"Ezra… are you sure? This… this isn't part of the plan..." Selena said, her voice barely a whisper.
Ezra continues to give Selena an unwavering gaze.
"No. It's… something more. Something beyond the plan. This is about us. About protecting us. About making a statement against the evil plans of Victoria and Valerie." he seriously responded.
"But… the risks…" Selena's voice trembled, as she is getting a bit scared with her current situation.
"I know the risks. But I'm willing to take them. This isn't just about escaping Victoria; it's about defying her. About showing her that she can't control me." relayed Ezra, his eyes filled with determination.
Selena's eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement
"And what about our original plan?"
"We'll adapt. Marriage will give us a new set of advantages. New protections. New options. It changes the game, Selena. It changes everything." Ezra looks like he is ready to play the game.
Selena takes a deep calming breath, but in the end, she finally makes her decision.
"It's… a lot to take in. But… I trust you."
"Then let's do it. Let's show them what love, and defiance, truly look like. Let's get married."
Selena lets out a smile, as she nodded as an answer. She is fully trusting Ezra's plan, and there's no turning back now...
=================================
A few days quickly passed by.
The ambiance of the high-end Italian restaurant was intoxicating: soft lighting, the murmur of hushed conversations, the clinking of crystal glasses, the aroma of exquisite food. Ezra, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs, felt a familiar blend of excitement and apprehension. This wasn't just a dinner; it was a meticulously planned performance, a public declaration of his love for Selena/Olivia, a bold challenge to his family's disapproval. He'd chosen this setting – opulent, exclusive, a place where the whispers of his actions would reverberate through the city's elite – precisely to maximize the impact.
He'd rehearsed the moment countless times, yet as he looked across the table at Selena/Olivia her eyes sparkling with a mixture of apprehension and excitement, a wave of nervous energy washed over him. She was breathtaking, her beauty enhanced by the soft glow of the candlelight, her composure a carefully constructed mask that couldn't entirely conceal the emotions swirling beneath. He knew she was acting, playing the role of Olivia, but he also knew that the dream of a grand proposal, a public declaration of love, was a dream she'd harbored for years.
The moment arrived, seemingly suspended in time. With a deep breath, he produced the ring – a magnificent diamond, sparkling like a captured star – and held it aloft. The restaurant fell silent, all eyes turning to them.
"Olivia… ever since we met, my life has been a whirlwind of emotions, a journey I never could have imagined. You've brought light into my world, a joy I never knew existed. You've challenged me, inspired me, loved me unconditionally. And for that, I am eternally grateful. So, Olivia… will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?" Ezra finally proposes, just like what they have originally planned.
Selena/Olivia's eyes widen, a mixture of surprise and emotion flooding her features. Even though this is a performance, a carefully planned act, a wave of genuine emotion washes over her. The dream of a grand proposal, a public declaration of love, is a dream she's held onto for years. She fights back tears, her heart pounding in her chest...
"Yes, Ezra. Yes, a thousand times yes!"
Tears well up in her eyes, but she manages a radiant smile. Ezra slips the ring onto her finger, the diamond catching the light, a symbol of their shared commitment, their defiance, their love. A wave of applause sweeps through the restaurant, a chorus of congratulations filling the air.
The celebratory atmosphere of the restaurant swirled around Ezra and Selena/Olivia, a kaleidoscope of flashing cameras and well-wishing faces. They moved through the throng of congratulatory guests, their smiles carefully maintained, their movements graceful and practiced. Each handshake, each exchanged glance, was a performance, a carefully orchestrated act designed to maximize the impact of their public engagement announcement. They knew that many of the diners present were connected to the city's elite, their social circles overlapping with those of Victoria and Valerie. The photographs being taken – candid shots, posed portraits, hastily snapped images – were all part of the plan, a carefully calculated strategy to ensure news of their engagement reached its intended targets.
The carefully chosen location, the opulent setting, the sheer extravagance of the event – all were designed to amplify the message. This wasn't just a simple announcement; it was a defiant act, a public declaration of their commitment, a bold challenge to Victoria's authority. They were making a statement, a powerful statement that would resonate far beyond the walls of the restaurant. The news would spread like wildfire, reaching Victoria and Valerie, confirming their union, and solidifying their defiance.
After that performance, Ezra and Selena/Olivia finally steps out from the restaurant, while feeling accomplished and satisfied.
Ezra gave Selena/Olivia a satisfied smile.
"Mission accomplished. I think the message is clear." he smilingly announced.
"Crystal clear. Victoria will be furious. And Valerie… well, I can only imagine her reaction." Selena returned Ezra's smile.
"Let them be furious. Let them rage. Let them plot and scheme. We're already one step ahead. Marriage changes everything. It gives us leverage. It gives us protection." Ezra added, while feeling confident about their plan.
Selena nodded in agreement.
"You're definitely right. What happened tonight changes the game. It forces them to react. And we'll be ready for whatever they throw at us." she added.
Ezra took her hand and squeezed it, as if he was trying to reassure her that everything was going to be alright.
"We always are. We always will be. Now… where shall we go to celebrate our… engagement?
They share a knowing look, a silent acknowledgment of the performance they've just completed, the risks they've taken, and the uncertain, yet exhilarating, future that awaits them. The public announcement is just the beginning; the real battle is yet to come.