xxii

                                    

                                          



Emerald hadn't heard from Lance for 3 days nw. Today was the end of the villa stay. She couldn't believe how she was feeling right now. Lost, torn, helpless... and worst of all empty. He wouldn't answer calls his number went straight to voicemail. He didn't answer her texts. He'd gone complete ghost on her. She understood he might've been upset but this was taking it too far.She sighed as she drove home and wiped away tears as she cried. When she got home she walked past Melissa with tears in her eyes, heading straight to her room and locking her door. 
"Emmy! What's up?" A worried Melissa knocks on Emerald's door repeatedly. She didn't understand what happened. Someone who days ago was on top of the world; now looked like their world was completely upside down.Emerald didn't answer, she stayed in her room all day long. Whilst on her phone, looking at pictures of her and Lance, she got a notification.
Lance Brown: Come by the beach.. don't need to get all dolled up. Just come now.
Her heart immediately skipped a beat. Thank god. She couldn't explain how she felt right now, the instant wave of relief. She knew he'd eventually come back but the time apart was killing her softly.
Lance had a trick or two up his sleeve. He was done playing the games.Emerald got out of her place, as she put on her coat. She walked to their beach, their safe haven. It was only a few blocks away. She rubbed her arms as she clutched her sweater in her palms. She missed Lance's warmth and his embrace already.
As she got to the beach she could hear soft music playing, it was their favorite reggae song. She searched the waters, coming to a romantic display under the palm trees. Emerald smiled and got closer to it, now at the dinner table she couldn't find Lance.

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
She suddenly felt a figure come up behind and embrace her from behind. "You thought I'd let you go that easy, huh?" He whispered in her ear then breathed in; smelling her curly hair. He loved her scent, it lingered around him even when she wasn't around.
"No.. mi know yuh woulda come back Lance. Mi just tired of the games tho fi real.." She admitted. This was getting tiring, where were they going? Why did he come back here? What was the next step moving forward for them? Because she'd left everything for this man, but what was he really getting at here?
"Oh.. really? And what games might those be. Enlighten me." He said as he planted a kiss on her neck, then licked her soft skin. She was delicious, sometimes he wanted to just savor her.. literally.
"What am I doing wid yuh Lance Brown. Yuh drive me fucking crazy but..."
He continued kissing her neck up to cheek. "But?"
"What does di future hold fi us? I have plans fi mi life. Mi nuh play games, I like everything organized." 
Emerald was crazy about Lance, there was no denying that. But Emerald was strong, independent and a hard worker and had her head on straight. She wasn't the type to mess around and lose herself for anyone. He'd came back and completely shifted her world, with no promises on his end. Her ex boyfriend she saw a future with, left for him. Her free time she used for self care, self discovery and hobbies, left to him. Her heart, her mind..body, completely surrendered ... to him. 
Emerald fully surrendered to Lance. He had a strong influence and impact on her. His love, his energy.. she felt he was ethereal; not of this world. She'd had many lovers but none made her feel this way. Sex never was that passionate, she never orgasmed that hard or fast for any man. Love never felt so intense. Emmy never wore her heart on her sleeve like this. But she couldn't control it. She never gave a man the ability to influence her emotions or decisions like that before. But she felt like control didn't exist around Lance Brown. She felt like she belonged to him. He owned her. 
"Why don't you slowly turn around then beautiful girl." He pulled back and she furrowed a brow. She took a moment, then turned to face him. He was kneeling on one knee, looking up at her with a ring in his hand.
Emerald squealed and covered her mouth. She instantly teared up and began crying.
"Emerald.. I really love you. You're everything I've searched for, for so long. I've looked for you in so many different people.. but you're one of a kind, you live up to your name. I'm madly in love with you and I want to share the rest of my life with you. Nobody compare tuh yuh mi baby. Will you Marry me?" He said as he stared into her eyes. 
Emerald was sobbing at this point. She nodded several times as she put her hand out for him to place the ring. He did so and she examined it. Fine cut diamonds with a literal emerald in the middle. Fucking perfect.
Lance stood to his feet and hugged her. The camera man Lance had hired stood aside and began taking pictures of them.
Wow, so this was it. It doesn't get more official than this, fiancee status. Husband and wife to be. 
Life was really coming together for the two lovers.