The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
Liam
Virtue took the cordless microphone and began her speech. I wiped my forehead with handkerchief, annoyed at myself for not being able to hide my anxiety.
my
As I exited my car earlier, I surveyed the people gathered in front of the commercial complex and immediately saw Virtue. She stood out in her white and pink dress looking very pretty. There was r no doubt in my mind, she’d probably look like an angel in a wedding gown for
sure.
I shut the door of my car and waited for Dan who had parked his car across from mine. He smiled, walking with a sk ip in his step, clutching a robin’s-egg blue jewelry box in his hand.
Jack, who had parked further away, was concerned with security. He was seated inside his car, speaking to someone on his CB radio while he eyed the growing crowd.
Dan’s eyes followed my gaze, noticing it had fallen on Jack’s truck. “You haven’t told him, have you?” He asked while he handed me the Tiffany & Co. jewelry box. I quickly took it from him and opened it to check. The two-carat diamond ring sparkled under the sunlight, casting a rainbow of colors on the black paint of my car. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined… It was perfect.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a black head of hair emerging from the RAM truck. I quickly snapped the jewelry box closed and pocketed it. I didn’t want to spark a
confrontation here.
“No, I haven’t. I didn’t want any problems from him before proposing, especially when there’s a good chance she’ll probably say no,” I answered, straightening my jacket.
“I have a feeling she’ll say yes, unless Noah was able to get to her, Dan said.
“What do you mean?” I gestured for him to walk beside me so we could talk while walking.
“We, uhm, bumped into Noah and Nicole in Chicago. After we had dinner, Noah dumped Nicole like a piece of trash on the sidewalk while he rushed back to New Salem,” Da
answered.
“And how do you know he rushed back to talk to Virtue? He may have had a prior commitment he overlooked or an emergency,” I pointed out,
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
“I don’t know how I’m going to say this, but I might have made a slight boo-boo,” Dan mumbled, lowering his head in shame.
What the f uck was it this time?!
I waited for him to continue, to tell me what had happened in Chicago, but I was only met
with silence.
“Spit it out, Dan. I can’t read your mind for crying out loud!” I said impatiently. Dan sighed, looking defeated.
“I kind of mentioned the name of the girl who left New Salem during our junior year in high school,” Dan answered sheepishly. I automatically stopped walking and placed my hand on his chest to make him stop too.

“You what?!” I asked incredulously. “In front of Chip of all people?!”
“I had been drinking all day and I slipped. But don’t worry… Nicole made up a plausible story and Chip… well, he really didn’t care too much about the details. He was more concerned about Virtue and the wedding,” Dan rambled nervously..
“And Noah?” I asked, staring into his eyes to check if he was lying to me.
“He, uhm, he was angry. He advised Chip to tell Virtue not to accept your proposal,” he answered quickly.
“Why did you have to tell Noah about the proposal in the first place? I wanted it to be a surprise.” I took a step forward and resumed walking.
“I couldn’t help it… I was just so excited,” Dan replied, chasing after me
“Do
you
think Chip told Virtue about me and what happened in our junior year?” I asked.
“I don’t think he did. He did ask for a liquor permit for the event though, knowing the both
you would want to celebrate your engagement. I have the permit in my pocket.”
of
I closed my eyes for a second, feeling a bit relieved. If Chip was optimistic, then I should be
too.
“That’s good to hear, but I’m still nervous. It’s either I come out a champion or become the biggest joke of New Salem… no thanks to your big mouth. Just keep your mouth shut and
when I non the question, nudge her to say ves, ok?”
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
“Promise,” Dan said. “By the way, where’s Cris?
“He’s at home… feeling unwell. I have someone keeping an eye on him,” I said, fixing my hait. “Now, smile, Dan. This is suppose to be a happy occasion.”
As we made our way through the boisterous crowd, I took a moment to observe our surroundings. A large colorful sign on an easel announcing a promotional fifty percent sale on all items for the day was standing beside the glass door of Virtue’s shop. Surrounding the storefront windows were pink and white roses arranged in large bouquets positioned atop flower stands while appetizers, refreshments and glasses lay neatly on a long table covered with a pink tablecloth decorated with white-ribbons. It was simple, but everything was nicely arranged.
After greeting Virtue with a kiss on her cheek, we started the ceremony amidst the murmurs of the crowd who were already making speculations of my relationship with Virtue. Not many have seen us together and none knew we may be romantically involved. My kissing her on her cheek was a surprise to all.
I noticed Jack was standing in the back beside Noah who kept shaking his head, hoping Virtue would notice him. I immediately suspected Noah probably had a thing for Virtue. But
if there’s
knew about Nicole, she was a jealous psychotic bi tch who would make ble for him. That was one of the reasons why I dumped Nicole in the e was an animal in bed, but she was always jealous of other women.
lif
trying to get yourself out of that one, Noah.
ugh Noah kept his mouth shut and his head low, he never looked at me with the same. pect after Joy. Apparently, he was just biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity o sabotage me. Guessing by the scowl on Jack’s face, Noah probably already told him what
my plans were.
I couldn’t have Jack become my rival. After I propose, I’ll talk to him and fix this. As for Noah, I’ll get to him through Nicole.
The crowd suddenly broke into an applause, jolting me back to the present. Unfortunately, Virtue was already done with her speech. My time was almost up.
My heart began to beat loudly against my ribcage, my hands began to shake, and my body
went cold and clammy all over. For the first time in my whole life, I was
s terrified.
Virtue turned off the microphone, gave it to Bo while he gave her a pair of oversized
scissors. She suddenly placed a hand around mylarm. leading me to the pink ribbon. I was.
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CHAPTER 104 The Proposal
out of it… I was completely lost.
“Mayor Cohen, would you please do me the honor of cutting the ribbon with me?” Virtue asked, handing me the scissors. I nodded my head, inhaling her sweet scent of rose, patchouli and orange. Her scent made me light-headed and woozy, like I was about to faint. If it weren’t for her dainty hands on top of mine, I would have surely collapsed.
Unlike my sweaty palms, hers were soft and smooth. She was obviously at ease with the crowd. Virtue definitely had the makings of a politician’s wife.
First, I needed to cut the ribbon, then I can go on one knee and propose. Let’s do this.
I raised my eyes to look at the crowd and noticed everyone had their phones out recording everything. I gulped, fervently praying to Go d that Virtue would say yes.
Our hands moved in unison and together we cut the massive pink ribbon. Chip, Dom and Bo sprung into action and popped the corks out of the champagne bottles. People shrieked excitedly as the bubbles from the bottles came bursting out.
Dan suddenly grabbed my arm. “Chip said Virtue will most probably say yes. She likes you. Come on. You can do this, Liam.” I smiled feeling a bit more at ease. All I had to do was ask.