The 100th Proposal Is the Last

I once made a deal with an A-list actor. If I propose to him publicly on livestream 99 times and make sure the whole internet witnesses it, he'll announce our relationship when I propose for the 100th time. When that day finally comes, he's on a private yacht with a rising starlet, smooching her with a lovesick smile on his face. I become the laughingstock online. Guilty about his shenanigans, Cameron Ford sends me a text. "When you propose for the 101st time, I'll finally give you the commitment you deserve." He shows up in a perfectly tailored suit and walks right into my livestream. Right in front of him, I set fire to the 100 proposal letters I once wrote for him, as well as the stomach cancer diagnosis I've hidden among them. "There won't be a 101st time, Mr. Ford." Chapter 1 Willow's POV Cameron Ford watched the letters slowly burn to ashes. He threw caution to the wind, grabbed his jacket, and desperately beat out the flames. His eyes bloodshot with fury, he pinned me down on the couch covered in white rose petals right in front of our ten million livestream viewers. "What are you doing, Willow? Are you messing with me?" Cameron's agent, Magnus Cooper, hurriedly shut down the livestream. I said nothing. Cameron was so close that I could smell the lingering trace of Bianca Watson's perfume on him. I suddenly recalled how, right after college, when he was still struggling to land bit parts in Reelwood, he held my hand and made me an earnest promise. "Willow, when I win Best Actor one day, I'll marry you." When he did win Best Actor, he made a deal with me. He told me to propose to him publicly on livestream and that he'd only be willing to cast aside his A-list-actor status and make our relationship official after I did it 100 times. Every time I proposed to him like a clown on livestream, he would be off somewhere in the world, spending romantic nights at luxury hotels or on yachts with one bombshell after another. He even went to the Republic of Ohana for a whirlwind marriage, only to divorce that woman shortly afterward, just to experience their unique marriage customs. The things I had held so close to my heart somehow came so effortlessly to everyone else. At that thought, a bitter smile tugged at my lips. "Cameron, there won't be a 101st proposal. I'm tired. This is over. For good." Cameron stared at me in disbelief for a couple of seconds. Then, as if he had suddenly figured something out, he let out a derisive laugh. "So, just because I haven't been there for the last 100 proposals, you're getting back at me by burning all those letters? You've humiliated me in front of millions. You're my fiancée. Did you ever stop to think about how I'd feel?" I didn't get it. Wasn't this exactly the freedom he had always wanted? Why didn't he look even the slightest bit relieved? If he had spoken to me like this in the past, I would've swallowed my pride, coaxed him gently, and begged for his forgiveness. Now, my heart was so shattered that I couldn't even bring myself to care enough to respond. Besides, I didn't want to spend any more of my limited time on him. "The 100th proposal is over. And so are we." At that, Cameron's expression suddenly relaxed. He seemed disgustingly certain that I wouldn't be able to bring myself to leave him. "Come on, Willow. Stop this nonsense. After seven years together, you really think you can just walk away? Don't worry. When you propose for the 101st time, I'll finally give you the commitment you deserve." I said nothing. Instead, I removed the ring he once made for me and dropped it into the trash can. Then I turned and walked away. Magnus hesitated before chiming in, "Cameron, do you think she might actually be serious this time?" Cameron glanced at my retreating figure and coldly replied, "Give it three days. She'll come crying and begging me to marry her again. She's been that way all along. She just can't live without me." Chapter 2 Willow's POV Magnus nodded. "You're right. There's no way Willow would ever leave you. Everyone knows she's madly in love with you. Just look at all those foolish things she's done over the years." He wasn't wrong. For years, I had loved Cameron to the point that I'd lost all my self-respect. I let my emotions consume me until I was practically falling apart. Now, I'd even been diagnosed with stomach cancer. I supposed the saying "familiarity breeds contempt" was true. But there would be no more of this nonsense. A self-deprecating smile crept onto my lips. I quickened my pace and left. … The next day, Cameron showed up at the office with his rumored new girlfriend, Bianca. He treated the company like their personal dating spot. My colleagues watched me with concern, but I acted as though nothing was wrong and handed in my resignation. The HR manager was taken aback. "Ms. Young, you're an excellent talent manager. What made you decide to quit? Is it because Cameron has found someone new?" I pursed my lips, too exhausted to explain. Everyone seemed to think that everything I did, whether staying or leaving, was because of Cameron. It was as if I had no life of my own. "Sure. You can say so." "But won't he fly into a rage when he finds out you've resigned?" the HR manager muttered, though she ultimately stamped my resignation papers. I was finally free. When I returned to my office, Cameron approached me with his arm around Bianca. "Willow, what do you think of my new girlfriend?" I glanced at her. "She's a stunner." He looked flustered, his expression darkening. "You've changed, Willow." Why wouldn't I have? I used to be fiercely possessive. Whenever Cameron was caught in a dating rumor with another actress, I would always demand an explanation. I was jealous, insecure, and constantly afraid of losing him. One could say I was like a crazy girlfriend. Cameron sent Bianca away, then sized me up. "It's been two days, Willow. Haven't you had enough of this tantrum? Sure, I missed the 100th proposal, but does that warrant such a huge tantrum? You didn't even come home. "And besides, I told you I'd give you the commitment you deserve after all these years together. Why can't you just trust me?" I hadn't been feeling well and had been surviving on liquid food for days. Whatever I ate, I ended up throwing up. Maybe it was because his words disgusted me so much, but a wave of nausea suddenly hit me. I couldn't hold it in and threw up right in front of him. Cameron's face turned livid. He gritted out, "What does this mean? You don't want to marry me anymore?" I pulled out a tissue and wiped my mouth. "I just feel a little sick." He froze for a moment before storming off. "You're absolutely impossible!" For the first time, I didn't feel even the slightest twinge of heartbreak. I spent the rest of the day handing over my work, keeping myself busy until evening. Magnus came to my office and handed me a ticket to the theatrical re-release of Jojo. "You know Cameron. He's terrible with words and can be a real jerk, but he does care about you. You've been saying that you wanted to see this movie for ages. The moment he heard, he went and bought you a ticket. "9:00 pm tonight, outside the cinema. You have to be there, Willow." I stared at the movie ticket, lost in thought. I knew this was Cameron's way of extending an olive branch. I also understood that he was trying to make it up to me. After some thought, I accepted the ticket. After all, he owed it to me. At 9:00 pm, I arrived outside the cinema right on time. Cameron appeared beside me, disguised from head to toe with a mask and cap. Bianca stood behind him, dressed similarly. When he noticed me glancing at Bianca, he explained in a hoarse voice, "Our new show is about to premiere. You know how it is. We need the publicity." I didn't show the slightest sign of displeasure. I simply walked into the theater and took my seat. Chapter 3 Willow's POV Over the past few years, I had always wanted to go to the movies with Cameron like any ordinary couple. Every time I brought it up, though, he would ruffle my hair and talk me out of it in the gentlest voice. "I'm a public figure now. If we're caught on camera, it could jeopardize my career. You might even get doxxed. I just don't want you to get hurt." But ever since he became famous, he had done nothing but play up his chemistry with one actress after another or take trips to the islands with some singer. His old excuses, which once pacified me, echoed alarmingly in my ears. They felt like a cruel mockery of how deeply I had loved him. Halfway through the movie, Bianca leaned seductively toward Cameron's ear. "Cam, reporters are waiting outside the cinema. Why don't we slip out early?" "We're leaving first. Come out on your own later," Cameron told me. He got up and left with Bianca without even asking what I thought. I stayed in my seat, perfectly still, and quietly watched the rest of the movie. I would never again let a man who didn't love me make me suffer or live in fear. Whatever time and love I had left, I was going to give it to myself. After happily watching the movie, I went to the hospital. The pain from my stomach cancer kept me from sleeping. I needed an IV drip and painkillers at the hospital to get some relief. As the pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, I watched the entertainment news playing on the TV. The award-winning actor had gone on a cinema date with a rising starlet. They even shared a passionate kiss on the street… I couldn't keep my eyes open for long and eventually drifted off. Even half-asleep, I could faintly feel my phone vibrating nonstop in my arms. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that I finally made it home. From a distance, I spotted a tall figure standing outside my door. It was Cameron. Throughout our seven years together, he'd always been the one getting dead drunk at bars or working late on set. I'd always been the one waiting for him, just like he was waiting for me now. I would stand outside bars or film studios until the wee hours, bringing him either hangover juice or nourishing soup I'd made. But Cameron never liked me doing any of that. He thought I was just using those excuses to keep tabs on him and interfere with his life. So I was genuinely surprised to see the roles reversed, with him waiting for me to come home. When he saw me, Cameron hurried over and pulled me into his arms. "The movie ended ages ago. Where have you been? Why didn't you come home? Do you know how worried I've been? "And don't look at today's news. They're just making things up with misleading camera angles. None of it is true." It took me a moment to remember which news report he was talking about. "It's fine. I'm used to those reports by now." My indifference seemed to make him recall everything he had put me through. For once, I caught a trace of remorse on his face. He pulled out a box. Inside was a huge diamond ring. I was stunned. I had lost count of how many times I had dreamed of this moment. I had always hoped that he would be the one to slip a diamond ring onto my finger and make a heartfelt promise to me in honor of all the years we had shared. Yet now, looking at the diamond ring, I felt nothing. I tossed it carelessly onto the table. Cameron's expression shifted. Frowning, he followed me into my tiny rented apartment. "Willow, you've really changed. How can you not even—" I knew exactly what he wanted to say. I should've been looking at the diamond ring with pure ecstasy, crying happy tears and throwing my arms around him—conveniently forgetting every bit of hurt and resentment I had ever endured. At that thought, I curled my lips into a perfunctory smile. "Oh, wow! A diamond ring! It's huge!" "Do you like it?" Cameron asked, looking at me expectantly. I was still smiling. "I guess." I used to treasure the silver ring he made me—worth barely 50 dollars—and wear it every day as if it were priceless. So how could I possibly not adore such a huge diamond ring? Chapter 4 Willow's POV Cameron sighed in relief and broke into a smile. "I'm glad you like it. And don't worry, I'll keep my word. I'll be there for your 101st proposal. I'll take care of the venue and decorations myself. "All you have to do is show up in your wedding dress. I've already got everything else arranged. So, no more throwing tantrums, okay?" I looked at his earnest expression. "No more tantrums." He paused. It finally dawned on him just how half-hearted my responses had been. He reached out, wanting to take my hand, but his phone rang sharply, stopping him short. He answered it, then turned to me with an apologetic look. "The director says they need to reshoot a few scenes. I have to go." I didn't call him out on his lie, even though I had clearly heard Bianca's voice on the phone. "I get it. Go take care of your work." My understanding response seemed to make Cameron panic a little. He pursed his lips and stammered, "T-tomorrow night, for the proposal, wear your wedding dress. I promise you'll get the grand ceremony you deserve. "By then, the seven-year love story between an actor and his talent manager will be trending online. Just wait and see!" With that, he hurriedly left. His talent manager? He still didn't know I had resigned. All this time, he had treated me like I didn't matter. What exactly was I supposed to look forward to? I smiled, put the diamond ring out of my mind, took a shower, and went to bed. … The next day, someone rang my doorbell. I opened the door and saw Bianca standing there. "What are you doing here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I heard Cam is proposing to you tonight," she said sweetly. "Ms. Young, when I called him last night, he rushed right over to see me. If he really loved you, why would he leave you behind?" Bianca's eyes curved into a soft smile. She really did look a lot like the younger me. "If he cares so much about you, why doesn't he marry you?" I argued indifferently. "You should've talked some sense into him last night. Maybe he would've taken that huge diamond ring and proposed to you instead of me." Her face fell instantly. Humiliated and furious, she lowered her voice and spat out, "It doesn't matter who's there first. What matters is that he doesn't love you. You're the one who's in the way of our relationship! "You're only getting to marry him because he owes you a favor! Otherwise, with how old and ugly you've become, what could you possibly have that I don't?" I didn't have the energy to argue with an idiot. I picked up the diamond ring from the shoe rack beside me and placed it in her hand. "Here's his diamond ring. You can have tonight's proposal. I wonder if you have the guts to go through with it." Bianca stared at me in disbelief. "Fine! As you wish!" Gritting her teeth, she snatched the ring from me and stormed off. I sighed, packed my suitcase, and headed for the airport. Just before my flight took off, I received a text from Cameron. "Tonight's 101st proposal will be different. This time, I'll be the one proposing. See you there, Willow." I laughed, then blocked every number associated with him and deleted all my contacts. Without looking back, I left the city. … Third-Person POV At 8:00 pm, the proposal livestream started right on schedule. Viewers had tuned in, ready to mock Willow, but when they saw Cameron instead of her, they were shocked. Down on one knee, Cameron waited for the woman in the wedding dress to approach him. As her footsteps drew closer, his eyes suddenly widened. He sprang to his feet and roared at the woman standing before him, "You? What are you doing here?"