Page 64 of Marko

The guys erupted in laughter, and Luca gave me a hearty slap on the back, almost making me choke.

“Glad it’s you and not me. I’d be terrified,” he said, still chuckling.

“Wait until it is your turn. I want a ringside seat,” Anton added with a wicked laugh.

“Ditto, Anton!” Luca shot back, and Anton’s face turned a shade paler.

“Not me. I’ll leave the relationship stuff to you guys,” Anton said, gulping his drink in one go.

I’d always wondered why Anton shied away from long-term relationships. Since his return from the military, he’d only had one-night stands or fleeting affairs—never anything lasting. There was clearly a story there. But he was a private guy, so I’d never pried.

Anton turned away from us, then spun back around and smirked, “Maybe Trigger will be the next to pop the question.”

We all looked over and noticed Trigger standing very close to a laughing Sara. From the looks of things, he might be right. It seemed Melissa was correct that Trigger had taken a liking to Sara and from where I was standing, it very much looked like the feeling was mutual. I hoped so. The guy deserved love.

As the event was nearing the end, and the people who had been swarming around Melissa all night dwindled back into the main restaurant, I could finally approach her again.

“Your first show has gone really well. I’m so proud of you,” I told her, kissing her lightly on the cheek before whispering, “and I’m looking forward to getting you home and showing you just how much.”

She shivered, and I smirked, thinking of all the delightfully naughty things I had planned for when we were finally alone.

“When can we leave?” she asked, grinning, and I almost whisked her away then and there. But I had something important to do first, so instead, I pulled her to me and kissed her briefly on the lips.

“Soon. The night is nearly over, but before it is, I have something I need to do,” I told her, leading her into the main restaurant.

This was it! I gave a nod to the musicians, and the string quartet began an old Russian tune, a favourite of my parents. Taking a deep breath, I dropped to one knee and pulled a small box from my pocket and opened it.

Melissa’s eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth in shock and anticipation.

“Melissa Martin, it hasn’t been long since we met, but from the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. That you were meant to be mine. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I hope you feel the same. Will you marry me?”

Please say yes! Please say yes! My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as I awaited her response. The few seconds it took for her to process my words felt like an eternity.

“Yes!” she cried, and as I stood, she threw herself into my arms.

Thank fuck for that!

The room erupted in cheers, claps, and whistles, but I barely noticed. My focus was on steadying my trembling hands as I slid the ring onto her finger.

Once it was in place, a wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn’t contain the beaming grin as I looked at the ring on Melissa’s hand. She was mine!

Naturally, Miki was the first to congratulate us, giving me a hearty pat on the back and planting a kiss on Melissa’s cheek. Glowacki followed, grinning ear to ear, with Aunt Marta beside him, glowing with joy. Their arranged marriage seemed to be working wonders; they looked blissfully happy, and I hoped Melissa and I would find the same happiness.

“Congratulazioni, figli miei,” Nonna said, grasping us in turn and kissing us soundly on both cheeks, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. Her smile was enormous, a rare sight since my parents’ death and Krissa’s loss. But with the new additions to the family and the prospect of babies on the horizon, Nonna had a new spark. It was heartwarming to see her so rejuvenated.

After the family’s congratulations, Luca, and Anton gave their well-wishes before Trigger approached. His usual moody demeanour was replaced by a rare, genuine grin. I knew he was happy for us, but I suspected his smile had more to do with the woman at his side. Sara was equally radiant, and I glanced between them, pleased that Melissa’s matchmaking seemed to have worked.

We chatted briefly, and I complimented Sara on the stunning dress she’d designed for Melissa. She mentioned she’d be wearing the same dress in blue for her friend’s wedding that weekend and had invited Hugh, hoping I’d give him the evening off.

I stared at her, my mind racing to connect the dots—Hugh Scott, aka Trigger!

“Ha, Hugh!” I burst out laughing, and he nudged me playfully. I had completely forgotten that was his real name. He loathed Hugh, but the fact that he let Sara use it told me he was smitten.

Smirking at him, I turned to face Sara. “He can have the whole bloody weekend off if it keeps a smile on the moody bastard’s face,” I told her with a wink.

Holding Melissa close at my side, I watched as they beamed at each other when I confirmed he’d be free. There was definitely a budding romance there, and I was truly happy for Trigger. If anyone deserved some joy in his life, he did.

Eventually, we headed back to the Estate, and I spent the next few hours showing my little Miss Pouty Lips just how much she meant to me. It had been a fantastic day and an even better evening. I drifted off with a giant grin on my face and a contented woman in my arms.

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