Chapter 16: A Step Toward Forever

Aaron had been planning the perfect night for Kimberly, but this wasn’t just any night. He wasn’t just aiming to impress or sweep her off her feet—this night, he was going to take the next step. He’d realized that over the past few months, his feelings for her had grown stronger than he expected. The way she made him feel grounded in the chaos of his career, how she always managed to make him laugh, and how genuine her love and support had been—it all made him realize that she was the one.

But he wanted this to be special.

---

Sitting across from Kelvin at a quiet café near the studio, Aaron tapped his fingers on the table, his mind running through the details.

“Yo, I need your help with something big,” Aaron began, looking up at Kelvin with a mix of seriousness and excitement.

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening. What’s up?”

“I want to make tonight unforgettable. I’ve been thinking about asking Kimberly to be mine... officially, you know?” Aaron’s voice softened slightly as he said the words. The idea of making things official had crossed his mind so many times, but this time, it felt like the right moment.

Kelvin leaned back in his chair, clearly intrigued. “Damn, you’re really about to do it, huh?”

“Yeah. She’s the one,” Aaron said, his eyes locking with Kelvin’s as if confirming it out loud for himself.

Kelvin grinned. “Alright, I got you. So, what’s the plan?”

Aaron pulled out a small notebook from his jacket pocket and opened it to a page full of scribbles. He’d been planning this for weeks.

“I need you to help me get everything set up—candlelight, the dinner, and the location. But it’s gotta be low-key. I don’t want her to feel like she’s in front of a crowd or anything. Just the two of us.”

Kelvin nodded. “That sounds perfect. And I know the perfect spot. I’ll handle the venue, the food, and the atmosphere. But, hold up. You said you want this to be a surprise... What about Kehlani? She’s gonna wanna know, right?”

Aaron paused. That was a good point. He had been thinking about how Kehlani could help him pull this off—after all, she was Kimberly’s best friend. But Aaron had another idea.

“I was thinking about flying Kehlani out here to California... but I want it to be a surprise. I’ll have her arrive at the right moment when Kimberly’s already in the mood for a little celebration. Kehlani’s the key to keeping Kimberly relaxed and unaware of the bigger picture,” Aaron said, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Kelvin laughed, shaking his head. “You’re wild, man. Alright, I got you. We’ll keep it under wraps. You focus on making sure Kimberly’s ready for the big night. I’ll handle the details, and Kehlani will make sure she’s not onto anything.”

Aaron smiled, relief washing over him. He could trust Kelvin with this.

---

Kelvin was right—Kehlani had to be involved. Kimberly had always been tight with her best friend, so it made sense that she’d be the one to help distract her without raising any suspicion. Aaron was determined to keep everything smooth and unexpected. Kehlani had no idea yet, but as soon as Aaron made his plans official, she would be getting her flight information.

While Kelvin and Aaron hashed out the details, Aaron made the call to his assistant, Chloé, to make sure everything was in place. Chloé had already been in the loop about the plan, knowing exactly what Aaron wanted for the evening. The location was secured, a private candle-lit terrace overlooking the ocean—intimate and perfect for the moment he envisioned.

As Aaron hung up, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. The past few months with Kimberly had been a whirlwind, but everything he felt for her was real. This wasn’t just about love; it was about making the decision to take their relationship to the next level, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.

---

A few days later, everything was set. The night was approaching. The plan had fallen into place, and now it was time to execute. Aaron made sure to keep Kimberly occupied with work and rehearsal, distracting her without giving away too much.

Kehlani was already on her way to California, and Aaron had arranged for her to land just in time to add an extra layer of excitement to Kimberly’s surprise.

Kimberly had no idea what was coming.

When Kehlani landed at LAX, Aaron made sure the first person she saw wasn’t just any driver, but a personal one who would take her straight to the venue where she would meet him before the big moment. He couldn’t risk Kimberly catching wind of the plan.

As Kehlani hopped into the car, she shot a text to Kimberly: “Pack a bag, girl! I’ve got a surprise for you tonight!”

Kimberly replied almost immediately: “Wait...what? You’re here?”

Kehlani, smirking to herself, texted back: “You’ll see soon enough. Just be ready.”

With everything in motion, Aaron waited in his private room at the venue, pacing as he ran over his lines in his head.

This was it. Tonight, he was going to ask Kimberly to be his—officially, for real.

The time had finally come. Aaron stood hidden, the soft hum of the venue’s energy drifting through the walls. The lights were low, and the smell of roses lingered in the air—everything was set, from the candle-lit terrace overlooking the ocean to the intimate, romantic setting that had taken weeks of careful planning. He had a million thoughts racing through his mind, but there was only one that mattered now: this moment with Kimberly.

He took a deep breath, glancing at the clock. It was nearly time for the surprise to unfold.

---

Aaron paced back and forth, trying to calm his nerves. He had been in front of cameras, surrounded by millions of people, but this was different. This moment, this step forward in his relationship with Kimberly, felt monumental. He ran his hands through his hair and checked the door for what felt like the hundredth time.

Then, just as he was about to step out, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Kehlani.

“I’m here! Just got off the plane. What’s next?”

Aaron grinned to himself, typing back quickly.

“Head to the spot we talked about. Kimberly’s about to head out, and I need you to keep her relaxed for a bit.”

He knew Kehlani would handle it. Kimberly’s best friend had always been the one to keep her grounded in moments like these. Kehlani’s cool demeanor would ensure Kimberly wouldn’t suspect anything was up.

With a final check of the room, Aaron exhaled and made his way toward the venue’s front door.

---

The driver pulled up outside the venue, and Kimberly stepped out of the car, looking around with a curious smile. She had been expecting something special, though she had no idea the evening would be this extraordinary. A soft breeze swept through the air, adding to the romantic feel of the night. She wasn’t sure what exactly to expect, but the look in Aaron’s eyes when they had last spoken had told her this night was important.

As she walked toward the entrance, she could already feel the excitement building. It was unlike any other evening they’d shared before. When she stepped through the doors, the sight that met her was nothing short of magical.

The room before her was bathed in soft candlelight, with flickering flames casting warm shadows on the walls. A large, beautifully set dinner table was adorned with fresh flowers, and in the distance, Aaron stood, his back to her for the moment. The ocean view behind him created a stunning backdrop that made her heart flutter.

"Kimberly," he said, turning to face her, his voice low and warm, his eyes full of anticipation.

Kimberly’s breath caught in her throat. He looked more handsome than ever tonight, and the atmosphere only made the moment feel even more surreal. “Aaron... this is... beautiful.”

He smiled, stepping toward her with purpose. "I wanted tonight to be unforgettable," he said softly. “But before we sit down, I have something for you.”

---

Aaron reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Kimberly’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at him, her mind racing. This was not how she had imagined the night unfolding—but she wasn’t about to question the magic of it.

He knelt before her, the dim light glinting off the box in his hands. “Kimberly, over the past few months, you’ve been more than I could ever have hoped for in someone. You’ve been my rock, my support, and you’ve shown me what it means to love without condition. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Kimberly’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes watering as she tried to process his words.

“Aaron...” she whispered, barely able to speak. She had known this relationship was special, but hearing him speak those words took her breath away.

“I know we’ve been through a lot together, and I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side,” he continued. “So, I have one question for you. Kimberly, will you be mine... officially? Will you take this step with me, and let me call you my forever?”

The box opened, revealing a delicate, diamond, promise ring—a symbol of their future, of everything they had built together.

Tears welled in Kimberly’s eyes as she stepped forward, her voice shaky but full of emotion. “Yes. Yes, Aaron. I want that more than anything. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Aaron stood, sliding the ring onto her finger as their eyes locked. They shared a kiss, one that felt like it marked the beginning of a new chapter for both of them. The moment felt timeless, as if the universe had aligned to bring them to this exact spot at this exact moment.

---

Unknown to Kimberly, Kehlani had been watching from a distance, her excitement bubbling as she stepped out of the car. She had received Aaron’s message earlier, confirming that the moment had happened. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in how everything had come together. Kimberly was lucky to have Aaron, and Aaron had just made the most important decision of his life.

As she entered the venue, she took in the scene—a scene that would become a cherished memory for both Kimberly and Aaron. Kehlani smiled to herself and quietly slipped toward Kimberly’s side.

“Girrrl, look at you,” Kehlani whispered, giving Kimberly a knowing look. “You’ve got him wrapped around your finger, huh?”

Kimberly laughed, still in a bit of disbelief, as she looked down at the ring on her finger. “I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything,” Kehlani grinned. “Just enjoy the moment. You’re about to have your forever with this one.”

Kimberly glanced over at Aaron, who stood by with a proud smile. It was a night she’d never forget, a night that marked the beginning of forever for them.