Chapter 412

"Your majesty, Christian, forgive me but this is madness, you've only known this woman for five months. Five!" Derek shouted.

"Keep your voice down. She's still asleep. I don't care if it was only five weeks. Please do as I instruct and pick up the parcel for me. It is being delivered to the front desk right now." Christian said the next morning.

"Read it to me." Derek said. "The description of this half a million dollar ring. Read it to me so I feel better about it." Derek said.

"It's a Harry Winston. Raye said that the jewelry store in town got it in just last week and it seems perfect." Christian said. "Like fate."

"Read the bloody description." Derek said. Christian rolled his eyes.

"Recalling the exquisite corset lacing of a couture gown, this diamond engagement ring features an impressive 5.70 pear-shaped diamond center stone romantically draped between two interlacing diamond ribbons. A symbol of two souls becoming one, the modern setting in this unique engagement ring highlights the beauty of the tear-drop silhouette and perfectly accents a modern day bride. This bespoke pear-shaped engagement ring is the ultimate signature touch to a bride's one-of-a-kind wedding day ensemble. A 5.70 carat pear-shaped diamond set as a ring with 113 round brilliant diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.72 carats, set in platinum." Christian read, directly from the site.

"Sounds perfect." He said sarcastically. "Are you ready for this? Your mother, Dylan, her father. No one has given their blessing. This whole relationship has been behind closed doors." Derek said.

"As it should be." Christian said. "I'm the one that loves her and I'm the one she will be deciding she wants to marry. Not mum, Dylan, Isla, Auggie, her family or friends or anyone else! This is about us and us alone. And I'm glad we have been private about it. That's the only way things like this ever work! Look at mum and that actor, and Erik and father as well! I'm making something wonderful for myself because of their mistakes. I love her and I'm not chancing a single thing in my life. I'm not going to talk myself out of this. Not anymore. I want it. I want her. Only her, for the rest of my life. And she is mine. I am young and have my entire life to spend with her, experiencing it with her, loving her. End of story." Christian said. Derek looked at him and knew nothing would change his mind. He sighed and went down to the front desk.

Christian's phone rang. He looked down to see it was his mother. Did Raye tip her off?

"Hello mum." He answered.

"Good morning, Christian. How is the trip going?" Pearl asked.

"Excellent. I had dinner with the president last night and we are all set for the ball tonight." He said.

"Great to hear. Have an amazing time and be safe. Oh, Sophia was here for tea yesterday asking about you." Pearl said.

Christian rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry for her. She needs to move on and meet some new people."He said.

"She probably does." Pearl said.

"Maybe try to set her up with Alexander." Christian smugly joked.

"No. Besides, I have a weird hunch about him. That he might be seeing someone." She said. His mother's hunches were usually correct, no matter how much they all didn't want to believe her when she had them. He was surprised she hadn't asked about Nora.

"Alright then, I will see you in a few days. Love you." Christian said.

"Love you, too. Tell Nora I would like to meet her soon. Maybe bring her to London when you come back." She said.

There it was. She knew something was up. He said that he would and they hung up.

"Good morning." Nora said, sleepily walking out of the bedroom with a sheet wrapped around her.

"Is that any way to address me after last night?" Christian asked.

"Oh, sorry. Good morning, sex god." She said, wiping her eyes.

He laughed, heartily. "I wanted to hear something more along the lines of "my love", but I will most certainly take that." He said with a smile, pulling her into his lap. Derek walked in and shook his head.

"You guys are out of control. There are other people around, you know?" He said, covering his eyes.

"I'm going to go back to bed for a bit. Come see me soon?" She said, kissing Christian's cheek.

"Very soon." He said. She smiled and walked back into the bedroom.

"Well, let me see it?" Christian asked. He opened the envelope that Derek handed him and then he opened the box. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Perfect, just like Raye said it would be. He closed the box and smiled, putting it in the jacket pocket of his tuxedo that was hanging in the main closet. He was going to propose to her at the gala.