After accessorizing with a pearl necklace and matching earrings – on loan from Tessa – Indie sat down to do her makeup. Tonight was a night that called for makeup. She ran to her backpack and dug out her notebook. She flipped the pages till she found the one she was looking for – Tessa’s instructions on how to do a killer makeup application. Indie decided to leave out the killer part, tone it down a bit. Right now all she wanted to know was how to make herself look pretty.
After much powdering and dabbing and penciling Indie sat back and surveyed herself in the mirror. Not quite the masterpiece Tessa had created but she could pass. The subtle shadow she’d applied on her lids and the eyeliner made the green in her eyes sparkle, and the peachy pink lipstick made her lips look soft and full. Ready for kissing. She giggled at the thought.
At exactly seven twenty-five she walked out of her room, purse in hand and high heels clicking as she headed for the elevator. And tonight she walked with confidence, not just because she’d practiced walking in high heels but because she knew – okay, maybe she didn’t know but she had a really good feeling – that Stone was going to propose.
Then as the elevator doors opened the doubts came rushing back. Was he really going to propose or was that just wishful thinking on her part? She was just about to do the usual biting of her lip when she was in deep thought but she stopped herself just in time. Definitely not the thing to do when wearing lipstick. Then there was no time to ponder any further. The elevator doors opened and she stepped out, head high, and headed for the lobby.
Stone was already there, tall and impressive in a black dinner jacket and snow-white shirt open at the collar to reveal his strong tanned neck. As he approached he gave her a sexy smile. “Exquisite,” he whispered and took her hand then leaned forward to give her a light kiss on the cheek.
So far so good. He was saying all the right things, making all the right moves. Now if he could only follow through right to the end she’d be a happy camper. And so would all the kids she planned to help with the fourteen million dollars.
As they walked out the front door a long black limousine pulled up in front and the uniformed chauffeur hopped out and opened the door for Indie. Stone got in behind and as soon as they’d made themselves comfortable, the car pulled away from the curb and merged into the traffic.
“Where are we going?” Indie asked.
“You’ll see,” Stone said, giving her a mysterious look.
She decided not to even think about what would come later. With a sigh she relaxed into the white leather seat and enjoyed the view of the city of Johannesburg at night.
It wasn’t long before they pulled up in front of a building that made Indie’s eyes widen and her jaw go slack. The place looked like a palace, like one of those castles in Versailles. But she hadn’t died and gone to France, had she?
Stone leaned toward her. “Le Chateau de la Riviere,” he said in a low voice. “They serve the best French cuisine in the country."
Indie nodded, still speechless, as she peered out the window at the majestic columns and the elegant statues that adorned the entrance. This was like no restaurant she’d ever seen before. Although it had lost its weight due to slang, the only word she could think of to describe it was 'awesome'.
Stone exited the limousine first then he held out his hand and helped her down. She felt like Cinderella being escorted by her prince.
He led her up the wide stone steps and into an immense marble-tiled lobby. They were immediately greeted by a black-uniformed host who seemed to have been expecting them.
“We have a private dining room.” Stone explained as they were led down an adjacent hallway and then toward an elegant staircase. At the top they were ushered into an intimate room, ornately decorated with a statuette in the corner, elegant paintings on the walls and a rug with such an intricate design that it almost looked handmade. And in the middle of that rug stood a small round table set for two, a bouquet of white roses in the middle of it, and flower-shaped candles glowing softly around the vase.
Indie expelled her breath slowly, only then realizing she’d been holding it. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Glad you like it.” Stone cupped her elbow and they walked over to the specially set table then as he helped her into her chair the host stepped forward. Stone quickly placed the orders and as soon as they were alone he reached over and took her hand in his. “I can’t stop telling you how beautiful you look tonight.”
Indie dropped her gaze, feeling the first flush of embarrassment. She wasn’t used to receiving so much attention – and praise – from a man.
“You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met,” he said, “both inside and out.” Then he gave a low, throaty laugh. “But I’m sure you hear that all the time.”
No, not really, like...never. Indie said nothing. She just gave him a soft smile in response.
“As I told you, Indie, there’s something I want to…have to say to you and I wanted to do this somewhere special.” He looked down at their hands and then began to stroke her fingers with his thumb. “I was planning to wait until after dinner but…I can’t keep this inside any longer. Indie, I…” He fell silent again.
Indie’s heart lurched. Her palms grew damp and her breath caught in her throat. Come on, say it. I can’t breathe till you say the words.
“I know you’ll think this is crazy…”
No, I won’t.
“…and you’ll wonder how this is possible in such a short time…”
It’s possible. It’s possible.
“…but I’ve fallen in love with you, Indie.”
He looked up at her then, deep into her eyes, and then he gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “I know this comes as a shock to you but I couldn’t go another day without telling you how I feel.”
He sighed and in his eyes was an earnestness that made Indie’s heart soar. “What I’m saying is I want…” He looked down at their hands again and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this to you.”