MY PROPOSAL

"Alejandro! I am so sorry. I didn't mean this to happen. You were so busy with your business abroad. The time you were away, something happened to me and Dan. And I am already pregnant with his child. I am sorry, Alejandro. We are getting married." The sun is shining so bright above. The weather is so perfect for his mood.? He took out the ring he bought abroad and looked at it again. The weather is cool and just good for his plan. Today, he will propose to her 2-year girlfriend, Catalina. He needed to leave for 2 months as his restaurant is expanding abroad. He opened a new branch there and on his way back home, he decided to propose to Catalina. He will surprise her. But it looks like Catalina surprised him more. The woman never answered his calls for the past few weeks. Alejandro thought that Catalina was just upset because he promised to be back after a month but he failed and needed to stay for 2 months out of the country. Shocked is not enough to describe what he is feeling right now. He doesn't know what to think of the things that he just learned. He can feel a pinch in his heart but that's it. He shook his head. "There's no reason for me to stay here. I need to go back abroad and forget the woman I love for almost half of my life. There's no sense to stay here and let myself be in pain every time I see her with another man," he uttered to comfort himself. Catalina is his first love and he thought he will be his love forever. He gave his heart to her and built every dream he had with her. He promised her the stars and the moon yet it felt like everything was crushed in a few seconds. They have known each other since they were in primary. They attended the same school and became classmates from primary until high school. They only got separated when they went to college because Alejandro took business management while Catalina took up nursing. After they graduated, Alejandro dared to court her. He courted her for more than a year and now, they are supposed to be in a relationship for more than 2 years. "Can you please book me a ticket back abroad? Get a ticket for leaving as soon as possible." He instructed his secretary as soon as he left the restaurant. "Why isn't she here? Is she not on duty?" Alex was shocked when he opened the door and saw the woman in front of him. "Hi, Sir, I'm Diane, your part-timer." A woman said projecting her sweetest smile at him. The sweet voice from the woman brought him back to his senses. After a couple of knocks, he opened the door. He didn't answer her greetings. He just opened the door, and moved his head as if saying, "Come inside." He held his head and went straight to the fridge to get a bottle of water. He feels like his head is filled with needles.? He had 2 bottles of wine this morning.? After arriving from the airport, he only dropped by the cafe to check the employees.? "How is it going?" He saw this woman at the counter while taking orders from the customer.? He shook his head.? For sure, this woman doesn't know that he is her employer. "Poor woman," he said in his mind. Don't you know that you aren't allowed to work part-time while still employed? Well, he can't blame her. He never introduced himself since the cafe opened. Daniel hired the people for the cafe and he just signed all the documents needed. He leaves everything in his good hands. Well, he thought there's no need to introduce himself as the owner because he doesn't have any plan of staying here longer.? The original plan is, he just needs to be there when the cafe opens and as soon as this is done, he will fly back to Italy and settle down there. Fate played him though. Once the cafe opens, he will be back in Italy and settle down there. Fate played him. It didn't happen. He needed to stay here the longer he could until he forgets the woman who broke his heart into pieces. He wants to move on from the past. He heard his phone ringing.? He walked his way to grab it and put down the bottled water.? He noticed the woman was still standing behind the door and looking at him. Why isn't she moving? "Is there anything you want to ask?" The woman was startled and began to walk her way inside.? He shrugged.? Is he that scary? He smirked and shook his head. That woman! "Hello, Alejandro? Where are you? What happened to you?" The other line asked one question after the other, "I thought you would come back home and bring your wife with you? Everyone is waiting for you. When will you introduce her to us?" He shook his head. This is his mother on the other line. "Don't worry. We are coming soon. We just need to fix some important matters here before we leave." Goodness and where on earth will he get a wife! He doesn't have any idea who will be the woman he can introduce to his family. "Your grandparents are so upset," the old woman continued on the other line. "Just tell them that we're coming soon, Mom. I need to go. I have meetings to attend to." He did not give his mother a chance to answer. He hung up the phone and put it on his bedside table, and then he went to the living room. He saw the lady mopping the floor in the living room.? He noticed the woman's slim figure wearing a loose shirt with skinny blue jeans that just curved on her perfect butt. Not too big but not too small. Her shiny black hair was in a ponytail. Her height must be 5 feet and 4 inches. Well, there's like a bulb that lit upon his head. Alejandro had an idea, and he smiled mischievously. Then, he called Diane. ___________ The next day, like what she does every day as a part of her routine, Diane woke up at six and prayed. She gets off the bed and went straight to the washroom to take a shower. She is preparing herself for work. She wore a plain white t-shirt and black pants. After fixing herself, she went to the small kitchen and made a cup of coffee. She chose to have a 3 in 1 coffee from the cupboard and sliced the bread. She stuffed it with nutella. "God, I need to go now. It's almost seven o' clock in the evening and I might be late," she said to herself. Well, it's just a five-minute walk from their apartment to her workplace. It's exactly 7 pm and she's preparing herself to go to the counter when her phone rings.? She checked it and it's from an unknown number. She doesn't know whether to answer the phone or not. But she decided to answer it as it might be an emergency. "Hello?" "So, have you decided on my proposal to you yesterday?" This came from an unfamiliar cold voice on the other line. God. Why did she forget? All she thought was that the man was only drunk and that's why he was out of his mind and made that foolish proposal to her. Well, she thought that would be a hangover effect from drinking two bottles of wine. It took her a couple of minutes before she could answer. She took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. "Are you still there?" the man on the other line is becoming impatient again. "Yes, I am here," she answered him finally. "So, what's taking you so long to answer?" Wow, this guy must be nuts. To have the guts to role her with an attitude, she rolled her eyes on the side. Should she say he also can't control his temper properly? He should be the one asking her and acting low since he is asking her for a favor. Yes, a favor even if she's going to pay her monthly. He needs her more than she needs him. "Ms. Dia—" she cut him off even before he could finish what he was saying. "Sir, I am sorry about the deal. I'm sorry but this isn't the right time for me to make a decision. I cannot decide right now. If you'd like me to stay at home when I accept it, then I need to submit a resignation letter to my present employer and wait until they approve it before I can leave. So, it will take time."