Runaway Proposal

At 6:30 p.m., the office building lights gradually went out. I carried my canvas bag and stepped out of the elevator. The evening breeze brushed my face, carrying the chill of early autumn. I wrapped my light jacket tighter and quickened my pace toward the residential complex. The convenience store at the entrance to the community was still glowing with warm yellow light. I had planned to go in and buy a bottle of milk, but then recalled there was still half a box in the refrigerator, so I just walked past. As I reached the apartment building's entrance, I looked down to find my keys, when my eyes were suddenly drawn to a red box by the door. It was an exquisite wedding candy box, tied with a golden ribbon. Beside it lay a white envelope—clearly a wedding invitation. I froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up. The front of the invitation was embossed with a gold foil "wedding" character. When I opened it, the card inside bore the names of the groom and bride. When I saw the name "Yves Gresham," my fingers froze, and my heart skipped a beat. Yves Gresham—a name I thought had long been buried deep in my memories—suddenly felt like a needle gently pricking me now. I flipped over the invitation and found a yellowed piece of stationery tucked inside. The edges of the stationery were worn, and in familiar handwriting was just one sentence: "If I had an extra ship ticket, would you come away with me?" That sentence was like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of my memory. I stood still, clutching the stationery, my fingertips growing slightly cold as past scenes surged through my mind. Just then, my phone rang, and the name flashing on the screen was Yves Gresham. I hesitated for a few seconds, then swiped to answer. "Beth," Yves' voice came through, with a faint, almost imperceptible hoarseness, "did you get the invitation?" I said nothing, only gripping the phone tighter. "I know this is sudden," Yves continued, "but I regret it, Beth. I truly do." My throat tightened, and I stayed silent. "Could you... take a chance with me?" Yves' voice was filled with desperation. "The day after tomorrow is my wedding, but I don't want to marry her. The one I want to marry is you. Beth, will you run away with me?" Run away? Hearing those words, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Yves is always like this—after making a decision, he easily tries to take it back. "Yves," I finally said, my voice calm as still water, "do you really think the world should revolve around you?" There was a brief silence on the other end, then Yves' voice dropped: "I know I was a jerk before, but now I truly realize my mistakes." "Beth, can you give me one more chance, please?" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and memories of my girlhood flashed through my mind.