The surprise part four*

I inhaled deeply, preparing to express my true feelings.

I gazed into his eyes and said, "Oliver... I have never felt this deeply about anyone as much as I feel it with you. I've grown to love you for who you are. I have fallen for you so hard, that i do not wish to get up. You've given me a joy that i have never known before, and for that I will be forever grateful.  But... I can't be with you."

He grasped my hands firmly and asked, " Why Shorty? Why ? Is it my father? Did he do something to you? To your family?"

I shook my head, struggling to swallow the painful lump in my throat.

" I care too much about you, Oliver. I can't bare to see you suffer anymore. Because of me you suffer, your father and Scarlett (the Canadian woman) hate me. Because of me, you could have been injured to the point of death, any of those past days. I can't allow this to go on anymore. You have a life and I do too. I admit... That I don't know how I'm going to move on from you, or live my days without you.  After experiencing these feelings with you. But as long as yo-"

My eyes fluttered shut as I experienced the gentle touch of soft lips against my own. It was my first kiss. I had shared my first kiss with my high school tormentor—no, with the love of my life.

At that moment, it felt as though time had come to a standstill. His left hand drew me nearer, while his right hand cradled my face, tenderly stroking my cheek with his thumb. Had it not been for the need for breath, we might have continued this embrace indefinitely. Oliver brought our foreheads together, inhaling deeply before uttering a word.

"Listen to me, and listen to me well, Shorty... I don't care what you say or do. But I am not letting you leave me that easily. You are the reason I can take those hits every day and still smile, you're the one who keeps me going admits the pain. I'm not going to set you free. So don't try to push me away, because I won't let you go. I'm not going to let you leave me, ever. You're mine, Alexandra. Mine." I drew him in for another kiss, his arms surrounding me completely.

Upon our lips separating, I pressed a kiss to his cheek and offered him a smile, despite the tears that continued to flow from my eyes. He gently placed a promise ring on my finger, the very one that had been nestled in the small box. Afterward, he handed me the box, and I adorned his finger with the other ring. He tenderly wiped away my tears once again, and I leaned my head against his shoulder.

His uncle came and patted him on the back. I looked at him ad he smiled at me. "You are indeed a kind-hearted, one of a kind girl.  My nephew has chosen well." I frowned.

Why is he smiling at me when, since our first meeting, he has been attempting to persuade me to leave Oliver?

He let out a soft laugh and gazed at the night sky. He then elaborated on his intention to test me. Additionally, he expressed his desire to ensure that when he returns to his family, Oliver would be in capable hands. He also extended his apologies for the distress and confusion he had caused me, stating that he would return to visit after sharing the good news with Oliver's grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Oliver and his uncle exchanged a unique handshake after his uncle embraced me. Once silence enveloped us again, Oliver inquired if his uncle could grant us a moment alone. His uncle nodded and stepped back into the limousine.

For a brief moment, he locked his gaze with mine, and I held his stare in return.

" You really are beautiful, Shorty. No one can compare to you." I felt a rush of warmth to my cheeks and averted my gaze, wishing to conceal my flushed face. However, he gently redirected my attention towards him and pressed his lips against mine, enveloping me in a tender embrace.

For the rest of our lives, I am his, and he is mine.

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