“Wow! Do you have a wedding event or debut party for today?”
I smiled as I heard my Mom’s question when we parked in the parking lot of the restaurant.
“Nope. It’s just an ordinary day, Mom.”
“Ordinary day? But there are lots of flowers outside and even inside the restaurant.”
“Let’s go, I’ll explain to you while we walk.”
I said getting my bag and exiting the car. She followed me and noticed her looking in awe at the flowers that were beautifully arranged outside the restaurant.
“Whose idea is it? Is it from Noelle? I like it.”
“No, Mom, these are all Gabriel’s ideas.”
She suddenly stopped walking and looked at me frowning.
“Hmm… these are your favorite colors, aren’t they? White and peach?”
I simply nodded with a shy smile.
“I see… the efforts he’s giving you, huh? So, how do you feel about it?”
I rolled my eyes. “Mom, are we seriously going to talk about this topic outside?”
“Yes. What’s the matter with that?”
“But Mom—-”
“Come on, you’re gonna get busy inside so, you’d better talk to me now.”
I sighed before starting to tell her about Gabriel and I situation including all his efforts to be my friend and of course to fix our marriage.
“Hmm.. well, he knows the meaning of real efforts. But for me, as long as you’re happy and ready to take a new step in your life again, remember that I’m just here. Your old mother will always have your back.”
“Ahh… thanks, Mom.” I hugged her tightly.
“Don’t mention it, you’re my daughter,” she said as she kissed me on the forehead. “But how about you? How do you feel that he’s now making all efforts to get you back?”
I suddenly felt awkward so I just bit my lip and smiled.
“Let’s go inside, Mom. I’ll show you the new look of the restaurant.”
“Uhuh… what a clever way to avoid my questions my dear, Madi. Tsk. Tsk.”
I chuckled as we walked into the restaurant.
“Wow! Impressive!” she said the moment she entered. “Well, I’ll give him a bonus point for this.”
“Mom, your voice,” I said nudging her arm.
“Why? I wasn’t mentioning his name. I just said I’ll give him extra points for this.”
When we were a few steps from the counter, I heard the sound of the guitar. And when I turned to my left side, there I saw Gabriel wearing a tight-fitting white shirt and denim pants with a guitar in his hands.
“It all came so easy… all the loving you gave me, the feelings we shared…”
I gulped when I realized what he was doing. He slowly walked closer to me while playing the guitar and singing this familiar song.
“… And I still can remember how your touch was so tender, it told me you cared. We had a once-in-a-lifetime, but I just couldn’t see until it was gone. A second once in a lifetime, maybe too much to ask, but I swear from now on…”
I heard screams from some of the restaurant employees and customers, but when I looked at him, all around us faded in my eyes. And all I can see is him, singing and walking towards me.
“Madi… if ever you’re in my arms again, this time I’ll love you much better.. If ever you’re in my arms again, this time I’ll hold you forever, this time will never end..”
“Now I’m seeing clearly how I still need you near me, I still love you so… There’s something between us, that won’t ever leave us there’s no letting go. We had a once-in-a-lifetime, but I just didn’t know it ’till my life fell apart. A second once in a lifetime isn’t too much to ask ’cause I swear from the heart..”
“If ever you’re in my arms again, this time I’ll love you much better.. If ever you’re in my arms again, this time I’ll hold you forever, this time will never end..”
I bit my lower when he stopped in front of me. But the moment I expected he would give me the flower he was holding, he handed it to my Mom who was grinning widely next to me. And I couldn’t help raising my eyebrow.
“Ma’am, I know the first time we met I acted, I mean, Madi and I pretended to be in a relationship. And I’m sorry for the stress that I gave you, and of course, I want to apologize for making your daughter cry. But this time, I want to ask your permission to court and pursue your daughter. If you would give me a chance, I promise not to make the same mistakes as before and I’ll take care of her and love her the way I should and give her the first time I had her.”
I was blushing in a deep shade of pink while watching him and listening to his speech. But what added the most to my blush was my Mom’s reaction when Gabriel took her hand and brought it to his lips. She was more excited than I was, and her grin almost reached her ears when she held out her hand.
“Well, if you’re just asking for my permission… just to tell you honestly son, I have already given it to you even though you haven’t asked yet.”
We have heard the cheers of all the people who are watching us at the moment.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Gabriel said as he kissed my mother’s cheeks.
Then he walked toward the counter and asked something to Noelle. After a few seconds, Noelle gave him a bouquet of peach and white roses. And I hardly bit my inside cheeks just to suppress the smile that was forming on my lips.
“Hi..” he said with a smile.
“Hi.” I smiled but deep in my head, I was slapping myself to wake up.
“For you, my beautiful Madi.”
“Thank you. You really showed off, ahh. I said smiling as I accepted the flowers. He then scratched the back of his neck.
“Can I ask you two favors?”
I looked at him confused but nodded slowly.
“Can I hug you?”
“Ahhh….” I heard my Mom’s voice from behind, and before I could open my mouth, I felt her hand on my shoulder.
“Come on! Just hug him already!” And I squealed when she suddenly pushed me towards Gabriel.
He caught me and just chuckled at my Mom’s harsh action.
“Mom!” I complained but I just received another laugh from her.
Then he hugged me tightly and I hugged him back. I felt his lips brush my hair repeatedly as he whispered softly.
“I missed you. I love you.”
I didn’t say anything, I just hugged him back.
“So what’s your second favor to ask?” I asked when I pulled back.
“Can I invite you for dinner tonight? I promise I won’t take you to a fancy restaurant. I remember you once told me if someone would ask you for a date, you said you don’t want them to take you to a fancy restaurant.”
I looked at him and smiled. “Okay,” I said with shrug. I also remembered that thing.
“Okay? That means it’s okay to you to have a dinner date——”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, thank you.” he pulled me again into a tight hug. “I promise you’ll enjoy this.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Later in the evening…
Well, he really made his promise earlier. He took me not to an exclusive restaurant, but to a seaside restaurant that serves exotic food which I remember I told him before when we were under the same roof, that I would like to take on challenges even in food, which is why I really wanted to eat in that kind of restaurant. And one more thing that was listed on my bucket list, was now fulfilled.
After we finished eating, I pulled him to the night market which was just a few minutes of walk from the restaurant, and also to buy something for my friends. He held my hand when we were all the way to the night market.
And there, we’re barefoot in the sand with the seawater touching our skin. He never let my hand go, he still held it while our shoes were in his left hand.
“Gosh, Gabriel! You’re such an asshole!” I screamed when he splashed water in my face. I narrowed my eyes at him but he just chuckled at me.
“Ops! Sorry.”
“Sorry, your ass!” And I was about to splash him when he lunged at me and hugged me from behind.
“Haha.. what are you planning to do?”
“Gabriel! Let me go!” I tried to struggle from his hold but he was so strong.
“Nah-ah! Absolutely not! I promise not to let you go again, right?” and he chuckled again.
“Argh! That’s not what I mean!”
“Sorry love, I just love you so much and I can’t let you go again.”
“Gosh! Gabriel Wilsons!”
He put me down and tried to run away, but I was fast to pull his shirt. And because he wasn’t expecting the sudden force, he lost his balance and we both fell into the sand with me on top of him.
We didn’t speak for a moment, we just looked at each other. I parted my lips and moistened them as I felt them suddenly dry out. His eyes followed my lips movement and it turned darker than usual.
I gasped when he rolled over and now he’s on top of me with his elbows on my both side. When our eyes met, I saw the emotions that were visibly written on his eyes before they drifted to my lips. I gulped as my heart started pounding inside my chest.
He slowly lowered his head and his soft and warm lips captured mine. He kissed me slowly and lightly. His lips continued to taste me and searched for a response. For a moment, he awakened all my senses and I surrendered to his warm lips and kissed him back passionately.
He kissed me with all his passion and I kissed him back with all the love I have for him.
But my eyes widened and pushed him slightly when I felt the warm water on my back.
“Oh, God!” I said still with wide eyes.
“Oh love, I’m sorry!”
He noticed my drenched shirt and immediately got up and helped me to stand. We both stared at each other before we found ourselves laughing at what happened.
“Look at what you did to me?” I complained as I glared at him playfully.
“Oh… it’s you who pulled me that’s why we ended up lying on the sand. And you took it as an opportunity to kiss me.”
My mouth dropped as my eyes widened. “W-Wow! What did you say?”
“You kissed me! You did it intentionally just to kiss me.”
“Haha.. excuse me! It was you who kissed me!” I said glaring at him and putting my hands on my hips.
He laughed with his carefree childish laugh. And when he turned serious, he walked over to me and took both my hands.
“I love you,” he said looking directly at me. He stroked my left cheek. “I hope someday you can say that I love you too, again. But of course for real, not like before when you respond I love you too, I know it’s just an act and——”
“Who said it was an act?” I cut him but I kept my face in a blank expression.
“I-I know it was just an act. But don’t worry, I’m willing to wait.” he smiled and brushed his palm against my cheek. “Let’s go, it’s getting late and you should change your clothes immediately. I don’t want you to catch colds.”
“Hmm… alright,” I nodded, but I sighed when he didn’t look at me.
I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced at our intertwined fingers. I remember three years ago, all I thought was that he was chasing Stacey, but look at us now… I am the one who took her place. I am still the queen.
-‘Don’t worry, Mr. persistent. Just add a few more efforts and I promise this stupid heart of mine will surely give in to your charm and handsomeness.’-
“Why are you smiling?”
“Huh?” I gasped when I found him looking at me. We’re now walking back to his car. “Am I?”
“Yeah. Let me guess?”
“Uhuh…?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You’re thinking about me and how to kiss me again.” he winked at me and I chuckled.
“Hahaha.. you wish.” I rolled my eyes.
“Oh… no need to tell me, it’s always my wish.”
I just shook my head and laughed together with him.