Pampered by my Billionaire CEO Husband
Chapter 178: Finale

"He definitely is, isn’t he?"

We were sitting side by side at the nail salon because she insisted I had to get my nails done for my upcoming photoshoot and that she would pay for me as a congratulatory gift. I was invited by one of the most prestigious art houses in town to put my artworks on display and give some sort of an opening speech during the ceremony. A few years ago, I was just painting for fun in my own tiny apartment, I never knew I could come this far.

"Did Blake or Stella ever try to contact you again?" She asked, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "I wonder what happened to them..."

I could care less about what happened to Blake and Stella. Though, the reporters had a field day after learning that the couple had seemingly separated.

Ever since our not so glamorous encounter that day at the office lobby, I haven’t heard from him since. And to be honest, I was glad. I didn’t want to hear another word about my ex-husband or that pick-me bitch ever again, I had enough run-ins with them over the years.

Xavier was evidently upset when I told him about what happened at the office lobby with Blake that day, upset that I didn’t tell him sooner. I could still clearly picture the look on his face, looking as though he wanted to kill Blake for causing a scene and laying his hands on me. It only took him like a week to calm down as he used all his self-control to not obliterate Blake.

But right now, I didn’t care about any of that.

Sitting across me was Xavier, looking at me with warmth that filled his dark brown eyes and a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He donned on a full black button down and long black pants, his thick dark hair tousled perfectly. My eyes travelled down to his exposed forearm as he had the long sleeves rolled up to rest right above his elbows – That was my absolute weakness.

He had booked out the rooftop at one of our favourite restaurants, as one does when they own a billion dollar company. This very restaurant also coincidentally happened to be the same restaurant where he took me to for our ’first date’. Just like the last time, the moonlight was shining down on us and illuminating our faces. The vast sky was decorated with twinkling stars and a crescent moon that hung high up there, creating a picturesque scene, straight out of a romance movie or novel.

"Aurelia..." My name left his lips. His usual rough and deep voice was now in a soft and gentle tone, breaking me out of my little reverie.

I snapped my head back around to look at him instead of admiring the sky. We locked eyes and I could see the thousands of emotions that flashed past his face. I arched my eyebrow at him. "Yeah?"

A flicker of nervousness appeared in his dark eyes for a brief second before he quickly shoved it aside like it never happened at all. "You look beautiful," he said breathily and I gave him a smile.

"You don’t look too bad yourself," I teased, the smile still lingering on my lips, blissfully unaware of what was coming my way. I looked down at my food on the table but within the next second, I felt his fingertips brushed past my skin. He had reached over to grab me by my chin, lifting my head up so that I was looking into his eyes.

"Aurelia..." He said my name once again, and I swore I could hear his voice waver slightly as though he was nervous. He took in a deep breath as he leaned back and held my hands in his instead, keeping his gaze steady. "When we first met, I didn’t know you would become the most important person in my life. The person who would take up every inch of my soul, my mind and my heart. I used to think I wanted revenge, to get back at you for hurting me, for betraying me and leaving me alone and heart-broken back then. But I was wrong, I never wanted revenge. I –" His breath hitched in his throat. "When I agreed to marry you in the hospital, I realised that all I wanted was to have you by my side. And I want you by my side forever, Aurelia."

He paused and I looked at him with wide eyes, my heart pounding loudly against my chest and I thought for sure it was going to burst out of me at any second now. My mind flashbacked to the time when Serena insisted on bringing me to get my nails done earlier and the smirk on her face. It all clicked inside my head now. I knew what was coming but I still held my breath in anticipation. "Xavier..." I muttered under my breath, my eyes bleary with tears and running wild with emotions I couldn’t describe with words alone.

"I realised I haven’t actually given you the proposal you deserved since we got our marriage certificate at the city hall..." His voice trailed off. I watched as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a dark red velvety box and got down on one knee. "Aurelia Grace Wilder, will you make me the happiest man on Earth, and marry me?"

Time felt as though it had come to a complete standstill and I could hardly believe my ears as I stared at him with wide eyes. A smile spread across my face as I nodded. "Yes, yes, yes!" I exclaimed excitedly as I bent down to meet his eyes and slung my arms around his neck with the brightest smile I could muster. "Yes a thousand – a million times!"

A single tear drop fell down my rosy cheek and he wiped it off with his thumb, looking up at me with a smile and relief in his eyes as he finally relaxed his posture. His hands were placed on either side of my waist as he brought me up to my feet.

His dark eyes captured mine in a loving gaze. "I love you, Aurelia Wilder," his words came out in a low voice.

"I love you, Xavier Wilder."

The words only just left the tip of my tongue when his hand snaked around the back of my head and he pulled me in close to press a searing kiss on my lips. I let my eyes flutter shut as we kissed under the moonlight and as if on cue, the sound of fireworks exploding right behind us echoed in my ears.

I pulled away from him and turned my attention to the sky that lit up with bursts of colours. It was beautiful. And I don’t just mean the fireworks. This moment that I am sharing with Xavier is beautiful.

"Aurelia Wilder, you will be the death of me."

I smiled against his lips as he pulled in for another kiss.

The End