Chapter 39

My heart was pounding. Is he serious? Right now? It wouldn't hurt to get married at twenty-two. I love Michael and he loves me. We've been without each other for quite some time. I pressed my lips together. I'd be stupid if I didn't say I would marry him. While it feels rushed, I also feel like I've been waiting forever...

"Shayla?" He asked.

"I'm here," I managed to say.

"Oh, god. I'm embarrassed. I'm sorry if you don't want to-"

"I do," I cleared my throat. "I want to marry you."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"I thought you would say no because you told me you wanted to get married when you reached twenty-five."

"It's only three years from now. Nothing would be wrong if we were to get married now."

"Do you think your parents would be upset?"

I thought about it, "no... well, I don't know. Robert got married when he was twenty-seven. I'd think they wouldn't care. What do you think? How would your parents feel?"

"I imagine my mother would be happy and Joseph might be a little upset, but not for long."

"Well, at least you have a straightforward answer," I sighed.

Michael cleared his throat, "Shayla, I'm going to call you later, okay?"

"That's fine. I love you, Michael."

"I love you too," he said and hung up. Am I really engaged?

(Michael)

Did I really propose over the phone? Not saying I didn't want to. The words just spilled from my mouth. I guess it was on my heart to say because I didn't even think before I asked her. I've got to tell Mother about this. I went downstairs to my parents' bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in," she called.

I opened the door, "mom, I think I proposed to Shayla" I sat on the bed.

"You 'think?' Well did you, or didn't you?"

"I think I did..."

She sighed, "well, tell me what happened, baby."

"I was talking to Shayla and telling her how excited I am to see her tomorrow, then I told her to promise to marry me because I never want to lose her again. To which, she said okay, but I told her I was serious because I love her, and I really wanted to get married."

"Hmm," she crossed her legs. "It sounds like you did propose, Michael. Did you want to?"

"Yes... I mean, no... I mean," I shook my head. "The words just fell out of my mouth, if that makes sense. But I wouldn't want to propose to her over the phone. That's so tacky!"

She laughed, "no, it's not."

"I want to propose to her the right way... I didn't mean to do it over the phone. I feel like I'm rushing!"

"Did she say she would marry you?"

"Yes..."

"Then, that's all that matters."

"You're right, but now she must think I'm tacky."

"I doubt that, Michael. She loves you. Go do it the right way and stop worrying about it."

"That's not a bad idea..."

"See?" She laughed.

I hugged her and rushed upstairs to LaToya's room, "LaToya," I opened the door.

"What?" She turned around from her desk.

"I need you to go with me tomorrow to buy an engagement ring," I sang.

She gasped, "a what?! For who?!"

I smiled, "an engagement ring for Shayla."

"Wait a minute! Hold on... You're getting married?"

"What else would I need an engagement ring for?"

"I don't know! Tell me what happened!" I explained everything down to the very last detail. She screamed of excitement, "you're getting married!" She hugged me.

"So, does that mean you will go to the jewelry store with me?"

"Of course!" I smiled and went back to my room. I can't wait to be with Shayla. As I got ready for bed, Janet ran into my room.

"What are you doing up so late?"

"You proposed?" She asked.

"Yes..., but what are you up so late?"

"How did you do it?" She sat on my bed, ignoring my question. I explained everything for the third time. "What did she say when you asked?"

"She said yes."

"My brother, Michael. The one who swore he would never get married, is actually going to get married?"

I shrugged, "yeah."

"What made you change your mind?"

"Shayla..."

"Aww, Mike!" She hugged me. "So, is it going to be a big wedding?"

"No... You know me. It's going to be a small wedding unless Shayla wants otherwise."

"Shayla's a simple girl from what I remember. I think she'll want a small wedding. Are you going to see her any time soon?"

"Yes. Tomorrow actually."

"Have fun! Make sure you call! I want to talk to her and see how she's doing," she said as she got up to leave. I turned off the light and went to bed. Hopefully, I dream of Shayla.

VII

"Mom, I'll see you when I get back, okay? I love you!" I kissed mom goodbye. I got in the car with Jermaine and headed to the airport.

"So, I hear you're marrying that Shayla girl, huh?" he smiled.

I blushed, "yeah. Do you want to see the engagement ring I got her?" I pulled out the little blue box from my pocket and gave it to him. Once we got to a stop light, he opened the box.

"Damn, Mike! How much did this cost?"

"You think it's too much?"

"No..."

I took it back from him, "it's too much. I might get a new one.

"It's not bad, Mike, but damn. I can tell Shayla's got you sprung!"

I laughed, "I guess you can say that."

"Y'all had sex, didn't you?"

I shook my head, "nope."

"You don't have to lie, Mike. I can see it all over your face. You got some."

"No... I didn't."

"You're lying! You know you got some."

"Believe it or not, I didn't. Well, not from her at least."

"Who'd you get it from then?" He prodded.

I shrugged, "you know Ola and I were messing around, but I had to cut that out after a while."

"Wait a minute, so how are you going to fuck Ola and propose to Shayla?"

"Ola and I weren't that serious. We all know I've been in love with Shayla for years. Plus, it wasn't back to back. You're making it seem that way. The last time I was with Ola was what? Like a month or two ago? I had to cut off that sexual relationship with her after a while." I laughed as we pulled up to the airport.

"Welp, looks like this is your stop. Tell Shayla, I said hello."

"I will. See you later," I put on my disguise and made my way to my private jet. After almost two years, I finally get to be with Shayla again.