THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 452: No One Will Take Your Place

"I’ll be flying down for Ren’s wedding, do you mind going with me?" George asked Ariel a day after the banquet.

He’d come to visit her in her office at Wyatt Corporations, much to Ariel’s chagrin.

"I’ll be working," Ariel replied cliply.

"Are you just saying that because you’re afraid of going with me?" he teased, at the same time a challenging smirk danced around his lips as he stared at Ariel who was trying her best to appear as nonchalant as she possibly could but failing miserably.

"And why would I be afraid?" Ariel shot back with a defiant tilt to her chin.

"Beats me. As far as I know, Lauren and you seem pretty close, so I assumed you might want to leave early to help out as one of her friends."

"She doesn’t need ’helping out’ as you put it. Everything about the wedding has been sorted out by her mom and mother in-law."

"That doesn’t mean she won’t need some friendly support."

"And that’s why my boss is leaving early. Someone has to stay behind to handle some company stuff," Ariel pointed out.

"But you also have to be there for Ren on her special day,"

"I wouldn’t miss Lauren’s wedding for anything. I’m just not able to leave earlier...That’s it."

"Then I’ll delay my journey until you’re ready to leave," George insisted stubbornly.

Ariel’s brows bumped in a frown. "You would do no such thing. Lauren needs you there. She told me you’re her favorite cousin and she’ll need you to do some things we ladies can’t handle for her."

"But I also need you with me. I can’t see myself functioning properly without you by my side, Ria."

"Really?" Ariel sneered. "And since when did I become so important and indespensable?"

"Since I found out my life is incomplete without you. And that was... eight years ago, Ria," George added and went down on his knees.

While Ariel was still wondering what he was up to, George reached into the breast pocket of his suit, brandished a ring that caught the light just at the right angle and sparkled in her office. It was a gold ring, one of the most beautiful she’d ever seen.

Ariel masked her shock and the scream that threatened to escape her lips under a confused expression. "Wh-What are you doing, George?"

"I am asking you to please, marry me, Ria. Fill up my emptiness. I know I messed up big time in the past, but I deeply regret what I did... for turning my back on you when I should have made you the happiest woman on earth."

Ariel was momentarily speechless.

"I... You...but..." she stammered incoherently unable to come to terms with what was happening. "H-How about all those ladies you’ve been going out with and parading with on magazine covers?" she finally managed to ask.

"I had nothing to do with them. They were the ones always after me, but I never took them seriously."

"But news has it that they were your women."

"They were never my women as I never slept with any of them."

"Lauren can attest to the fact that I’ve never had anything to do with them," George said when he saw the disbelief in Ariel’s eyes.

"The only woman I’ve only ever loved and wanted... was and is still you. You’re my only woman, Ria."

Ariel searched his face for any sign of lies but all she saw was deep sincerity in his eyes. Moreso, he made no effort to evade her scrutinizing gaze.

"Really?" She asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Really, Ria," George nodded seriously and raised his hand to his chest. "Cross my heart, hope to..."

"No need to die. I believe you," Ariel suddenly said, taking George by surprise.

"So... does that mean..." George trailed off, hoping against hope that it was exactly what he imagined that Ariel meant.

"Yes, I’ll marry you," Ariel smiled and stretched her left fungers forward.

George was so elated that he forgot to slip on the ring as he outrightly stood up and scooped Ariel into his arms, rendering kisses upon kisses all over her face, before finally moving to her lips where he pressed a slow, lingering kiss that left Ariel feeling foggy and almost senseless.

When he finally released her, they were both breathless.

"I love you, Ria."

"I love you, George."

They both spoke at the same time, then laughed, staring into each other’s eyes.

"And may I now have my ring?" Ariel said as she waved her empty fingers before George.

"Of course, my love," George said and slipped the ring on to her middle finger.

Seeing the enchanted look on Ariel’s face as she stared at the ring in awesome wonder, George couldn’t help but chuckle.

"It looks so beautiful on you," he said and plastered a few more kisses on the ringed finger.

"Yeah..." Ariel began but stopped at the sound of a slight knock on the door before it opened and Kathleen stepped into the office.

"Ariel, I..." she trailed off when she saw George, her eyes narrowing slightly as she caught sight of how he was holding onto Ariel’s waist. "It’s like I came at the wrong time," she muttered an apology and was about turning back.

"N-no, boss. It’s fine," Ariel hurried to say, stopping Kathleen in her tracks.

Ariel darted a glance in George’s direction who nodded his consent.

"Boss... George just... proposed to me," she uttered a bit uncertainly.

"And?" Pressed Kathleen with a somewhat eager expression.

"And I accepted," Ariel shrieked and brandished her sparkling finger before Kathleen who without further ado rushed forward into the room to hold her in a bear hug.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you. Now I can rest my heart."

As Kathleen pulled back from the embrace, her face softened into a motherly smile. "It’s about time someone swept you off your feet, Ariel."

"And George..." she turned, giving him a pointed look, "you’d better take good care of her. She’s worth every ounce of effort. And if you as much as make her cry, I’ll mobilize all the forces of Wyatt Corporations together with that of Hudson Groups to come after you."

George grinned and placed a hand on his chest. "I promise not to allow a single moment of displeasure come near her for as long as we both shall live. And you have my word," he swore solemnly.

Kathleen’s face broke into a mischievous smile as she glanced between them. "Well, now that you two lovebirds are official, what are you still doing here in the office? Go out and celebrate properly."

Ariel shook her head, laughing. "Maybe later, boss. I still have those reports to finish..."

"Bust that, Ariel," Kathleen interrupted, raising a hand to cut off any protest. "In fact, you’re off the clock for the day. Consider it my engagement gift," she added.

George looked at Ariel, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Looks like there’s no getting out of this one, Ria. How about it?"

Ariel couldn’t suppress her smile. "All right, thanks, boss."

"Thanks, Dr Janice."

"Janice, for you, George. You’re now family," Kathleen said.

George smiled in agreement, took Ariel’s hand and led her toward the door. When they got to the door, Ariel hesitated.

"What?" Kathleen asked.

"I need to lock the office."

"I’ll do that for you, off you go."

"Your boss is too nice," George said as they stepped into the elevator.

"She’s the very best and I love her so much."

George made a face, "More than me?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Giving him a playful nudge, Ariel mocked. "Do you need to be jealous? She’s a woman, dude."

"Yeah, my only saving Grace. Seeing how breathtakingly beautiful she is, I wouldn’t be surprised if you leave me for her one day."

"Or maybe it’s the other way round," Ariel teased.

"Never! If I survived all those ladies put together all those years, one is not a temptation," George stated matter of factly.

"I was only joking," Ariel said.

"I know."

As they got outside the building, George turned to Ariel with a mischievous glint. "I think we need to celebrate somewhere special and I know just the place."

"Oh really?" Ariel raised an eyebrow. "And where would that be?"

"You’ll see," George said mysteriously, guiding her toward his car.

As they drove, Ariel leaned back, her mind swirling with a blend of joy and disbelief. It still felt surreal, sitting beside George with a ring on her finger, her entire future seemingly redefined in one afternoon.

She glanced over at him and marveled at his relaxed face, and the smile playing around his lips. ’This handsome dude is mine finally. Yippee!’ She shrieked inwardly.

As if reading her mind, George’s smile widened, causing Ariel to blush and look away.

After a short drive, they arrived at a charming, secluded restaurant nestled on the outskirts of the city, its twinkling lights casting a soft glow against the evening sky.

George opened her door, taking her hand as he led her inside, where they were greeted by a cozy, intimate setting.

Ariel looked around in surprise. "You’ve been planning this, haven’t you?"

George smiled. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know how to make last-minute plans look impressive." He guided her to a private table by the window, offering a breathtaking view of the city lights.

Once they were seated, George took her hands across the table. "You know, I meant everything I said back there."

"I’ve been carrying around regrets for too long. And I never imagined that I’d see you again to ask for your forgiveness, let alone get you to agree to marry me."

Ariel’s gaze softened and she squeezed his hands. "We’ve both made mistakes, George. But...maybe those mistakes led us here. And I believe we’ll finally get it right, this time."

George nodded slowly, and for a moment, he looked as vulnerable as she’d ever seen him. "I’ll do everything I can to make sure we get it right this time," he promised as his thumb gently brushed over Ariel’s knuckles.

They spent the evening talking, laughing, and gazing into each other’s eyes, as if time had no hold on them.

As evening faded into night, George helped Ariel to her feet and drove her to a special spot where they could stand under the stars and admire their brilliance together.

"I’ll cherish you, Ria," he whispered in a voice thick with emotion. "For as long as I live."

Ariel said nothing but just wrapped her arms around George and pressed her cheek against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"I wonder how Gia will feel when we break the news to her," George said with a faraway look.

"Excited, perhaps... she loves you so much even though you’ve barely been together for long. And that reminds me, I must always remain the number one girl in your life, if not, I’ll report you to my boss," Ariel threatened.

"Of course, sweetheart. No one will ever take your place.... Not even our daughter... or other child to come."