billion book
Chapter 523
Chapter 523
Jonathan felt a shiver run down his spine under Omar’s intense gaze. He wondered, ‘Is Mr. Murphy not on board with me marrying Reina?”
The room was pins and needles, but Jonathan’s heart raced uncontrollably. Just as he felt like he might crack, Omar finally broke the silence. “I’ve seen what went down between you two.” Omar paused, his expression steady. Jonathan and Reina watched Omar’s face with bated breath.
After a moment, Omar’s expression softened, and his face lit up. “If you ever try to bully my daughter, even if I can’t move, I’ll still teach you a lesson. You got that?”
Omar had spent most of his day watching videos online, and he’d really shifted his perspective about Jonathan, who had rushed into the danger zone to help Reina, a rare and heroic act.
He was thrilled that his daughter had someone like Jonathan. There was no way he’d stand in their
way.
When the two young lovers were on the brink of disappointment, Omar’s words were music to their ears.
Reina kissed Omar’s cheek with excitement. Jonathan was so over the moon that he nearly dropped to his knees. His mind was a blur, and he couldn’t find the words. All he could do was bow repeatedly to Omar. “Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Thank you so much.”
The father and daughter exchanged amused glances at his reaction.
Jonathan stayed at the Murphy residence until after dinner. When it was time to leave, Reina saw him off to the alley entrance.
In the shadows, Jonathan suddenly pinned Reina against the wall. His breath was hot on her face as he said in a husky voice, “Reina, can I have a kiss?”
Reina’s face flushed instantly. She whispered, embarrassed, “Why do you have to ask like that?”
“Okay.” Jonathan grinned and leaned down to kiss the lips he’d been dreaming about all day and night.
He held Reina close, one hand on her waist, the other braced against the wall. The kiss was passionate and greedy, as if he was trying to consume her whole. He didn’t slow down until Reina was weak in his arms.
At the alley’s corner, Omar sat in his wheelchair and sighed, “What was I even worried about?” He then turned the wheelchair and headed home.
Meanwhile, the moon finally broke through the clouds to peek at the loving couple.
The next day, Jonathan arrived with the engagement gifts he’d prepared.
This time, Omar didn’t refuse. He handed everything he received over to Reina. He also gave her
Chapter $23
the money he’d been saving for her all these years.
“My dear. I’m not much good at anything, but there’s 60 thousand dollars on this card. Take it as your dowry,” Omar said.
Reina looked at the card and tears sprang to her eyes. They’d been scraping by, with no money to spare, not even for her father’s prosthetic. But now her father was giving her 60 thousand dollars.
Where has he managed to save that?‘ she thought.
Reina was overwhelmed. She wiped her tears and handed the card back to Omar, her voice choked. “Dad, I can’t take this. You’ve raised me well enough. I can make my own way. Keep it.”
“What are you talking about? This is your father’s gift for you. Even if I’m not well, other girls have it, so my daughter deserves it, too.” Omar’s tone was serious and firm.
Reina knew her father meant well, but she didn’t want to drain him for her wedding.
Just as she was about to refuse again, Jonathan stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder. He nodded for her to take the card and whispered, “Don’t worry. After we’re married, I’ll find a way for Mr. Murphy to live with us so we can take care of everything. And we don’t need emergency funds. Save the gift and the money as your prenuptial property. You’re Mr. Murphy’s only daughter; you should take it to make him feel at ease.”
After Jonathan’s persuasion, Reina looked at her father again and finally agreed.
Omar showed his appreciation to Jonathan and then handed Reina her ID card. “This is the ID card. Everything else’s up to you,” Omar said, his meaning clear.
Jonathan understood and bowed excitedly once more. “Thank you, Mr. Murphy.”
He was so overwhelmed with excitement that he felt the need to express himself differently. “Thanks, I will treat you as my own dad from now on,” he said with genuine warmth.
Hearing his words, Omar sat up a little straighter, his expression relaxed.
Reina was startled by Jonathan’s promise and looked at him in surprise. She thought, “That’s a heavy promise!
At this moment, Jonathan was so filled with joy that he nearly jumped up. He couldn’t wait to head to the City Hall to obtain their marriage certificate.
Finally, after lunch, Jonathan and Reina left.
As soon as they exited the alley, Jonathan took Reina directly to his home to retrieve his ID card. Then, without hesitation, they made their way to the City Hall.
It was when the City Hall started working, and they were the first couple to apply for a marriage certificate that afternoon.
When Jonathan held the thin certificate in his hands, joy could be seen in his
eyes.