Chapter 28
The weeks in Abu Dhabi passed like a dream for Celestina. Dimitri had promised to keep her safe, but he did far more than that—he treated her like the queen he claimed she was.
From the moment she arrived, Dimitri had gone out of his way to make her feel not just secure but cherished. Each morning began with fresh flowers delivered to her suite—white orchids, her favorite—and a decadent breakfast spread laid out on the terrace overlooking the gardens.
“Good morning, my queen,” Dimitri greeted her one day as she emerged, his voice teasing but warm. He was waiting by the table, impeccably dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy trousers.
“Do you call all your guests that, or am I special?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she sat down.
“You’re the only one who gets the royal treatment,” he replied, pouring her tea with a flourish. “Though I’ll admit, spoiling you is becoming my favorite pastime.”
Celestina rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “I’m starting to think you enjoy this too much.”
“Guilty,” Dimitri said, his grin widening. “But who wouldn’t? Look at you—you deserve it.”
Dimitri’s spoiling didn’t stop at breakfast. One afternoon, he surprised her with a trip to Dubai, whisking her away in a sleek black car that took them straight to the iconic Burj Khalifa.
“Is this your way of showing off?” Celestina asked as they stepped into the high-speed elevator, the city shrinking below them with every passing second.
“Maybe,” Dimitri said with a wink. “But you deserve the best views, don’t you?”
When they reached the observation deck, the sight was breathtaking. The sprawling city stretched out before them, glittering in the sunlight, while the desert beyond shimmered like gold.
“It’s beautiful,” Celestina said softly.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Dimitri replied, standing close beside her.
She turned to him, her eyes narrowing. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you,” he said simply, his gaze steady and sincere.
The day continued with a private yacht cruise along the Dubai Marina, where they dined on fresh seafood and sipped sparkling drinks as the sun dipped below the horizon. Dimitri was charming as always, making her laugh with his quick wit and teasing banter.
“Tell me,” Celestina said at one point, leaning back in her seat, “is this your usual date routine, or am I just lucky?”
Dimitri smirked. “A bit of both, perhaps. But don’t let it go to your head.”
Celestina laughed. “Too late.”
One evening, Dimitri outdid himself. He led Celestina to the estate’s private garden, where a candlelit dinner had been set up beneath a canopy of twinkling fairy lights. The table was adorned with red roses, and a soft breeze carried the scent of jasmine through the air.
“You’ve been planning this, haven’t you?” Celestina asked as she took her seat, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Maybe,” Dimitri said, his tone light. “But I thought you deserved something special tonight.”
As the evening went on, Celestina found herself relaxing more than she had in weeks. Dimitri was attentive and thoughtful, always anticipating her needs before she even voiced them.
Finally, as dessert was served, Dimitri stood and moved to her side. Her heart skipped a beat as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
“Celestina,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “you’ve brought light into my life in ways I never imagined. I want to spend the rest of my days showing you how much you mean to me.”
He opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring set in platinum, the gem sparkling like a star. “Will you marry me?”
Celestina’s breath caught. For a moment, all she could do was stare at him, her heart racing. Then she smiled, her eyes shining with tears. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I will.”
