CHAPTER 5 Failed Proposal

　　“Isabella Winter, will you marry me?” At the same time he asked about the highlight of tonight’s event, the LED Display of “My darling, Isabella, will you marry me?” on Tower B was seen.

　　People screamed altogether feeling the love in the air. Isabella was startled and turned her head to where they were looking. Her face suddenly became pale as she saw what her boyfriend had prepared.

　　But her reaction didn’t result in a positive surprise, but rather, a negative one.

　　“Ty, stand up right now, please,” she said as she held both his arms pushing him to stand up.

　　Drunk at the moment, Tyler didn’t see the sign of devastation waving at him, so he signaled everyone to continue with the program. Hawkins pushed the tray with a customized sculpted cake, as if it was a miniature figure of Isabella Winter, holding a 10-carat Marquise pink diamond, one of the rarest of its kind.

　　Everyone who saw the ring dropped their jaw and the buzzing of people’s amazement echoed inside.

　　Everyone was so excited except her, who had the main role in this act.

　　As Ty presented her with the ring, her eyes marveled for a second, but it all went away as she looked at his eyes instead and quickly said the ultimate word, “No!”

　　Ty couldn’t believe what he just heard so he even looked at Hawkins to check if he heard right. But when he saw his pale reaction to Hawkins, he knew what he heard was real.

　　“S–say that again, Isabella,” then he slowly stood, and from the romantic vibe, it all turned into thin cold air.

　　“You heard me right, I can’t marry you, Tyler, not for now,” she gave a short explanation without even twitching.

　　Her voice is firm and her eyes don’t falter.

　　“But why? I don’t understand. Y–you rejected me, Tyler Schneider? What’s there to–”

　　“Exactly my point! I am still nothing–in my own eyes, in the eyes of the people around you, and even in your own eyes, I am only Isabella Winter. I need more,” she responded.

　　“What do you mean? You’re famous, and I–I love you. I care about you, and who cares about other–” he fought.

　　“I care! Okay? I care! You probably don’t understand since you were so privileged. But I had to work from nothing, and I am just starting. If I get married, everyone will forget about me, I won’t have new projects anymore,” Isabella wrestled.

　　“But I’ll support you. If you want, I can even build an agency for you, or even a theater, if you want,” Ty continued to persuade him.

　　“It doesn’t work like that. I need someone who truly recognizes my talents. I need validation. I’m sorry, but I just can’t marry you yet,” she ended the conversation and stood up.

　　She put the ring back in his hand and took a step away.

　　“If you leave right now, there’s no more us anymore, Isabella. It’s only now, there’s no 'not yet'. If you leave without the ring on your finger, you’ll never get the chance again. It’s now or never. What do you say, Isabella?” he gave her an ultimatum.

　　***

　　His grandfather cut through him as he couldn’t stop laughing while listening to his story. Tyler couldn’t help but feel insulted and agitated by his grandfather’s reaction.

　　Sulking he said to him, “You said you wanted to console me, and here you are laughing your ass out on me.”

　　“Don’t be a softy, son. It seems that this curse runs in our family. Your father and I did the same thing. We were crazy about the love of our life, so welcome to the club!” he lifted the glass to cheer and added, “So, what did the blonde barbie do?”

　　Tyler sighed and drank to continue the tragic night, “Fine! Here’s what happened next.”

　　(THE REJECTION - PALMS CASINO RESORT)

　　But Isabella didn’t even look back. She stopped while listening to him, but she didn’t dare to look back. She left with a single sentence everyone would remember for a long time, especially the man who’s about to get his heart wrecked.

　　“I love you but I love myself more. Don’t have any hard feelings toward me. And please, control the news, you know what would happen to both of us if this goes out. Goodbye, Mr. Schneider.”

　　Then she gracefully walked out with her head held high while the man who had given everything was left alone, confused, wrecked, and mortified.

　　All of a sudden, a supposed romantic night turned into a telenovela. There was no longer buzzing of gossip, nor apathetic comments from the crowd.

　　There was utter silence.

　　A minute after Isabella left marked 10:05 that evening. The fireworks displayed blew off and the congratulatory message was seen by all.

　　Seeing this, Hawkins felt as if he was in deep shit, he immediately called the operator to stop the display, but Tyler spoke up even before he could finish.

　　“Let the people enjoy the show, I’ll be in my room for now. Do not look for me. I will go back to Seattle as planned. Just clean this mess up and you heard the lady, make sure it won’t be in the news.”

　　As high and mighty as he was, with chin upheld, he went out of the fine-dine restaurant with his hands on his pockets as if nothing happened.

　　He brushed his hair with his fingers continuously until he reached the elevator, a sign of distress, a habit he’s acquired after his parents’ death.

　　Upon entering the elevator, he finally had time for himself, he completely leaned his back and rested on the elevator wall for all he cared. He looked up and could breathe his heavy breath thinking to himself,

　　“Since where did it all go wrong? Since when did I miscalculate things? It seems my love for her wasn’t good enough to keep her by my side.”

　　The elevator ding afterward, bringing him to the rooftop bar. And from then on, he promised to get wasted, as long as he could, without even knowing what lies ahead would change not only his fate but his heart.