CHAPTER 34

Author's Pov:

Finally, Ryan has arrived at the venue on time. Kat was watching him enter inside, and her heart started to beat faster than usual. If I tell you guys that I'm not nervous at all, then I will lie because, damn man, her hands are shaking; she's nervous as hell thinking, what if he said no and doesn't like me anymore? Kat took a deep long breath; her heart was hammering against her ribs. Tonight, was the night. She is going to open her heart in front of him.

By seeing the scenario in front of Ryan, he was quite confused because he came here to attend a meeting but by looking at this place, covered in such a beauty he thought maybe he came at wrong place but deep down inside he wants to go further inside.

The hotel suite was decorated like it bathed in soft golden lights, the floor-to-ceiling, windows revealing a breathtaking view of the city skyline. This is the part which Kat loves the most. Below, the streets glittered like a sea of fallen stars (Kat's small galaxy), but inside, everything was quiet and intimate. The table was set for two, fairy lights twinkling around them, casting a warm glow over the soft petals of red roses and ballons scattered across the floor. A perfect place for a perfect date.

For six months, Kat had loved him this wild, unpredictable, handsome bad boy who had stormed into her quiet world and made a place there. He had healed her heart and again she started living her normal life like before. Our old Kat is back because of him. Six months of stolen kisses in empty hallways, six months of talking on video calls which lead to late-night talks, whispered confessions under the stars. Six months of falling deeper than she ever thought it's possible.

And tonight, she was going to do the one thing she never imagined she'd have the courage to do.

The door clicked open.

Ryan stepped inside, his dark eyes scanning the room, a smirk tugging at his lips. His expensive suit hung his body perfectly, like a man who came directly from movies, his presence still carrying that untamed, rebellious energy that had made everyone in college either fear or admire him. But now he is no more only a bad boy of their college now he is a billionaire- whom everyone fears, he is ruthless, very professional. When his gaze landed on Kat, standing in the middle of the candlelit room wearing blue colored beautiful dress with a slit on her right leg, his smirk faded, replaced by something shocked and soft smile tugging his lips.

"Wow kat. What a pleasant surprise and here I thought Kylie wants me to attend some boring meeting but now I know it's going to be so much interesting huh" Kat was blushing, lost with words.

"Okay, what's going on, sweetheart?" he asked, stepping closer to her. "Sweetheart, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were seducing me" he chuckles, and Kat hits his shoulder.

Kat was counting numbers to steady her breathing.

"You have planning something special for me and asked your brother to play along huh?" He asked playfully "By the way happy sixth anniversary darling and sorry I can't come Florida today for you for our anniversary celebration" He hugged her lovingly for a minute and stepped back.

"Happy sixth anniversary to you too darling" She replied, tucking hair behind her ear.

Kat swallowed hard, trying to steady herself once again "Ryan I... I have something to tell you." She looked down shyly.

His brows furrowed slightly, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his usually confident gaze.

"You, okay?" concern showing on his face.

She took a step forward, reaching for his hands. He let her, his fingers threading through hers like they belonged there.

She nodded with a small smile. "Better than okay. Just... really nervous you know."

His grip tightened slightly, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Whatever it is, you got me babe, okay? Always. Just don't be nervous. And how my Kataline can be nervous huh?"

Her heart ached at his words, and that was all the reassurance she needed.

"Ryan" she whispered, her voice barely steady.

"When I first saw you, your first impression on me was.... he is so damn rude, secretive but dangerously handsome, untouchable and reckless storm. When I got to meet you more and started spending time with each other, you were this.... sweet, loving and caring boy I have ever met in my whole life. And I was just the quiet girl in the background, with scars on my heart, lot of secrets and a dark past which I was hiding from the world. I have built the walls around me which you have broken down with a hammer and entered my world to heal me completely. I never thought we'd end up here. I never thought I'd be brave enough to love anyone again and even you this much in the whole world or I can say universe." She laughed softly.

His jaw tensed, his grip on her hands tightening slightly.

"Kat..." he tried to speak but she cut him off

"But I did and look here I'm standing in front of you pouring my heart out" she continued, her eyes glistening. "Ryan you...you changed me for better. You made me feel alive again in a way I never thought I could ever be. You teach me how to love again. You made me realize that the burden which I was carrying with me was not my badges anymore. It's been total six months, since we started dating and we know each other like that no one knows. It's feels like eternity. And I know six months isn't long, but when you know, you know, right? And now i can't wait anymore." She let out a shaky laugh, her fingers trembling as she pulled something from her pocket.

A small velvet box.

Ryan stood froze. His breath hitched as she slowly sank down onto one knee, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

"Kat..." he whispered, his voice raw and unreadable.

She opened the box, revealing a simple but beautiful silver ring craves with a letter K on top.

K for Kat

He smiled thinking

"I know you think you're not the kind of guy who settles down easily and it's new for you as it's for me" she said softly. "And maybe people will say we're crazy, that it's too soon, that it won't last and we will fall apart with time. But I don't care. Because every single time I look at you, I see my future. And I want that future with you, Ryan. No matter what."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions and words.

Then, suddenly, Ryan let out a shaky breath-almost a laugh, but there was something broken in it. He ran a hand through his dark hair, stepping back like he was trying to catch his footing. His eyes were stormy and unreadable.

"Umm. Baby you're proposing to me?" he finally managed, his voice hoarse.

She bit her lower lip, nodding.

A million emotions flickered across his face-shock, disbelief, something deeper and something vulnerable.

"You don't have to do this Kat. It's more like a guy's thing, and I was going to propose you on your graduation day. We can wait till then if you want"

"Really?" he nods "then I guess I beat you here Mr. Carter and no I don't want to wait anymore now" She replied happily

"So, come on Mr. Carter just play along with me now" She demand him with a cute pout.

"You... you're serious" he whispered making sure that he heard her correct.

"I've never been more serious about anything in my life," she said, her voice steady now. "So, Ryan Drew Carter. Will you make me the happiest women in the universe... will you marry me? And be my forever n Ever?"

For a moment, he didn't move.

Then, before she could react, he dropped to his knees in front of her, cupping her face between his hands. His touch was warm, his thumbs brushing away the single tear that had slipped down her cheek.

"You're out of your damn mind," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers.

She let out a breathless laugh. "Probably."

"You are crazy"

"Only for you"

He exhaled sharply, like he was fighting something inside him. "Umm. You really want this? Me? Me and you? Forever? For a lifetime?"

She nodded. "Yes. I want you. All of you. Forever. For a lifetime"

A slow, almost disbelieving smile spread across his lips, and then-before she could say anything else he kissed her with full of passion.

It wasn't just a kiss. It was an answer.

A promise, to forever.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers again, his fingers lacing through hers.

"Then it's a yes, Kat. Yes, I will marry you Ms. Rivers" he whispered chuckling.

"But I also have something for you" He informed her and reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out and beautiful diamond ring. He kneeled down in front of her.

"I have kept this long with me for a while, but now I think it's time for me to do the task that I have waited the most to fulfil. You have already said so much that now I can't have more words to express my feelings, but one thing I'm damn sure that I really want to spend my whole life with you, Ms. River. So, Ms. Kataline Layla River are you ready to become Mrs. Ryan Drew carter? Will you marry me?"

"Yes" Kat let out a soft, trembling laugh, tears spilling freely now and he slid the ring onto her finger.

She also slipped the ring onto his finger, and for the first time in his life, Ryan Carter, the bad boy everyone feared, the boy who swore he didn't believe in forever, now looked at her like she was the most beautiful, terrifying and incredible thing that had ever happened to him.

And maybe, just maybe, she was.

THE END

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