Chapter 172 - You're My Home

Katherine became fully awake upon hearing the words from his mouth. The smile from her face slowly disappeared and her brows raised — she was taken aback by the suddenness of his confession that it made her feel elated, confused, and surprised. 

She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before she finally found her voice – a croaky one at that, "W-What? I'm sorry I thought I heard you say let's get married." Her face was unreadable when she spoke, making Damien unsure if she even wanted to marry him in the first place.

The thought about being married to Katherine crossed his mind several times before but he never thought he wanted it so badly until now. He searched her face for any clues that she also wanted this but there was none. 

"Yes, that's because I did..." His heart raced.

He nervously waited for her to say something but it looked like she was still trying to figure him out until he heard her say, "Just… like that? Out of nowhere?" Her tone was soft. She really wanted to know what made him say something like that as soon as she woke up. 

They were in the living room and she was just wearing her comfy sleepwear. The lights were warm and not so bright — the temperature was just right though she could feel her feet turning into icicles, but because Damien's coat was on her lap, it made her feel warm. 

Apart from that, there was nothing else that would make one say the setting was what a woman would probably dream of in a proposal. However, for Katherine, despite being a bit confused at the moment… it felt just right.

There were a lot of things running in her mind after hearing his statement but truthfully, she didn't have any reason… or even desire to reject his proposal.

Damien reached out and clasped both of her hands in his, warming them up by blowing on them and rubbing them together. She had not realized that her hands were also very cold until he did that. Her eyes lit up realizing that he knew exactly what to do and she didn't even have to say anything. 

"Did I scare you?" he asked.

"Don't you think it's too fast?" she answered with another question.

It was quiet for a while before Damien spoke again and when he did, Katherine remained quiet and listened to what he had to say. He leaned back on the sofa next to her and stared at the table in front as though it helps to keep him focused.

"I have to be honest with you… I didn't think I would ever want to settle down or even find a woman that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I had pretty much been a bachelor for years and had met several women on different occasions but… you were the only one that struck me. You're an amazing woman, Katherine… you're the only one I could ever be myself without having to put on a pretense or hide who I really am.

"I've heard from other people that when one falls in love, they'd feel all giddy and all these strange things that cannot be explained… but with you, although I felt those things, I also know that when I'm with you… I feel calm…"

Katherine continued to be patient and let him say everything that he wanted. It's rare for Damien to be so open like this so she could only indulge him. 

"I'm a workaholic… and most of the time I would spend long hours in the office and I thought it was only because I couldn't let go of my work. When you came, I find myself just wanting to spend more time with you. I was fooling myself into thinking that was all it was – just working. But in reality, I think I was just… lonely and didn't want to have to return to an empty house.

She squeezed his hand and softly, she asked, "But if you were lonely, why did you choose to stay in your penthouse?"

A sad smile formed on his face, "Ironic, isn't it? But I guess I thought I also had to be alone… I've gotten so used to it that it came all-natural despite it."

Damien turned his head and met her gaze. "You must think this is sappy now that I'm telling you this… but what I'm trying to say is that – I don't want to be alone anymore. Ever since you and I happened, you've constantly been in my mind whether it was before we became official or now… well, especially now. I've been on too many business trips but all I could think about was how I couldn't wait to come back home… to you…" His eyes shifted to Bear and he faintly chuckled, "To Bear…"

"We missed you too while you were away…" Katherine just had to tell him, feeling all warm after hearing what he just told her.

He nodded and brought her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on it so softly. "To answer your other question, it doesn't matter that we've been together for only a few months. Bear hasn't been with us for a long time but you know how deeply you feel for him after almost losing him right?"

Katherine subconsciously started stroking Bear's head as though she wanted to make sure that he was safe there beside her. She slightly smiled and nodded, agreeing with him.

"I want this, Katherine… I want to marry you, the past, the present or the future Katherine Miller… I want to marry you. You're my home. I want to always go home to you. If you'll let me, I want to be the man that you would want to go home to as well…"

Her heart was beating a little faster than usual but she wasn't anxious. She was just a little overwhelmed by what Damien had just bared in front of her. This was what she loved about him – she gets to see this side of him that no one else does – his vulnerable and true self.

However, her mind was still all over the place. The huge question mark that was in her mind ever since she woke up from that coma was occupying a large space in her brain. And right now, her brain was battling with her heart. 

Seeing that she was trying to go over her thoughts, Damien hooked his fingers under her chin and lifted it up so that her eyes meet his. 

He curled the corners of his mouth upwards and with the most understanding expression, he told her, "You don't have to answer me right now. I didn't plan on doing this until I started a while ago, so I get that this is all too much for you to process. But I hope you can consider it and let me know when you have decided later. I'll wait for you whether it's days… weeks… months… or years…"

His hand shaped the side of her face, cupping it gently as he pulled her towards him and kissing her deeply before pulling away. "Come on, the floor's cold. Let's go to bed," he said as he pulled her up to her feet and walked with her towards their bedroom while Bear followed behind.