I'm engaged.

Rosalie Ann Jones is an engaged woman. Somebody better pinch me because this is just too good to be true.

I'm still processing everything. I had no idea that Lex would do this.

It's so unreal. I never imagined having a fiancé at age twenty three.

When we came back from the barn last night, a chorus of congratulations greeted us. Apparently everyone knew that he was planning on proposing. Even my newly trusted ally, Elizabeth.

The girls all gushed at the ring, while the guys clapped Lex's shoulder. Pierre even shed a few tears. It was truly an intimate moment that just ended the night on such a high note.

I love the ring. It's beautiful. Catches the light and honestly looks good on my finger. I cannot seem to stop looking at it. It has received more attention from me than Lex has since he slipped it on my finger.

Please don't become shallow, I mentally say to myself.

"Are you ready?", I ask him as he moves towards the bed where I am currently seated.

"Yes love".he responds, slipping behind me. My back pressed against his chest. I'm nestled in between his legs while I sit cross legged.

His Macbook is open in front of me, waiting for the call to connect.

I decided that I would inform my parents of the good news as soon as possible. Which is this morning after breakfast ,the excitement was too much for me to handle, I breezed through breakfast so quickly.

I'm pretty sure Alexander has never seen me eat that much food at that quick a speed.

I can't wait to hear what mom and dad are going to say or how they're going to react to the news.

The call finally connects and I immediately feel guilty seeing that they are in their sleepwear. I completely forgot the time zone difference.

"Somebody better have died for you to call us in the middle of the damn night", mom's sleep laden voice says.

"I'm sorry mom, I forgot", I say. The guilt weighing heavily on my shoulders.

She shifts up and leans against the headboard. The light from the screen illuminates the glasses she has on and her black silk bonnet.

"Forgot? You're on the other side of the damn world Rosalie", she sounds pissy and annoyed. I don't blame her, I would be too if I was suddenly interrupted from my sleep.

I turn my head to look at Lex, "Why didn't you remind me?!", I whisper-yell at him.

"I tried but you were too focused on your ring", he says innocently. My eyes once again shift to my finger and he lazily grins at how quickly I looked at the diamond.

"See?", he says to drive his point in.

"It's your fault, for getting me something so big and shiny".

My mother's voice pulls our attention back to the screen, "Are you going to tell me why you're calling or not". She is really impatient. I can tell that she wants to get back to dreamland.

"You have to wake up dad first"

She looks at me as if to say that waking him up is an impossible task. In a way it is. I got my heavy sleeping trait from my father. He too sleeps like the dead.

After a few seconds of her pulling at his ear. I know this because she literally shows us that she's doing so, dad wakes up.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't smother you with this pillow", his groggy voice asks mom.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't poison your breakfast in the morning", she sarcastically replies.

I feel Lex's chest vibrate as he silently laughs.

Holding back the urge to roll my eyes, I get their attention focused on me, "Mom, dad. Please stop".

Mom nods while dad mumbles a "She started it".

My parents everybody. Childish till the end.

"So, Lex and I want to tell you something important". Taking a deep breath, I bring my left hand into view.

"We're getting married!"

Mom sniffles as tears fall from her eyes. If it were not for the screen, and the fact that I'm currently in a different country I would wipe those tears away.

"Oh honey! Congratulations". She says as she wipes her tears. The glasses were long removed.

"Alex, I would give you my blessing but you already got it." dad says.

Wait... "You knew he was going to propose?", I ask. Confusion overtaking all the other emotions I was feeling.

Mom smiles, "Yes. he asked for your hand on your graduation weekend"

The pieces start coming together and they form a puzzle in my mind. The conversations they had. That one time mom was crying and dad had a huge smile on his face while they spoke with Lex.

It happened right in front of me.

"I'm happy for you kids. We wish you nothing but the best", dad says, a genuine smile on his sleepy face.

"Thank you Darius", Lex speaks for the first time since the call started.

Mom yawns and I take that as our cue to end the call and let them get some sleep, "We'll talk later. You guys get some rest".

After wishing them a good night, the call is disconnected.

"Well that's done", I say turning my head towards him.

That smile of his appears, "Are you happy?", he suddenly asks.

"I'm more than happy. I'm in Nirvana", I say without any hesitation. He really does make me happy.

"You're my happy place", he says, his eyes connecting with mine.

Placing my hand on his cheek, the stubble tickles my palm as I caress his face, " I love you" I say with so much conviction I want him to feel how much I love him.

It feels amazing to be able to say it out loud.

"I love you more", he says right before he kisses me passionately.

***

Going back home feels sad. I have had such a great time being on vacation with Lex. Seeing his more relaxed side is always a welcome sight, he works so much and I worry about him and the amount of stress that he carries.

I don't want him to keel over from a heart attack. Even though I highly doubt the possibility of that happening. The man is as healthy as an ox.

"I'm going to miss you guys", I say to Val and Charlotte. The friendship I have built with them, their husbands and children is very special to me.

"We'll visit soon and besides we're going to be there for the wedding", Val says as he pulls me in for a hug.

The wedding.

I have a wedding to plan.

I'm getting married.

Gigi is going to poop her pants when I tell her. I chose to keep it a surprise and tell her when we get back home. She doesn't even know that we're coming back.

The last time we spoke on the phone she sounded pretty sketchy. She was kind of weird and evasive. Like she was hiding something because I could hear in the background that she was not alone.

Yet she told me that she was alone because she is working from home..

Meaning that she lied to me. She's hiding something and I'm going to find out what it is the moment Lex and I return back home.

A warm arm wraps itself around my shoulders and pulls me against a warm body. I look up to see Marco, staring off into the driveway where Lex is in deep conversation with Pierre. Smiles on both their faces.

"You're good for him", Marco says with his gaze still on the men.

I keep quiet and give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"I've never seen him happy. We practically grew up together and I have never seen him smile this much. Your presence in his life is what he really needed."

Heat creeps onto my cheeks, "He is what I needed too".

He yes now look at me, "You brought a light in his life. Xander always drowned himself in work and meaningless sex with women."

I almost flinch at the women part, but I keep my cool. It's all in his past. I'm his future now

"But being with you", a small smile appears on Marco's face, "It's almost as if he is born again into a new person. Thank you Rosalie for being his source of happiness".

Before I even get a chance to say anything, he hugs me and the side of my face meets his sternum.

It's times like this when I genuinely wish that I was a little bit taller.

Now I sound like Skeelo.

"Are you ready?", Lex comes over just as Marco and I break away from each other.

I shake my head, "I don't want to leave".

The same emotions I am feeling are visible on his face. I can tell he also wants to stay in this bubble a while longer. But reality is calling. He has to go back to work and I have to start job hunting.

Lex was not kidding when he said that he would help me find a job. He apparently recorded my mindless babble when we were at The Louvre.

How, without me noticing? I have no idea. He then sent it to Val.

She listened to it and freaked out. It felt like the visit to the museum was my 'audition'.

I found out that she used to work at the Tate Modern Museum in London, where she met Oliver. She promised to circle it around to her friends in various museums around the world.

Despite being eternally grateful, I will continue job hunting while I wait for a response from Val's contacts

.

After a few sad goodbyes and promises to Juliette and Anya about our return, Lex and I finally get into the car and drive off.

I watch as the scenery slowly fades from beautiful green lush land to the beautiful buildings that are in the city. The drive is nice and comfortably quiet--except for the music flowing from the radio. Our hands joined together as he held them on his jean clad thigh.

A while later, we drove up the hill, back to his house. The vines greet us as they snake around the walls.

We are here to get some of our stuff and then we'll head to the airport. Alexander loves leaving in the middle of the night. It's almost six o'clock and by the time we get to the plane it will be about almost eight.

One thing I am looking forward to about the flight back home, and that is spending it in that comfy bed with Lex's arms wrapped around me.

We make quick work of getting the rest of our luggage. Leaving only a few things behind. Within a few minutes we are back inside the car and on our way to the airport.

The road once more looks so lively and filled with people. I am going to miss this place. I had the best two weeks ever. Being with the man I love, and meeting new people. Visiting The Louvre and seeing landmarks that I have only ever dreamed of seeing.

Getting engaged!

Now...that is the biggest highlight of the whole trip. It is going to take some time getting used to.

"We're here", he says as he puts the car in park. We sit in the car for a few seconds, watching people go in and out of the airport. Some greeted by their loved ones, tears being shed.

Bodies being pulled into hugs, while others bid each other farewell, not even bothering to get into the building and see them right through till the check-in desk.

Stepping out of the car, Lex jogs over to open the door for me. He waits till I am outside and fully closes the door and then begins to pull our luggage out. Anthony, the guy who was our driver when we first arrived here, appears out of nowhere and starts dragging our suitcases.

Lex holds both mine and his backpacks while I have my purse with me.

Once again we breeze through airport security and make it to the strip in no time. The big black jet stands in all its majesty. Sawyer, waits for us clad in his pilot uniform. He looks good.

I don't recall a time where I found bald men attractive...but Sawyer has swayed me to their side a little.

If I was not engaged to the most loving man on the face of this planet, and have met Sawyer under different circumstances. I probably would have been into him.

He walks over to us and shakes Lex's hand as they greet each other. He then gives me a curt nod and a small smile which I return.

"We're all set to go", he says to us.

Lex hands the car keys to Anthony. His dark hair styled into a quiff haircut. The black suit with a crisp white shirt has on gives off a very professional vibe about him. The stubble on his face makes him look slightly older.

He kind of reminds of Colin Ferrel, minus the Irish accent.

We simultaneously wave goodbye at each other and I watch his body slowly disappear into the busy sea of bodies.

Lex helps me walk up the stairs and get into the jet. The white and black interior greets us again, clean as ever. We get settled in and buckle up as Sawyer tells us that we're ready to ascend into the air.

That funny feeling in my tummy starts up. Have I mentioned how much I hate take offs and landings?

Once Sawyer informs us that we can take our belts off, I seize the moment to get myself a bottle of water. I chug half the liquid in a few seconds. My stomach finally settles. And I walk back to my seat.

"All good?", Lex asks. I nod in agreement. He knows how much I hate the initial parts of flying.

He abruptly stands and holds out his hand for me to take. "Come with me". The cheeky grin on his face does not go unnoticed by me.

Taking hold of his hand, I give him a coy smile, "Where are you taking me?".

He leans closer to me, his eyes playfully dart around the cabin to check if anyone is around. As if to tell me a secret, he whispers "To the bedroom".

I giggle and whisper back, "Why?".

He playfully rolls his eyes at me. Gosh I love his goofy side.

"To make out with my beautiful fiancé ", he says before my feet are off the floor as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder like a caveman.

My laughter bounces off the cabin as he moves to the bedroom.

***

To say that I am so excited to see Gigi would be an understatement to how I actually feel. If it was possible, I would literally burst from excitement.

I had sent a her a text this morning, checking if she was home and all I got got back from her was a simple, 'Yeah'

Now that one word has seriously piqued my interest because I am certain that something is up with her. The Gigi I know would never reply to me like that. My impatient self is practically bouncing as I sit through midday traffic.

Professional by ANNALIA flows through the car speakers. The music goes so well with the partly cloudy weather and the overall mood of the day. I get to my old apartment building in no time and quickly make my way out the car.

It's been a while since I my last visit. I greet Howard the doorman and head to the elevator. Once The door digs on Gigi's floor I walk towards the apartment.

After knocking a few times I get no response. I take out my phone from the back pocket of my jeans and try calling her, but that also doesn't help me because she doesn't pick up. Thankfully I kept my old keys, from when I used to live here. She said that she did not mind me having them since it would make it easier for me to get in when she was not around.

I guess this is one of those times.

I quickly unlock the door and walk into the familiar environment. She really did not change a thing since I left to move in with Lex. It almost feels as if I am transported back into old times, where I would just walk in from a long day of waitressing and the only thing that would make me happy would be my bed.

I place my keys on the counter and spot Gigi's phone. The screen lit up with notifications of the three calls that I made.

The sound of water splashing on tiles pulls me towards the bathroom. She's probably in the shower that would explain how she could not hear me knock or the ringing of her phone.

Having once shared this space with her for two years I got used to seeing her naked, which is why I don't hesitate walking into the bathroom.

My heart lurches into my chest, not because of my best friend's naked state but the fact that she is not alone in there.

She is with a man. They don't notice me staring in shock as I make out their blurry figures in the steamy bathroom.

As I move backwards ready to leave them alone, the sight of a tattooed arm leaning against the glass catches my eye.

A tattooed arm that I am familiar with.

I was there when that sleeve got filled out.

My lips move as realisation hits my brain.

"Bryce!".