"This is Rune. He's....my nephew." Said Matt.
Marilyn smiled back. "He's very cute."
A few moments later, Alex ran out.
"I'm here...I'm here...ok! Let's go!"
It was a rather awkward dinner and although Alex was fully charged from her hospital stay, she started to feel the heaviness that was lingering in the air. Matt was being very sweet, as usual, yet her parents were so unimpressed. Maddy was the worst! She wouldn't even talk to him. She was on her phone the entire night! She kept arguing that it's her campaign manager as if all this time that she has been visiting here, this guy wasn't anywhere to be found calling her or whatnot and now he can't seem to have enough.
As for "Rune", the little boy Matt had brought, he was definitely the cutest but he just seemed so sad and scared. She asked Matt about him, but he just stroked her hair and said he would explain later. Meanwhile, Matt, was really trying to hold back the urge to order his Mandala to get out of there. His Mandala was doing just fine, but he was running out of time. He certainly wasn't expecting her parents to be around still and just hoped he would talk to Alex and they would take the jet back to Dubai by the night. And yet, it is almost 10 pm and they are still at the restaurant. In fact, although his Mandala was being very impressive, the parents were not impressed. When Matt got up to use the restroom, he communicated his needs with his Mandala....
Do we really need to continue with this? They're not even impressed! Let's just get out of here! And make something up or take Alex with us! She's missed me like crazy I can tell and whatever that hospital business was scared her so now is the perfect time to take advantage of that vulnerability isn't it?
...Matt...I will do as you wish if you so desire it. However, from what I'm reading in the situation, Alex really wants this night to go well and is growingly getting mad at her family for not holding up their end of the bargain. If we leave, it will only make her pissed off more. If we stay and endure the night, she will love us for it and will be more willing to hear us out afterwards.
When Matt communicated with her Mandala, it was as if he was talking to himself while looking at the mirror. In fact, if anybody walked in, they would think there was something definitely wrong with him. However, the Mandala didn't have any other means to speak so it used the outlet of Matt's body to communicate with Matt. Other times, if Matt is in control of his body, then Matt may either speak out loud or think certain questions, but the Mandala will always respond as a thought.
Matt got back to the table and saw that at this point Alex started to really show her anger. She tried to hide it when she saw Matt. It wasn't very convincing. Before Matt can say anything though, Alex spoke up: "Hey, sweetie, I'm so sorry about this. But I think tonight seems a bust. It's kind of weird right now especially since I was at the hospital for the past 5 nights. Besides, my parents are leaving tomorrow morning so as soon as they're gone, we will see each other and catch up...okay?"
Matt frowned and said: "Sweetie...I know you have your family to take care of and I totally respect that. If anything, they're right to be upset and not very willing to talk to me because I've been gone this whole time that you've been sick and haven't even bothered to call. I know you understand {Matt said this when Alex tried to say that she understands} but the truth is, it looks bad. But, there is something I need to talk to you about, and it's kind of time sensitive. And...I can't speak in front of...everyone you know? Is it possible for you to just come home with me so we could talk and then I will drive you back home so you can be with your family tonight. Again, I wouldn't have asked you if this weren't a time-urgent matter."
Alex considered this for a while and decided to believe him. She finished signing her name on the check and everybody got up to leave. When they got outside to their cars, Matt shook hands with Alex's parents and Maddy, who reluctantly took his hand and they got into their car, without saying anything else. Matt leaned in to kiss Alex on the cheek and told her he would stay in the car for her. When Matt walked away, Alex told his parents that she needs to go over to Matt's apartment for a little bit. Nobody tried to argue against it and they complied and said they would go back home and wait for her before they go to sleep. Alex smiled, kissed his father and walked to Matt's car.
--------------
When they got to Matt's apartment, Matt put Rune, who was already asleep in his bed and then took Alex' hand and brought her up to the roof, their usual place for talking. Matt poured two glasses of wine and gave one to Alex and they stood looking out onto the city while sipping on their wine. Alex was waiting for Matt to speak. She was really starting to feel some stress by now though. It's not that she was scared of being there with Matt, but she knew he wouldn't have asked her to come up there if it weren't something serious. She was also worried about what her parents would say. They oddly let her go easily without any questions but she knew the questions awaited her at home. She took a deep breath and took another sip of her wine.
Matt finally began to speak:
"Alex...I want to start by telling you how much I am sorry for not being there for you this past week. When you told me today that you were at the hospital this past week, my heart just broke. I thought, how do I dare tell this woman I love her and yet I'm not there for her when she needs me most? I am so ashamed of myself that you would never know...! Also, I didn't know your parents would be here and though I'm so glad that I was able to see them now, especially now, I just wished that it would be in better circumstances. The truth is Alex, I can't live here anymore."
Alex looked really confused at this point.
"You know that trip I took to Dubai? Well...I went, and thankfully, I was able to help that little boy and he was able to get the medication he needed and everything was fine. But, when I talked to the boy, whose English was very good indeed because of the school you helped built...he told me about a friend of his from his village. He said that this friend of his was brutally separated from his mother and his mother was taken away by the government...God knows where! So I got a team together to try and find this boy and thankfully, he was still hanging around in his village, in his own home, with no food or water. This boy had been in there for a week. I tried to take him to a Foster home or anything but they just wouldn't hear of it! They were afraid the boy would have some virus! I couldn't believe it...and well, after that, I decided I couldn't let this boy starve to death and so I...took him under my wing until I can find out where his mother has gone and see if I can reunite him with his mother. I was able to bring him on my trip, because I was afraid of what would happen to him..."
Alex finally began to realize what he meant.... "Rune? Is that the little boy? He's not your nephew then? Oh..." Alex didn't know what to say or what to think. Here was the love of her life, being this amazing hero. She couldn't believe it. Matt was a good man but he was never this self-sacrificing. The culture there must've really had an effect on him.
"Yes, I brought Rune with me. Especially because he is so attached to me now! He wouldn't even let go of my hand when we wanted to pass through security at the airport! I wouldn't lie if I said I have also grown attached to him. But I came here, because of you. All of this adventure in Dubai really made me realize how much I can't live without you and how much I need you in my life."
Alex was a hundred percent hooked at this point, seeing the tears in Matt's eyes and feeling her own eyes moistening when he set his wine glass down and kneeled on one knee in front of her. Oh my god! He's going to propose. Oh my god!! Matt reached into his pocket and took out a small box and opened it, containing the most beautiful diamond ring Alex had ever seen. Then, she realized, it's the one that she had wanted for herself. Two years ago, she had seen this same exact ring when she had just started dating Matt...but how could he have...?
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Matt continued: "I know. I remember. When I saw you being practically glued to that window, staring at that ring, I couldn't help myself. I went in an bought the ring...just in case. And now, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I can't even fathom my life without you, let alone live it. Alexandria Marilyn Johnson....will you marry me and make me the most happiest man on earth?"
At that moment, Alex was ecstatic that this day has finally come, but something was off. Alex couldn't quite put her finger on it but it didn't feel right, the way she always imagined. Somehow it all seemed too....perfect.
Marilyn smiled back. "He's very cute."
A few moments later, Alex ran out.
"I'm here...I'm here...ok! Let's go!"
It was a rather awkward dinner and although Alex was fully charged from her hospital stay, she started to feel the heaviness that was lingering in the air. Matt was being very sweet, as usual, yet her parents were so unimpressed. Maddy was the worst! She wouldn't even talk to him. She was on her phone the entire night! She kept arguing that it's her campaign manager as if all this time that she has been visiting here, this guy wasn't anywhere to be found calling her or whatnot and now he can't seem to have enough.
As for "Rune", the little boy Matt had brought, he was definitely the cutest but he just seemed so sad and scared. She asked Matt about him, but he just stroked her hair and said he would explain later. Meanwhile, Matt, was really trying to hold back the urge to order his Mandala to get out of there. His Mandala was doing just fine, but he was running out of time. He certainly wasn't expecting her parents to be around still and just hoped he would talk to Alex and they would take the jet back to Dubai by the night. And yet, it is almost 10 pm and they are still at the restaurant. In fact, although his Mandala was being very impressive, the parents were not impressed. When Matt got up to use the restroom, he communicated his needs with his Mandala....
Do we really need to continue with this? They're not even impressed! Let's just get out of here! And make something up or take Alex with us! She's missed me like crazy I can tell and whatever that hospital business was scared her so now is the perfect time to take advantage of that vulnerability isn't it?
...Matt...I will do as you wish if you so desire it. However, from what I'm reading in the situation, Alex really wants this night to go well and is growingly getting mad at her family for not holding up their end of the bargain. If we leave, it will only make her pissed off more. If we stay and endure the night, she will love us for it and will be more willing to hear us out afterwards.
When Matt communicated with her Mandala, it was as if he was talking to himself while looking at the mirror. In fact, if anybody walked in, they would think there was something definitely wrong with him. However, the Mandala didn't have any other means to speak so it used the outlet of Matt's body to communicate with Matt. Other times, if Matt is in control of his body, then Matt may either speak out loud or think certain questions, but the Mandala will always respond as a thought.
Matt got back to the table and saw that at this point Alex started to really show her anger. She tried to hide it when she saw Matt. It wasn't very convincing. Before Matt can say anything though, Alex spoke up: "Hey, sweetie, I'm so sorry about this. But I think tonight seems a bust. It's kind of weird right now especially since I was at the hospital for the past 5 nights. Besides, my parents are leaving tomorrow morning so as soon as they're gone, we will see each other and catch up...okay?"
Matt frowned and said: "Sweetie...I know you have your family to take care of and I totally respect that. If anything, they're right to be upset and not very willing to talk to me because I've been gone this whole time that you've been sick and haven't even bothered to call. I know you understand {Matt said this when Alex tried to say that she understands} but the truth is, it looks bad. But, there is something I need to talk to you about, and it's kind of time sensitive. And...I can't speak in front of...everyone you know? Is it possible for you to just come home with me so we could talk and then I will drive you back home so you can be with your family tonight. Again, I wouldn't have asked you if this weren't a time-urgent matter."
Alex considered this for a while and decided to believe him. She finished signing her name on the check and everybody got up to leave. When they got outside to their cars, Matt shook hands with Alex's parents and Maddy, who reluctantly took his hand and they got into their car, without saying anything else. Matt leaned in to kiss Alex on the cheek and told her he would stay in the car for her. When Matt walked away, Alex told his parents that she needs to go over to Matt's apartment for a little bit. Nobody tried to argue against it and they complied and said they would go back home and wait for her before they go to sleep. Alex smiled, kissed his father and walked to Matt's car.
--------------
When they got to Matt's apartment, Matt put Rune, who was already asleep in his bed and then took Alex' hand and brought her up to the roof, their usual place for talking. Matt poured two glasses of wine and gave one to Alex and they stood looking out onto the city while sipping on their wine. Alex was waiting for Matt to speak. She was really starting to feel some stress by now though. It's not that she was scared of being there with Matt, but she knew he wouldn't have asked her to come up there if it weren't something serious. She was also worried about what her parents would say. They oddly let her go easily without any questions but she knew the questions awaited her at home. She took a deep breath and took another sip of her wine.
Matt finally began to speak:
"Alex...I want to start by telling you how much I am sorry for not being there for you this past week. When you told me today that you were at the hospital this past week, my heart just broke. I thought, how do I dare tell this woman I love her and yet I'm not there for her when she needs me most? I am so ashamed of myself that you would never know...! Also, I didn't know your parents would be here and though I'm so glad that I was able to see them now, especially now, I just wished that it would be in better circumstances. The truth is Alex, I can't live here anymore."
Alex looked really confused at this point.
"You know that trip I took to Dubai? Well...I went, and thankfully, I was able to help that little boy and he was able to get the medication he needed and everything was fine. But, when I talked to the boy, whose English was very good indeed because of the school you helped built...he told me about a friend of his from his village. He said that this friend of his was brutally separated from his mother and his mother was taken away by the government...God knows where! So I got a team together to try and find this boy and thankfully, he was still hanging around in his village, in his own home, with no food or water. This boy had been in there for a week. I tried to take him to a Foster home or anything but they just wouldn't hear of it! They were afraid the boy would have some virus! I couldn't believe it...and well, after that, I decided I couldn't let this boy starve to death and so I...took him under my wing until I can find out where his mother has gone and see if I can reunite him with his mother. I was able to bring him on my trip, because I was afraid of what would happen to him..."
Alex finally began to realize what he meant.... "Rune? Is that the little boy? He's not your nephew then? Oh..." Alex didn't know what to say or what to think. Here was the love of her life, being this amazing hero. She couldn't believe it. Matt was a good man but he was never this self-sacrificing. The culture there must've really had an effect on him.
"Yes, I brought Rune with me. Especially because he is so attached to me now! He wouldn't even let go of my hand when we wanted to pass through security at the airport! I wouldn't lie if I said I have also grown attached to him. But I came here, because of you. All of this adventure in Dubai really made me realize how much I can't live without you and how much I need you in my life."
Alex was a hundred percent hooked at this point, seeing the tears in Matt's eyes and feeling her own eyes moistening when he set his wine glass down and kneeled on one knee in front of her. Oh my god! He's going to propose. Oh my god!! Matt reached into his pocket and took out a small box and opened it, containing the most beautiful diamond ring Alex had ever seen. Then, she realized, it's the one that she had wanted for herself. Two years ago, she had seen this same exact ring when she had just started dating Matt...but how could he have...?
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Matt continued: "I know. I remember. When I saw you being practically glued to that window, staring at that ring, I couldn't help myself. I went in an bought the ring...just in case. And now, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I can't even fathom my life without you, let alone live it. Alexandria Marilyn Johnson....will you marry me and make me the most happiest man on earth?"
At that moment, Alex was ecstatic that this day has finally come, but something was off. Alex couldn't quite put her finger on it but it didn't feel right, the way she always imagined. Somehow it all seemed too....perfect.
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