Loving You

Chapter 4

My heart raced like a sprinter, thumping against my ribs like it wanted to break free. Kelly's probing stare, Noah's jittery countenance, and the glimmer of the ring in his trembling grip—each detail loomed large, overwhelming my senses.

I tore my gaze from Kelly's scrutinizing eyes, darting it to Noah and then to the ring. Words teased the edge of my tongue, but they refused to coalesce into anything coherent.

Noah's anxious face silently pleaded with me to shatter the tense silence enveloping us. I wanted desperately to respond, to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within, but my voice remained stubbornly lodged in my throat.

I reached for the wine glass before me, seeking refuge in its familiar embrace. With a swift motion, I drained its contents in a single gulp, hoping to drown the uncertainty clawing at my insides.

"Zena, come on, say something! Don't leave my brother hanging like this," Kelly's voice sliced through the thick fog of my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.

I met her gaze, uncertainty flickering in my eyes. Marriage—a path I'd sworn to avoid after witnessing my sister's struggles with Keith. The scars of her dashed hopes lingered, whispering doubts and fears into the depths of my mind.

"But isn't it time to carve out your own destiny, to rewrite the story?" a faint voice, insistent yet distant, echoed within.

Exhaling slowly, I acknowledged the truth in those silent words. Swallowing my trepidation, I turned my gaze back to Noah, whose anxious demeanor mirrored my own inner turmoil.

"Yes, Noah. Yes, I'll marry you," I managed to utter, relief flooding Noah's eyes as he slid the ring onto my trembling finger, perhaps fearing my sudden change of heart.

Applause erupted in the restaurant, the vibrant energy of their celebration enveloping us in its warm embrace. Noah pulled me into a tight hug, his lips finding mine in a fervent kiss.

"Thank you, Zena. You've made me the happiest man alive," Noah whispered, joy evident in his voice.

Kelly's excited squeal filled the air as she enveloped me in a tight embrace. "This is amazing! You've done good, brother. We've got a wedding to plan!"

"You're more than just my best friend now; you're my sister," Kelly declared, excitement shining in her eyes. "So, when's the big day? Let's start planning—I can't wait!"

Despite my lingering reservations, Kelly's unwavering determination left no room for dissent. With a reluctant nod, I acquiesced to her plans, knowing that this was only the beginning of a whirlwind journey toward our shared future.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of bliss, each moment etching itself into my memory as I savored the surreal realization that Noah was now my fiancé.

---

The next morning arrived with unwelcome clarity, the lingering euphoria of the previous night fading with the creeping light. As I tried to extricate myself from the cocoon of slumber, Noah's arms tightened around me, his murmured protest a gentle plea for respite from the demands of the outside world.

"Can't we just stay here, together, all day?" Noah murmured, his lips brushing against mine in a tender caress.

As much as I wished to indulge in his embrace indefinitely, the responsibilities of the day beckoned, pulling me inexorably from our shared sanctuary.

"I wish we could, Noah, but duty calls. There are matters at the precinct that require my attention," I explained, a wistful smile playing on my lips.

"But you're the boss—you can afford to take a day off," Noah countered, his tone playful.

"If only it were that simple. But you know as well as I do that I can't. Being chief means more work," I replied, slipping from his embrace and hurrying toward the bathroom before he could protest further.

I swiftly prepared for the day ahead, stealing a tender farewell kiss from my fiancé before setting off for the station.

Within the precinct's walls, I threw myself into the relentless pursuit of justice, each case a stark reminder of the delicate balance between order and chaos. Amidst the clamor of voices clamoring for resolution, one name stood out—El Fuego.

With determination, I sifted through the evidence, dissecting each clue in a relentless quest to unmask El Fuego's identity. But despite my efforts, the elusive figure remained out of reach, leaving a trail of despair in his wake as more innocents fell victim to his schemes.

"Where are you hiding, El Fuego?" I muttered, frustration gnawing at my resolve.

A sudden commotion shattered the precinct's monotony, drawing my attention with urgency as Ceila's voice, tinged with haste, cut through the noise.

"Chief, you need to see this," Ceila insisted, her urgency palpable.

Setting aside my misgivings, I followed her lead, curiosity mingling with apprehension as we entered the interrogation room. And there, seated before us, was a familiar face—a pawn in El Fuego's game.

"That's Manuel López, El Fuego's right-hand man," I exclaimed, adrenaline surging through my veins.

"We got a tip-off and managed to apprehend him. With a thorough interrogation, he could give us vital information," Ceila explained.

"Excellent work, Ceila. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for. Let's not waste any time," I declared, resolve firm.