[Author note - And the new month of privilege begins. The prices of privilege chapters have been SLICED. Yes, you read it right. 22 advanced chapters are ready for you to binge read. So what are you waiting for? Go privilege!!!]

"What are you up to Akira?" asked Raymond as he could clearly see that she was up to something. She was unable to hide the nervousness on her face. She was not good at hiding her emotions, at least not in front of him.

But she didn't answer him. Taking a step back she came close to him and held his hand in hers and took him inside and he followed her without saying a word like a lost child.

As they entered the foyer, Akira removed her heels.

Seeing that the living was pitch black dark, Raymond moved his hand to switch on the lights but Akira blocked his hand with hers and said, "Not yet!"

'It's not even my birthday today? What are these people doing?' mumbled Raymond in his head.

"Follow me", said Akira and switched the flashlight on her phone. In that faint light, Raymond could see that there was a sparkle in her eyes, a strange curiosity and innocence like that of a kid. And with a smile on his face, he just followed her.

They had hardly taken a few steps when Akira stumbled on a cushion that was on the floor.

"Ouch!"

But before she could fall, he wrapped her waist in his arms and said,

"Can you be a bit careful?"

Flustered that her efforts were not going the way they should have Akira said, "Not my fault. You keep breathing so close to me. I got distracted."

Trying hard to suppress his laugh, Raymond loosened his grip around her and raising her hands up in the air he said,

"Fine fine my mistake. Won't dare to take a breath now."

"Oh, come one..." said Akira and then holding his hands she walked ahead, till they reached the center of the living room. She switched off the flashlight and then said,

"I am till now not sure how this will turn out, but I just hope that you will like it."

'What surprise have you planned Akira?" asked Raymond as the itch was getting on his nerves now.

"Close your eyes," she said and with her palms, she covered her eyes and gave a teasing kiss on his lips and whispered,

"On the count of one, two, three !!!"

She said and removed her palm.

He opened his eyes and he couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him. On the big white wall, the following words were projected,

"WILL YOU MARRY ME RAYMOND?"

Unable to believe that his girl was proposing him before he could, he looked at her. There were tears brimming in her eyes and she was looking at him as if he was her entire world.

Taking a deep breath she opened her palms in front of Raymond

"Will you?"

He looked at the platinum band in her hands and then looked at the wall again. Stumped for a while, he couldn't say anything. Akira's anxious eyes kept looking at his face, trying to read his emotions.

"Now would be the time to say something!" she said and wiped away an unruly tear that didn't get tamed.

He heard her, but he couldn't speak, because he could feel that his throat was almost choking him. He had an elaborate and intricate plan in his mind, but this girl swept away his feet with her simplicity.

Some he inched close, lightly holding her waist in his hands, he pulled her a bit towards himself and kissed her. It was a light tender touch at first and then slowly it became moist and warm. Their tears streamed and joined each other in unison.

Taking a deep breath, he detached for a minute and then licked the moisture off her lower lips and said,

"This is all that I have dreamt of Akira. Do you even think I can say no to this?"

"Yes, I want to marry you and yes I want to spend my life with you and yes I want to be with you in my sickness and in health."

She couldn't resist him after hearing those words and she tiptoed to kiss on his lips again and he kissed her back with a passion like never before.

But suddenly he paused and looked at her,

"Wait a minute... Is somehow David involved in this?"

Akira smiled and said,

"Ha ha, this time he was my guy. Not yours!"

"Indeed!", exclaimed Raymond and then leaned in to kiss her again, but was distracted by a voice.

"Oh come on Raymond, get a room for yourself. There are kids here."

He knew who it was, of course, it was no one other than Katherine. Only she had this weird sense of humor.

"So you were also involved in all this. Huh...," asked Raymond with eyebrows raised up.

"Of course, I am her godmother. Don't you know that?" said Katherine and then she yelled,

"Kate, Shawn, these guys are done. You can come out now."

"Sometimes I have a doubt if you are my sister or not!" exclaimed Raymond. he was about to say something more, but then he heard a knock on the door.

He opened the door and found David standing outside.

"Ah ... Welcome my backstabbing friend. Thank you for jeopardizing my plans!" Said Raymond as he let him in.

Hanging his head low, David came in.

"What plans did you have?", Asked a surprised Akira.

"Ditto as yours," replied Katherine as she came to the living room.

"You mean...."

"Oh yes my love, my brother also wanted to propose to you again. Gosh! I have never seen two people, so eager to marry each other. Have you Shawn?" To which Shwan laughed and nodded.

But hearing that Akira's eyes worked up again. Looking at Raymond she asked,

"Is it true?"

He just shrugged his shoulders. What else he could say?

"I had plans, but someone ruined them as they were rooting for you."

"Well, I will never deceive you, Raymond," said David and took out a beautiful hand engraved box from his pocket and placed it on Raymond's palm.