“Are you ready?” I nod. “You look beautiful.”
I smile. “Thank you.” It’s then I remember something, but I just haven’t had the chance to ask. “Erm, Kane?”
“Yes?”
“That day at the hospital—” I notice his sad expression, so I stop.
“I will always regret that day. I wanted to help… I thought I was helping. But, I only ended up leading you into danger.”
Grabbing his arm, I squeeze. “You can’t blame yourself for that day. I would have run no matter what. I was pretty determined.” I chuckle and he laughs too.
I often think back on that day and of Dotty. A couple of weeks ago, I managed to find Dotty on Facebook. It was pretty easy to find her, considering she was clutching that pogo stick she’d mentioned. I got in touch with her, told her I was safe and happy, and asked for her address so that I could send her a card to properly thank her. She was over the moon that I was finally settled and requested that I keep in touch. I sent her the thank you card along with a hundred pounds. I also included a hundred pound gift card for Marks and Spencer. She contacted me via Facebook Messenger a couple of days later, telling me how naughty I was and that she never expected the money back. I assured her that I still intended to pay it forward. The very next day, I gave a homeless woman one hundred pounds. It felt extremely rewarding. The homeless woman couldn’t believe it and wanted to hand some of it back. I just told her the same as what Dotty had told me. “Keep it, and pay it forward.” She had smiled and promised that she would.
Once back at Drake’s house, I place my bag and envelope down and join Drake in the dining room. He’s changed too and is looking as sexy as always. He has his back to me, but as if sensing me, he turns towards me, and when he does, his eyes widen. “Wow, you look … stunning.”
“Thank you. I wanted to make an effort this evening.”
“You never need to make an effort, but I appreciate that you did. You’ve always been a beautiful woman, Evelyn. Always.”
Just then, George walks in with our plates of food. Once he spots me, his smile spreads wide. “Evelyn, how are you, my dear?”
I start laughing. “Fine, thank you.” I look at the food, and my stomach growls. “This looks and smells divine.”
“Well, I hope it tastes just as good.” He places the food down. “Please, sit, and bon appétit.”
“Thank you,” we both say in unison.
We both sit down, and I immediately tuck into my meal. It does indeed taste as good as it looks and smells.
“You look like you’re enjoying that.”
I smile. “Oh, I am. George does cook a mean steak.”
Drake smiles, and we watch each other as we eat. I think Drake realises that conversation comes last when I’m this hungry. Once I finish, I place my knife and fork down and watch as Drake does the same.
“Dessert?” he asks as he takes a sip of wine.
“Not now. In fact, I need to discuss something with you.”
He frowns. “Oh yes?”
I nod. “Well, first I have to show you something.” I get up from my chair and walk out to the hallway. Once there, I pick up the envelope and bring it back in. Drake is watching with quiet interest, but when he sees the envelope in my hand, his eyes widen slightly.
I sit in my seat and carefully push the envelope towards him. “This is what I wanted to show you.”
Drake doesn’t move at first. He just looks down at the envelope and then at me. Finally, he leans forward, grabs the envelope, and turns to the last page. I see the moment when his face falls and his mouth parts. “You signed it.”
I grip the table as my heart starts beating rapidly in my chest. “Yes.”
He places the papers down on the table. “So, that’s it then.”
“Not quite.” He looks up at me with a frown, so I continue. “Do you still have my ring?”
“Yes. It was one of the things I managed to obtain from Isaac once I shot him between his eyes.” I notice the slight growl when he says this.
“Can you get it for me please?”
“Why?”
“You’ll see why in a bit. Please.”
Sighing, he gets up and walks towards a giant painting on the wall. He pulls it aside, and a safe is revealed. He punches in some numbers, takes out a box, and closes the safe. Once the painting is back in place, he walks towards our table, sits down, and places the box in front of me.
“Ask me,” I simply say.
Drake frowns. “Ask you what?”
I motion with my head towards the box and back up to him. “I want you to ask me like a man should ask a woman.”