Secret Code: The Marriage Proposal

She dressed up in her cerulean, slit dress. Adjusting the neckline, showing up her cleavage, Avery stood in front of the full-length mirror, and checked if it's alright.

Her glittery make-up and her silky hair contemplated to the color.

Avery cleared her throat, retrieving the pearl necklace, and wore it. She dabbed her fake nails in check if there's any small amount of dirt.

"All's good," Avery whispered. She turned, showing off her bulky buttocks, and posed in front of the mirror.

She smiled her pouty red lips, hitched the purse from the chair, and slung it over her shoulder.

Avery opened up a tiny briefcase, and retrieved the caliber. She unloaded the magazine, checked the bullets inside, and raised her leg. Avery fastened a garter in her natural tone stockings and slid the caliber's muzzle. She locked it, so that the trigger wouldn't go off if she danced like crazy later.

She opened up her cell phone, swiped the buttons to dial her limousine driver.

Avery retrieved the invitation for the banquet and went out of the dressing room.

"Come over up front. I'm coming." She walked the longest hallway in heels, and rushed down the staircase. Avery swayed her hips side by side, greeted the maids cleaning the living room.

"I'd deliver some food from the banquet later. Enjoy it while it's hot, hmm?" she reminded. Avery went out of the door before the maids could even say something back. The chauffeur went up, reaching out his hand to guide her down the limousine. Avery puffed her cheeks the moment she went inside, turning the air high, and dabbed the sweat from under her chin.

Looking out from the window, Avery waited for Prince's call.

After a split second, he did call. He never failed to update her every day.

Avery answered, greeting delightfully, "Prince! How's it going with the event? I'm afraid I'll be 3 minutes late."

"It's alright. The other visitors haven't come right at time. The party will start at 6pm."

"Okay, see you love." Prince was the one to hang up the call.

Avery sighed, nodding, and hitch the side of her dress. Her gaze turned to a dark one upon seeing the caliber.

"Let's wait for the results of the after party."

Avery snickered.

…

Prince tapped his colleague's back, asking, "Are you handling a sexual assault case right now?"

"Why? Why are you asking me that?" Rob, who was a married man for 5 years, had 5 wins in the consecutive cases he handled for the past 2 weeks. Prince couldn't beat him for every single win. Sometimes, prosecutors' wins if the lawyer doesn't have the right amount of evidence to present in the court.

"You are winning when you handle sexual assault cases. For sure, Rob is the master of charging those defendants with sexual assault. Let him handle a different case, you may be asking my help an hour later."

Rob guffawed with the rest of his colleagues in the Supreme Court. Today's a banquet day. The gathering of businessmen, politicians, or even the celebrities who have connections with the higher national government positions, and Prince Gomez was one of them.

He had a hidden agenda for today. And it's not stuffing his mouth with food.

Something more dangerous and no one exactly knew what his plan was.

Prince excused himself from Rob, retrieved his cell phone, and went to the corner where no one can eavesdrop. He dialed Bryce's number, called, and heard the ringing several times. Prince waited until Bryce said, "Hello, Prince."

A muffled woman's voice reached Prince's ears. It satisfied him for a bit.

"Bryce. How's it going there?"

"Very good, Prince, I mean… I can kill her anytime if you give a signal."

"Hmmm. Just wait for a while, can you?"

"Alright, I can still wait. I'll have a moment with her for a while."

"Good, Bryce. Don't forget to clean the mess after."

Prince turned off his cell phone right away. He saw the people piling up on their tables as the host of the banquet bobbled up on the stage, raising the energy. Prince found a seat at the center midway, and look at his name. He was alone with Avery De Leon, his girlfriend.

Before he can sit down, a familiar silhouette of a woman showed up at the side, and Prince instantly smiled.

"Avery!" He ran over, gave her a peck on the cheeks and she did the same thing, too. They both grinned at each other. Prince held onto her waist, guiding her to the chair, and Avery exuded extravagance in every smile she had. Prince settled them both on the seat while the host talked.

"What are we going to do here? Wait an announcement?"

"I have something special for you, Avery." Prince smiled cheekily to her. Avery raised her eyebrows.

"What is that?"

"You'll find out later."

Avery crossed her arms over her chest, wondering what it was. Avery called out, "You're taking me out on your plans now. What are you planning to do?"

He squint his eyes. "No, I'm not. You'll find out later."

"After they served the banquet?"

"A few moments after the host take up its remark." Prince smiled, reaching out for her hand, and entwined it with hers. Avery didn't know what kind of plan Prince had prepared. She turned to the people around the area, looking at the investors, even the colleagues Prince had on the Supreme Court. He invited people he fully knew, and Avery got accustomed with Prince being in a large circle.

Both of them have a fair share of wealth.

After the host takes up banters and uplift the audience's mood, she announced, "May we call on Prince Gomez for a special moment we prepared for him."

Everyone applauded. Avery clapped along, too, even though she doesn't know what was happening.

Prince went to the side stage. The night has already sunk in, and the skies turned into deep violet tinge. The hanging lights flicked on, and the warm glow reflected right at the resort. The trees blustered at the back of the resort's railings, and the mountains spread halfway.

The resort they chose was relaxing for Avery.

As Prince came up at stage, he smiled down to everyone. They all laughed along. Only then, Avery realized that she knew everyone at the banquet. Prince tapped the microphone, clearing his throat, and saying, "I would like to acknowledge everyone's presence here for a special event I created. I was just planning for a simple banquet, but then, I thought… I could propose to someone at this time, right?"

Someone tapped Avery in her back. It was the attendants of the catering services.

"Follow us on the flower arch right there."

Avery's lips parted slightly. What is Prince planning?

She obliged, reached out for the attendant's hand, and held onto the side of her dress. Avery followed them on the arch. The attendant ordered for Avery to stand right on the arch.

As she met Avery's eyes, Prince said, "Everyone turn to the woman right on the arch. The woman I want to spend my rest of my life with."

Avery didn't know what to feel. Numerous pairs of eyes turned to her as she smiled a little.

"The moments I spend my life with that woman made me the happiest."

Avery covered her mouth.

"Now, I would say the only line that would seal our love together."

Avery watched as Prince stepped down from the stage. A romantic music played over the speakers, and Avery couldn't help but to stare at Prince approaching her. Avery waited, not even taking a step, and observed how Prince's eyes brimmed with tears.

With careful steps, he reached a distance, and sighed.

Avery asked, "So this was what you prepared, huh?"

Prince nodded. "Undoubtedly."

Avery waited for him to say something, but he retrieved a box of ring inside his coat. A tear fell off his right cheek, and Avery smiled sadly. This might be one of the happiest moments of her life.

Prince held the box tightly, uttering, "I can't stop loving you, Avery."

Avery nodded repeatedly. She bit her bottom lip. Avery can feel it right to her bone.

Prince knelt down on one knee, opening the box, and looked up at Avery. Everyone was capturing the moment, giddy about her answer.

"Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Before Avery could answer, a loud bang resonated all over the fields.