Epilogue

TINA

I sat on the couch in the living room watching a movie. Alejandro had his head on my lap and occasionally gazed up from the television to my face. I found it cute but a bit distracting. Those green eyes could be a menace if he wanted to get me to do something.

Three months had passed since Armando had been laid to rest. The burial itself was full of drama. Everything was going well until Alejandro’s mother showed up. Things got heated, and it was a shouting war with Alejandro blaming his mother for his father’s death. It took a lot of intervention from me, Kelly, and Tito to cool things down. After the event, everyone did what they could to move on.

Alejandro was now the owner and chairman of Gonzalez Industries, a position he took very seriously. Sometimes, when I looked into his eyes at work or off work, I saw something—determination. A determination to continue the legacy of his father and make him proud. He even had the determination to surpass his father.

And he’d told everyone in the last board meeting that my marketing initiatives were saving the company. He confessed that there’d been a bit of a cash flow issue and Armando had taken a loan from a friend, but now that the marketing department had brought in new clients, they were able to start paying off the loan and make things right.

I blushed so hard in that meeting, with everyone staring at me. I was so impressed with Alejandro that he could share the credit for success. He and I still kept our relationship secret at work, but after that meeting, people gave me more respect.

Sometimes, he was so engrossed in work that it was hard to get him to do anything else. It took a lot of intervention from me to get him to leave his desk. I had just gotten a new chance at love in Alejandro, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to lose him.

Kelly and Tito had now moved further in their relationship. I was over the moon for her. She wouldn’t hesitate to give me some details of things they did together. I had to admit she deserved some happiness. She had been single for a very long time, and I was glad she found a man who was willing to shower her with attention and affection—a man who could also enjoy her feisty side. I thought about the new development in our lives and smiled. We were both dating billionaires. Who would have thought?

“This movie is boring,” Alejandro said, raising his head off my lap. He suppressed a yawn to buttress his point, and I scowled.

“So you’re not a fan of romance?” I said dryly.

“I didn’t say that.” He stood up and stretched. “I’m neutral in my taste of movie genres, but I just don’t like excess clichés. We could obviously see how this movie is going to end.”

“So you have anything better in mind?” I crossed my arms.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He smiled. “Get dressed.”

“Aww,” I pouted in a teasing fashion and stood up with my hands on my hips. I was wearing just a plain white T-shirt and red lace panties. “You don’t like the view?”

“You know I do.” He reached behind me and groped my butt with his hands. “I will never get tired of it.”

He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “I could enjoy waking up to this view every day.”

“A view of my ass?” I giggled.

“Sí,” he bit my earlobe gently. “It’s a beautiful ass.”

Without warning, he spanked my butt and squeezed tightly.

“Hey!” I exclaimed.

“Can’t help it,” he chuckled and kissed me on the lips, keeping his hands on my butt. “But seriously, get dressed. We’re going out.”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You’ll see.” He smiled slyly at me.

Thirty minutes in the car later, I soon found out. It was a movie theater.

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” I said as I stepped out of the car. He followed suit and shut the car.

“I haven’t had the leisure of seeing a movie in forever. I took some inspiration from the one you put on at home.”

I noticed he was avoiding my gaze the whole time he spoke.

“Alejandro.” I raised an eyebrow. “There is something you aren’t telling me.”

“What do you mean?” He shrugged innocently.

“You’re hiding something from me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

I rolled my eyes at our bickering, although I couldn’t help but find it funny. It was sweet to see he had this other side to him. After months of trying to put himself together, he was finally radiant.

We held hands as we walked into the cinema and bought some snacks. We made our way into the section of the building where the latest movie was premiered. During the course of the movie, I was glad it lived up to its hype. Not many movies nowadays could do so. They would hype themselves and get the fans excited only to produce something disappointing.

As we stepped out of the building after the movie ended, I took in a breath of fresh air.

“That was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen,” I gushed. “You know you’re really full of surprises.”

Alejandro had his eyes on the sky. There was that blank look that I hadn’t seen in a while, and it worried me.

“Alejandro, are you okay?”

He turned his gaze to me and held my hand.

“You are right, I am full of surprises.” He smiled warmly at me, caressing my knuckles. “But the movie was just the first phase of my big surprise.”

“Say what now?” I blinked.

To my shock, Alejandro bent down on one knee. I, alongside the passersby, gasped at this gesture. I had seen this several times in movies and soap operas. I could feel the warmth wash through me.

“Tina, this is the second phase.” The moon reflected in his eyes and made them look like jewels. “Before I met you, I didn’t know what to feel, or how to feel. I had to guard my feelings to the point where I didn’t even feel like I had any. It seemed like I would forever be lonely with only work to give me meaning in my life. And even though I wanted a woman in my life, the only women I knew wanted me for what I had, not for who I am. You changed all that. From the first time I met you, I saw something I had never seen in a woman. You were different. I saw someone who wasn’t only intelligent but was willing to push forward no matter the obstacles she faced. You’re bold, brave, you’re fun, and you see me. There’s nothing more I could ask for in a woman.”

He paused and let his words linger. Everyone was staring at us, and I could feel the tears threatening to spill out.

“Alejandro,” I finally managed to say. “Are you saying what I think?”

“That’s right, love.” He held my hand and smiled at me. “Miss Tina Campbell, will you marry me?”

All eyes were on us now.

“Yes!” I squealed.

Alejandro stood up and embraced me, then pulled apart. Slowly, our lips met in a soft, lingering kiss as everyone around us clapped and hooted.

“But there’s no ring.” I frowned.

“What are you talking about?” He raised an eyebrow with an amused grin. “Look at your finger.”

I stared at my finger and gasped. There on my third finger was a diamond ring. “When did you—”

“When we were in the movie theater.” He cupped my cheek. “When we were watching the proposal scene.”

My mouth hung open as I just stared at him.

“You were right.” He winked as he opened the car door for me. “I am full of surprises.”

I waited for him to enter and start the car engine before I asked, “So what other surprises do you have planned?”

I jolted as his hands caressed my exposed thigh.

“Can you take a guess?” He licked his lips.

“Oh, I sure can,” I purred, matching his lustful gaze that sent a signal to my groin.

He stepped on the brake and set off for his home. I was finally engaged to Alejandro and soon to be called Mrs. Tina Gonzalez.

And I had to admit, it had a nice ring to it.