Chapter 186 - PROPOSAL
There is no pretending,
I love you,
and I will love you
until the day I die.
And if there's life
after that,
I love you then.
????????
"I missed you, love…" Ace murmured close to my ears, his fingers rubbing my spine up and down. "There's not a day after I wake up from coma that I didn't think of you. I nearly gone crazy waiting for the day I will meet you again."
I shut my eyes tightly until a star bursts into my eyes. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up and realize he is gone. We'd been apart for too long and it would shatter me inside if I were to discover he's an illusion created by my mind to cope up with loneliness.
"I thought I would go crazy too when you were brought to America for your operation. I was so afraid that I would never see you again." The words burst out of my lips as the memories of that fateful night flashed back on my thoughts. The fear, anxiety, and forlorn returned, reminding me of the sleepless nights I spent wondering if I will ever be with him again.
"Hush, love."He murmured tenderly, lifting my chin up so I could look deep into his eyes. "It's over now… let bygones be bygones… I'm here. I will never leave you again. Never. I love you Phoenix. I never loved anyone the way I love you. I will continue to love you until our hair turns grey and until we can't walk anymore."
His fingers trailed on my cheeks, slowly and tenderly. The soft caress on my skin made my heart swell with emotions.
After pulling a box from inside the pocket of his tuxedo, he pulled a ring inside, knelt in front of me, and whispered the words "Will you marry me… again?"
Disbelief made me speechless. For longer than intended, I stood there with my mouth wide open and my eyes stretched wide. I expected some beautiful things to happen tonight but this unexpected marriage proposal wasn't in the list.
Tears welled my eyes. The moment was so amazing that it took me a bit long to respond. I cleared my throat. My eyes met his exquisite blue eyes and I replied, "Yes, I will marry you."
I wiped the tears off my cheeks with the back of my palms and extended my hand to him. He slid the ring into my ring finger, it fit perfectly like a well-made glove. The diamond solitaire glowed beautifully against the magnificent light of the chandelier.
Ace got up almost immediately after he put the ring into my finger and wrapped me into his arms, his face buried into the crown of my head.
My arms wrapped around his waist and?my head leaned on the hard muscles of his chest. Holding him this close feels like heaven to me.
I raised my head up to him, our gazes met, hunger and yearning for each other took over. His lips descended on mine, it almost took an eternity before the warmth of his lips touched my own.
The kiss was soft and slow, melting my knees into jell-o. My eyes fluttered close as automatically my hands clung to his neck for support.
His arms tightened around my waist, pulling me closer to the hard muscles of his body. Even air couldn't pass in between us by how close he was holding me.
For a moment it was only the kiss that matters. The crowd disappeared, the noises dissolved into the distance and everyone else stopped to exist.
His lips moved to mine coaxing me into response and despite my shyness I kissed him back with the same eagerness. The kiss lasted until we're both breathless. If it weren't for the sound of cheers and the loud round of applause, the kiss would last longer.
Ace groaned when he set my lips free. "I missed your love and I can't get enough of the kiss but we still have guests to entertain. Let's save it for later." He whispered and winked at me.
A blush crept into my cheeks in response.
He placed his arms protectively around my waist and led me in front of the stage where my whole family was waiting.
We are greeted with cheers and congratulations not only from my family but from the sea of guests. Ace couldn't stop grinning, showing everyone how proud he is that I said yes.
I on the other hand couldn't stop smiling like crazy. The feeling of having him on my birthday was so surreal that I feel as if I'm floating in the air.
I lost count of how many hands I touched and how much kiss I received on my cheeks. I was even sure that none of the guests would linger on my memory when it was finally over.
When the crowd that gathered around us finally dissolved, Lucas Nicholas, Ace's best friend strode in our direction. He was wearing a black suit and tie that looked good on him. A bunch of girls at every corner kept eyeing him.
He had discarded his mask and it was in his hands now. The mask was truly annoying and speaking of it, I wonder where we left ours. It was probably lying somewhere on the floor.
"Congratulations Ace, ." Lucas Nicholas said, pulling into a halt. For the first time, I saw Ace's best friend smile. The muscles on his face stretch a bit, giving him a boyish look. He then turned to me, the smile on his lips widened, "Congratulations, Phoenix." He added.
"You will be the Bestman man at our wedding. " Ace informed him.
"I gladly accept the privilege." Lucas replied. "So when is the wedding? I need to prepare the gift in advance."
"Well, as soon as possible before Phoenix could change her mind." Ace said and Lucas chuckled.
I couldn't help but smile from his silly joke.
As if I would dare to change my mind, said a part of my head.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnovel(.)com