Proposal

Lucas then sat Maya down on the sofa and walked away to the kitchen. He fetched her a glass of water and a towel to wipe her face. Maya cringed when she imagined how she looked right now. She was an ugly crier and she knew that herself. She grabbed a towel and tried her best to clean her face. 

Maya went to the washroom to minimise the damage she had done by crying like a baby. Lucas took this opportunity to fetch something from his room. When Maya walked out, Lucas held her by her hand and took her to the balcony. 

His apartment was said to have the best view in the city. From his balcony he had a panoramic view of the city square and the coastline. Right at that moment it was dusk. The sunset enveloped the coast and the surrounding in an orange hue. The sight was breathtaking. 

Maya was lost in the view. She had travelled to many places in her life but this was the most beautiful sight she has come across. It was so picturesque that she wished she could freeze the moment in time. She knew no camera could do this view any justice. 

Lucas kneeled before Maya and looked up at her with adoration. " Maya. I love you. There are not enough ways for me to express my love but I hope I can spend the rest of my life proving it to you. I have never met a person so beautiful, perfect, sweet, kind and loving in my life. I don't plan on losing you anytime soon and hence all I wish to ask you is…. Would you marry me?" he proposed as he took out the ring box and opened it towards her. 

In the tiny box sat an exquisite brilliant cut emerald stone surrounded by a cluster of diamonds nestled in a thin gold band. She covered her mouth in surprise at his sudden proposal. She felt so unkempt at the moment but with his words she never felt more beautiful. She smiled at him with all her heart. She cried tears of happiness as she said, " Yes… Yes I will marry you. I love you so much and there is nothing more I want in this world than to be your wife."

Lucas beamed at his fiancee and slid the ring onto her finger. She loved it and the way it matched her. She hugged him and leaned up and gave him a kiss. Lucas held her firmly in his arms and kissed her deeply. He kissed her with such fervour and passion as if it was the end of the world. 

Maya kissed him back with equal passion and force. She was not afraid to show her love towards him anymore. She was free to be passionate and loving towards him without the fear of losing him. Maya felt complete at that moment. 

As they broke away from the kiss, Maya suddenly looked at Lucas with concern. " How are we going to convince my brothers?" she asked him worryingly. She knew her brothers didn't like Lucas that well. Lucas smiled at her and said, " Don't worry baby, I already acquired all their permissions before I proposed." Maya blushed at the endearment even though she felt it was cheesy. "So everyone knew the reason why you were ignoring me and no one told me?" she huffed and sulked. She tried wriggling out of his arms but it was in vain. He didn't budge an inch, " There is no more sulking allowed in this relationship. I forbid my wife from sulking and hiding away. You are not allowed to go to bed angry anymore either," listed Lucas as he kissed her cheeks, nose and forehead.

" Well I expect my husband not to ignore me either. I expect all my calls and messages to be answered immediately," demanded Maya in return. Lucas' heart swelled at the term husband. Coming from Maya it felt like honey in his ears. He kissed her and said, " Call me that again." Maya realised what he meant. She locked her hands behind his head and looked up, she smiled and said, " My darling husband…"  

Lucas and Maya drove over to her home after that. They wanted to share the happy news with the rest of the family. Lucas had already informed his father to come over. Lucas and Maya walked into the living area to find everyone present and accounted for. Derrick and Manick were cooing over the baby in the room. The boys as usual in each corner busy with something. 

They walked in and exchanged pleasantries. Maya couldn't contain her excitement and nearly hit her mother's face with the ring. " I am engaged!!!!" she squealed as she jumped up and down. Her mother and sister in law cooed over the ring, while her dad and Derrick gave her a hug and patted her head. She then walked towards her brothers and showed them the ring, Aryan being the sweetest one spoke up first, " It's a beautiful ring. Congratulations Sis." Ray then came over and slung an arm over her shoulder hugging her. Shane, Ash and Vince followed to give her hugs. 

They may be ruthless businessmen but they loved their sister. They cherished her and after talking to Lucas realised that he would be the best man for her. Maya has never looked more radiant then when she is with Lucas. Irene and Samantha started planning the wedding while Derrick commented, " This is wonderful news, I can't wait to have a wonderful grandchild of my own soon." 

Maya was crestfallen. She had not told anyone else of her condition. Lucas observed the change in Maya and went to her immediately. He held her in his arms and spoke up, " We have not decided on children yet. We wanted to enjoy being a couple first. I promised Maya I would take her around the world for her honeymoon." She was grateful for his interception but she knew she needed to tell her family the truth. 

Derrick smiled at his son's reply, turning to Manick and speaking, " These children nowadays have a mind of their own. Let that be a gift from us. Enjoy your honeymoon. " Derrick wished them as he promised them their first wedding gift. 

Maya looked at everyone around her and decided it was time she told them the truth. They were her family and she needed to be honest with them. " Uncle Derrick, Papa, Mum, there is something I need to say."

Everyone paid attention as Maya told them the truth about her infertility.