A Proposal

The evening began like a dream. Lila was having a great hair day, and it continued into the evening. She wanted her long flowing locks to be perfect. The curl in her bangs over her eyes had to flip perfectly. When she first looked at her 3 karat, heart shaped engagement ring, she wanted to be able to see that glistening gem without having to blow her hair out of her eyes. She had been dropping hints for months, and she knew tonight would be the night.

Daniel had made reservations at their favorite French restaurant, and told her he had something he needed to talk to her about. She answered the phone early yesterday, and she could hear the excitement in his voice. "Babe, I have something very important to talk to you about. How about dinner tomorrow?" he requested.

She loved Daniel, not always, but she did now. When they first met, he was a bit of a practical joker, and she was never one for jokes. She wasn't crazy about sports, but Daniel loved the nights with the guys watching football, basketball, baseball or whatever else they could. He also loved his beer. He even made his own, and Lila hated that. She always thought that once they got married, she would get rid of the beer, and turn him into a wine drinker. She thought that would be classier. He was more down to earth than she was, and she struggled with that side of his personality. He was an up and coming architect, and she was almost finished with design school. She always wanted to marry a doctor or lawyer, but once she found out he was going to be an architect, falling in love with him was a lot easier. This would be an amazing year, an engagement, a graduation, and possibly a wedding. Lila wanted it to be a short engagement, so she saw no problem in getting her wedding planned within the year. She knew Daniel would want that too.

Daniel was so handsome. He was tall, dark hair, and those baby blues made her heart melt, sometimes. He dressed like he just stepped off the runway at New York Fashion Week, but on the weekends he could be found in sweats and his Drexel t shirt. She had it in her mind that after they were married, she would work on that. Daniel never seemed to complain about Lila. He was happy with whatever she wore, and didn't try hard to change her.

Daniel was very prompt, and he picked up Lila at the exact time he said he would, 7:00. She opened the door, and he exclaimed, "Wow, you look great!"

Lila replied, "I'm so excited about this evening, and you look handsome too!" Daniel helped her on with her coat, and they headed out the door toward his brand new Lexus. This made Lila feel so special. She really loved the finer things, and she knew Daniel could give her all the things she so desperately desired.

After what seemed liked an hour, which in fact was only 15 minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. Their table was ready, so they were seated immediately. The table was perfect, with a view of the river. The moon glistened over the water, which made the perfect setting for what she thought would be a perfect proposal.

Daniel ordered a bottle of champagne because this would be a night to celebrate for sure. The waitress poured the champagne into beautiful long stem crystal glasses, and Lila picked up her glass and examined the contents. Her friend Ellie had gotten her engagement ring in her champagne flute, so she thought she would check. There was nothing there. Daniel questioned her strange behavior. "Lila, what are you looking for?"

"Oh nothing," she answered back. "I'm just admiring this beautiful glass." Daniel grabbed on to both of her hands, and held them for a few seconds before he finally spoke.

"Lila, you know I love you, don't you?"

"Yes, I do, and I love you too," she replied with a grin from ear to ear. "Is everything okay Daniel? You look like the cat who ate the canary."

"I'm good, but I have something very important to ask you. Hopefully, you will say yes."

"Yes, yes," Lila hastily answered.

"I haven't asked the question yet," Daniel scoffed. Lila apologized, and said that he should continue. She didn't mean to interrupt.

"We've been together for awhile now, and you were by my side when I made partner, and now that you are finished with school, and are able to design..."

"Yes," Lila interrupted.

"Well I have a proposal for you." Lila's eyes were as big as saucers, as they were trying to see where Daniel had the ring, her ring. "I am leaving the agency, and starting my own firm, and I want you to work with me. With me as the architect and you as the designer, we can take this town by storm." Lila's mouth dropped wide open, and she couldn't help what came out next.

"What? Are you kidding me? You want me to be your business partner?" Lila raised her voice just a little.

"Well not really my partner, but you would work with me. You could take on your own clients, but be there for my projects too. Lila, what's wrong? I thought this would make you happy. I couldn't wait to offer this proposal to you," he lashed back.

"I thought you were proposing to me tonight, like marriage proposing," she got even louder.

"What made you think that?" Daniel asked her in a shrill voice.

"You made me think that. Daniel, I don't want to work with you. I want to be your wife."

"I'm sorry Lila. I need to get my career on track. Marriage can come later." Lila grabbed her designer handbag, and started heading toward the door. This was not the evening she had planned for.

She turned around and yelled across the crowded upscale French restaurant. "Good bye Daniel, and no I do not want to work with you. Consider your proposal rejected!"