“Where are we, Ismael?” I asked softly.
“Here in the parking lot, at my hotel,” he answered.
“Why are we here?”
“I just want to suggest that you live here for a moment. If you don’t want to stay at my penthouse, you can stay in my hotel rooms. Your house is still not safe for you.”
I remembered about that again. I haven’t received an update from the police on what happened with their investigation, but wait, how did Ismael know about that?
“How did you know what happened to my house, Ismael?” I asked in surprise.
“I went there to see you. I wanted to apologize for what I did, but a bunch of police welcomed me. They told me what happened. I was really worried, Jothea.” I can see the worry in his eyes. Even though he apologized and I forgave him, there was still a trace of regret on his face.
I nodded and simply smiled at him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t inform you about what happened. I was scared that you’d just reject me again.” Tears welled up in my eyes. I saw him as well. He touched my cheek, and at that moment, I just bit my lip while holding back tears.
“No, it was my fault. You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Jothea. It was me who told you before that you could call me whenever you needed me, but I made you feel like I wasn’t reliable enough to be called for help. I’m really sorry.”
My tears fell from my eyes. Just like how my heart falls for him multiple times. I can’t believe that this day will come when I can accept to myself that this guy truly made me under him. We haven’t known each other that long, and we don’t even know each other very well, but why do I feel this way? He defeated the love I used to feel for Professor Sybill. I can feel now what’s real, even the difference between love and lust, and I can say that lust was never the answer.
He wiped my tears, just like he always does. His warm hands always comfort me.
“Your tears can make every guy fall for you harder, Jothea. Even your crying was overly taking my breath away. You are so beautiful, even when you cry.”
I was moved to tears by what he said. I don’t know how to stop. I feel like all my problems disappear just because I look at him. I can’t think of anything else.
“My feelings for you run deep, deeper than the thoughts you could ever think about.”
He came to me to kiss my forehead. I can feel every word he said to me in my heart. Even the next words made me cry even more.
“I love you, Jothea. I really love you,” he confessed, making my world bloom. His eyes told me the same words his lips did. “God knows how much I do,” he added.
“I love you too, Ismael. I really do.”
His eyes spark a tear. He was never prepared to hear it from me, either. What can I do? I can no longer hide it.
“What did you say?” he mouthed.
“The feelings are mutual, Ismael.” A smile played on his lips while his eyebrows were raised in amusement. Like he was folded by my words.
“Ismael,” I called him. I can still see the reaction on his face that makes me smile. He seemed really surprised. “About your question earlier, if I wanted to marry you, what if I said yes?”
He stared into my eyes for a few seconds. I guess he wasn’t ready for what I said next. He was still out of words. “I am not after your riches, nor did I want to hinder your plans to disagree with your parents. I am on your side in every decision you make, and if you really want to ask me for marriage, I will say yes.”
“Then I should give you this.”
I was stunned when he took something from his pocket. It is a small, circle-shaped box. A red one. He opened it. This is what I did not expect. A beautiful ring was there, shining brightly for me. I was the one who couldn’t speak. Do we intend to surprise each other? I never thought this would happen after we went to their residence.
“I’ve been wanting to give you this, but I am finding the right time to confess my real feelings. I was being hesitant because you might think I’m being fast. That’s why I was just keeping on giving you hints, but your little brain couldn’t comprehend them. But hearing your feelings now, push me to grab this chance.”
I was left speechless. I don’t know if I will be happy with what he said. Why does he have to criticize my little brain? But still, I have no objection. It’s true. And joy prevails in my heart more in these moments.
“I want you to treat this as my promise ring-an initial offer of commitment that I am yours before I officially ask your hand to marry you. This ring has my oath that my feelings for you won’t change,” he said, before putting the ring on my finger. Very beautiful. Fascinating. It’s like it was made just for my finger. To fit my hand.
“A promise ring?” I asked in surprise.
“Yes, a promise that I am seriously committed to you and that I will wait for you.”
I smiled. “I thought you were impatient. Why wait when you can have me now?”
He seems to have folded again from what I said. I saw how the tongue touched the inner side of his cheeks. “Because…” He pinched my cheek. “Marriage is a serious matter, and I would like to ask for your parents’ approval first. I am considering your age because you still have a long way to go; you’re still young.” He caressed my head. “I don’t know if you understand what I’m pointing out; your forehead is now furrowed.”
Am I an open book? I can’t get him. Wasn’t that a proposal already? He asked me to marry him earlier, right? Was that a hypothetical question only? My tears kept falling back.
“So, you want to take it slow?” I asked.
He laughed. “I want you to enjoy your life first before being a wife. Don’t you think I am right?”
I shook my head. “I have agreed already! I can still enjoy my life being your wife; don’t you think I am right?” I imitate him. I even pouted.
“My baby girl is being so impulsive; how cute,” he commented. I just made him suffer with folded arms. “When you don’t get what you want, your face frowns, and you easily get angry.”
“Is it my fault? You’re the backslider? You asked, I thought. I answered, you back off,” I complained.
He laughed again while wiping away the tears. He quickly hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. “We will get married soon. You might not notice that it’s coming. Can’t you see? You still have studies to finish and dreams to fulfill. You have your priorities to focus on.”
I glared at him. I almost squinted because of the closeness of his face. Is this proof of what he said before-that he won’t be bothering me? “Alright, alright. I understand now. You want me to take my time as a young lady and not focus my life on you, right?” I held his shoulder.
He nods. “Precisely. Find the things you will enjoy. Anything under the sun, my love. I will support you.”
I can’t believe it. Is there such a person? To be told not to focus on him, even though we are in a relationship. He is really pushing me to heal myself. I never felt so happy like this before. I am at peace with his love and care. Such a mature man that every woman could ever ask for.
“Because being a wife is hard, Jothea. It will require a lot of your time.”
Now, I understand what he means. More on, he was preparing me. And as he prepared me for the possibility, he would work on the road we would walk together.
“I understand now. Thank you, Ismael, and I’m sorry for being impulsive,” I said with a smile.
“It’s okay, my love. I’m here to guide you.” Again, he kissed my cheeks. “I want to spoil you,” he whispered. “I can be your sugar daddy for now.”
I laughed and hit him lightly. Sugar daddy?
*****
I finally entered the penthouse with Ismael and I was very surprised to see my cat, Mael. He saw me and quickly came to my feet. He keeps on caressing me using his body. I picked him up to pet him.
“I miss you, Mael,” I said while rubbing his head and ears the way Ismael taught me before.
“Why is Mael here, love?” I asked Ismael, who was currently removing his coat. He just winked at me and seemed shocked that I called him.
I couldn’t help but smile. A thought struck me. Does that mean Ismael expected me to come here so my pet cat is here?
I just lay in bed to look at the beautiful and clean ceiling. I felt Mael climbing on my chest.
“You like breasts too?” I joked while remembering the times Ismael lusted after my breasts. He’s kind of clingy, just like this cat.
“What do you mean by you too?” asked Ismael, who was in his closet and was getting clothes. “Are you talking about me?”
I just laughed. I was surprised when he walked up and carried me like a newlywed. “Let’s take a shower together before sleeping, okay?”
“You’re planning to sleep tonight, Daddy?” I teased. Isn’t he wanted to be my sugar daddy?
He shook my head. “Give me a break, Jothea. I might die before you get to marry me.”
I let out a chuckle. “Fine!”