Chapter 2: Proposal

Elizabeth's POV

'KNOCK KNOCK'

I look up from my laptop and I saw my friend, Madeline with her hand on the doorknob.

"What is it, Madeline?" I asked her as I take my reading glasses off.

"There's someone here who wants to see you." She said.

"Okay."

Then I saw John Anderson, the manager of the Sunrise Company, entering the room and Madeline closes the door.

"Oh, Mr. Anderson. What brings you here?" I asked as I stand up from my seat.

"Elizabeth, you know you can just call me John. No need to be formal." He said.

John Anderson is a very wealthy man and he's admired by almost everyone in the company, especially the girls. He's kind, smart and very good looking. No wonder why most of the girls in the company fall for him.

"Right, sorry. Anyways, do you need anything?"

"I'm just checking to see how you're doing and also... I would like to ask you something." He said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me tonight." He said and I pause for a moment.

"Oh, I'm flattered. And dinner sounds lovely. But why?"

"To be quite honest... for three years, I like you Elizabeth. I really do. You're diligent, smart and resourceful. So... tonight?"

"I would love that," I said.

"So, I'll pick you up tonight and Madeline already told me your address. I'll see you later."With that being said, he left. I clear out my throat and went back to work.

I'm having dinner with the one and only John Anderson.

__

Aurora's POV

Just five more minutes and we're free to go.

"Now for your homework." Mr. Jones said as he wrote down our homework on the board. And almost all of the students groan, including Heather.

"You just need to research at least 8 facts about the French Revolution on your notebook that's all. For those who will do their homework, will automatically get 10 points directly to the test which will be on Wednesday next week."

'RIIING'

"That's all for today. Have a nice weekend everyone and don't forget your homework." He said and all of us stood up from our seats and pack our stuff.

"How can we have a nice weekend if we have homework?" Heather whispered.

"Don't worry, it's just a simple homework Heather Feather," Edward said.

"Whatever Eddie." She said and we head out of the classroom.

"How can I research without my laptop or the internet tonight?" Heather put her hands on her cheeks while she continues whining.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty~" I heard the voice of none other than Lucas William as he put his arm around me.

Lucas William is part of the basketball team and last year, the whole school knows that he's head over heels for me... at least I think that's what they call it. He's always like this since the seventh grade and it's getting irritating. I'm obviously not interested in him but he couldn't take a hint.

"What do you want Lucas? And I told you to stop calling me that." I said, brushing his arm off of me.

"Oh, did I upset you, princess? I just miss you." He said.

"Get lost, Lucas," Heather said through her gritted teeth.

"And what you're gonna do about it, Heather Feather?" He patted Heather on the head.

"Yo Lucas, we're late for practice! Let's go!" One of Lucas' friends yelled.

"Alright!" Lucas replied. "See you later, princess~," He said to me and left.

"Geez, he's kinda getting on my nerves," Edward said as he tightens his grip on his backpack strap.

"Anyways, there's always the library. Why don't you research there?" I asked.

"You're probably right," Heather said before letting out a sigh.

"I'll help you out, Heather." Edward offered.

I look at the time on my watch. Oh crap, it's time to pick up Toby.

"I need to get going guys. See you on Monday!" I said as I wave at them and left.

"See ya, Ro!" Heather shouted before she left with Edward.

I walk a little bit faster towards the exit and I bump into... the same guy earlier.

"Sorry," I said quickly and left.

I head out of the high school building and walk towards the elementary school building.

__

Later, I finally arrived at Toby's classroom and I saw him talking to his teacher.

'KNOCK, KNOCK'

"Aurora!" Toby ran towards me and I lift him up.

"Hey, goofball. Oh, hi Mrs. Waters." I greeted his teacher.

"Hello Aurora, Toby did a very good job today." She said.

"You did, goofball?" I asked.

"Yep and I have three stamps. See?" He shows me his arm and I can clearly see red stars on it, meaning he did well today.

"I'm proud of you. Well, we better get going. " I said.

"Okay, be careful on your way home." Mrs. Waters said.

"We will."

"Bye Mrs. Waters!" Toby said, waving at his teacher and she waves back.

Then we walk towards the exit and wait outside.

Five minutes have passed and I saw mom's car behind a red Fortuner car.

"There's mom." I said to Toby and we walk towards her car.

I open the car door and I help Toby get in the car first.

"Hey, mom," I said as I get in the car and then I close the car door.

"Hey kids, how's school?" Mom asked as I buckle up Toby.

"Fine," I said while I buckle up.

"Okay, let's go." She said and then we're on our way home.

I look out from my window and I saw the exact same guy, that I bumped into, outside and I assume looking at our car.

What's his deal anyway?

I shrugged it off and take my phone out of my bag.

After what it felt like an hour or so, we've arrived.

Mom stopped the car engine and we get off the car.

I help Toby get off the car and he ran towards the front door. I throw my backpack over my shoulder and follow.

Home sweet home.

"Let's go upstairs, Toby," I said to Toby and we went up to our rooms.

"Do you want me to help you get dress?" I asked Toby as I open the door to his room.

"Nope. I'm a big boy now." He said.

"Okay, big boy. Get dressed and call me if you need help." I said and I left.

"Aurora?" I heard my mom's voice called out for me from her room.

I walk towards her room and enter. I saw her holding two beautiful dresses. An elegant, navy blue dress and a gorgeous red dress.

"Which one do you think I should wear?" She asked.

"Hmm... I think you should wear the red dress. " I said as I sit down on her bed. "Are you going to a party?"

"No... actually, I'm going on a..."

"A date with someone?" I finished her sentence.

"Yes."

"Oh okay, then you should go with the red dress," I said. "Now that you mentioned it, I think it's time for you to go out there and you know... meet someone mom."

"I know honey..." She said before looking at the clock. "Oh, I should get ready. Thank you, by the way, sweetie."

"You're welcome, mom," I said and left.

I head over to my room and put my backpack down. I take my jacket and shoes off. I walked over to my cabinet and pull out a white sweater, leggings and white socks. I head over to my bathroom and change.

Once I changed into my sleepwear, I grab my phone and pull out my history notebook and pen from my backpack and then I head out and put my dirty clothes into the laundry room. Then I head downstairs and I heard sounds from the living room. As I enter the living room, I saw Toby sitting on the floor, possibly drawing something while Sesame Street is on.

"Hey goofball." I sit down and put my stuff aside. "What are you drawing there?"

"Cars." He said.

I put both of my legs over the couch and do my homework. Then I heard sounds coming from upstairs. I look up and I saw mom going down the stairs.

She always looks her best. She puts her hair in a braid, her heels match perfectly with her red dress. Her natural pink lips are painted red and she puts on simple yet dazzling accessories. And to compliment her outfit, she holds on to a gold purse which is quite expensive.

"Okay, you two..." She began. "I'll be out for a while and Aurora, I'm putting you in charge. "

"No problem mom. You look amazing by the way." I said to her.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Toby, listen to your sister and don't stay up too late, okay?"

"Okay, mommy," Toby answered.

"Okay. Oh and here's some money if you want to order pizza or something." She said and she handed the money to me.

"Thanks, mom."

'HONK HONK'

"He's here. I'll be back soon. I love you both."

"We love you too mom. Have fun." I said.

She let out a giggle before heading out.

"Hey, wanna order some pizza goofball?" I asked and he turns around.

"Can I have some chicken nuggets and a chocolate milkshake too?" He asked.

"Okay. " I grab my phone and call the pizza place.

Elizabeth's POV

30 minutes have passed and we've arrived at Dennis Italian Restaurant and John told the waitress for a table that he reserved.

The waitress leads us to our table and we sit down.

"Would you like a menu or the chef's choice?" The waitress asked.

"The chef's choice sounds nice. Is that okay with you Elizabeth?"

"Sure." I smiled at him.

"Okay, your order will be here in a few minutes." The waitress said before she left.

"You look amazing tonight," John said.

"Thank you."

"Um... well while waiting, why don't we get to know each other better?" He suggested.

"Sure. What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Tell me something about yourself. Do you have any kids?"

"Yes. I have two kids to be exact. My eldest, Aurora and the youngest, Toby."

"Ahh. Can you tell me a little information about them?"

"Okay... Toby is six years old and he loves to play with car toys and also loves to play with Aurora. And Aurora... she's sixteen, very responsible and she loves to write." I said. "And she used to be very close with her father... and then ten years ago, my husband died in a car accident and she became a little bit distant from me and her friends but now she's okay."

"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss. You know, you're not the only one. I lost my wife after she gave birth to my only son." He said.

"You have a son?" I asked.

"Yep. His name is Steven and he's nineteen years old. What school do your kids go to?"

Before I answered his question, our food arrived. The waitress places our plates down and then she filled our glasses with champagne and left.

"Thank you." We said in unison to the waitress.

"Enjoy your meal." The waitress said and left.

"To answer your question, they both go to Richfield," I said.

"Oh, my son goes there too. He's supposed to be in the eleventh grade but he suddenly he dropped out so he has to continue tenth grade with some of his friends who also dropped out."

"Okay." Then we eat our dinner and continue chatting.

It felt like an eternity and we finished our food.

"Elizabeth?" I look up to him.

"Yes?"

"Since we worked together for three years... and a half and I know this is sudden but..." He stands up and he got down on one knee and pull out a small black box. I cover my mouth and I know what he's gonna do next.

"Oh my god..." I mumbled as he opens the box and it reveals a beautiful diamond ring.

An engagement ring.

"Elizabeth Hills... will you marry me?"

With that being said, I nodded and said:

"Yes. John, yes!"

He chuckled and he slips on the ring on my ring finger. Everyone applauded and then...

His lips met mine.

Later, he paid the check and he drives me back home.

Aurora's POV

I write down the last fact on my history notebook and finish my pizza slice. Then I close my notebook and put it aside.

"Okay goofball, time for bed," I said as I wipe my hands with a tissue.

He rubs his eyes and let out a yawn. "Okay..."

I lift him up and carry him to his bedroom. I help him brush his teeth since he's a little bit tired yet he still has a little bit of energy. After that, I tuck him to bed. I turn on his small lamp with stars on it and place a kiss on his forehead before I left the room.

I went back downstairs and clean up. I throw away the empty pizza box, the empty milkshake cup and the empty box of chicken nuggets into the trash.

"Aurora, I'm home." I heard the voice of my mom, entering the house.

"Hey, mom." I walk towards her and place a kiss on her cheek. "How's your date?"

"It's okay. Is Toby asleep?" She asked as she puts her purse down.

"Yeah." I replied and then she crossed her arms and said; "We have something to discuss."

I look at her left ring finger and I saw an engagement ring.

"Is that an engagement ring?" I asked.

"Yes... Do you still remember Mr. John Anderson?" She asked and I raised an eyebrow.

"The manager of the Sunrise Company?" I asked.

"Yes... well, I have dinner with him and he proposed." Mom said with a smile on her face.

"Really? Congrats mom. I'm happy for you." I said and I give her a hug.

"Thank you, sweetie. And well, we talked about this and we're wondering to have dinner again tomorrow but you guys should come along with us to meet your stepbrother."

"Oh, we'll have a stepbrother?" I asked.

"Yes. And he goes the same school as you and Toby and he's three years older than you." Mom said.

"Okay but what if we don't get along?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure you two will get along with him." She said as she places a kiss on my forehead. "Okay?"

"Okay, mom. I should go to bed." I said as I grab my stuff from the couch.

"Yeah, it's getting late. Good night sweetie."

"Good night mom," I said and I head upstairs.

I hope our stepfather and stepbrother are nice. But... this could be a new chapter of our lives. And all I care is my mom's happiness and for a better future.