RANSOM GIFT: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Commanding Proposal, Hidden Proposal, Ransom Proposal)

by Kristina Royer

  “Really…? Baby, two months will be more than enough to prepare him. Okay, let’s just tell him that we want some privacy. Don’t worry, he’ll get that. He smiled once he has realized that my idea was actually acceptable. “Okay…” He said. Oh thank God! I think the worst was already over… “So that’s Clemente.” He said with a grin in his face. “He’s totally head over heels. I can’t really blame him.” He teased.

  “Oh well… too bad that I’m head over heels for somebody else…” I teased him, while putting my arms around his neck. He grinned. “Oh, I bet he’s really handsome…”

  “Oh, you have no idea.” I teased him back. “What’s he like?” I pretended as if I was thinking about what he was like. I giggled. “He’s like a dream. He’s got those eyes that can melt me down whenever he’s staring at me… just like this. And when he kisses me, I’m floating in cloud nine.” His grin grew wider. “Well, he’s probably madly in love with you, too.” He suggested. “You think so?” I asked him.

  “Maybe…” He said. I laughed hard. “Well, at least there’s a little chance that he might love me back.” I faked desperation.

  “Yeah, do you want me to tell him that you love him? I might be of help.”

  I laughed as hard as I could. I wasn’t faking it. I was just willing to do whatever it takes so we would totally shift topics and mood away from that depressing almost-breakup.

  “Would you? Oh, that will give me helpful.” I tried not to laugh.

  “Hmmm…” He responded with such a sexy sound.

  I leaned over to give him a kiss, and he kissed me back. “Hmmm… I can tell he’s madly in love with me as well.” I said in between kisses, and he smiled against my lips.

  “You have no idea…”

  Oh thank God, the worst was finally over…

  Chapter 2

  “Thank you so much for understanding us, papá.” Gary told my dad.

  My dad smiled at him. See? This wasn’t supposed to be hard.

  We broke the news to my papá over lunch time at the hotel, exactly two months from the moment we’ve talked about it. But we already informed him a month ago, so he could be prepared for this day.

  “Of course, hijo… You both need your own space to get to know each other, and enjoy your life together…” My papá said.

  I told you… Gary smiled at him, and then looked at me.

  “We’ll live this afternoon, papá. We already found an apartment.” I told him.

  “Oh, en donde…?” He asked where.

  I glanced up at Gary, and he seemed very nervous that we’re about to tell my papá that we’re planning to leave in a small apartment with just a single bedroom.

  “In Becerril de la Sierra.” I informed my dad.

  My dad’s eyes grew bigger. He stared at me for a moment, and then he shifted his stares to Gary. I think he finally got the reason why we’re moving. “Oh… well, it’s your choice. You both know this hotel will always be your home, right?” He asked with so much passion.

  Gary glanced up to meet his stares and he smiled at him. “Yes, papá…”

  My dad has got the answer that he was looking for, so he smiled at the both of us.

  “Well, since we’re having this conversation, I wanted to tell you something, Gary. But I was hoping my hija could leave us for a moment.” He said, looking at me intently.

  I suddenly felt this fear crawling up in my chest. I had a feeling that Gary won’t like what he was about to say and there’s no way I’m leaving.

  “Papá, please don’t…” I begged him.

  “Okay, you can stay.” He said. “I understand that you’re having quite a hard time adjusting with things that came along with the package as you chose my daughter. And believe me when I say that I will always thank Heavens for bringing someone like you in her life, just when she needed you the most. I will be forever grateful for you.

  But see, this is what I’ve been working hard for. I wanted her and her children and the children of her children to get the life that I want them to have.” He started making his point. “Believe me, I know it’s hard for you, I’ve seen that before with Kristina’s mother. She didn’t come from a wealthy family as she was my nanny’s daughter, so she did go through a lot before we started living peace together. I want to save you from that because my daughter loves you.”

  I felt betrayed by the words of my own father. “Dad, I’m not leaving Gary.”

  “Oh! No, no, no… Who says anything about leaving Gary? We’re not leaving Gary.” He said. “I just want to offer him something so he would gain confidence with himself. I understand this life is the hardest to adapt because there are people around us who would judge us for being who we are or what we are in the past. So, I’m offering you a free education to Paris College of Art in Paris, France with free apartment and allowance. All you need to do if finish college for a year. I’ve heard you needed to stop to support your life, and I admire you for that. Only responsible and honest men would stand up for themselves.” He went on.

  Oh! He’s offering him an education. The only game change was Gary’s response to this gallant offer.

  “Also one more thing, you will stay in France for a whole year, and Kristina will work as an intern with this company. I’ll allow her to spend weekends with you in France. In this way, you would have enough focus on your studies.” He continued.

  “No!” I butted in.

  I glanced at Gary and he looked terribly shocked by what we’ve heard. I was so sure he didn’t like the idea as well.

  “What are you so scared of, hija?” My dad asked. “After that whole year, if you both decided to get marry, you can get marry. After he comes back here, I will grant you the business, and you can make it related to Gary’s niche, and you can make the company grow together. If you want, perhaps Gary could revolutionize the designs of our hotels, and maybe he could run the company after some time. He doesn’t have to feel so small with us around, hija. That’s not what love is. Don’t be selfish. By then, Gary won’t have to feel insecure with anything in your life.”

  It felt like someone just splashed a pale of cold water on my face. I couldn’t breathe properly. Dad has a point. It was indeed genuinely for Gary.

  “You have to make this sacrifice if you both want to be together for the longest time. Don’t let him experience what your mom has to go through for year just to feel accepted. We won’t have to let anyone know that the scholarship was from me.”

  I looked at Gary and he was staring down at his fingers, carefully considering the idea. Why does dad have to offer all these just when we were set to start our life together?

  “Dad, we’re moving in together.” I informed him.

  “He doesn’t have to go now. He can’t wait for the next semester before he leaves for Paris. Besides, you’ll be with him every weekend. It’ll be like you’re also living in France with him.” He said.

  “Consider it, hijo.” He said. “And I hope this won’t change our relationship.” He added.

  I was touched by how my dad respects Gary’s feelings, and how he considers him as a son.

  “I appreciate your kindness, Papá. Please don’t worry about it.” He said to my dad with a weak smile on his face. “I will consider your offer, Papá. Thank you so much for thinking about my welfare.” He said.

  “Anytime, hijo… You’re like a son to me now.”

  “We’ll talk about it in our apartment, papá.” I told him.

  “Of course… Think it through.” He said with a smile. “Desserts, please…” He said to the waiter attending to our needs.

  After thirty more minutes with dad, we came up to the pent, and we tried to sort the things we’ll have to bring to our own apartment. It has got stuff in it ready for us to use, so we packed very light.

  Neither of us was speaking. We both needed our own piece of quite time to think to ourselves. I had no idea what’s in his head, but mine’s about his Paris education. I love him more than life, which was why
I couldn’t just send her away. I mean, sure, dad’s never going to break her word about sending me to Paris, but what if my internship schedule goes in the way?

  If we chose to stay together, we can go on with the gallery plan, and pursue his dreams no matter what. But if chose to part for five days in a week, he’d come home confident of himself, closer to his dreams and we can share the company together. I also have to work for the company. It’s the pressure that’s making it worst.

  If we make a deal with dad, it only means I’m going to have to work for the company, too. He will get what he wants after all. He’s such a clever person.

  We were like this until we’re almost done packing until finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Gary…” I called out his name.

  He turned around to look at me. “Yes, baby?” He asked with face that doesn’t seem to be bothered by anything. He looked very light, to be exact, as if we’re still in New York.

  “What are our plans about… dad?” I asked.

  He stared at me, and he batted his eyes. I felt heated up for some reasons.

  “What do you think? I think we’ll be fine if we take it. He’s right, you know. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. And if it’ll make things easier after a year, no more stupid fights, plus I get to marry you, I’ll do it. It’s very nice of Papá to help me make my dreams come true for you.” He said, with eye glowing.

  I felt lighter with his words. At least, he’s not taking it the wrong way. “But we’ll be apart five days in a week.” I said, sounding like a little brat.

  “What’s that compared to our life together after a year?” He said. “I want to do it for you. I promise you that I won’t waste one second of that opportunity.”

  Awww… He’s a got a point, though.

  “Okay…” I told him.

  “Okay?” He asked.

  I nodded with a sweet smile, and he has successfully reciprocated that smile. I felt so light with him like this. Nothing in this world could ever make this moment even better. Well, of course, unless we get married now.

  “Let’s go? Our apartment is waiting for us.” He said.

  Our apartment… It’s so nice to call a place our own home. Sure, it may night be big or grand like my pent, but it sure was so good to have a private home with him, wherein we can just have our own moments and call our own. It would absolutely be nice.

  Until next semester, we still have couple of months, so I planned to cherish it, and not have anything to be busy with. It’s a good thing that the gallery plan’s off.

  We walked outside the pent, and I took a last glance on it, and I smiled. Gary kissed the back of my head, and I felt the warmth of his touch on my shoulders. It felt so good. Oh yes, I’ll be forever willing to trade anything for this touch.

  I haven’t been in this kind of happiness for the longest time. He’s a wonderful guy so far, so there’s nothing I wouldn’t give for his love. I wasn’t planning on being a fool and let him go. No, I intend to hold him for the longest time possible, and there’s no one that could stop me… not even him.

  We went on our way to dad’s place and he wasn’t prepared for us, but he put on a robe and he let us in.

  I could tell that it was once again an overwhelming moment for my Gary. Dad’s room was below the pent, but he literally have much bigger than mine. He took up five executive suites and has them connected to be his own room. It used to be his and mom’s room, so I wasn’t surprised that it was the biggest because he offered everything at my mom’s feet until her last breath. They’re supposed to have the pent, but my dad opted to give it to me. I know, we’re not doing business right, but it’s how he wanted things, and it’s been wonderful so far.

  “Dad, we’ll be on our way.” I told my dad.

  His face saddened for a few seconds, but he managed to give us a sweet smile. “When can I check out this love nest of yours?” He teased.

  “If you want to come over tomorrow, that’ll be nice… sure, dad.” I answered my dad.

  “What time will you both be ready for me?” He teased again, and then he winked at Gary, who happened to be clueless but still managed to give him a sweet smile.

  I got myself a very plain, simple and classy guy. He’s not into sleeping around with women, he doesn’t dig pasts and he doesn’t’ care if I weigh few more pounds more than him. The best part of it all was that he’s actually very fit. If somebody would come up to us, and ask us if he wants to be a model for an expensive clothing line for Madrid, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.

  I gave my dad a quick hug, and I whispered in his ears. “Thanks for everything, dad.”

  He then touched my head, and he tightened his hug. Afterwards, he reached out for my shy man, and initiated a hug. “I hope you find your bliss in your new home.” He said.

  “Thanks, dad…” Gary told him.

  Dad slightly tapped his back, and they looked more related that we are. It was so nice to see them like this. And what was more amazing was that it didn’t take them too long for them to connect.

  Gary and I took off. We headed down to our apartment, and it took us couple of minutes to get there through my car. I was just so glad that he’s not against using it. It would have been very exhausting, and weird, too.

  When we were in front of our apartment door, I was caught off guard when he carried me in his arms. I squealed, and we both blurted out in laughter.

  Chapter 3

  We finally arrived in our own home. The very first impression I had about it was its very coziness. I knew that it didn’t look much like my pent, but it was so amazing. The walls were like a welcoming banner to our life forever, the furniture seemed to be ready to be part of our everyday life as silent audiences to what’s in store for us. Everything was perfect, and the feeling was overwhelming in the best kind of way.

  “Babe, where should I put these bags?” Gary has interrupted my melodrama moment. I turned to face him, and he was looking so divine with all my pink bags in his arms. It made me want to giggle.

  “Oh, look at you… you look amazing with my bags on.” I teased him.

  He looked down on himself, and he laughed. “I know.” He said laughing. “I can get used to all these pink stuff.”

  “Put them on the bed, I’ll organize them in a while.” I said to him.

  He looked confused, so he’s decided to put all my bags, and he walked towards me. I was also confused by his sudden change of reaction. “What?” I asked him with a smile.

  “I thought we’ll be christening our new house.” He said, and it made my cheeks heat up. Oh my… My Gary has finally turned into a man…

  “If you want to, I’m at your service.” I said to him, and then I winked.

  He blurted out into a loud laughter, and I couldn’t help but laugh as well. It was so funny that we can make this conversation, but at the same time, feel the urge to really do it without compromising the lighter side of the relationship. It’s very light, but so passionate at the same time. I don’t think I could ever live without him anymore.

  “Of course I want to.” He confessed.

  After hearing his confirmation, I placed my arms around his neck, and I step closer so his body would be touching mine. I stared at his glowing eyes, and he seemed enjoying my movements. I thought it’s easier to give him the go signal than to wait for him to realize that he has the go signal right in front of him.

  He smiled at me, and he leaned over to kiss my lips. I answered his longings with passionate kisses, and it couldn’t be any better.

  His soft kisses have shifted motions to more passionate wet kisses filled with hunger and longings. I tried to level with him, and it made him more inspired to take on the action. He’s taking the lead… oh my.

  His hands were travelling from every part of my skin to those left untouched; my hands were still on his neck, and his transferred from my lips to my neck. My head automatically obeyed to his demands, and I gave him full access of my neck.

  He sud
denly made a full stop, threw his head back a little to give him a better view of my reaction. And when he saw that I was totally swept off by such amazing arousing feeling, he smiled at me, and carried me in his arms towards the bedroom. I will be forever amazed how he can carry me in his arms just like that. I mean, I probably weigh twice as heavier than he is.

  Nevertheless, we’re doing it—him and I. It’s great to have him like this. I want him for the rest of my life, and I will do everything to keep him by my side.

  *****

  It’s already dawn.

  We’re both trying to catch our breath, and panting for air. I’ve never had it like that. It was vigorously different, and I wasn’t expecting to christen our apartment just like that. Who is this guy? But I enjoyed it so much.

  “Wow. That was… different.” I teased him.

  He considered my comment for a moment, and his brows rose. “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

  “Definitely good…!” I answered him, and he laughed.

  He pulled me into his arms, so I could rest my head in his neck. He wanted me to be this close to him, and I couldn’t love him even more. He’s so dreamy, very romantic and caring all at the same time. I put my arms around him, and I buried my face into his chest. It felt so heavenly.

  “I’m going to miss you like this when you’re in Paris.” I whispered against his skin.