Chapter 6. The Strange Proposal 5

Due to the humiliating disappointments, Mirabel decided to remain single when she discovered how dejected her grandmother felt whenever she returned from her blind dates and narrated how her dates walked out on her.

“Mirabel, you are a sweet girl,” her grandmother would always encourage her to ensure that her self-esteem was not destroyed.

“You are right, Grandma, but to avoid further heartbreaks, I think it is a good idea to forget about the things that bring us sorrow and focus on the things that give us joy,” she pointed out.

Now, her grandmother ran her eyes over her and ascertained the joy she radiated when she made her point.

“I see. And what is that thing that would give us joy apart from seeing you love and being loved?” She asked her anxiously.

“Agriculture, Grandma. It is wonderful when we plant flowers and watch them grow. The beauty they add to our environments is inexplicable and I am not convinced that any man can give me such joy,” she explained happily.

Momentarily, she agreed with her just to make her stable, “Oh! Your decision is phenomenal. How come I have never thought of it? Get dressed up and get the farming tools. We are leaving for the farm right away,” she announced with glee.

Now, the excited Mirabel hugged her tightly and appreciated, “Thank you, Grandma, for believing in me. I will always make you proud.”

“I'm proud of you already, my dear. Get ready,” she emphasized and walked to her chamber but prayed inwardly for the right man to come someday.

Then, Mirabel turned around, saw her Knight standing within hearing distance, and ordered, “Get the team ready; we are leaving for the farm at once.”

Her knight genuflected and responded, “I got it, Your Majesty.”

A few months ago, the twenty-three years Alfred, the successor of the Walter International Conglomerates, was new in the country but was desperate to see his life fall into shape. He just escaped a political interest marriage from his country home, Nassau, the Bahamas, in the United States of America.

That day, he was with his twenty-two-year-old friend, Carson Gilmore, and the successor of the Gilmore Group of Companies. They walked into a florist shop to pick a flower for Pearl, Carson's girlfriend. Subsequently, he was entrapped by the simple-looking florist who they mistook for a shop attendant. They paid for the flower and left, but Alfred did not leave with his heart – Mirabel stole it and kept it.

“Carson, I think I love that girl,” he confided to him after they got into Carson's car.

“Which girl?” Carson inquired while he fastened his seatbelt.

“The shop attendant,” Alfred made clear.

“There were many shop attendants in the shop, and I would not know which of them you are talking about.”

“The one who helped us with the selection of the flowers.”

“I see. If it is that one that your heart went for, be ready to pick up the pieces of it,” Carson made it clear to him and turned on his engine.

“What do you mean by that, Carson?” the curious Alfred asked him.

“I have heard her stories. She seemed to be married to her job and nothing more. Breaking the heart of her admirers is her stock-in-trade.”

“Oh! That makes the two of us. I'm good at breaking unguarded hearts, too,” Alfred declared proudly and Carson gave him a searching look.

“Are you convinced that you are capable of getting her?” Carson inquired with concern.

“Certainly,” Alfred assured him.

“Wow! I'm out to watch a live movie,” Carson stated and laughed ecstatically. Alfred laughed too.

Nevertheless, they returned home and mapped out how to get Mirabel and keep her.

“Your idea is good, Carson and if she fails to accept my proposal, I will crush her heart into pieces,” Alfred declared.

“And she would pick up the pieces of her heart instead of you,” Carson pointed out sarcastically and they laughed the more.

Nevertheless, it was Pearl's (Carson's girlfriend) birthday, and they had planned a surprise treat for her. Therefore, they drove to her hostel that evening and sent for her.

“A happy birthday to you, my love,” Carson announced when she arrived and walked into his arms for a hug.

“Thank you, my love,” the twenty-year-old girl responded while Alfred looked on.

After she disengaged herself from Carson, she looked at Alfred, who was smiling happily, and greeted him, “It is good to see you, Alfred.”

“I'm glad to see you, too. A happy birthday to you,” Alfred responded.

“Thank you for your wishes,” Pearl responded with glee.

“Shall we be on our way?” Carson looked into her eyes and inquired.

“Where are we going?” She asked in astonishment.

Meanwhile, Alfred was aware of the surprised treat and started walking towards the park.

“Come with me. You will get to know,” Carson answered her.

Pearl smiled in acceptance and inquired, “What about the rest?”

“They are fine. I will contact them later. For now, it's just Alfred and us,” he responded.

“I see,” she acknowledged and used her fingers to comb her hair backward.

Carson watched her and helped her to tuck her hair behind her ears.

“You don't need to bother yourself. You are always beautiful,” he complimented her.

He grabbed her right hand and they followed Alfred. She giggled and walked along. After a few seconds, they were at the car park. He opened the front door of his car and held it for her. After she sat down comfortably, he shut the door and walked to the driver's side.

“Are we set?” he asked them after he took his seat and turned on the ignition.

“Certainly,” Pearl and Alfred, who were seated in the back seat, responded simultaneously, and he drove off.

Afterward, she turned, looked at Alfred, and inquired, “I hope you are adjusting to my country's weather and lifestyle, Alfred?”

“Well. It's not been easy, but I am coping.”

“That is good to know,” she complimented him.

Soon, they were at the school mall, and Carson parked. He got out of the car, walked to her side, and opened the door for her.

“Thank you for the gesture, dear,” she appreciated him and got out of the car.

Alfred did the same thing and soon, they were in the restaurant. Meanwhile, the attendants were ready to receive them, just as Carson had requested. They had set up a table at a corner of the restaurant and walked them to the table the moment they walked in.

“Make yourself comfortable,” one of the waiters announced.

“Thank you, for this,” Carson appreciated him and adjusted a seat for Pearl.

She sat down snugly while he took his seat beside her.

“Wow!” She exclaimed when she saw the beautifully decorated table with different colors of candles and potpourri.

Likewise, Carson looked at her and asked, “Do you like it?”

“Certainly. It's just spectacular,” she stated euphorically.

Nevertheless, Alfred who was smiling softly, remarked, “This is a good one. I hope to have something like this someday.”

“It won't be long. Do you love my country girls?” Pearl inquisitively asked him.

“Well,” he stated shyly.

Now, Carson was cognizant of what he meant and smiled softly. He brought out a bottle of champagne that was concealed by a flower on the table. Instantly, he popped it, and they were excited, while Alfred took photographs of the occasion.

In the heat of the moment, Carson excused himself and walked back to his car. He returned after a few minutes with the exotic assortment of multicolored stunning orchids, which were beautifully wrapped in transparent wrapping paper.