The Proposal

"If only I knew you would say this once we are in this place, I would have brought you here a long time ago," Sea laughed out loud, making other tourists turn their heads at us.

"The people are watching us," I cringed in shame as some of them smiled and teased us.

"They will have to watch us. Wait." He crouched again and let me hop on to his back. I no longer refused; I would not win over him, anyway.

Soon, we entered a long, dim-lit tunnel, and once we were on the other side, we turned left, and I gasped at the magnificent view before us. On one side, the sprawling ocean glittered against the golden glow of the rising sun. On another side laid the vast stretch of hills and plains, including the famous navigational lighthouse. I stood watching in awe at this splendid view before my eyes.

As the people took time to rest after picture-taking, Sean suddenly stood up. I wondered what the problem he saw around that the rest of the tourists and I did not see.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Sean started to speak, running his eyes from left to right with full confidence, "good morning."

I noticed that Sean posed an authoritative air because all heads turned to his direction, giving him full attention.

In a modulated voice, he continued. "I am Sean Mark Grey of Thomas and Albert Group of Companies."

I heard people gasped as they perhaps saw him in televisions and magazines. Or, maybe, some of them here were businessmen who knew many of those autocratic figures in the business world.

"I never expect that this morning would be one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Along the way here, as we climbed the steep trail, she said yes. Yes, the love of my life says yes! And I want you all to become witnesses as I give her the Grey's legacy marriage ring."

The people squealed and gave us a loud round of applause that I felt like melting in shame. I watched in horror as Sean pulled out from his bag a black, velvet box. As he opened it in the eyes of everyone around, the crowd gasped again as the glittering diamond ring shone against the light of the sun.

"That must be a million-dollar ring, Mr. Grey!" one of the men exclaimed.

"Yes. Our great, great grandfather bought this when he proposed to our late grandma, Anita Grey. From them, this ring is passed down until it has become my turn."

The people squealed again as they heard about the legendary name, Anita Grey. One of them stepped forward to the front and introduced herself as a college professor.

"Anita Grey's name is told by generations after her heroic act of saving a soldier from the brink of death. Beforehand, she had led out different charitable organizations and foundations that had helped the country in surviving against a national crisis that hit the nation at that time."

"And that soldier had become her husband, the famous Thomas Grey I. With their strengths and talents combined, they built empires of businesses, creating themselves a name throughout the world."

"Unfortunately, the next heir did not manage the businesses well. It thinned down until it almost sank beyond redemption. However, after Thomas Grey V, the father of Albert Grey, took over, the businesses began to spring back to life."

"Another blow hit the family again as Albert Grey left their home due to a secret family feud. He was supposedly the successor of their business empire, but he left his sick father alone and hopeless. Thankfully, Sir Thomas V got himself a son by the name of Sean Mark Grey. And as many of you may have known, Thomas and Albert Grey Group of Companies have expanded to almost part of the world through his leadership."

A loud round of applause erupted again from the crowd, and I stood gaping at what that professor said. I knew Sean was a famous business tycoon, but this professor spelled it out in bold letters for me to know him more.

"Thank you so much, professor, for telling our family's story. And now, let me make you witnesses as I pass this legacy to the next Anita Grey."

Sean gazed at me with those tender eyes of his and smiled. I felt like collapsing from these complicated emotions that were torturing me at the moment. My heartbeats blow against my chest in a rapid rhythm, making me deaf to the squeals and rounds of applause from the crowd.

When Sean finally touched my hand and slipped the ring on my finger, I could no longer restrain myself from crying. What did I do to deserve him? How am I able to doubt his love for me?

"Red Nelson-Grey, will you marry me?"

I laughed while tears streamed down from my eyes. "How can I refuse when you already give me your name?"

"Whether you like it or not, you will always be a Grey."

I sniffed in my tears as I stared at the precious sparkling stone on my finger.

"You have not answered me yet," he teased, and the people broke out in laughter again.

"Yes, I will marry you, Mr. Grey."

Sean hugged me tight, and I sobbed louder while I rested my head on his shoulder.

"When will be the big ceremony, Mr. Grey?" asked someone from the crowd.

"We'll work on it once we are back in our country."

"Haven't you heard the news? That Hawaii closed all the ports from both domestic and international departures last night?"

I withdrew myself from Sean as I listened to what this person is saying.

"What the hell-" Sean bit his lip, and his face dropped in frustration.

"Mr. Grey," another from the crowd spoke up, "I am the director of the Civil Registry of Honolulu. Why not do a civil wedding first since we do not know yet when this lockdown would end? I can help with the processing of your papers. You can even have it today if you want."