He knelt down on one knee, holding out a ring.
“Emma, will you marry me?”
Confused, I looked around the crowd.R
There was Ethan, tightly embracing that woman, and in a moment of impulse, I extended my left hand.
As the ring slipped onto my finger, an overwhelming sense of unreality washed over me.”
Kyle smiled at me, rising to wrap his arms around me as he whispered, “Thanks for not rejecting me on the spot; I was so nervous.”
Everyone had completely forgotten about Ethan’s proposal.”
With Kyle standing up, the crowd erupted in cheers for us.
He had promised that everyone shopping at the mall that day would receive a 50% discount, which only added to the excitement.
- me.
The crowd buzzed with enthusiasm, while Ethan’s face darkened with fury.
He clenched his jaw and approached Kyle, demanding to know what was going on.”
Kyle maintained his usual cheerful demeanor and replied, “What you see is what it is.”
Before Ethan could react further, Kyle took my hand and led me out of the mall.
I heard the woman behind Ethan complain, “It’s your fault; you let someone else steal your thunder during your proposal.” Once outside, Kyle released my hand and rubbed his nose nervously. “Are you mad at me?” he asked.”
I smiled brightly and replied, “Not at all.”
He seemed both anxious and cautious as he hesitated before speaking again.”
“I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that; it was my fault. You can still back out if you want; consider the ring a gift.“@
I couldn’t help but laugh at his offer. “That’s funny,” I said, genuinely amused.”
He looked at me quizzically as I pretended to take off the ring.”
Seeing him clench his fists in anticipation of my decision made me curious about something that had been nagging at
“Do you like me? When did that happen?“}
He fell silent for a moment before finally responding as we walked in silence for a bit. “It was love at first sight–ten years ago.”
My mind raced as I processed his words; I turned to him in disbelief, wondering if I had misheard him.
His gaze held a sincerity that made my heart flutter.”
At 28 years old, I had long since left behind my naive romantic notions.”
So I figured he must be joking.”
But as he repeated himself with conviction-“Love at first sight–ten years ago, behind the cafeteria at school in that white sundress you wore“-I felt a flicker of recognition.
Memories flooded back. It was indeed the first day of school when I met Ethan.
My friends and I had gone to the cafeteria for lunch that day.”
I remembered chasing after Ethan to get his number but losing him in the process.
In my haste, I accidentally bumped into someone else and knocked their belongings to the ground–a pen among them that I had broken.
Apologizing profusely, I offered to replace it.”
“Sorry! How much do I owe you?” I had said.
The guy waved it off dismissively as I introduced myself, “Hi, I’m Emma from the Business Management department; if you ever need help with anything, feel free to ask.”
He had just stared at me curiously without introducing himself before I dashed off to catch up with Ethan.}
As those memories resurfaced, my eyes widened in shock as I looked back at Kyle.
“That was you? But you were chubby back then!“}
Now he stood tall and lean, broad–shouldered and handsome.\
He wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye and chuckled softly. “People change.”
If he hadn’t mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten about our encounter ten years ago.
Unable to help myself, I studied him closely to discern whether his feelings were genuine or just an act.
