When the lady proposes first

Proposal Day - Mrs. Lockmaster had to intervene for the important task

Second Chapter - An unexpected one

“I would like to propose you.”

Oliver was not proud of the way the wine made its way out of his mouth at Mia’s statement. He looked around to make sure the owner didn’t see him wasting the best wine he had. He didn’t need a lecture from Mr. Cibus in front of his date.

She pressed her lips together to hold in her laughter, “I meant a business proposal.” She had waited till the end of their dinner. She knew it was mean of her to wait till he had his mouth full, but she had guessed his response and couldn’t miss the opportunity.

“Of course. It just went down the wrong pipe.” He dabbed his mouth with a napkin, drinking water to hide his heated cheeks.

“I have been experimenting with some cake recipes, and I was hoping to sell them at your shop.”

“How will you manage the extra work?” Oliver was relieved to talk about business. But he was worried Mia might be pushing herself. He felt exhausted just dealing with his little brother. Even if he knew, Kerry was the worst of them all, she had to deal with a bunch of them for the whole day.

“I was hoping to take it slow. Start with one or two. I could drop them off in the evenings.” She dug in their shared dessert. The baker tried to hide her disappointment till Oliver laughed at her.

“You don’t like it?” He tasted the same. He knew Mia would make it better.

“It is fine. I like my cakes a bit moist.” She took another bite not to insult the chef. She knew it was not fair to him. He couldn’t infuse the magic she had in his desserts.

He smiled at her scrunched nose, “Do you think I should add a coffee machine to go with the cakes?”

Oliver didn’t know she was down because she feared she was losing her grip. Even Mia didn’t know why the ring was getting hot in the evening. It usually cooled down after just her batch of cookies in the morning. It had been a pain to try cakes without magic, but she was getting better. And the idea of coffee sounded great with the cakes.

“So, you agree?” She looked up at him, her eyes wide.

“Of course, I wanted to ask for more cookies anyway. They run out too soon.” He shuddered at the glare Mrs. Jarhead had given him last week when he forgot to save her an orange zest cookie, “Your idea sounds better.”

“I will start bringing an extra batch from tomorrow.” She waved her hand at the protest on his lips, “I can carry it.” She wondered if they would turn out as good.

He nodded his head slowly, “What if they are a hit like your cookies? I would have to hire a guard just to break out the fights.”

“Or you could let Kerry handle them.” She said with a shrug before they both laughed at the thought of his brother dealing with full grown adults acting like kids. Oliver could just imagine him standing on top of a table, level them with a look that would scream judgement before kicking them out with sarcastic comments.

“I think Coffee would calm them down.” And help the business. He already had his sights on an Italian machine. It was great he wouldn’t have to pay shipping, just Kerry to help him get it through the door. Oliver would take him the next day after school. They would be back by evening. He would just have to use the key earlier.

“Me too.” She gave up on the cake, sitting back in her seat with a pout. Oliver ordered her a mocha. She asked for it in a go cup. They were getting late.

Oliver helped her put on the coat. It was when he handed her the drink, he felt the burning again as his hand brushed against hers.

“Are you okay?” He put the back of his palm on her forehead and the other on his own to get the temperature. She felt normal.

Mia let out a small laugh before taking a step back, “It must be the coffee, Oliver!” She took his hand in her left one as they walked out to the car.

She had always felt good in his company, but she couldn’t understand why her ring was reacting the way. She was stuck between wanting to spend more time with Oliver and rushing home to pore over the books her grandmother wrote on their kin.

Kerry solved the problem for her.

He came running out to the hall as soon as Oliver opened the door to get her the flowers. Mrs. Lockmaster followed him slowly with same level of enthusiasm. The two at home looked at the ones who just entered with hope, moving their head from one to another with grins on their face.

It went for two minutes before Oliver blurted out, “What!?”

The matchmakers looked at each other and sighed, taking the confused Oliver a little inside the home, “Please tell me a proposal happened.” Kerry pinched his nose as if talking to a child.

“Well yes, she…” His answer was interrupted by the squeals from two listeners. Oliver also heard a finally and Thank God. “How did you know she would propose…?”

“She proposed! Haven’t I taught you better!?” Oliver was promptly smacked by his aunt while Kerry silently shook his head.

“It was her idea!” Oliver exclaimed before she could take his ear in her grip.

The two stood with their mouth open as he continued, “I was thinking of asking her. But she wants to put cakes…”

“Oh my God! What did I do wrong?” Kerry looked upwards.

Oliver frowned, “Hey!” He went to tackle his little brother but Beth stepped in between.

“We were talking about you asking her to be your girlfriend. Tonight is the proposal day!” She pointed to her watch which showed two thirty. The start of a new day.

“We decided marriage would be too soon for you.” Kerry continued from behind her.

Oliver would have tackled him for the comment if it weren’t for Mia interrupting them.

“It is.” She looked pointedly at Kerry who grinned at her, “You weren’t being as quiet as you thought.” She whispered in Oliver’s ear.

His cheeks flushed red, more than the whole night. If only earth could open up right now. Or the sky. He didn’t mind any.

“He would do that now.” Mrs. Lockmaster pushed Oliver to his knees in the hall as Kerry pushed a rose from the vase in his hand, water still dripping.

The man looked at them in disbelief before he did what he had wanted to do all night. Oliver fumbled in the process, and could feel Kerry’s eyes roll behind him. He turned to glare, “Would you stop?”

Beth’s stern look finally stopped the kid so that Oliver could continue.

Mia had to bring her right hand forward to accept the rose. She did it after stretching her sweater down to the middle of her fingers.

Kerry hugged her after she said yes while Oliver stood rubbing the back of his head. He couldn’t keep the smile from reaching his ears.

“Oh, Mia dear! You don’t mind dropping me off, do you?” Beth asked as the teacher made her way out, her eyes going back to Oliver again and again.

Oliver offered to take her. But Mrs. Lockmaster had already held on to Mia’s right hand, pretending she didn’t feel the warm ring.

The ring she had last seen twenty-five years back on that fateful night.

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