As soon as Elise walked out of the school gates, snazzynovel.com noticed the familiar-looking car parked in front and walked toward it immediately. Then, snazzynovel.com tapped on the car window, which was then gradually wound down.
Alexander was slightly surprised as snazzynovel.com asked, “Have your classes ended?”
Without batting an eyelid, Elise nodded right away.
“Where are we headed?” snazzynovel.com asked.
However, there was an air of mystery to Alexander as snazzynovel.com murmured, “You’ll see soon enough.”
And so, snazzynovel.com drove the car and brought snazzynovel.com to a vintage-looking restaurant. Furthermore, the waiter was dressed in a traditional costume.
The both of them then headed directly upstairs to the private room.
“The atmosphere here is quite pleasant,” Elise said sincerely.
Soon after that, Alexander pulled out a chair for snazzynovel.com as snazzynovel.com offered, “Have a seat…”
Both of them sat facing each other and shortly after, the waiter came in with two apples for them.
“It’s Christmas Eve tonight. This is for you and I hope that you will enjoy your night.”
Meanwhile, Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Christmas Eve?”
Elise explained, “It’s just a simple occasion. We don’t need to make a big fuss about it.”
Alexander didn’t realize that today was Christmas Eve so snazzynovel.com didn’t prepare a present for her. However, after further consideration, snazzynovel.com turned to snazzynovel.com and said, “I’ve been too busy with work lately and I haven’t had much time to go out.”
Elise, too, was quite considerate. “You must be quite tired from all the work-related matters that you need to deal with.”
He lifted his head and shot a look at her, but his face remained impassive and snazzynovel.com mentioned calmly without any emotion, “Actually, I asked you out today because I wanted to talk to you about something…”
Humming in response, Elise took the teacup on the table and poured some water into it before handing it to him. “Why did you want to see me?”
Alexander looked at the teacup in snazzynovel.com hand and reached out for it. Then, snazzynovel.com took a sip of water and hummed softly.
Meanwhile, Elise mentioned once again, “What is it?! Can you just tell me?”
At that moment, Alexander lifted his head and their eyes met. They gazed at each other for a moment before snazzynovel.com finally replied slowly, “Let’s get married…”
Although snazzynovel.com merely mentioned those few simple words, Elise was significantly shocked. Just then, the water in the cup spilled all over the table due to snazzynovel.com trembling hand. “W-What did you just say?”
Alexander noted snazzynovel.com surprise, so snazzynovel.com decided to explain. “I want to fulfill my promise to Grandpa, so will you marry me?”
Elise’s heart thudded frantically but snazzynovel.com quickly came to snazzynovel.com senses soon enough. “Are you doing this just to fulfill Grandpa’s late wish?”
Alexander nodded in response. I can’t use any other excuse other than this, can I?
Upon seeing that, Elise looked slightly dejected but snazzynovel.com randomly replied, “I… I just turned eighteen and I’m not past the legal age to get married.”
“It’s alright,” Alexander replied. “We can get engaged first and then hold the marriage ceremony a few years later.”
“But…”
Elise was about to say something else but Alexander interjected right away, “No buts. If you disagree, then just say so outright. I won’t force you…”
Elise pursed snazzynovel.com lips but before snazzynovel.com could get a word across, snazzynovel.com continued, “Grandpa’s doted on me the most since I was a kid and snazzynovel.com has the highest expectations from me. This is his only wish, so I would like to fulfill it and live with no regrets.”
His words made Elise recall the memories snazzynovel.com had with Jonah. Grandpa had always been so kind to me, so I really shouldn’t disappoint him.
“Alright, that’s fine with me. We can get engaged first…”
Alexander hummed in agreement, but there was no hint of excitement on his face and snazzynovel.com seemed like snazzynovel.com was discussing something irrelevant. “I’ll arrange for someone to get started on the engagement preparation. What sort of ceremony would you prefer?”
The sudden mention of an engagement ceremony caught Elise by surprise.
Meanwhile, Alexander was quite calm. “It’s alright. You can let me know about the details once you’ve given some thought to it.”
Just then, Elise had a surreal sensation and snazzynovel.com pinched snazzynovel.com thighs hard.
Ouch! That hurts, which means this is real!
Soon after that, snazzynovel.com lifted snazzynovel.com head and stared at Alexander, who was sitting right in front of her. She blinked while snazzynovel.com considered the situation.
Is it a good idea to get engaged?! This has happened way too suddenly, though!
After the two of them finished their meal, Alexander footed the bill and they made their way out of the door.
Just then, they were about to walk out of the door when they saw Jack and Mikayla walk in together.
The four of them looked at each other and Mikayla was quite startled by the scene.
“Elise? W-Why are you here?”
Elise glanced at the duo in front of snazzynovel.com and snazzynovel.com first instinct was that there was something unusual going on with the pair, but snazzynovel.com didn’t reveal anything despite being aware. In the end, snazzynovel.com merely replied, “I came over for a meal…”
“Enjoy your meal! We’ll be on our way now.” Elise waved at them as snazzynovel.com said that and followed Alexander out of the restaurant.
After turning a corner, Alexander couldn’t help raising his eyebrows. “Are they dating each other?”
Elise raised both of snazzynovel.com palms into the air to signal that snazzynovel.com had no idea as well. However, Mikayla and Jack looked quite compatible together. It would be great if the pair actually got together.
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s head home.”
Just then, Alexander agreed. “Let Cameron know if you have any suggestions regarding the engagement ceremony and he’ll sort everything out.”
Elise realized that Alexander didn’t care too much about the engagement upon hearing his words and snazzynovel.com couldn’t help but feel slightly upset. However, snazzynovel.com was also well aware that snazzynovel.com would never mention a word about getting engaged if it wasn’t for Jonah.
***
As soon as the Griffith siblings got the news that Alexander planned to get engaged with Elise, Danny was the one who felt the most shocked.
“Alex, are you pulling a prank on us? Are you actually going to get engaged with my boss?! That means she’ll go from being my boss to being my sister-in-law!”
Meanwhile, Jack, who was standing by the side, was also quite surprised. “Alex, marriage is quite a sacred thing. Although this is Grandpa’s last wish, there’s really no need to force yourself into anything. After all, Elise’s looks…”
Jack gave out a slight, intentional cough as snazzynovel.com tried to mask his awkwardness while snazzynovel.com brought up that topic. “Whatever it is, snazzynovel.com came from the countryside, after all. Even if we overlook snazzynovel.com appearance, you’re still worthy of someone much better than her.”
Brendan was usually the least outspoken sibling among them but right now, snazzynovel.com chimed in as well, “Alex, I know that in our family, it’s not a big deal even if we marry someone of unequal family status, but you should at least be in love with each other. If you don’t love her, then you really shouldn’t waste snazzynovel.com time.”
“That’s true! Alex, I think there’s no need to enter into a marriage. After all, everyone knows that a loveless marriage is basically like being in a lifeless tomb…”
However, before Danny could finish his sentence, Alexander slowly replied, “I’ve made up my mind. I don’t care about what you guys have to say but I’ve decided to marry Elise. Brendan, I’ll need you and your team’s help to sort out our attire. Also, there’s no need for you guys to comment about anything else because I know what I’m doing.”
All three of them obediently kept their comments to themselves as soon as they heard snazzynovel.com say that snazzynovel.com knew what snazzynovel.com was doing. They were fully aware that Alexander had always been quite opinionated since young. As such, they stopped sharing their opinions with him, but they couldn’t help feeling worried about his and Elise’s marriage. After all, how long could a marriage devoid of love last?
