The Royal Sunset Hotel was a sight to behold. Towering majestically in the heart of the city, the twenty-two-storey structure gleamed like a crown jewel against the fading sunlight.
Its marble exterior, adorned with ornate gold trim and cascading glass windows, spoke of timeless elegance.
Inside, the ambiance echoed opulence: chandeliers sparkled above, casting a soft glow over plush carpets and polished floors. The air was scented with vanilla and fresh roses, and a gentle melody floated from a grand piano stationed near the main entrance.
Benjamin had parked the sleek black Mercedes Benz in the underground parking lot, among an assortment of luxury vehicles that hinted at the calibre of guests frequenting the hotel.
The senior staff at the hotel recognised him, and they expected his arrival. They had gone the extra mile to reserve a special table—right at the centre of the main dining hall. They dressed it elegantly with a cream-white tablecloth, silver cutlery, and a crystal vase holding fresh red roses. A candle flickered gently between them, casting a warm, romantic glow.
A waiter and waitress were standing next to their table ready to serve them.
"Good evening sir, good evening madam," they greeted. "Welcome to the Royal Sunset Hotel. We'll be at your service."the waitress added.
"Good evening to you Joan, Peter." Benjamin replied.
"Thanks for waiting upon us. I must say that we expect an evening full of surprises."
He turned to Megyn with a beaming smile and pulling out one of the chairs at the table, "Welcome princess."
Megyn smiled and whispered, "thank you, Benj. This is beautiful."
They dined with joy, their conversation filled with laughter and the kind of ease only true affection could inspire. They both sipped on red wine, toasting to life, love, and the strange yet wonderful twists of fate that had brought them together.
Their hearts were light, their eyes frequently locking over the table with silent understanding and warmth.
For dessert, salted caramel cake was brought to the table, served in petite glass bowls, garnished with fresh strawberries and delicate swirl of cream.
Megyn's eyes sparkled with delight as she took her first bite.
"Mmm," she murmured, her spoon already diving back into the creamy layers. "This is divine."
She took another generous scoop, then paused. Something glimmered unexpectedly from the tip of the cream swirl. Nestled delicately at the peak, almost hidden among the toppings, was a tiny chocolate bar. But threading through it—almost like a secret message—was a ring. Not just any ring. A band of twinkling diamonds shimmered under the light, catching her completely off guard.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"What…?" she gasped, lifting the ring with trembling fingers.
The diamonds sparkled like tiny stars, set against a delicate silver band. It was breathtaking. Her eyes widened, her mouth parting in disbelief.
She turned to Benjamin, who was watching her with a knowing smile.
Before she could say a word, Benjamin stood and moved beside her. In one fluid motion, he dropped to one knee.
The waitress- Joan handed him a wet wipe which he gladly took and gently wiped the ring to remove the bits of cream and chocolate stains.
Megyn's eyes welled with tears. As one trickled down her cheek, Benjamin reached out and brushed it away tenderly with the back of his hand.
Then he spoke, his voice steady but full of emotion. "I call you Princess, I call you my Gazelle and I know we've only had a short time together. I met you once, and you captured my heart and changed it." He paused and looked at her, softly smiling. He continued, "But I also know that my heart has found its home in you, a cherished home. I can't imagine loving anyone else Princess - and so I would like to make this request of you; Will you marry me?"
A hush fell over the dining hall.
The clinking of cutlery ceased. Conversations faded into silence. Diners turned in their seats, drawn to the heartfelt proposal unfolding at the center of the room. The air was thick with anticipation.
Megyn's eyes shimmered with tears, her lips parted in astonishment. She glanced around, slightly overwhelmed by the attention. Benjamin remained on one knee, his eyes locked on hers with hope and love.
Twenty seconds felt like a lifetime.
Then, slowly, Megyn extended her right hand, spreading her fingers. Her voice, soft and trembling, was barely more than a whisper.
"Yes," she said, smiling through her tears. "Yes. Yes! How could I possibly say no to my prince charming?"
A cheer erupted from the room. Applause echoed from every corner. The hotel's in-house band struck up the familiar melody of "Princess", and the moment crystallized in time.
Benjamin gently slid the ring onto her finger and rose to his feet. They embraced tightly, the world around them vanishing into the blur of joy and music.
That night, they stayed in the penthouse suite on the twenty-second floor of the hotel. The space was exquisite—elegant yet warm, with sweeping views of the city skyline and furnishings that mirrored those Megyn had seen in Randi. She smiled, realizing that this, too, was part of Benjamin's world. They had a restful, peaceful and wonderful night.
For Megyn, her world had changed. She came to the city three days ago, accompanying a patient, but she would be going back to her parents, a fiance.
The next morning, as they returned to Benjamin's family home, the atmosphere was electric. The moment they walked through the door, they were greeted by an explosion of celebration. Ululations, laughter, and joyful chatter filled the room. This too was a big surprise for Megyn. She didn't expect a celebration would be awaiting them.
Dr. Lucia quickly turned off the large screen in the living room where, just moments earlier, their engagement video had been playing on loop.
Megyn blinked in surprise.
The house was full—Benjamin's uncles, aunts, and cousins had all gathered, dressed in bright colours, clapping and embracing her as if she had always belonged there.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawi stood holding each other, and in bright smiles, ready to receive their son's fiance. Mrs Hawi embraced Megyn and said, "make haste and come home. You see, we love you so much, my daughter."
But the greatest surprise of all was seeing her Auntie Nerea, who lived far away in Highland County, standing in the middle of the room, arms outstretched for a warm hug.
"You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" her aunt said with a wink.
Megyn was speechless. Tears threatened to spill again. Her heart felt like it could burst from the love surrounding her.
And then came the final surprise—her phone buzzed.
It was her parents. They had placed a video call.
She took a deep breath, fearing a reprimand or disappointment. But to her astonishment, their voices were filled with joy. They had seen the video, heard the news, and called to congratulate her.
"We're proud of you, Megyn," her father said warmly. "Come home soon, though. We miss you."
Even Melissa had sent her an excited message, thrilled not only by the grand proposal but also by the warmth and dignity of Benjamin's family. "I get it now," her sister wrote. "You're in good hands."
Later that afternoon, Cindy called too, her voice bubbling with excitement and affection. "Megyn! You're engaged! I saw the video. It was magical. Congratulations, my dear!"
As the family celebration continued, Benjamin gently reminded her to wear her engagement ring throughout the party.
Dr. Lucia had arranged for a professional photographer to capture the day, ensuring every radiant moment was preserved.
That evening, as the sun approached the horizon, Megyn and Dr. Lucia caught a flight back to Randi. Though it was hard to leave Benjamin, Megyn understood that she is someone's Daughter and has to go back to her family. And so did he.
He held her hand at the airport for a few silent moments before whispering, "Go Princess. Finish your attachment. I'll be waiting for you here in the city, as you come back for your final year."
As the plane took off and the lights of the city faded beneath her, Megyn sat back and stared at the ring glittering on her finger. Her heart was full.
This was not the end of the story—it was the beginning of something extraordinary.