Chapter 9 - The Proposal
A year after the night Stella collapsed on the marble floor of Aurelia, the autumn rain returned to Manhattan. But inside Aurelia, the atmosphere was filled with warmth, candlelight, and soft violin music.
The grand dining room was completely closed to the public for the evening. Soft white rose petals covered the polished marble floor where Stella had once fallen.
Stella walked through the front doors wearing an elegant emerald green evening gown that hugged her graceful figure. Her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. She stopped near the rear booth, looking around the empty, beautiful restaurant in wonder.
Jonah stood near the table, wearing a crisp black tuxedo. He looked regal, powerful, yet his eyes held a softness that was reserved exclusively for her.
“You rented out the entire restaurant?” Stella asked with a soft chuckle, stepping toward him.
“I didn't rent it,” Jonah smiled warmly, taking her hand. “I own it. And tonight, I wanted to celebrate the night my life truly began.”
Stella looked down at the polished marble beneath their feet. “This is where I passed out.”
“This is where you fell into my arms,” Jonah corrected gently, drawing her close to his chest. “A year ago, I thought I was a man who had everything—money, power, respect. But when I caught you that night, I realized I had nothing until I met you.”
Stella rested her cheek against his firm chest, listening to the steady, comforting beat of his heart. “You saved my life, Jonah.”
“We saved each other, Stella,” he murmured into her hair.
Jonah stepped back slightly, taking a deep breath. Slowly, the legendary, fearsome mob boss of New York dropped down onto one knee on the polished marble floor.
Stella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, tears of joy welling up in her dark eyes.
Jonah pulled a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, snapping it open to reveal a magnificent three-carat diamond ring that caught the candlelight in brilliant flashes of light.
“Stella Hayes,” Jonah said, his voice thick with genuine emotion, his dark eyes looking up into hers with absolute devotion. “You brought warmth into my cold world. You showed me what it truly means to love and protect someone with my whole heart. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Stella didn't hesitate for a single second.
May you like
“Yes!” she cried out happily, wiping tears of joy from her cheeks. “Yes, Jonah! A thousand times yes!”
Jonah smiled brightly, slipping the ring onto her finger before standing up and pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. Around the perimeter of the dining room, Wyatt and the entire staff of Aurelia burst into warm, thunderous applause.
