Chapter 187 - Sudden Proposal

They heard a familiar voice calling Elle's name so they both turned around to see the newcomer. That person was Selena.

Elle and James were both surprised since they didn't expect her to come. On the other hand, Selena looked very happy to see Elle and James were becoming closer to each other.

Selena shot her brother a meaningful glance before she turned to Elle.

"It's been a long time. How have you been?" Selena asked Elle.

"I am doing fine. How about you?" Elle returned her question casually.

"So busy for the past few days since my dear brother is slacking off. He is giving me more work while he is doing nothing." Selena said to Elle, as she teased her brother.

James frowned because of that. He was a little bit unhappy at Selena for disturbing his moment with Elle.

'I thought she wanted me to steal Elle's heart. Then what is she thinking by doing this now?'

Elle just let out a soft chuckle. "I also noticed it, Selena. It looks like your brother prefers to buy snacks for your employee rather than to work at your office. See, he always comes here." Elle started to play along with Selena to tease James.

James just stared at Elle helplessly. 'I came here just to see you. I don't care about my employee's snack.' 

"Why are both of you ganging up against me?" James said to the two ladies. Selena just shrugged her shoulders as a response while Elle just feigned innocence.

"Anyway, I have to assist my colleagues to prepare your order. I will leave you two here for a while." Elle said as she stood up.

"Selena, what do you want to drink?" Elle asked her.

"Oh, nothing, I want to order snacks good for ten people. Assorted Shakes and Cakes: for 'take out'. You can decide on the flavor, please. Thanks." Selena replied.

"Alright, got it." Elle left the siblings to prepare their orders.

Selena sat down beside her brother.

"It looks like things between the two of you are going well, my dear brother."

"Whatever. Do you know you came at the wrong time? You ruined our moment." James said while feeling annoyed.

"Oh, sorry about that." Selena smiled at him sheepishly.

"Why did you come here?" James asked her.

"I am going to XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters today. I just dropped by to buy some snacks for them. I am going to visit Erick. I heard he came back to work today." Selena answered him.

James smirked at her after hearing that.

"Oh, it looks like my dear sister is also doing her job. Wish you all the best sis. Make sure to get the attention of that detective."

"Leave it to me brother. Just focus on making Elle fall for you. By the way, how do I look today?" Selena asked James's opinion about her appearance.

James gave her two thumbs up as he said: "You look stunning." 

Selena was happy with her brother's reply. She was hoping that Erick could also feel the same way and noticed how beautiful she was today. Besides, she really dressed up today because of him.

Meanwhile, Elena could not stop herself from asking Elle about the lady who just arrived at their Cafe. She appeared to be friendly.

"Sis, the gorgeous lady beside Mr. Arison, who is she?"

"She is Selena Arison, James's younger sister." Elle simply replied. She was still busy preparing the shakes. Elena was helping her.

"Wow, Arison's sibling…both are having good looks. At the same time, they are both rich. So lucky to be like them." Elena said, feeling amazed.

Elle let out a soft chuckle as she shook her head. 

"Nothing to envy. Happiness is not about having so much money or being rich. Besides, my dear, you also look so beautiful in your own way."

Elle patted her head. Elena blushed with her remarks. Thinking about it, the girl in front of her was the most beautiful woman she had ever met.

'Sis Elle is beautiful inside and out. She is also very brave. She's my idol.' She thought to herself, as her eyes filled with admiration for her.

Charles also joined their conversation. He heard what the two girls were talking about. 

He put his hand around Elena's shoulder as he said "My little angel, those two are not the only good looking people on earth. Look at me."

Elena automatically gazed up only to see Charles's handsome face looking at her. Her body froze when she felt Charles's hand around her. Her mind went blank as she was mesmerized by his charming smile.

'In my eyes, you are the most gorgeous man I have ever seen, Boss Charles.'

Elle gave Charles a cold stare. "What a conceited fellow. Can you please leave us alone or help us prepare the orders? Can't you see we are busy here, dear Boss."

Charles pouted as he heard Elle along with her warning look. "Why can't I do as I please? I thought I am the boss here." he murmured to himself before he obediently followed Elle's command.

Elena acted normal again when Charles left. She was now able to calm her racing heart a while ago. Charles could greatly affect her.

She stole glances at Elle. She heaved a sigh of relief as Elle looked like she didn't notice her abnormal reaction.

After they were done, they brought the snacks to Selena and James's car. James and Charles also helped them.

They were in the middle of transferring the snacks when suddenly someone grabbed Elle and wrapped her in his arms.

Everyone was baffled when they saw what happened. Elle recognized the man's scent that's why even though she hadn't seen his face, she already knew this guy who was hugging her right now.

Elle's body relaxed just feeling his warmth. Afterward, she snuggled into his arms content with the sound of his heartbeat and the feel of his arms around her. She also encircled her arms around his body.

"Hey, why are you here? You are supposed to be at the headquarter right now.'

"Because I want to see you. I miss you, Elle. I miss you so much." Erick's voice was filled with so many emotions while saying those words.

His grip on her body tightened as if he was afraid that the girl in his arms would disappear from his sight any time if he won't hold her tight.

James and Selena were both having conflicting emotions just watching the two persons in front of them. James clenched his fist while Selena looked daggers at them.

On the other hand, Elena was smiling from ear to ear seeing the sweetness of the couple while Charles was frowning as he was not yet used to see Elle being so intimate with someone.

However, the two people seemed like they already forgot that there were other people around them. Their minds were just focused on each other.

"Elle… let's get married!" Erick suddenly blurted out that made the other spectators gasped in surprise, their eyes and mouth were wide open.

They couldn't believe it. Erick was proposing to Elle right now.

Aside from them, Elle was also shocked beyond belief. 'Eh…?? What he had just said? Did I hear it wrong?'

Erick was supposed to go back to their headquarters after leaving the house. However, his heart was not at ease if he won't see Elle right now.

There was a great impact on him discovering her letter. He was still really bothered about it. That's why he could not stop himself from seeing her. He wanted to see her badly.

He was not like this, acting so recklessly without considering things. And now, he was making a sudden proposal, asking her to marry him without much preparation.

He wanted to scold himself by doing this in a rush. He was supposed to give her the most romantic and the most memorable proposal, not something like this.

'What am I doing? I cannot stop myself. D*mn! She deserves a more romantic proposal than this. You're so stupid Erick.' He was reprimanding himself.

When it comes to Elle, he was acting in a rush and his intelligence was not working. Where is the detective who analyzed things carefully first before acting and doing something?

"I am sorry. I did not bring you to a fancy restaurant. I don't even have a bouquet of flowers with me. No fireworks, no sweet and romantic background music. I can't even kneel in front of you since I didn't even bring a ring."

Erick paused for a moment before he spoke again. He made a short distance between them as he lifted her chin so that their eyes would meet each other.

"I only bring myself, offering you my heart, body, and soul. Will you accept it? Will you? Will you marry me... Elle?"

Meanwhile, Elle's mind was still processing what he had just said to her. Her heartbeat was shallow and fast; her head felt like it was in a clamp.

She was not prepared at all. It seemed like her world had stopped moving. She was lost in his eyes which were filled with love and affection for her. 

She could feel the sincere words coming from him mixed with genuine emotions however some thoughts in the back of her mind were stopping her from uttering a word.

Not only Erick but also everyone was waiting for her response. Her silence made Erick become more nervous. He was afraid, very afraid that Elle would refuse his proposal.