This time, Tessa took the initiative. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Stephen''s neck, and kissed him.

    Stephen''s eyes darkened with desire as he lifted her off the ground and pressed her against the wall.

    The steam blurred the ss cubicle, casting a hazy reflection of their entwined figures.

    The sound of running water echoed in the bathroom, asionally mingling with other indistinct noises.

    Moonlight poured in from the nearest window as the gentle breeze carried with it the scent of flowers. The night was young and perfect.

    ...

    It was well past sunrise by the time Tessa finally woke up from her slumber. Their friends who had attended Stephen''s birthday party yesterday night had all returned home. Thus, returning peace and serenity to therge vi.

    Tessa extended an arm to feel the space next to her. The bed was empty. It seemed that Stephen had already gotten up.

    She lifted the nket and promptly saw red marks all over her body. Her mind began reying their night of passion, making her heart pound, and her cheeks flush.

    Just then, Stephen pushed the door open and walked in. "My love, you''re awake?"

    Tessa hummed in acknowledgement.

    He walked over and sat by the bed before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Good morning. I got you some new clothes in the wardrobe, and your lingerie by the bed. Get changed ande downstairs for breakfast. We''ll be visiting your parents this afternoon to talk about the wedding."

    Tessa chuckled. "Someone''s eager."

    The corner of Stephen''s eyes crinkled slightly as his lips curled into a smile. "Yes, you should get used to it. I''m going to be your husband. Don''t you think you should address me differently, too?"

    Tessa muttered under her breath, "You''re so cheesy."

    "You called me all sorts of thingsst night. How is this cheesy? We''re practically married at this point," he retorted.

    Tessa shot him a look. "Don''t you dare start aboutst night. You faked an injury and your drunken state. How was I so blind to all your tricks?"

    Stephen smirked and pecked her on her cheek. "There''s no way I''d get the girl without a few tricks up my sleeves."

    Tessa went downstairs for breakfast after freshening up and getting dressed.

    Once she was done, she called Samuel and informed him that she would be bringing Stephen over that afternoon.

    Samuel didn''t sound any different as he said, "Was he the one behind the meteor shower and the drone proposal?"

    Tessa pursed her lips before replying, "Yes, Stephen proposed to me."

    Samuel asked, "Did you say yes?"

    Frankly, he already knew that Tessa had likely said yes.

    Just as he expected, Tessa answered, "Yes."

    "Ah, that boy." Samuel sighed in exasperation. Then, he chuckled and said, "He''s quite particr, isn''t he? Marianne and I have been talking about your marriage with him recently. I would''ve started pestering him for answers if he hadn''t popped the question."

    Tessa said, "We''reing over this afternoon to talk about when the wedding will be held."

    Samuel responded, "Alright. I''ll clear my schedule forter this afternoon."

    Stephen had received a call from his

    mother earlier. Sophia had

    1.n

    immediately asked him whether he was sessful in his proposal. When she heard that he was, she was overjoyed and wasted no time saying that she''d be dropping by the

    Yates residence to hash out the

    details.

    So, Tessa told Samuel, "Mrs. Jacobson will being by this afternoon. We can

    all sit down and discuss things together."

    Stephen only had two kin left in his life now-Ralph and Sophia.

    Ralph was currently abroad on a diplomatic visit and wouldn''t be back for a few days. So, Sophia was the only one avable to discuss

    things with the Yates family.

    Samuel understood the reasoning behind it and replied, "Alright. I''ll have the staff

    whip up a good meal for lunch."