Isabelle
Thomas watched Isabelle affectionately. Their relationship had improved greatly over the past few months. He would be seen with her at almost every social event.
The other women did not hide their jealousy or contempt of Isabelle when the couple walked past. She was always leered and sneered at from afar. No gaze ever passed for anything but contempt as she walked past. Thomas smiled to himself, because Isabelle never took notice of them. She had always avoided the looks others gave her.
He was grateful for the fact that Isabelle avoided his gaze as well. He froze up far less and could keep a close reign on his senses. Though at times he enjoyed being lost in her eyes. He enjoyed the feeling of Time stopping and all of the world fading into nothing. The peace and silence, from outside to his very most inner core. A dangerous and euphoric pleasure.
They walked to the open area of the park that had been set up for the luncheon. Thomas sat beside her at a table in the far left corner. Music played in the background somewhere out of site.
Guests began arriving and sat at tables til every table was full. After the last guest sat, several waiters walked out in a double row. Following the waiters was a food trolley made of silver with brass wheels. On top of the trolley was a giant cake covered with a harden sugar glaze so thick it made the domed cake look white.
The cart wheeled forward til it stopped in front of Thomas and Isabelle’s table.
Suddenly from the bushes behind them, several doves sprung out of nowhere and flew into the sky.
Thomas looked at the ground as he began to do what needed to be done. He could not chance her mesmerization today. Slowly he moved the chair and got on one knee to Isabelle’s right side. He pulled a ring out of his breast pocket, it was a small delicate ring. The center was a diamond, on either side was an oval red tourmaline. The side stones complimented her hair and eyes better than any precious gem.
When he chose it, he did so because of the movements of her left hand. She used her left hand to cover her face, to shield her eyes, to brush her brown hair back. Today he took it into his. Hoping that from this day forward the ring would sit on it’s rightful place forever more. A piece of living art in the world, known only to him.
He spoke and broke the silence. “Dearest Isabelle, we have spoken at great lengths about many things. I know your heart is loving, your thoughts are kind. I feel my heart beat within my chest when I stand near you, and feel it long for you with sorrow when we are apart. I do not want to know life without your love or your tender touch. I beg you for the honor, to become my betrothed.”