24 Unexpected

After the launch our sales skyrocketed. We decided to expand further and had a presence in almost every major city in the world and were concentrating on developing innovative products that were both competitive and sustainable. Kyle's latest offering burst into the charts with a bang and he was currently sitting on the number one spot on the world charts for three consecutive months. The response was overwhelming. He broke all records on iTunes and on YouTube. He was on countless TV and radio interviews and I couldn't keep up anymore.

"Good morning babe," Kyle said through the phone. He sounded like he had just woken up.

"Good morning sexy. Your morning voice is such a turn on," I smiled into the phone.

"Is that so? I'd like to see proof of how turned on you are then," he breathed into the phone.

"I would prefer to show it to you in 5D," I giggled.

"Then you just might be in luck because-I have a few shows lined up in Dubai first and then South Africa next week. And you know Capetown holds a special place in my heart-so I was hoping you could take time off from your very busy schedule and fly down to join me there? Please? For old times sake?" He pleaded. "Plus Andrew told me you would be in Dubai in a couple of days-same as me-so what do you say?"

"Yes I will be in Dubai but it's only for a couple of days but-" I started

"C'mon babe, do this one thing for me? I miss you so much and I'm losing it. It's been six months, eight days and twelve hours since I last saw you. I'm dying here babe. You know that I would have been there in a heartbeat, if I could," he coaxed.

We had tried to spend as much time together, as much as possible, before he left for his world tour. We had temporarily moved in together and alternated between our two homes. He had tried to convince me to tag along-as if. I had so much on my plate right now I barely made it home before midnight almost every night, plus I was travelling a lot as well and somehow we kept missing each other. We were supposed to meet in Paris last week but he had cancelled all his shows there because of the riots that were currently taking place.

"Okay fine," I sighed in defeat as I rubbed my forehead.

"Ye-eesss!!" He screamed loudly. I had to hold the phone away from my ear.

***********************************************

We had just landed in Capetown and were on our way to Kyle's concert. We missed each other in Dubai so we agreed to meet down here instead. Rita and James refused to stay behind and she kept guilt-tripping me about how she never got to really enjoy Capetown the last time we were here. Richard and Steve came for safety reasons, I was not comfortable moving around this place without security and we didn't want a repeat of what happened last time.

When we arrived Kyle's security led us backstage and then we were ushered to the VIP section. The stadium was packed back to back and Kyle had a knack for keeping them engaged throughout his performance. He was well into his third song and was dressed in a simple white t-shirt and jogger pants and matching Adidas sneakers. He still managed to effortlessly look hot. He removed his cap and threw it into the crowd and walked close to the edge stage. Then he removed his t-shirt and wiped the sweat off his face and neck.

"Sorry, but we're going to have to take a little detour," He announced to the crowd. "Is that alright?"

The crowd roared in agreement.

"Sounds good?" he smiled.

The crowd roared again.

"Remember what we talked about at the beginning of my set? Is everyone ready? Are you all in position?" he asked. as he raised his hand.

"Yeah!" everyone shouted.

What was Kyle up to? I sat at the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going on, while James and Rita just there beaming at me.

"Okay, here goes," Kyle said as his muscular ushers walked over to the VIP section and came over to us-well me in particular. I froze on the spot. They lifted me up gently, held me under my elbows and led me to Kyle.

"Ladies and gentleman, give it up for my heartbeat and my reason for breathing-Amaya Walsh!" he walked over to me and hugged me briefly.

The crowd cheered and whistled.

"I missed you babe," he whispered and kissed my cheek. "don't look so frightened, smile," he winked, then focused his attention back to his audience.

We walked to the edge of the stage hand in hand then he lifted his t-shirt and spinned it around.

"Let's do this!" he shouted.

A banner was unfolding and I almost passed out when I read the complete sentence.

MAYA, BABE.SAY YES. WILL YOU MARRY ME?

I turned to Kyle as he dropped to one knee, as he held out his hand I saw the most beautiful diamond ring nestled in a small velvet box.

"Maya," he gulped, "You know that you and I were destined to be together-from the first time we met..we just knew. I don't want to live another day without you as my wife-so please make an honest man out of me?"

The crowd was silent as night. Everyone watching. Waiting with baited breath..

"Stand up Kyle," I said without any emotion in my voice.

He rose up and gave me a confused look. The hurt splashed all over his face.

"The only way we can seal this deal is if you allow me to do this first.."I dropped to one knee and held Kyle's hand, confusion and then shock registered on his face. "Kyle, you taught me the real meaning of love and there is nothing that I want more in this whole world..than for you to make an honest woman out of me. So yeah I accept." I smiled up at him.

He knelt in front of me and cupped my face in his hands, his eyes shining.

"So is that a yes??" He held his breath.

"I'm saying yes Kyle. I'll marry you in a heartbeat," I nodded my head.

Kyle stood again with an ecstatic shout and swooped me of the floor. He spun me round hugging me so tightly I almost passed out, then he twirled me around again and again.

The crowd clapped and cheered. The band started to play a song to help us celebrate.

"Babe, you have just made me the happiest man to ever walk planet Earth!" He's joy was contagious. He kissed me repeatedly all over my face and I giggled like a school girl.

"Can we like finish this conversation backstage or something?" I looked around nervously.

"Sorry babe. I got a bit carried away," he grinned and then turn to the crowd.

"My people you've been great. I just need to go back stage and kiss the life out of my future wife, cos she's just made me the happiest guy ever. If anyone here thinks they can surpass my level of happiness tonight then I will give you a million bucks," he laughed, "But in the mean time-please give it up for The Chainsmokers!" Kyle announced and led me off the stage.

We found Rita, James and Michael waiting in the wings and they ambushed us with hugs. Everyone was happy for us and they offered us their well wishes.

"It's about time too!" Michael exclaimed, as he slapped Kyle on the back.

"My man!" James butted shoulders with Kyle before giving him a hug.

"Kyle, one day you will kill us all with your mushiness," Rita said all teary-eyed.

"I think I'll be the first one to go," I said and we all laughed.

Some of the staff backstage surrounded us and offered their congratulations. It seems everyone was in on the surprise proposal, except me of course.

"Thank you all for your well wishes but I need to get ready for my next set." Kyle said, "My blushing bride and I will be at the after-party, so please join us if you can," he pulled my hand and we made our way back to his dressing room.

As soon as we got in the room he pushed me against the door and kissed the life out of me as promised. We only stopped because of the lack of oxygen and then we picked up from where we left off. He stopped and leaned his forehead against mine, as we tried to steady our breathing.

"I wish I could do this all night but I've got to go back out there," he said regretfully.

"I understand," I kissed his soft lips lightly.

"So what you're going to do now is-sit your pretty self down on this couch-and I'm going to try and get ready with minimal distractions. You're welcome to watch if you want," he teased as he stripped off his pants and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

****************************************************

The after party was at an exclusive five star hotel and people seemed to be having a good time. Kyle was busy mingling with his guests and I was sitting at a corner table with Rita. There was a steady flow of congratulatory messages all night and my facial muscles were painful through all the smiling I had to.

"Imagine what it's going to be like at your wedding," Rita laughed when I complained about it.

"Don't go there," I rolled my eyes and swirled the champagne in my glass.

"I never thought I'd see the day you would actually be getting married!" Rita gushed.

"He makes me happy RiRi," I sighed contentedly and spotted Kyle rushing over to me.

"Sorry RiRi but I'm taking my wife for a spin on the dance floor, " Kyle said as he dragged me to dance with him.

"You're a very good dancer Mr Kinley," I said as Kyle twisted and turned our bodies to What Lovers Do by Maroon 5.

"You're not so bad yourself," he smiled as he pressed his body seductively against mine.

"Is that how you want to play it?" I asked, breathless.

"Show me what you got," he whispered in my ear as he turned me around and pressed his chest into my back.

I saw Rita rushing towards us and she grabbed my arm.

"Sorry Kyle but I need to speak to Maya urgently-it can't wait!" She said with urgency.

"Is everything okay?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah-we will be right back," she replied.

We walked hurriedly towards the bathroom and she checked to see the cubicles were unoccupied before turning to me, a worried look on her face.

"I think I saw Mark," She frowned. Mark Roberts was her boyfriend-well he used to be anyway-until he mysteriously disappeared.

"So why do you seem scared?" I asked as I grabbed her hand.

"I hired a private investigator after Mark disappeared and so far the report hasn't been good. He's not who I thought he was. He's dangerous.." she bit her bottom lip.

We both turned around as we heard someone barge in through the doors. It was the devil himself-and he was with our bodyguard Steve. Rita and I gasped as they approached us menacingly. Steve and Mark turned to each other and smiled knowingly.

"Steve-what are you doing here? Have you been working with this jerk all along?" I asked as they backed us into the bathroom counter.

"Steve is actually my brother," Mark smirked, "Hello Rita darling. You missed me?" he leaned over and forced his lips onto hers. She bit him hard and he laughed sardonically as he looked at her.

"I remember there was a time you used to beg for my mouth to do all sorts of things to you," he smiled cynically.

He grabbed two pieces of facial tissue from the counter and handed them over to Steve, who then produced a bottle of chloroform and emptied the contents onto the paper. The realization hit us and we tried to put up a struggle but they overpowered us. Steve forcefully put his hand over my nose the chloroform took effect and sent me crashing into total nothingness.