Perhaps they had been involved with others at different points in time, but the truth remained that, after all these years, they found solace only in each other. The destiny he had once attempted to evade still bound Alexis to him.

Unexpectedly, Leonel pulled Alexis into a tighter hug.

However, Alexis was making an effort to distance herself from him.

Yet he lowered his head and kissed her once more. The impulsiveness of youth often led them to lose control, capable of making out until dawn and then rising to face the demands of the workday.

At the crack of dawn, as Alexis sat down for breakfast, she noticed a soreness in her lower back.

Pondering, she mused, "Am I showing signs of age?"

Across the table, Leonel, neatly groomed, sat in front of her.

He gazed intently at the space between her fingers, where the diamond ring he had gifted her was proudly adorned. Alexis showed no hesitation in wearing the ring.

Alexis finished her milk.

Just as she was rising to grab her coat and briefcase, Leonel's sudden proposal interrupted. “Alexis, how about we tie the knot?"

A stunned expression washed over Alexis.

She stared at him, taking a while to regain her composure. She had envisioned countless ways he might propose, but this wasn't one of them.

Amidst breakfast and work preparations, his unexpected marriage proposal turned the usual order of things upside down.

Slowly settling back into her seat, the diamond ring on her finger sparkled in the light.

Recollections surfaced-this apartment once housed her parents.

Alexis pondered-Perhaps her mother conceived her right here.

Now Leonel had proposed to her here as well. Despite knowing her own feelings for him, Alexis found herself hesitating to utter the words

"I do" for an extended period. It seemed as if she felt that, no matter how she articulated it, her response wouldn't be careful enough.

"Do you still need time to consider?

Miss Fowler, is there something about me that doesn't meet your satisfaction? Whether it's appearance, performance in bed, or any other aspect, I'm all ears."