Meilin's POV
I didn't think anything could top Paris.
I mean, croissants for breakfast, Theo wrapped in a black coat with my hand firmly in his, the way he pulled me close every time we crossed a street — yeah, perfection.
So when Ava dragged me out that evening, whispering something about "lights" and "a surprise view," I didn't question it. I just twirled in my sundress, fixed my lip gloss, and followed.
We reached the Champ de Mars just as the Eiffel Tower lit up, glittering against the ink-blue sky. "Ava," I gasped. "It's beautiful."
She winked. "It's about to get even better."
That's when I saw him.
Theo.
Standing under the sparkling tower, hands in the pockets of his tailored coat, looking like he belonged in a perfume ad or a heartbreak movie. The moment his eyes found mine, the world slipped into slow motion. People faded. Music, laughter, footsteps — gone. Just him.
And me.
He smiled crookedly and held out his hand. "Come here, baby."
I walked over, heart thundering like it was trying to leap out and confess something before I could. When I reached him, he pulled me closer, brushing a soft kiss on my forehead.
"I've loved you since the day you yanked that cigarette from my mouth," he whispered, lips grazing my temple.
I burst into a laugh-sniffle. "That was our most romantic moment, wasn't it?"
He dropped to one knee.
The world actually stopped.
The glittering lights danced in his eyes, and his voice—God, his voice—was steady but soft, like it was just for me. "You've made every part of my life brighter, louder, sweeter, and so goddamn full. So, Meilin Chen…"
He opened the tiny velvet box. The diamond caught the light like a star that fell just for me.
"Will you marry me?"
I didn't even breathe. I jumped.
Right into his arms. Legs wrapped around his waist, arms around his neck, hands in his hair. "YES!" I shrieked. "Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times YES!"
Theo stumbled back a step, laughing into my shoulder, holding me so tightly like he'd never let go. I showered him in kisses — his cheeks, his jaw, the corner of his mouth, his neck, even his stupid ear.
"I LOVE YOU!" I screamed right against his skin.
The crowd around us exploded in cheers and applause. Ava was crying behind her phone camera, Austin was whistling obnoxiously and yelling something like, "FINALLY! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS TO HIDE THIS?!"
But I didn't care about them.
Only him.
Only us.
He put the ring on my finger, still carrying me. "You're stuck with me now, baby."
"I always was," I whispered, pressing one more kiss to his lips. "Forever."
And under the Eiffel Tower, with the city of love around us, I became his. Completely.