The First Curse of Love
28. That's a Proposal, Fool!

Danny was stunned to see the ring box perched sweetly on his desk. His outlook was thoughtful, and he sought to find a stronger belief within himself. A few questions arose in his mind; what was the right time to propose to Qiara? Has he deserved to declare his sincerity after all the wounds he incessantly inched?

Danny breathed a heavy sigh. Nah! He did not immediately make plans to propose to Qiara after Dean threw an ultimatum at him the other day. Danny had already prepared a ring and a plan to propose long before that. Although he should admit, that Dean's subtle threat has succeeded in harassing him.

Danny then rests his head on the back of the chair with a mind wandering far into the past. His mistake with Qiara back then, and the relentless worry that had plagued him for the past three years was enough to shrink his confidence. He then remembered his conversation with Celine a while ago.

"As your cousin as well as your best friend who has been following your life story, I'm just fine if you finally get to this decision. Decision to apply Qia. But, Dann... Can I ask you one thing?"

Danny, who had been looking at the ring box in his hand, immediately raised his face and asked.

"What lo... has completely forgotten about Pricilla?"

Degh's! That one forbidden name was finally heard back. After a long time of not hearing the name, or finding news from the owner of the name, Danny thought he would be normal if someone came back to call him. But Danny was wrong. That name still reacts. That one name, still gave a mysterious vibe in his heart. And maybe that one name is the cause of all the benangnya so far.

"If one day Pricilla comes back, how about it?" Momentary pause. Although a bit hesitant to continue his words, Celine chose to do it anyway. "Gue warn from now on, if you have not fully dyed Pricilla, you should think again about your intention to snack on Qia. Qia has been sick a lot because of you all this time. So please, don't cause the same injury because the same person."

COME BACK.

One thing that has never occurred in Danny's mind all this time. Yeah, what if the woman comes back and ruins all her wonderful plans? What if in the end, Danny would just go back to incising the same pain on Qiara?

Danny was suddenly scared. He was afraid that he would falter and re-injure Qiara as before.

Once again Danny breathed. He grabbed the ring box in a quick motion, closed it, then put it in a drawer.

Right now, there's a much more important thing that Danny has to solve first.

...****...

Time had already shown at eleven o'clock the night when Qiara arrived at Danny's apartment. Just a moment ago, Danny suddenly contacted him and asked him to come to his apartment immediately. After traveling out of town, Danny felt extremely exhausted. His entire body was hot, yet he shivered in the cold.

Arriving at Danny's apartment, Qiara immediately rushed to take care of and treat him very painstakingly. Qiara offers to take Danny to the hospital, but Danny refuses under the pretext that he is just exhausted.

Qiara, who did not want to argue any further, took the initiative to compress Danny and make porridge for the stubborn man.

Danny was still dressed. It seemed like he was in such pain that he did not have the energy to just change his clothes. But what made Qiara a bit upset was that, even when he was sick, Danny still looked very handsome. The white shirt he wore, increasingly radiated his heart-shaking charisma Qiara without knowing the excuse.

'Come, Qiara! Focus up! This shitty guy is sick right now.' Omel Qiara was deep in heart at herself.

"Why, Qi?" Danny asked in a soft voice without opening his eyes.

His instincts still worked well even though he was sick. The proof he knew, that right now Qiara was growling by himself.

"Udah rest. I'll let you sleep."

"Hm." Mumbled Danny.

"Out of town, huh? Why?"

"There's an important meeting." Answer Danny as he is.

Qiara just nodded. In my heart, I finally understand why Danny looks good tonight.

When it was no longer heard from Danny, without feeling Qiara fell asleep in a sitting position. He put his head on Danny's bed. While his hand without realizing it grasped Danny's hand gently.

And when the time was two o'clock in the morning, Danny woke up from his sleep. He already feels his condition is improving. Then with his hands still in Qiara's grasp, Danny got up and sat on his bed. It was then that he knew, that Qiara was still there with him.

"Curtain! He said he wanted to stay up until I slept. Elo is sleeping now. Is this how you keep sick people?" Danny's curse in a whisper. He gently pushed Qiara. However, as his hand had already landed on Qiara's forehead, Danny now switched to gently stroking Qiara's face.

Qiara who felt a touch on her face immediately frowned before she finally opened her eyes.

"Eh, Dann? Awake already? How are you doing now?"

Qiara then reached out her right hand and touched Danny's forehead which she felt was no longer hot. Qiara smiled with relief. However, the smile did not last long, because after that, one smile changed with a panic on his face when he realized that time had shown at two in the morning.

"God! I overslept! I have to go home now." Qiara said in the fog.

"Udaah, just nginep. You can pinch my shirt again, right? After all, your toiletries that are missing are still there. I haven't thrown it away."

Ah yes, Qiara just remembered! While waiting for Danny's return some time ago after overtime for days, Qiara had time to borrow Danny's clothes because his clothes were wet while washing dishes. Qiara also bought some toiletries at the minimarket in front of Danny's apartment building, as she felt she needed to take a shower after cooking and cleaning Danny's apartment all day.

Given that, Qiara became annoyed herself. Why is she acting like the wife of the owner of the house here? Or maybe... behave like a babu? People who do not know the story may think that Qiara often stay at Danny's apartment.

Qiara then shuddered. But fortunately, this extremely troublesome infuriating man never took any chance from her. Not even for a single kiss even though she knew that Qiara loved her very much. Over the past three years, Danny has been very respectful and appreciative of him. Being next to Danny, made Qiara feel protected.

After regaining her consciousness, Qiara glanced sharply at Danny. It's like he's ready to take Danny out of the universe.

Seeing Qiara's facial expression, Danny immediately chuckled. He then patted the empty spot beside him, reached out to Qiara and said, "sit here. I'm gonna talk."

Danny who had seemed relaxed suddenly turned serious. At such a time, Qiara knew that she had to take Danny seriously as well. Anxiously, Qiara received Danny's helping hand and sat down beside him.

Danny looked at Qiara gently. The light of his eyes hinted at an immense admiration. This was one of the things that Danny had never shown Qiara during these three years. During these three years as well, there were so many things that Danny kept silent.

And Danny felt that today his defenses would collapse. From today on, he won't hold anything back. He would kiss and hug this girl as much as he wanted. Without doubt, without fear.

"I'll repeat the one question you hate the most. But, this will also be your last chance to get away from me. And if you don't take this chance, then, I'll never let you go."

"Dann?"

Qiara was as if bewitched, as Danny's sharp gaze rained deeply on both of his beads. His heart began to work above normal.

"Did you not choose Brother Dean?"

Qiara was silent for a few seconds. This time there was not the same anger when he heard Danny's question. "At any time, my answer is still the same. And it'll always be the same."

Danny nodded. "Good." Danny sighed for a moment to calm down all the desires in him who had rebelled asking for liberation. "In that case, I'll count down from the number five. If your mind changes before my count is over, you can go."

"Five..." Danny started the count. Qiara froze in a clatter.

"Four..."

At the count of four, Qiara could feel Danny clutching his body. But Qiara was not that naive. He knew what Danny wanted to do to him after the count was over.

And Qiara, had no intention of escaping from him.

"Three..." Danny's eyes closed. While Qiara was just waiting with a thumping feeling.

"Two..." Danny tilted his face. This time unwittingly, Qiara's two eyes closed also followed his instincts.

"One..."

With a quick gesture, Danny scooped up the girl's red lips, as if he didn't want to miss any chance. Qiara who had been surprised at the beginning, now slowly began to welcome the kisses that Danny rewarded. Qiara was not even aware when Danny laid his body on the bed. Everything flows following an outpouring of Danny's feelings that begin to destroy his defenses. After three years passed, the overflow of feelings finally found its mouth.

Qiara stared at the nanar in both of Danny's eyes, as Danny raised his head and looked at both of Qiara's eyes as if confirming something.

"This is really your last chance. Do you.. want to stay here?"

Qiara was silent for quite a while before finally nodding.

Danny's words managed to stir up the electricity in Qiara's body and make his blood rustle.

Before Qiara could answer, Danny had already smothered Qiara with his passionate kiss. The fact that Danny had held back from touching Qiara for so many years made him so emotional. This time the kiss was getting wild and not as gentle as it was, as if to confirm to Qiara that from that night on, she only belonged to a Danny.

While Qiara, he let Danny explore his lips, then down to his neck, leaving some marks there. Qiara had even purposely tied her neck so that Danny could do it more freely. Every touch of Danny, so intoxicating. To hell with her common sense, Qiara wanted more. Qiara wanted Danny to keep touching her, and treat her like a woman, instead of treating her like a best friend like he had been doing.

And Qiara allowed it, allowing Danny to take his most precious possession as a girl.

Qiara's hands cupped Danny's face, trying to balance their rhythm, letting Danny touch anything from his body, while taking off one by one.

Danny's passion grew even more each time Qiara mentioned his name on the sidelines of his sigh. The atmosphere that was once full of love and gentleness, is now only dominated by lust. Qiara occasionally stroked softly Danny's head to simply remind the man that this was their first time doing so.

"D—Danny... Hhh..." Lirih Qiara was right in Danny's ear, trying to endure the pain as something felt like tearing off his bottom.

Qiara felt her tears drop as she and Danny had already arrived at the peak of their union. Danny, who realized that, then gently kissed Qiara's eyes alternately and wiped his tears, wiping the sweat on his forehead, and then wiped away the sweat, then gazed into Qiara's eyes as if Qiara was the most precious thing in his life.

"You belong to me now, see Miss Cheashy?" Danny's whisper in front of Qiara's face.

"Danny, a—aku..."

"I know, Qi." Danny who understood Qiara's intentions, instantly released their link.

Danny now stepped away from the top of Qiara's body, then lay down beside her while covering their innocent bodies with a blanket. At the same time, Qiara turned around and turned her back to Danny behind her.

After what they did, Qiara was really embarrassed as well as strange. Danny, who once again understood Qiara, closed his distance to the woman, hugged her from behind and landed a kiss on her shoulder.

...****...

Danny was making toast in the kitchen when he suddenly felt Qiara hugging him from behind while resting her head comfortably on his back. Danny gave a quick laugh, then touched Qiara's hand that was coiled around his stomach.

"Morning, Kobe..." Say hello to Danny with love. Surprisingly, Qiara did not feel annoyed by the call, as she used to.

When he turned around, Danny blushed when he saw the girl wearing the white shirt he wore last night. But frankly, Qiara looks beautiful in her oversized white shirt. Her hair that is still untidy because just woke up further adds to her beauty levels. Damnit damnit! Now it's Danny's heart that's pounding from seeing this girl. If only Danny had not tried to hold back, he might have come back to thrust Qiara into his arms.

"You're wearing my shirt again? Hm?" Danny asked gently as he looked at Qiara's two eyes deeply.

"Kan, you said I could wear it." Qiara replied timidly while covering her pair of reddened cheeks with both hands.

"Yes, Qi? Can I say something again?" Danny said. He grabbed Qiara's right hand then rolled up the sleeves of the shirt that almost covered his entire palm.

"What?"

"Hmm... if next month you move here... would you?" Danny grabbed Qiara's left hand and went back to do the same. Folded the sleeves of the shirt until it did not cover Qiara's palms.

"Huh?" Qiara. He didn't understand the meaning of Danny's question.

Before replying, Danny tied Qiara's hair by rolling it all up. Danny did so in order to see Qiara's beautiful face more clearly. Afterwards, Danny picked up a small box from the top of the kitchen set behind him, and opened it right in front of Qiara.

Qiara was aghast and could hardly believe it when he saw a diamond ring with a simple design perched in the box. His brain stopped working for a while. Yet one voice cried out from within him: 'THAT'S A PROPOSAL, FOOL!'

But wait a minute! Is he still in dreamland now?

"The next month move here as my wife, huh, Qi? As Madame Adhitama..." Once again Danny said more emphatically, as if to abort the doubt of Qiara, that this is real, not a dream or a delusion.

"Dann?" Qiara muttered which was still overwhelmed with a feeling of disbelief.

"Married me, huh? Pleaseee..." Danny said in a pleading tone. And indeed, the thing he said was not a request, but a request.

Danny needs Qiara, like a heart that needs a beat to bring him to life.

After being confined in silence and confined in disbelief, Qiara slowly felt her tears drip. He then nodded in response 'yes' to Danny. Right now, he really could not say a single word. Her happy feelings were uncontrollably stirring, until only the cry was able to represent everything.

Danny's tears are held back when Qiara finally agrees to marry him.

After three years of waiting for Danny with no certainty in their relationship, Qiara is almost desperate. However, if it was like this the tip, it was truly beyond belief. There's nothing in his presumptuous shadow that Danny would propose to him like this, today, in this sweet way.

Can he now say that all his hopes have been fulfilled?

"I'll be nice to you. I promise! I'm sorry, too, for letting you wait too long." Said Danny full of earnestness and landed a soft kiss on the woman's forehead.

Again Qiara just nodded with a downcast face. His tears were getting more and more flowing. Inwardly thinking, even if he had to wait for hundreds of years for this day, he was ready to do so if this was the cost.

Danny then takes the ring from its place and pairs it on Qiara's ring finger. Danny smiles in relief, when he sees the ring finally finding its owner.

After Danny ends his sudden proposal, Qiara immediately throws herself into Danny's arms. "I love you, Dann..."

Qiara looked forward and expected the same answer. But all he got was... "thank you. Thank you for being in my life."

Danny didn't say that he loved Qiara either. And Qiara never knew that it would be the trigger for all his injuries in the future.

...****...

Pullman Shanghai Skyway Hotel Shanghai

Once back after performing ballet at the Shanghai Ballet, Prissy immediately put her body on the bed. He closed his eyes for a while, trying to erode his fatigue.

These three years were the toughest three he's ever had. Not a single day for these three years could he fall asleep soundly. He even had to take sleeping pills. And for the next three years, he didn't remember and miss Danny for a second.

"Mia!" Call Prissy with her eyes still closed.

"Yes?"

"I'm going back to New York tomorrow morning. Please take care of everything."

"But, Priss... He'll be coming in two days to Shanghai. You can stay here for a week."

Prissy was suddenly interested. He opened his eyes and looked at Mia who was preparing her sleeping pills. "Who?" Ask then with a heart beating.

"Danny. I have word that he will be filming a special episode of his variety show in Shanghai. His team has even booked a hotel room here."

The smile that had been missing from Prissy's face, suddenly came back to life after knowing that Danny would come and stay at the same hotel as her. The thick fog that had been covering his heart as well, miraculously blushed so quickly. Prissy then returned to her body with a smile on her face.

"Mia, I don't need sleeping pills for tonight. When you're done, you can get out. I need to rest."

"So, are you going back to New York tomorrow?" Ask Mia again to make sure.

"No. I'm gonna finish my vacation here." Answer Prissy.

He closed his eyes again. Not more than a minute, he had fallen asleep soundly accompanied by a series of beautiful dreams that he had not had for three years.

And for the first time in three years, he didn't take his sleeping pills.

To Be Continued...^^^