Page 4 of Goodbye To Tomorrow

"I think I'm going to need a drink," she responded as she started to step backwards.

I slowly leapt to my feet and, taking a few steps in her direction, I pulled her back into my arms passionately.

“What do you say? Will you be my wife?”

"Yes, I will! I will marry you, Jiraiya." She exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

My heart was in an uproar of excitement and, amidst our joyous laughter, my arms found their way around her waist for the second time.

The attention of people in the room began to shift in our direction. I picked her up and swirled her around because she had just made me the happiest man in the world. I set her on her feet and embraced her once more, invoking another round of wild laughter.

"I will!" She exclaimed again.

"Say it! You will do what?"

"I will marry you!"

Excitement filled the hall at once as everyone turned in our direction while bringing their hands together in a round of applause accompanied by congratulatory shouts of joy. The excitement of the night cloaked us in its warmth.

The music became louder: shouts and applause erupted even more as we held on to each other and started to kiss passionately. Champagne flowed freely but I was already drunk on love.

Thoughts breezed through my mind of how it was, just a few years ago, when my path and Gracen's had crossed at the lobby of Oceanview Real Estates and Property Development in downtown Manhattan.

There was something about her that had drawn me to her from the start... her face stuck in my memory. She was just unforgettable. There was something about me too; Gracen had admitted that to me at a later date. My thoughts float back to that time; I had been rushing out to an appointment when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Hello, excuse me. I'm kind of lost here. Can you please point me in the direction of the Client Relations office?" Gracen asked the first time I met her. She was dressed in a knee-length, red, slinky summer dress that did nothing to hide the beautiful curves of her hips. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, showing the perfect angle of her face and those gorgeous sky-blue eyes.

"I'm guessing you want to check our list of available properties?" I asked immediately, flashed my most charming smile.

"Yes, a friend suggested that I come to the open house over here. Do you work here? Obviously, you do." She added almost immediately with a charming smile, sending me groping for words.

"Yes, yes I do. I am on my way to my office. If you will follow me, I am sure I can hook you up with something good. I am sure you will find the properties exquisite and the prices are competitive in today’s market. You can bet on that," I said politely trying to keep my emotions in check as I led the way.

"Are you in any way the Client Relations officer?" She asked, puzzled by my enthusiasm.

"No, I am not but let's just say I am in a position to help you and I would be willing to show you our nicest properties on the market."

"Well...I hope I find what I'm looking for."

"I hope you do, too" I responded with a warm smile.

"Hey Brenda, could you please bring the client’s file to my office right away?" I instructed my assistant in a professional tone.

After this, it didn't take long for her to figure out I was a top player at Oceanview.

"I thought you were on your way out for lunch, Sir." My assistant replied, puzzled.

"Well, as you can see, I am no longer hungry," I responded with a mocking grin on my face as I strolled towards my office with the beautiful lady in tow.

“Is this your office?” Gracen’s voice held surprise as we got to the transparent glass door. She had noticed the name on the frame and the title just above it as I pushed it open.

“Yes,” I nodded.

"So, you are the CEO?” she asked rhetorically. Her smile had widened as she entered.

“Yes indeed,” I replied again and took my seat behind the huge oak desk I had imported from Spain. I smiled as I waved her to one of the cushioned leather seats in front of the desk. "You may have a seat, miss...?" I inquired.

"Gracen, Gracen Lafleur," she stated simply.

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