Page 30 of Bitten By Love

“Indeed, Gabriel Stoica, Mrs. Costin,” Gabriel said as we both took a seat on the pale green couch in the living room.

“Oh please, call me Sharon. I am so happy to see Petra bring a boy into our home. And a Romanian at that. It reminds me of our own love story with Petra’s father.”

“Petra told me all about you. But she forgot to mention what a stunning and youthful mother she has,” Gabriel said.

Mom giggled like a schoolgirl. “Well, she didn’t mention her boyfriend looked as if from the cover of a magazine,” she said, trying to hide how flattered she felt.

“Oh, we are much more than boyfriend and girlfriend,” he said.

For a second, I thought he would disclose our history. At the same time, Mom noticed the ring on my finger and looked at me in confusion.

“We are engaged,” he said.

Chapter 13

Mom almost slipped off the chair at the sound of his words. “So soon?” she asked.

Suddenly, we heard someone at the door, trying to open it. Then we heard the keys fall, then another attempt to open the door, till they realized it was unlocked. When Dad entered, he said, “Sharon, what happened? What’s the emergency?”

“He was already on his way home. I let him know we had guests,” Mom said apologetically and rushed to explain the situation to my dad.

We could only hear mumbling till my dad yelped, “engagement?” After, they approached us with a serious and aloof composure.

Gabriel rose to greet Dad.

“I am Constantin. Petra’s father,” he said and shook hands with Gabriel.

“It is a pleasure to meet the man who has raised such a kind-hearted daughter,” Gabriel said and smiled.

The stunned look on my parents’ faces proved they didn’t stand a chance before Gabriel’s charms.

“I see you have proposed already to my daughter.” Dad still tried to play the role of a doting father. At the same time, Mom feigned the perfect hostess and rushed to the kitchen and brought a glass of water for each of us.

“Without the approval of our families,” Gabriel said, “an engagement ring becomes but a simple gem holder. The genuine acceptance of two souls’ union comes from those who bore the burden of raising them. Thus, I come today to ask permission for your daughter’s hand.”

“Well, you know, we’re not that medieval,” Dad said, and I almost choked on the water. “We want to make sure the man our sweet Petra chooses is just as kind and caring as her. After her sister disappeared, I don’t know what we would have done without our sweet little Petra.” Dad barely held in his tears.

Mom rushed to console him. “It’s okay, my dear. Elena is watching over us from wherever she is. She would be so happy to see Petra bring such a nice man into our house.”

“Um, Dad, did you see the ring?” I asked, scouring my brain to find a way to make Dad feel better.

“Oh, what a big stone. Is that a black diamond?” Dad asked curiously.

“Yes,” I said. “The halo of stones around it is also made of diamonds,” I said.

“They also came here in a limo,” Mom said.

“The limo outside is theirs?” Dad asked and turned to Gabriel. “What do you do for a living, young man? Are your parents rich? Are you a market investor? Did you win the lottery?” Dad asked.

For Dad, these were the only three options for someone to become rich.

“My company sells rare antiquities around the world,” said Gabriel.

“And you can make a good buck on some old paintings?” asked Dad, scratching his head.

“You’d be surprised,” Gabriel said. “And since we’re on the subject of paintings, I actually have something for you, Sharon.”

“For me?” Mom asked, surprised.

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