Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Neo

Who would have thought that the womanizing uncle of mine from Jamaica would ever get married. The man kept himself from being tied down for decades, with over ten children that he fathered and three baby mamas.

But it seems like Karen, the one he was keeping a secret, was the one who could get him to walk down the aisle. Neeky was beside herself with joy, planning the wedding of the century. And I was jealous that it wasn't us that were walking down the aisle.

It was Uncle and I who went to pick out his wedding bands because Karen didn't want to have to do all that. She said her job was to find a wedding dress, the venue, and plan the food because uncle didn"t want to do any of that. So, she left the ring to him and his own suit as the only things he would have to do before the nuptials.

Once in the jewelry store, I saw a ring that I thought would be perfect for my Neeky. It was a Princess cut, 3ct stone on top with diamonds down the side of the ring. I was beautiful and would suit her well.

"Boy, what yuh doing? You come to help me out to pick my ring or your own ring?"

"Uncle I'm going to propose to her."

He pulled me away. "Come and help me choose my ring, and then go back on choose your ring."

He picked out a solitaire 1ct carat diamond on 14 karat gold. He said that Karen wouldn"t like the fancy rings and this was what she wanted.

"You like it?" He asked me.

"It"s pretty. The ring is plain though. why not get that one?" I pointed to another solitaire with side stones just that like the one I was getting for Neeky, except this one was less expensive.

"You think so?" he asked, uncertain.

"Yes Uncle, that one suits Miss Karen best."

After my uncle paid for his rings, I returned to the ring I wanted. When he heard the price of my ring, he was shocked.

"Is that what you"re going to pay only an engagement ring? The wedding bad isn't even included."

"She"s worth it, uncle."

"But the ring is $800,000!" the amazement hadn't left his voice.

"Yes, but that's only 50,000 U.S. dollars and I got plenty of that."

"Well, you are a man of great wealth. I can't afford the things that you do."

I put my arms around his shoulder. "If you need a different ring, I can buy it for you, Uncle."

He laughed. "No, my boy. When a man decides to get married, he should stand the responsibility. I can take care of me and my woman very well."

We both got our rings and returned home, but Miss Karen refused to wear her engagement ring until the wedding day. She said she didn't want to lose it because it was too precious to her.

Seeing how she lovingly stared at her ring and kissed uncle, I knew she was happy. It made me wonder if the ring I got was too much for Neeky. So, I pulled a Karene aside and showed it to her. Her mouth gaped as she stared at the ring, unable to speak.

"Are you okay, Miss Karen?"

When she finally spoke, she asked, "How much this cost?"

I told her not to worry about the cost, what mattered was if Neeky would like it.

She said Neeky didn't like fancy things, but she might love this ring. She also said if Neeky didn't like the ring let her return It for the one that she loved. I like that idea.

I didn't want to outshine Uncle or Miss Karen therefore I waited until after their wedding to propose. The wedding was a small and sweet affair with a few family members and friends. It went off without any drama and the couple looked happy.

Uncle took Miss Karen to a resort in Ocho Rios for their honeymoon, allowing Neeky and I to spend time together. The following day, I took her out to a fancy restaurant and then went for a walk on the streets in New Kingston.

Kingston was a metropolitan area not one for romantic walks, but we made it happen. Strolling hand in hand, we talked about many things – our aspirations and our goals for the future. I was happy and satisfied that she wanted to spend her life with me, based on our conversation.

When we returned home, I told her I needed to speak to her about something. She took off her shoes at the door, taking my hand and guiding me to the sofa.

"Is It serious? are you going back home?" she asked.

"Yes Baby, Don Enzo demand I return to take over my family's business. My father keeps having periods of amnesia due to the piece of gunshot still lodged in his brain. I need to take charge of the shipping company along with my mother."

"I'm gonna miss you."

"No, you won't, you"re coming with me," I announced

She rocked back. "Who told you that?"

"I need you to come with me."

"I can't, I have to stay here this is my home."

Now I was pleading. "But Baby, you can make Italy your home."

"What are you saying, Neo?"

"I'm asking you to marry me, Neeky."

I pulled the ring out of my jacket pocket I knelt before her, holding it put to her, hoping she would say yes. However, her stone-cold expression threw me off. She stood and stalked to the window, her back to me.

"What's going on Neeky? I got the repression from our conversations that you love me, that you wanted to spend the rest of your life me."

She turned to face me. "I do love you, Neo. But you know I can't give you children. You know what happened when I lost the baby, the infection affected my ovaries."

"And who said I loved you because I wanted children with you?"

"Every man wants an heir. Your family would want an heir."

"My family doesn't dictate who I marry. I love you and we can adopt if that's what you want."

Glassy eyes stared at me. "You would do that for me?"

"I would do anything for you … anything."

She looked at the ring I was holding out to her, and touched it. "This too much, Neo."

"It"s not too much, it"s what you deserve."

"Is this something you liked," she asked me.

"Yes, I chose it myself. You don"t like it"

"I can't wear this in Jamaica, the thieves will chop off my finger for it!

"Then you will wear it in Italy where the only thing you'll worry about is the envoy of every other woman."

"Oh my God, I can't believe I'm getting married!"

"I love you Neeky. We will be happy together."

She rested her head on my shoulder. "I know we will. I love you too."