Chapter 8

When I got there I found he was saving the parking spot beside his car and parked there. He helped me out of my car, letting me lock it before linking his arm around mine to walk us inside.

"You look beautiful, half blonde and all." He whispered as we walked, taking me by surprise. I smiled over at him and thanked him.

"This dress is okay? It's not too flashy but not too boring?" I asked a little worriedly, I don't want people continuing to talk about how I can't dress properly for their moronic parties.

"It's perfect, could've done a little less make-up but that's alright."

A smile came to my face again—ignoring his slight jab at my make-up since I barely put any on—and then the crowd of seriously dressed up people made my smile instantly fade. Compared to everyone else, I was not flashy enough. Insecurity tensed around my heart and stomach, making me uneasy.

Ian just smiled the whole time, happily returning peoples greetings and having conversations while I just stood silently, slowly dying inside.

Each and every one of my smiles was fake and not a single person here would ever notice or care. This is how my entire night went, it's how it goes every time Ian brings me to one of these things. I follow him around while he mingles, getting his precious reputation boosted even higher. Only this time, he suddenly ditched me to make an announcement to the crowd.

"I know this is quite the odd thing for me to do—and trust me, I only intend to do this once." He started, everyone collectively chuckling with him.

I just stood completely confused as to why he's even doing this at all.

"Many of you know me and know I have a wonderful girlfriend who's stayed by my side for exactly twelve years now." Oh no... "Riona, I love you with everything I am." Oh god no, don't fuckin do this here. Ian why? "I would love to spend the rest of my life with you..." He got on one knee and finished, "but as your husband. Riona... Will you marry me?" Everyone gasped, then expectantly awaited my answer.

My heart had stopped while my stomach dropped like a boulder brought it down a never ending cliff, making me incredibly nauseous. I painted an overwhelmed smile and walked over to him, nodding through tears. The tears weren't entirely of happiness though... Don't get me wrong I'm beyond happy he wants to marry me, but seriously... Here?? With these people, who won't stop clapping? Seriously? Ian beamed at me and stood up to put the ring he was holding on my finger. Again, don't get me wrong, I'm not really one for ridiculously expensive things or being ungrateful but.... He makes how much? And this is the best he's got for a ring? The band looked like it might not even be sterling silver–let alone anything that costs a lot more–and the tiny diamonds looked tarnished, if they were even remotely close to real gem stones. It looked like the cheapest thing one could find in a thrift store or a crappy piece of jewelry found on the side of a highway. I wouldn't even care if it was sterling silver, but the fact its something cheaper than that as well as already looking years old is what's bothering the absolute hell out of me. 

I know I sound like a prissy, ungrateful little bitch but... he makes a ridiculous amount of money, enough to buy at least twenty expensive rings and still have enough for other things. So... why'd he get this? I'm not even wanting anything ridiculously expensive or shiny, a simple sterling silver band alone would be fine–maybe a small diamond on it–nothing crazy. Just something better than this, anything is better than this.

I couldn't stop staring at how ugly it was, trying to force myself to like it so I'm not such a bitch.

"You like it? I know you don't like flashy jewelry so I figured this would be perfect." Ian asked, still smiling at me.

"I... am speechless. I love you." I replied, evading a proper answer while keeping a smile on my face. We kissed then we all got back to the party, dessert being served on the long tables. I would love a piece of cake, my god I'd love some cake, but Ian thinks I'm trying to cut down on my sugar intake so I can't. Instead I get to stand in silence, looking at this hideous ass thing now on my hand. It is simple, with it being just a band and three tiny possible diamonds in a channel setting. Not my style, but if it didn't look absolutely ancient and cheap I wouldn't mind it. Perhaps I should try cleaning it up at home, see if that helps it at all. What Ian said about me not liking flashy jewelry was extremely incorrect, because what I actually don't like is gaudy jewelry. Having a massive chunk of anything stuck on my hand is extremely unappealing to me, not to mention it'd be incredibly inconvenient for me when I put my tech gloves on. God I hate this ring, guess at least it isn't just a massive thing on my hand though...

Eventually this stupid event was finally over, Ian got in his car while I got in mine. For the most part I followed behind him, but then I veered off to get a quick ice cream to eat while I stare at my hand. Could sure use a shot or two, but ice cream will suffice. Getting bored of staring at this horrendous thing I hid the ice cream evidence and went home.

When Ian asked where I went I lied and said I was telling people about the engagement. After hearing my answer he smiled and went to bed, I would have gone to bed too but I won't be sleeping a single wink tonight. While Ian slept I quietly tried cleaning this damned ring. It was a fruitless endeavor however and this stupid thing would not change appearance even in the slightest.

Once again I called it, I didn't sleep at all last night and headed to work with bags under my eyes.

Angela was waiting at my desk with tea from Starbucks and noticed my exhaustion, "Woah what happened? Was that party thing that tiring?"

"Nope. I mean yeah kind of but that's not why I didn't sleep." I sighed, heavily sitting in my chair.

"Wh—"

"This is why." Holding my left hand up I blankly stared at the surface of my desk.

"Oh good god what the hell is that? You find it on the ocean floor or somethin– OH MY GOD HE DIDN'T!" Angela ended up realizing what finger the hideous ring was on and exclaimed, covering her mouth in shock.

I sighed again, dropping my arm and flatly replied, "Yup. He did. In front of a room full of people that don't even like me too. Super romantic huh?" *pause* "Though I guess he did at least put thought into it, he said he knows I don't like flashy jewelry." I added, having another look at the ring as if I'll suddenly love the thing.

"So he got you a tarnished, hundred year old ring that cost like five dollars? Really? How much money does he make??" She questioned in disbelief.

"A lot. It's the thought that counts though right? Who cares how much he spent on it?" Saying that was mostly to try convincing myself of it, but it wasn't all that convincing.

"Uh sure, but he could've had the thought of 'oh wow this thing is ugly as hell and looks like it was pulled out of Satan's asshole let me get something pretty instead' he could have just done you that favor." She ranted, making me laugh.

"Little harsh don't you think? However I kind of agree, I tried for three hours last night trying to get this fucking thing clean AND IT DIDN'T CHANGE APPEARANCE WHATSOEVER. It almost looks worse than before I tried cleaning it up."

"Does he even actually love you cause... That's a very rude way to tell you he does. I mean yeah he doesn't have to spend fifty thousand bucks on a big diamond ring to show how much he loves you, but he can spend more than five fuckin dollars." She added, earning another chuckle.

"All I heard was something about Satan's asshole, what are you guys talking about?" We heard Axel comment from behind us.

"Wouldn't you love to know." I retorted, copying him.

"Oooh, hostile this morning huh? I take it the party didn't go well?" He smirked.

"I know where this is going and I don't want to literally be the middle man so I'll be in my office you two." Angela excused herself in amusement.

I scratched my forehead with my left hand–which was the side closest to him–and sighed, "Actually it went just fine thanks. What do you want."

I noticed his eyes narrow and expression harden, his eyes following my hand for a second before he demanded, "The hell is that."

I acted as though I didn't know what he was talking about, but answered sassily, "What? Oh, this? It's my new ring, you like it?"

"It looks like shit." He stated angrily. I momentarily bit my tongue to refrain verbally agreeing with him.

"You don't like it? Well, good thing your opinion doesn't matter since I love it."

"You love a thing that looks like it's been on the ocean floor since the eighteen hundreds or got pulled from the titanic last year? You're joking." Axel dryly chuckled.

"No, I'm not joking actually. I don't like flashy, shiny, expensive things and my fiancé knows it. Now what do you want? You didn't come over here just to not need anything." I answered, bored of his presence.

His jaw clenched and he snapped, "Don't need anything." Then he went back to his desk. Well that was weird, wonder what his problem is.

Over my break I heard screams just down the block from where I was getting my lunch. I put my food in my car, grabbed my brief case that holds my disguise stuff, hid and got my gear on. Flying over to where the sounds of terror were coming from I found disguised Axel obliterating a jewelry store.

"Are YOU kidding?! What the hell!" I shouted at him.

He ignored me however and kept tearing the store apart. 

When I landed he whipped around to reveal a hostage he was tightly holding by the throat. I instantly froze, not wanting him to kill her.

"Let her go." I calmly stated, I would raise my hands to show surrender but he knows I could shoot at him if I did that.

"No, I think I'll keep her here until she loses consciousness." He darkly purred, sending chills down my spine.

"You're mad at me? Take it out on me, not her."

He seemed to actually think that over. Then he tossed her aside and used his telekinetic things to tug me towards him, catching me off guard.

Once I was close enough he grabbed my sore arm to yank me even closer, making my entire body tip in that direction as I winced. His grip had been fairly tight too but after my wincing he loosened it.

"You're not the one I'm mad at, nor would I waste my breath telling you what that stupid bitch did." Axel growled lowly in my face, then of course flew off leaving me confused yet again with my heart going crazy and feeling ever so slightly turned on for some reason.

I doubt I will ever know what his deal is, wish I could know but I probably never will.

Helping the poor woman up I asked if she was alright despite what she just went through and helped her over to where paramedics, police and firefighters were showing up.

Before they could ask me questions like they always do I flew off since my break is about to end.

Now I get to act like his tantrum never happened since I can't nag him about it with coworkers around.

For the last couple minutes of my lunch break I phoned Sabrina, Celine and my sister Harper all in one collective call to tell them my news. Which I regretted as soon as their screaming started, deafening my ear drums.

"Yes I know, it's very exciting news. Unfortunately I have to go now, I just wanted to tell you guys before you heard it elsewhere. Bye!"

They whined in disappointment but returned my bye so I hung up and sighed. Then the spamming texts started rolling in, making me groan. I didn't bother reading them, I already had the gist of what they all say.

As I worked I hadn't noticed Axel practically lurking beside me until he flatly commented, "You know your phone is blowing up?"

"You know I've been ignoring it for an hour now?" I spat back, my tone bitchier than his was. From my peripheral vision I saw him roll his eyes at me.

"Okay. Don't roll your eyes at me, you're the one being an angry little bitch throwing temper tantrums. I never did anything to you so stop with the fucking attitude." I snapped, sick of how he's been acting all day.

He actually looked taken aback by my outburst and had to take a second to compose himself.

"These are the start of the new plans for Newman, Angela made me bring them to you." He stated, unemotional as he placed them on my desk and left.

I got ticked off by my phone still going off so I started reading some of the messages, most of them saying how they think I'm a little nuts for being engaged my mid twenties, they are supportive still but they have let it be extremely known they think I'm too young for it.

I however think they're nuts for thinking that, Ian and I have been dating since ninth grade. Nearly thirteen years of our lives spent together I should hope we get married, geez. They're all my best friends and I can't imagine life without them, but it's stupid of them to think I'm nuts.

Nineteen year olds get married, in the olden days somewhere you got married at sixteen. I'm ten years older than that so why does it matter so much. Plus Celine has been married for two years now, which means she married at twenty-five.

Their way of thinking is beyond me, I frequently have to dumb myself down for them. Well... except Angela, she's excluded from that entire little rant I had. Her only complaint about my engagement was how horrendous this ring is, which I fully agree with. She's my breath of fresh air from everything fake in my life and she's probably my closest friend for it, not that she knows anything that I lie about to everyone else.

No one at work knows that my other friends as well as Ian think all I eat is salad or low everything foods, then there's the obvious. I wish I could tell at least one person about the fact I'm the one trying to stop city destruction, but I can't bring myself to do it... Maybe one day I can.