"I'm happy for you. At least now that everything is clear, you won't have any trouble protecting her," William said the next day when he informed her about him and Mia.
A small red box was in front of Erik and placed on top of his working table. It was open so he could freely stare into a beautiful and expensive diamond engagement ring that he bought earlier with William.
It’s for Mia. For the most beautiful in his world. The one that he is going to marry.
Erik shrugged his shoulders with a wide smile at what his friend said. Then he took the box. Closed and put it inside the pocket of his pants.
Just now, he can already imagine how beautiful Mia's smile would be when he gave it to her. That was when he started to feel something intense and inexplicable in his heart.
“But thanks, man. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to realize everything. If it wasn’t for you until now, I might still be in denial about what my true feelings are for Mia. You're right, I love her. I have always loved her. I just didn't pay attention to the feeling I had about her, or maybe I didn't look for it even though I felt it was there. That's why I can't help but regret the amount of time that has passed that I haven't been with her. But it's already there, and just like I told her last night, all of that was planned," his long explanation then met William's gaze.
"Let go of the past. The important thing now is that you know that she loved you for a long time. It's normal for you to feel that way especially and she admitted to you that it has always been from the beginning and not Bernie," William advised him.
That was when Erik sighed. "I know. But there's nothing I can do about that," he said with a soft laugh. "So don't give me a reason to become more regretful. I have also seen my real main purpose in this world so stop your simple way of bullying," he said chuckling again.
At that point, William laughed and stood up. "All right, I'm going home. I think it will be better if we set up a reunion," he said.
"Mia doesn't agree with it, she said she won't be going because she might end up seeing her ex again," he said with a shrug.
“Is that a problem? Let's make it private. Then let us not invite unpleasant human beings," William suggested.
"I will ask her. But in case, yeah I agree it's better if it's private," he said.
That's when William stared at him meaningfully.
"Oh, why are you staring like that?" he asked.
His best friend shook his head. “I just can't believe that our Batch Valedictorian and Salutatorian are about to get married. The long-term matching with you two by our teachers also paid off. But to be honest, you and Mia are really a power couple. So don't let her go, get married in any way you know how and hurry up," he said before turning his back from him and then left.
It didn't take long, and Erik decided to go home as well.
He has not yet told his parents about his upcoming marriage with Mia, but he will do so soon.
He was already in the car when he remembered what William told him earlier. That what seem to be a matchmaking of their teachers back then with him and Mia finally paid off.
He smiled and sighed.
Now that Mia is in his life, what could possibly be the reason for him to be sad? Because the truth is, the word happy is not enough to explain just how full his heart is with beautiful and positive feelings right now. And the truth is, the best thing he can say other than the fact that he loves Mia so much is that he can no longer see himself growing old without her by his side.
When he passed by a flower shop, Erik decided to stop there. He knew Mia would love what he will bring home for her. And he knew and he was sure that when he got home, dinner is ready for both of them.
At times like these, he couldn't count how many times he thanked Nadine for giving him a reason to go back to the Philippines.
Now, he has proven that often, the most painful experiences in a person's life, the most difficult decisions, will lead and deliver them to the right and best path. And that's what happened to him.
*****
"HELLO," Mia smiled after she opened the gate for Erik and his car entered the garage.
"Hi, how are you here?" he asked her after touching her with a simple kiss on the lips.
When Erik made that move, she immediately blushed. And Mia is sure about that because of the heat on both of her cheeks. That is also the reason why she preferred to bow her head and avoid her boyfriend’s viscous stares at her.
"I-I'm fine. I-I was a little bored, so I cleaned the house and did the laundry,” she replied, glancing at the young man whom she saw staring at her with amusement.
Erik is really handsome, and even now even when she says that she is with her and that they are about to get married, she still can't believe that the two of them will end up together.
"Oh why?" the young man asked her. His eyes sparkled more because she amused him.
Mia shook her head one after the other then opened her mouth to speak with a smile. "N-Nothing, I just can't believe that I'm with you now. And above all, I can't believe that you love me too," she answered almost in a whisper then bowed her head again in discomfort.
Mia heard the soft laugh that Erik let out because of what she said. "What? Wait, I guess I have to convince you even more," he said.
That's when she watched the young man take something from the car before he finally closed the car door.
"For the most important person in my life," he said, handing her a stem of a red rose.
The corner of Mia's eyes quickly warmed up. Not only because of the flower that Erik gave her but even more. Because what he said touched her heart. Until she ended up crying. She moved and hugged the young man tightly.
"Thank you, Erik," she said sobbing.
The young man returned a tight hug to her. And she liked that. It seems like Erik is the only other person, aside from Nana Rosita, who values her privacy a lot.
Even though he knew she was boring to be with because of her quietness and shyness. Erik didn't make her feel that. Even then when they were still in high school.
"I love you," the young man gave up hugging her then bent down and kissed her sweetly on the lips again.
"I love you too," she answered. "Come on, let's eat or the soup might get cold," she held Erik by the hand.
It was the first time she could remember doing that.
It was the first time that she was the first to hold Erik's hand and that was also the reason why her heart started beating so fast even though after all, she was the one who did it. And she had a feeling that was also the reason why the young man seemed stunned.
"It feels different when you're the first to hold my hand," he said to her in a tone that was undeniably very happy.
Mia's face turned red again. "Let's eat?" she tried to change the conversation to somehow relieve the discomfort she was feeling. That includes her desire to make her heartbeat calm and normal.
"What do we have for dinner?" was Erik's reply question to her.
Mia smiled at what she heard. Erik is so cute when he asks what the dish is.
"Your favorite, Sinigang na Bangus," she answered.
"I should tell you; you are my very best favorite."
After saying that he winked at her meaningfully. Causing Mia’s blush to intensify even more as she was unable to control the gasp that escaped her mouth.
*****
AFTER cleaning up in the kitchen, Mia decided to take a shower. She wanted to feel refreshed after cleaning the house and doing the laundry the whole day. She just followed Erik's advice to her to stay at home, so she didn't go to her house to sweep the yard.
The truth is that she is also afraid that Bernie might suddenly come back to her and do bad things or force her to be with him again. Although they already reported to their village chief about what happened.
When she got out of the bathroom, she immediately saw Erik lying on the bed. He was busy with his cell phone in his hand, but his eyes quickly focused on her when he saw her.
Mia quickly looked away from the young man after she smiled at him. She did not know where the heavy pounding in her chest came from. That's why she wasn't surprised when the young man called her.
"Y-Yeah?" she asked looking at him while busy brushing her hair in front of the dresser.
"Come here," the young man patted the part he was laying on his bed.
Mia swallowed. It wasn't the first time that she would lie down next to the young man. But just in case, this will be the first time that they will make love since the last time that they did it at her place.
Even so, regardless of the pounding in her chest, she approached Erik and lay beside him. He immediately moved her closer to him. He then kissed her and smelled the scent of her hair.
"Are you okay? Why do you seem to be shaking?” Erik asked her.
When she met his gaze that was when she saw the amusement on his handsome face. That's why the nervousness she feels is getting stronger. But somehow, she knew she could not make it too obvious, and she succeeded in that.
"J-Just try to ignore me, okay? You know I'm shy. Then I'm not immune to---,"
"You're not immune to my charm yet?" Erik asked as he laughed and pinched her cheek.
That's when Mia laughed although the rapid change in the atmosphere inside the room is undeniable "Y-You know what? Stop," she said as she was about to pinch the young man's side but Erik quickly grabbed her hand.
"I want to give you something," he said between light chuckles of amusement.
"What?"
That's when the young man stood up and approached his bag that was on top of the working table near the window. Then he returned.
"I want you to have this," he said, opening a small box in front of her.
The truth is, even though she already knew what was inside the velvet box, Mia quickly burst into tears when a beautiful diamond engagement ring appeared in front of her.
"Do you like it?" Erik asked with a serious look on his face.
She nodded tearfully. "Of course," she said.
Then the young man took the ring from there and then reached out his hand and without any words put it on his finger.
"I love you. Expect that I will love and fall in love with you every day. I will always think of you, and you will always be the reason for my smiles. I will never get tired of understanding and taking care of you, and above all, I will always protect you," Erik declared passionately.
Mia burst into tears after hearing what the young man said.
She could feel his overflowing and warm love for her as well as the sincerity in the tone of his speech. That's why, if earlier she was the first to hold Erik's hand, at that point, because of the overwhelming pleasure she feels, she was the first to pull him for a passionate and tender kiss.
"I love you too, so much. More than you can imagine, and I can explain. Thank you for loving me, Erik," she said when she released his lips.
At that moment she saw what seemed like small flames of desire like lights competing in the young man's dark eyes.
"It feels different when you're the first one to kiss, I felt like I was exposed to a very hot and scorching fire," he said looking at her meaningfully for a moment before placing a simple kiss on her neck.
Mia got the meaning of Erik's actions. That's why despite her wanting to avoid his gaze, she tried to meet them. That's why their sight locked when she opened her mouth to speak.
"Okay," she answered in a sweet and seductive voice.
That's all she said but it seemed to have a different effect on Erik. And she has proven it when without a word the young man bent down and gently claimed her lips. To which she responded in the same way.
Passionate, full of desire and love.