153 The Proposal

“What do you think you’re doing?” Denise flashed an angry stare at Fred.

“Denise, please, I need to talk to you.” Fred clasped both hands together like someone praying and pleaded with her. “I’m sorry I acted like a fool some minutes ago, but you were the last person I expected to see in my family house.”

“Well, you better get used to it because you are going to see more of me. I’m officially your brother’s girlfriend.” Denise rolled her eyes at him and tried to walk away but Fred denied her exit.

“Denise, if you want me to go on my knees and beg, I will happily do it. I’m crazily in love with you. You can’t be serious with my brother! He’s not the right one for you.”

“Really! Interesting!” Denise moved closer to him and glared ferociously at him. “Get this into your thick skull, I am in love with Tom and only him. The earlier you acknowledged this, the better it will be for you. Now get off my path, if you don’t want me to punch you in the face.”

“B...b...but we...”

historical

“But what?” Denise sneered.

“What about the passionate night we share together? I poured out my heart and soul into you.”

“Point of correction you took advantage of a drunk, grieving, and heartbroken girl.” Denise gave him a condescending stare.

.....

“If you were anything close to a gentleman, you wouldn’t have slept with me even when I insisted. I’ve hated myself ever since then and I’ve been working really hard to erase that memory. So, do yourself a favor and move on because I have.”

“Denise, please!” Fred tried touching her hands but she instinctively avoided his touch. “I want you back in my life. I will be a better man for you. Deep down, you know that you love me just the way I love you.”

“You are so full of yourself,” Denise spat out in disgust. “Now get out of my way!”

“Come on d...”

“She said you should piss off, Fred.” Tom came from behind, scowling at Fred defiantly. He had a strong urge to punch Fred in the face.

Fred raised his hand in surrender and left Denise in peace. Although he was greatly hurt by Denise’s rejection, he made up his mind that he would win her heart over, now that he knew her true identity.

Denise turned around and smiled bewitchingly at Tom. “Thanks for rescuing this damsel in distress!” She playfully poked his nose and kiss his lips.

“All you have to do is call my name and you will see me charging valiantly, like a true knight.” Tom posed like a gallant warrior, causing Denise to giggle out loud.

“You’re such a sweetheart!”

“From now on, I will be buzzing around you like a bee,” Tom said emphatically. “I know my brother too well and he’s not going to give up on bothering you.”

“He’ll get tired! All of this...” Denise seductively spun around, “...belongs to only you.”

“Delicious!” Tom whispered in her ears and kissed her cheeks. Then, he led her to the dining room; where the table for the feast was been set.

After several hours of preparation, the Miller family finally sat down to a delicious feast. Denise was seated beside Greg as promised while Tom sat opposite her.

As a normal Miller tradition, everyone at the table was given one minute to say something he or she was thankful for.

First on the list was Greg, who was thankful for the beautiful face of the increasing family, his amazing children, and his grandchildren.

Next on the list was Dan, closely followed by David. They were both t thankful for their families and businesses.

However, when it got to Fred’s turn, he looked keenly at Denise and said: “I am thankful to the stars for sending me my one and true love. I promise to fight for her love and win her over before the next Thanksgiving dinner.”

Everyone became silent in an instant. They couldn’t quite understand what was going on in Fred’s confused mind. Fred’s statement was like a fierce slap to Tom’s face but the person who took it badly was Fred’s girlfriend.

“Did you bring me here to insult me or what?” Fred’s girlfriend shot invisible fiery darts in his direction.

“Take a chill pill, Francesca!” Fred scoffed at her. “I never wanted to invite you, but you insisted on tagging along.”

“Watch that silly mouth of yours, Fred,” Greg glowered at him. “Mind the way you talk to my guests in my house. I don’t want anyone ruining the mood of this dinner. My house, my rule.”

“I’m sorry, dad and I’m sorry Francesca.” Fred faked a sorry look at his girlfriend and scoffed when she smiled at him.

“It’s your turn, Tom,” Fred cunningly picked on Tom. “What are you thankful about?”

“Thanks, Fred,” Tom smiled. “I’m thankful for another opportunity to spend quality time with my wonderful family. But most importantly, I’m thankful for this rare jewel in my life. Denise, I love you to the moon and back.”

“I love you too,” Denise whispered and blew a kiss to him.

“I... I know you said that I should wait for a little time, but...” Tom walked over to where Denise was seated and gently turned her chair to face him. “...I feel in my heart that there is no other better time to do this than now.

As he put his hand into his pocket and brought out a sliver square velvet ring box, there was a sudden silence as everyone held their breath.

“Oh, Tom,” Denise shook her head in anxiety. Her heart was thumping out loudly and she feared that something bad was about to happen just like the last time. She had the sudden urge to stand up and run out but her feet felt glued to the floor. Also, she feared what running away would do to Tom.

Fred stared on in horror as he watched his baby brother propose to the woman of his dreams.

“Tom, this is a Thanksgiving dinner and not one of your childhood games,” Fred protested.

Unfortunately for Fred, everyone ignored him as they were all waiting to see the outcome of the proposal.

“Denise, I love you more than life itself. You are the air in my lungs and the blood that flows in my vein. Only you can make me a better man.”

Tears flowed freely down Denise’s face as she stared into Tom’s hypnotic eyes. She decided to push every fear and anxiety out of her mind and bask in the moment.

Tom opened up the velvet ring box only to reveal a 24.18-carat pink diamond ring. “Will you accept this miserable man as your husband and father to your kids”

“Say yes!”

“Say yes!!”

Everyone at the table screamed at the same time.

“Say no!” Fred screamed at the top of his voice.