission,” she told Clarisse.

Clarisse nodded, “And you’re avoiding her because she’s going to gloat.”

Sophia nodded, “Exactly.”

“Who knew she was such an amazing matchmaker, your grandmother. It’s impressive.”

“If she’s no longer busy dealing with royal matters and… cleaning up after Emilia, she should consider being a matchmaker, or a psychic.”

“You’re joking, aren’t you?” Sophia asked, tilting her head to the side.

“I’m not,” Clarisse answered.

“Now if you’ll excuse me,” she made a gesture with her hands, “I’m going to have breakfast with my boyfriend and he’s already waiting for me.”

Sophia scoffed.

“What does he have planned this time, a helicopter to take you to his headquarters so you can enjoy breakfast together?” Sophia asked jokingly, only for Clarisse to stare at her.

“He told you our plans?” Clarisse asked, getting up from her seat and brushing any crumbs off of her outfit of the day.

“I was joking.”

“Educated guess then, Soph,” Clarisse admitted.

“Right, I’ll get going.”

“Bye Soph, see you later,” she said, waving Sophia goodbye before she rushed out of there as quick as possible.

Sophia got up, off to find her boyfriend wherever he was.

“I was looking for you,” Sophia said.

“What a coincidence, I was coming to join you for breakfast,” he gave her a quick, tentative kiss on the cheek.

Sophia kissed him back before she brought him to the breakfast room.

“We haven’t discussed the terms and conditions to us dating yet,” she said, shutting the doors.

“You want to spend our first breakfast together as a couple discussing terms and conditions?” Nicholas asked curiously.

Sophia laughed softly, “I suppose you’re right.”

“We shouldn’t be spending it discussing terms and conditions.”

“Lunch then,” she said.

Nicholas’ reaction was priceless.

“Alright,” he gave in.

Sophia had no idea where to begin.

Nicholas, on the other hand, had a couple of ideas in mind.

“So instead of terms and conditions, date ideas,” he suggested.

“Got anything in mind? Or any plans?” He asked her.

Sophia shook her head, “Nope,” she said, popping the ‘p’.

“I’ve got the entire day free.”

“Thanks to grandmere.”

“Excellent,” Nicholas mused.

He decided to ask her, “Are you an egg?”

“Come again?”  Sophia asked.

“Go with it,” Nicholas told her.

Sophia blinked, “Why am I an egg?”

He beamed, just the question he was hoping she’d ask, “Because the moment I see you, my smile turns sunny side up.”

“Two can play at that game.”

Nicholas seemed pleased Sophia decided to join in on the fun.