Bound To Him

It has been a few weeks since Ava mentioned her interest in jewelry designing to Tristan, Leena had offered to be her mentor, but she was in England at the moment. She invited Ava to come and visit her to start her training, Tristan suggested they take a few days off and take Leena's offer.

At the last minute, Tristan had to cancel, so Ava had to go by herself. This was supposed to be their first trip together, but now it was going to be a solo trip. Ava feeling disappointed was an understatement. 

"Tristan, why can't you come?" Ava asked the same question for the 100th time, "What is so important with work that you had to cancel coming with me?"

"Little one, I really am so sorry but I cannot avoid this meeting," Tristan, with the same patience, answered for the 100th time.

"But, this was going to be our first trip together," she pouted, "I'm going to miss you," she said, playing with Tristan's shirt buttons.

"Little one, this is really hard for me to do, don't make it harder for me, please?" Tristan softy said. Tristan's defenses crumble whenever she showers him with her sweet words such as these. It makes him want to drop everything just to be by her side. But times like this, when he cannot avoid his responsibility, and when the meeting was very important, he could not do anything. 

"Bad guy, meanie," Ava said, moving a little closer to Tristan. Her actions and words did not match. He chuckled and kissed Ava's forehead.

"I don't like you," she pouted and hit his chest.

"Shh... it's okay," he said, holding her wrists, trying to keep her quiet. "Little one, just enjoy your time with Leena and learn as much as you can. I have arranged everything for you, so it's going to be okay. If you need anything, just call me," Tristan said.

"I want one thing," Ava asked.

"What?" Tristan asked seriously.

"You," Ava tapped her finger on his chest.

Hearing her answer, Tristan ignored his surroundings and kissed her passionately. He knew she was looking forward to this trip, but he cannot help but disappoint her. After a lot of coaxing, he promised Ava that they would come back together next time and nothing will stop them. 

Tristan walked her to her gate, and they were both surprised that Leena had personally come to escort Ava for their trip to England. Leena said she was worried that Ava might not want to come when Tristan canceled. 

They were staying at Reylond and Leena's place in England, it looked almost identical to the house they had abroad. 

In the afternoon after Leena showed Ava her studio and more of her designs. She decided that it would be better for Ava to understand jewelry design if she brought her to the most famous area where jewelry was designed and where the precious stones were being sold. Ava couldn't say no since she was there to learn after all. 

Leena said it was better if they took Reylond's private jet, so they could get there faster. It was dark by the time they got there, and 2 plane rides later, Ava was exhausted. From there, they were escorted straight to their hotel, Ava did not mind, all she wanted to do was get some rest, so she could function again tomorrow.

They woke up very late the next morning, after having lunch Leena told Ava to get ready, they were attending a party she said. 

Ava looked at the spread in front of her and wondered, why everything looked so grand? From the Dior evening gown to the pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond bracelet. Leena said it was a very famous jewelry designer, so they have to dress to impress if she wanted to be a jewelry designer.

A limousine was waiting for them downstairs, and as they drove by, she noticed the national landmarks of Paris. She had been here before, she came with her parents when she was a kid, and she remembered enjoying this city. "If only Tristan were here too," she thought to herself.

They had fun socializing at the party, Ava met a few more designers that she did not expect to be there. 

Leena was the perfect host and introduced her to everyone. It was a very enjoyable night.

When they got out of the hotel, Leena suggested they walk around a bit.

"C'mon, we are in Paris, the city of romance, the whole city will be lit up, and it is the most beautiful thing you will ever see," Leena answered Ava excitedly when she asked why they were not going straight to their hotel.

"But, we have an early morning flight tomorrow," Ava said, hesitating. 

"It's Reylonds's private jet, we can reschedule the flight if we wake up too late. 

C'mon let's enjoy Paris, it is rare that it will be just you and I roaming these streets," Leena said.

Having no choice and thinking she should not miss the beauty of Paris, Ava agreed to do as Leena said, "Might as well enjoy it while I am here."

They walked up and down a few streets, taking pictures in front of the wonderful architectures of the hotels and the plazas when they reached the Palais de Chaillot

It was breathtaking, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in front of a very beautiful night sky.

"Wow, it's so beautiful and magical," Ava exclaimed, she was astonished, she did not remember it to be this beautiful, perhaps because she was still a kid when she last visited. 

"See, I told you, you wouldn't want to miss such an amazing view," Leena happily cheered on. They were looking at the Eiffel tower lights and taking pictures when Suddenly firecrackers lit up the sky.

"Wow, they're having a fireworks show too? I guess we are lucky today," Ava squealed in delight while Leena laughed excitedly.

"WILL YOU MARRY …," said the firecrackers that lit up the sky.

"Ohhh… Look, someone is proposing, aren't they lucky? I wonder if we would see who the lucky woman would be," Ava said excitedly.

"Yup, they are lucky!" Leena said with a sly grin on her face. She was beaming like she knew something. 

Ava looked up at the sky to see the remaining words.

"WILL YOU MARRY ME AVA WESLEY?" The firecrackers lit up, and the words were complete.

"What…," Ava couldn't believe her eyes. She stood there with her mouth open. "Am I dreaming?" she asked herself.

Suddenly a violin started playing, and as she turned around, there were rose petals and candles on the ground forming a path.

When she looked up to where it led, at the end of the path, staring at her very intently, looking very handsome in his tuxedo, was Tristan.

Ava started to run when Leena warned her about her high heels. She turned around to give Leena a smile and started walking faster toward her future.

She didn't expect this, and all she could think about was to jump into his arms and hug him. She wanted to know when he planned all this, how he got away with doing all of this in this very famous square they are standing at right now, why he thought of doing it now. 

She was so excited that by the time she stood in front of, him she forgot where to start. All she could do was stare at him. "He's so handsome in his tux, just like when I saw you that first time at the wedding," she thought.

"Little one …," Tristan whispered.

"Yes?" Ava muttered, completely lost in his eyes.

"I hope you like my surprise. I've been planning this for a few weeks, and when I saw your face yesterday, I thought I would just let this proposal go to hell and come with you, I could not bear to see you so sad, but later I imagined the look of surprise on your face it gave me the motivation to step back and say no to you. I am sorry for causing you pain. 

Ava smiled. Her eyes were tearing up, she was starting to get emotional.

"I did not believe in love or marriage. My childhood was dark and cold, I am not an easy person to be with, and all I had in my life was work. Each day I had the same routine, I was getting fed up. Then at a wedding on a dark night, you caught my attention, I've never initiated a conversation with any woman in my life before, but for the first time, something compelled me to talk to you. I still remembered how scared you were to find me, but to me, you were the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my existence.

You were like a porcelain doll so perfect and fragile. You were so innocent and naive, and I had to see you again, it took a while, but you were always on the back of my mind. 

I was scared and thrilled by this feeling I had whenever I saw you, scared of the possibility that you might say no to me and thrilled because I finally met someone who has given me a reason to live. I fall in love with you every day.

I laid a trap for you so you could slowly fall in love with me without knowing it. By the time you realized it, you were already deeply in love with me. I am possessive and obsessive, and I want to own you and make you my mine. In return, you will have my heart and my soul, all that I own.

I, Tristan Ambrosio, will belong only to Ava Wesley forever. 

I love you with all my being. I only have one request, just give yourself completely to me, and I will give you whatever you desire in the world. I will treat you like a queen and never let a single teardrop from your eyes. Before, I viewed kids as a means to further my empire, but now I want kids with you because they will be the fruit of our love.

If I have you in my life, I won't need anything else. You are my oxygen whenever I feel like I'm drowning.

Ava, my little one, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Tristan completed the speech and kneeled down on one knee.

Ava was crying, and big fat tears were falling down her face. She felt very emotional hearing his speech. She always speculated that Tristan loved her more than she loved him, but today Ava learned just how much Tristan loved her.

Tristan was nervous for the first time in his life. He knew Ava loved him, but what if she didn't want to get married right now?

Ava was still emotionally in shock, and when she came to, she saw Tristan's nervous expression. 

The aristocratic heir to whom all the girls were dying to marry was nervous because of her. Ava couldn't explain the euphoria she was feeling. She wanted to laugh out loud. 

"Yes, a thousand times yes!" Ava said.

Tristan let out the breath he was holding and smiled. His dreams were coming true.

Looking down at the box, Ava saw that the ring inside was a very beautiful diamond ring, it was a partner to the diamond jewelry she was already wearing, "You really are sneaky, huh, what other surprises do you have for me?" she thought.

Suddenly rose petals were falling from the sky. A helicopter had passed by and showered them as another element to Tristan's surprise. It felt so magical.

The lovers shared a passionate kiss underneath a perfect Parisian sky, in front of the Eiffel tower with about a hundred witnesses to their love.