[Author note - The prices of privilege chapters have been SLICED. Yes, you read it right. 22 advanced chapters are ready for you to binge read at less than 50% of the previous rates. So what are you waiting for? Go privilege!!!]

It was a lazy Saturday morning but they both were up early, after all, there was so much to be said and done. It was the day that they were going to propose to each other, although neither of them knew that the other was planning to do the same secretively.

"You look pretty today!", said Raymond as he came out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He came close to her and gave a kiss on her neck as she was getting ready in front of the mirror.

"Mmmm... How will I get ready, if you are like this?" said Akira and pushed him away with her hands on his chest. Her soft warm hands pushed him till the walk-in closet area and then she came back to her dressing table.

Raymond smiled looking at her and then picked up another towel to pat dry his hair and as he did, he marveled her from behind. 

She was one hell of a fine woman, perfect from every perspective. Just the thought of having her forever as his wife made his heart flutter with bliss.

'You are going to be all mine,' he thought and smiled.

"By the way where are you going out so early in the morning? I had checked there is no meeting scheduled for you today," said Raymond as he wore his T-shirt.

"Ah... so the boss has already started snooping on his employees huh!", Teased Akira and then said - "Well there wasn't but then last minute yesterday I scheduled a meeting with an overseas client from South Korea and you know how hardworking they are. They were ok to have a meeting today and were pretty eager about our new project and I couldn't say no to it," she said and continued curling her hair.

"But you will be off by 5 pm, right? We have a dinner planned for today at Katherine's place. You can't be late for that. And we need to buy something for Kate so we need to have some buffer time in hand," asked a worried Raymond and now he was skeptical if she would make it in time. 

"Oh don't worry about it. It's just a meeting for one hour or so."

"Well good to know that," said Raymond and put on his jeans and zipped it up.

But then turning towards Raymond, Akira asked,

"But where are you going? Didn't you say you had a day off today."

"Well, I have some more formalities at dad's company."

"Still calling it dad's company huh!," joked Akira to which Raymond just cornered his eyes and put on his jacket.

"I like this semi-formal look on you," said Akira and traced her hand along the V-collar of his T-shirt, trying to feel the warmth of his skin.

"What else do you like?" asked Raymond and put his arm around her waist, rubbing on her waist lightly with his thumb as he looked into her eyes.

"No no no no no no....."

"Raymond no....."

"Don't spoil my...."

Pulling her closer, Raymond asked, "Spoil what?"

Akira looked up and said, "You know what I mean... yet you are still asking about it? How shameless you have become. Now let me go. I need to be there on time."

Saying that she escaped from his fort and picked up her laptop bag and her purse.

"I can drop you at the office. Just give me ten more minutes," said Raymond and leaped in front of the mirror to adjust his hair.

"No way. Go and have your breakfast first. I have placed in on the counter table. I have made blueberry pancakes for you," said Akira and inched close to him and gave a kiss on his cheeks.

"Oh, come on. Don't be so stingy," cribbed Raymond.

"Bonus for tonight mister!", giggled Akira and left.

A smile etched on Raymond's lips and he went towards the window to check on her. She waved at him again before leaving in the car and the moment she did, Raymond immediately went to get his phone and called up David.

"Hello, Raymond."

"Hello, David! Is it done?"

"I am trying to get hold of the shopkeeper, but he isn't reachable," said David with a fake reluctant voice.

"What do you mean David?", asked Raymond.

"I mean to say, I don't have the ring with me yet. I am trying to track him down. Don't worry I will get you the ring before 5 pm today, no matter what," said David.

"Agghhhh! I do not like such corner scenarios, David. Why didn't he give it yesterday itself?" Raymond asked.

"The thing is, there was a delay in shipment. The diamond that you had ordered was stuck at the custom. That's why we had this delay," said David.

"Ok.. ok.. fine. What about the wedding preparations? Are they going well? I don't know. You might feel that I am nagging too much, but I just want to give her a fairytale wedding," said Raymond and sighed.

"No no Raymond, I completely understand your intent. I am working on it. Trust me, it will be a memorable day for you all. Oh... by the way, your suit is ready," replied David.

"Yeah, I had got a text from them. I am going to pick it up now. And hey! Thanks for the gorgeous dress that you have picked for Akira. I had no idea that you had such great taste in clothes," said Raymond and put on his belt.

"Ah... well...." stuttered David because he had nothing to do with the dress. It had been picked by Akira herself, but how could he tell him that?

"Fine then, I am gonna go and pick up my suit. Thanks for everything David. Just check up once on the ring," said Raymond and disconnected the call.

As David kept the call, he took a deep breath and muttered,

'Sorry, Raymond. Sorry for deceiving you but the ring isn't happening today!'