"Honey, there's someone at the door. I think you should go and see who it is" Ellise's mum said as she chopped vegetables for dinner.
"Fine" Ellise mumbled, rising to her feet. Half heartedly, she twisted the door knob and opened the door. She was stunned to see Dre standing right there with a bunch of white and pink flowers. Her heart literally melted. There was just something about him. His emerald green eyes were brighter than they used to be. Ellise wondered how he'd located her house in the first place. For a moment, she thought that she was hallucinating.
"No hug for me, my love?" he said, smirking at her
"Oh my God!" She screamed, throwing herself into his arms.
"You remember!" She breathed, happy tears filling her eyes.
"Why else would I be here?" he laughed.
"You have no idea how much I've missed holding you" Ellise said to him.
He smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I love you" he said.
"I love you too, Dre. I'm so happy"
"El? What's happening here?" Ellise's mum said, poking her head out the door. Understanding crossing her features when she saw her daughter in Dre's arms.
"Oh..."
"Hello, Mrs Sumners" Dre said.
Mrs Sumner smiled.
"Call me Carie. I'm glad to know that you're back to normal, Alexandre. Ellise was miserable without you"
Dre gazed at Ellise fondly. Then, he looked at her mother once more.
"Do you mind me borrowing Ellise for a bit?" He asked. "Oh, I don't mind. But, you will have to stay for dinner when you return, okay?"
"Sure, Carie. We'll be back" Dre said. Ellise's mum winked at her as she waved at duo, making her blush.
....
Xandre and Ellise had a long conversation as they strolled down the park. Ellise was so happy and relieved, she felt like she was going to burst. All of a sudden, Dre went on his knees, holding out a small red velvet box. Ellise stared at him wide eyed.
"Ellie, you have been a great source of light in my life. You made me laugh and smile. You gave me a new purpose. You loved me for who I am and you accepted me for everything I am. You are my strength and will power. Ellise Sumners, will you make me the happiest man on earth by marrying me?" He said, his eyes shimmering.
"Oh my God" Ellise sobbed,
happy tears leaving her eyes.
"Ellie, will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course!" She breathed.
He slipped the diamond ring onto her finger and she embraced him.
"I love you, future Mrs Loides" he whispered and she blushed harder.
"You have made my day, Dre. I love you so much"
Who could have thought that this day would bring so much surprises. Ellise was officially engaged to the man she loved. She certainly didn't see it coming.
They got back home later in the evening. Ellise's dad was home and he didn't look happy to see
Dre. He glared at him, sizing him up. During dinner, Ellise announced to her parents that she was engaged. Her mum was very much happy, she was close to tears. "There's nothing I can do now, isn't it?" Ellise's dad said, upset.
"Dad, he's the man I love. He's the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Dad, you have to understand. He didn't kidnap me. He actually saved me from getting raped" Ellise said and her dad sighed.
"I'm sorry for always being too harsh on you. Forgive me, El. I realize I've been wrong. I guess I support your marriage arrangements. But-- "
Dre grimaced, staring at his own meal. "I still don't like you, dude" her dad said, his gaze resting on Dre who bit his lower lip, amusement dancing in his eyes.
.
Dominic noticed how strange Alexandre was acting by the time he returned home. He had a strange goofy smile on his face and he refused to have dinner with the family. Dominic knocked on the door to Xandre's room, but got no response.
"Dre, I'm coming in" he said.
He pushed the door in and walked in, wanting to make sure that his friend was alright.
Dre was lying on his bed, hugging a pillow to his chest. With the way he was coiled up on his bed, he could easily pass for a ten year old. Dominic smirked and turned away from the bed in order to leave the room. Slow footsteps resounded from outside the bedroom, he quickly dived into the corner of the closet when he saw that it was Lacey who was coming in. Oblivious to Dominic's presence, she peered at Xandre's sleeping figure. Then, she began to search for something that Dominic couldn't tell.
"Where could he have kept the damn keys?" She muttered.
The door opened and Dominic nearly sighed with relief when he saw Alicia come in. "Lacey, what are you doing in my son's room?"she said, glaring at her.
"I was just giving Alex his meds"
"Do you think I'm a fool? Do I look stupid to you? Get out of my son's room!" She spat.
Lacey flinched and hurriedly left the room. Dominic bit back the chuckle trying to escape. Alicia sighed and tucked the blankets around her big baby before placing a kiss on his head. She stroked his dark hair and watched him sleep. After a while, she left the room and Dominic crawled out of the closet, suddenly missing his own mother.
....
Dmitri's phone rang out while he was at the base. It was Ellise calling.
"Hey, El. How're you doing?" He asked. "Pretty good" she replied.
"That's good" he said, knowing how miserable she'd been for the past two months.
"I want to meet with you guys today. Will you be available by 9am this morning?" She said.
"Okay, where do we meet up?" He asked. "Starbucks"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"Starbucks, it is"
By the time he arrived at Starbucks, Dominic was already seated with Ellise sipping his espresso.
"You're here, finally" Dominic said and Dmitri rolled his eyes.
"Why are we here exactly?" He asked after sitting on a chair.
"To strategize" Ellise replied.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"Lacey is a thorn in the flesh and I'm pretty sure she's after something" she said.
"We can't do anything about it. Not with most of Xandre's memory still lost" Dmitri said.
"Actually, you're wrong" a familiar voice said and they all turned to see Xandre walking up to them, calmly.
"Son of a gun! Why didn't you tell us that your memory is back!" Dmitri and Dominic echoed.
Dre chuckled, lowering himself onto a chair.
"Oops, my bad. Morning, sweetheart" he said, planting a kiss on Ellie's forehead.
"And, before I forget....Ellie and I are engaged"
"Shit, it's really happening" Dmitri mumbled and Dre grinned.
"Damn, Lacey's going to throw a fit when she finds out" Dominic said.
"I know for sure that she's working with Valentino. She was so stupid enough to make calls right in front of me. She's trying to get the papers" Xandre said. "What do we do now?" Dmitri asked. "Well, all I have to do for the moment is fake memory loss. That way, I'll be able to get ahead of her" Dre replied.
"Yeah...We also have to find out where she meets up with Valentino" Dominic said.
"Of course. We just have to beat her at her game" Ellise said, her eyes glinting with mischief.