Chapter 310
Joseph handed the menu to Elizabeth and started chatting with the waiter. “Man, this place has some serious style,” he commented. “So romantic.”
The waiter, with a straight face, spilled the beans. “Yeah, and this time, it’s the girl doing the proposing!”
Joseph’s jaw dropped. “A girl proposing? That’s gutsy!”
Elizabeth perked up at the waiter’s words. So, a girl was proposing. Not that shocking, really. Times had changed, and plenty of bold girls were out there wearing their hearts on their sleeves. People were more chill about stuff now; if it worked out, awesome. If not, no biggie.
Elizabeth finished her order and let Joseph take his turn. “I’ll have what she’s having,” Joseph said, handing the menu back to the waiter with a smile. “Thanks.”
Elizabeth watched Joseph closely. He was always super nice to everyone. Even the waiter received gentle treatment. Feeling a bit bored, she snapped a picture and threw it up on Instagram: Movie night and dinner. Feeling alive again.
Comments started rolling in almost immediately. Elizabeth skimmed through a few; most were telling her to steer clear of guys and just enjoy life. She liked each comment, letting her fans know she saw them.
The waiter soon brought their food. Elizabeth was cutting into her steak when she overheard a waiter outside say, “Are they here? Okay, we’re setting up.”
The place was buzzing tonight, and everyone was hyped about the proposal. Elizabeth’s seat was prime real estate for the show; in front of her, rose petals were laid out in a heart shape.
Just as Elizabeth was getting excited, two familiar faces walked in. Elizabeth’s hand froze, and the knife slipped onto the tablecloth. Joseph looked just as shocked. He swore he had no clue that tonight’s proposal was between Esme and Alexander.
Esme was leading Alexander, her hands over his eyes, guiding him step by step. Alexander, all suited up, was playing along and moving his feet. Esme took her hands away from Alexander’s eyes. Alexander frowned and instinctively shut his eyes. A big screen lit up in front of him, so bright he had to squint.
After a moment, Alexander finally opened his eyes. On the screen, Esme was holding a camera and saying, “Hey, Alexander, it’s Esme. Today marks who-knows-how-many days since we met. Looking back, I’ve always been by your side as a friend. You support me, care for me, love me, and give me everything. I’m so grateful. So now, let me take you through the years with the photos I’ve taken of you!”
The screen started showing photos of Alexander over the years: high school Alexander, college Alexander, and Alexander taking over the Tudor Group at its press conference. In one shot, Alexander’s eyes were clearly on Esme.
Alexander had taken over the Tudor Group before he even graduated. At the press conference, Elizabeth was there as his fiancée. But in the crowd, his first love, Esme, was also there.
Watching the video, Elizabeth increasingly felt like a third wheel in Alexander and Esme’s story all these years. If it weren’t for her, they would have been the perfect couple.
Elizabeth gripped her knife and fork tightly, kept her head down, and ate in silence. Joseph frowned and said, “Let’s bounce and find another spot to eat.”