Before the proposal

***Bethany***

As we collided at the library entrance, I couldn't take my eyes off him. I was leaving, and he was entering. My books scattered, and he picked them up, smiling at me.

"I guess we keep meeting through accidents," he said, his arrogance unmistakable. Yet, he was breathtakingly handsome, and terrifyingly exotic, with hard-boned, chiseled features, high cheekbones, and that toned skin. I hadn't gotten a good look at him at the hospital.

Tamara's voice snapped me back to reality. "Oh, sorry," I muttered.

And then he left, but I dragged my legs mechanically, as if I'd never seen a man before. My heart was pounding loudly against my chest as I slowly ooked back, and he was looking back too. I flashed him a warm smile.

What had changed? I didn't know. As I walked, I heard his footsteps catching up to me.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I guess we started out on the wrong foot. I was the cause of the accident," he finally admitted, and also apologized, though I knew he wasn't entirely to blame, I could hear his heartbeat racing.

"Hmm," I smiled. "What do I owe this apology to?"

"There will be a birthday party tonight, and I would love you to be there," he announced.

Since my encounter with Lucien and Zara, I'd avoided social events, focusing on my studies instead. Attending a birthday party wouldn't put me in danger, I thought.

After the birthday party, and about two social events with this arrogant friend of mine— Yes, we had become friends, just friends, Incase you're wondering what type of friendship it was.

I had gotten acquainted with him, he had asked me to be in a relationship with him but I blatantly refused.

“Why exactly are you refusing to go on a date with me? Is it because of your Ex?” Casper gazed down at me with night-dark eyes that were as hard as jet.

“My aunt, Layla, only seven years older than me,” I began, struggling with the use of the cutlery placed before me, “had been a frequent visitor to our home throughout my childhood. When she was 19 and studying for her degree, she met an engineer named Graham at a party. He was utterly charming, and it seemed he was just as in love with Layla as she was with him,” I continued, fixing my gaze on him.

“Their whirlwind romance ended in marriage, but it was a disaster from the start. As soon as they were married, he changed. He treated her like a prisoner, objecting to her clothes, makeup, and friends, and accusing her of flirting with other men. He tried to stop her from attending classes and didn't even want her visiting our family. Eventually, he turned against us too. The situation escalated, and he began physically abusing her. She was terrified of him.” I paused, to gauge his reaction before continuing.

But Casper was focused on his meal, it was as if he didn't care about what I had to say, that's even if he heard me at all.

I shook my head vehemently, my mind reeling. "No, Casper, you and I are a no-go area." I placed my hand on his, looking up at him with a warm smile.

My resolve was firm, and I owe it to the pain of past betrayals. Lucien had promised me the world, but he'd shattered my trust with Zara my supposed bestfriend. I couldn't bring myself to trust any man again. The wounds of my aunt's and mother's experiences lingered in my heart.

Casper's eyes sparkled with amusement as I suggested, "Can't you choose among your flings and affairs? I know you have many."

His smile faltered for a moment before he replied, "There's a difference between flings and a serious affair."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what he meant. "You want a serious affair with me?" I asked, my voice rose barely above a whisper.

Casper's smile returned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Let's just see how it turns out."

A scowl settled on my face, my emotions in turmoil. "No, no, no! I'm not interested!" I exclaimed, hastily gathering my belongings.

As I stood up, his face fell, his eyes clouding with disappointment. I softened my tone, feeling a little bit of guilt settling in my gut. "I have to go now. I have assignments to submit by 8 AM tomorrow."

I walked over to him and hugged him briefly. "Please, understand." With that, I turned and hurried away, leaving Casper looking at me with a mix of longing and desperation.

***A NIGHT TO GRADUATION***

Since the night I turned Casper down, I'd been trying to distract myself from him. I wasn't interested in anything related to relationships. Although Casper had called me several times, telling me he'd chosen someone from his list of love interests to propose to, as he needed to take a mate back to his kingdom as crown prince, I made it clear I wasn't interested.

But then, Roy and Lucien showed up at my apartment, asking me to get dressed. "Casper's proposing to his girlfriend, and he wants you to be there," they chorused.

I had no interest in attending, but Roy and Lucien, who had become my friends, begged me to go. "Why can't you let me rest? Tomorrow is graduation, and I'm preparing for that, not Casper's proposal party," I protested.

Roy pleaded, "It won't take all your time." I eventually gave in and got dressed. Lucien even offered to pick out my dress and styled me in a sophisticated outfit.

"I'm not the bride-to-be, why are you making a fuss about my appearance?" I asked.

Roy and Lucien remained silent and drove me to the proposal location instead.

As I walked in with Roy and Lucien, I saw that the proposal was set in a park with a small, intimate gathering of guests. The live music performance was underway, filling the air with a romantic melody. I whispered to Roy, "Where's the bride-to-be?"

"They said she's waiting in the car," Roy replied.

I joined in the applause, admiring the decorations – balloons, flowers, and candles – all perfectly arranged. This girl must be incredibly lucky to have captured Casper's heart, I thought. He wants to take her back to his kingdom after graduation.

The spread of finger foods, cake, and champagne was impressive, a testament to Casper's wealth as a crown prince. Still, I wondered when Casper and his bride-to-be would make their appearance.

As my eyes scanned the crowd, Tamara's excitement surged through my body. "My mate is near!" she growled in my mind. "My mate is near!" she repeated, her voice growing louder and more insistent.

I winced in pain, her relentless chanting giving me a headache. "Enough, Tamara!" I mentally rebuked her, silencing her eager voice.