Azalea's POV,
"Zack here's juice!" Dad shouts, signalling Zack to come closer to us.
It's been a month since Zack started to prove himself to my dad. He's been working inside our mansion. He's helping manang to clean the house, helping sir Yolo to clean the garden and the cars, and lastly he's helping my parents too to their paperwork.
At first, my father is distant to him and he's limiting us to see each other, but unlike before, my father now is letting us to be with each other anytime. He's not distancing himself to Zack anymore.
"Thank you senior," Zack mutters, accepting the glass of juice.
"Is cutting the woods hard for you?" Dad asks nonchalantly, pouring the juice in my glass.
"Not really, I'm getting used to it senior," Zack answered honestly, raising his thumb.
"That's good to hear." Dad nodded, glancing at me. "Then, I'll leave you two." He proceeds inside the mansion.
Mechanically, I throw myself to him, hugging him tightly.
"W-wait Azalea you see I'm all drenched in sweat." He chuckled awkwardly, motioning me to let go.
I did what he said as we took our seats. He pour the juice into his glass again and drinks it.
"You know what Zack, I'm glad that we can now finally see each other freely," I mumbled, looking upon the clouds.
"Me too. Finally after so many struggles, we can now enjoy ourselves." He nodded, wiping his sweats.
"The Christmas is near, what do you want to do?" I asks, shifting my gaze at him. He places first the glass onto the table.
"Oh yeah today is December 20 no? Well, I want to celebrate Christmas with you and your family," he answers, curving a smile.
"Then let's make a plan." I stand from my seat.
"What plan?" he asked.
I'll tell him everything in my mind and he agreed with it immediately. After his break, he immediately went back in cutting the woods with sir Yolo.
"You look so happy around him," dad suddenly said beside me, making me flinch a little.
"Well of course, he's the person I love the most." I nodded proudly.
"My daughter is really a grown up now huh. Anyways, I heard you joined the volleyball team of our school?" he suddenly asked.
My eyes widen in surprised. Oh yeah I didn't tell him since I know he'll probably get mad.
Reluctantly, I nod my head. "Y-yes I joined volleyball, d-don't be mad please. I just really like that sports."
He let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "I'm not mad Azalea. Honestly, I'm happy that you're now brave to face everything in front of you. Back then when you were young, you were so afraid to try everything because of me. I know I was wrong for not giving you the right freedom you deserve, but you still found a way to get with it. Azalea you're really indeed suitable as the Heir of Santaella."
Swallowing a lump, I cover my mouth using my right hand. Please don't cry. I don't want to cry! However, this is the first time my father said those words to me.
"When you have a child make sure to treat them properly and don't take away their freedom to do what they want," he prompted, crossing his arms.
"Y-yes!" I answered with my full determination.
"There there." He laughs, ruffling my hair.
—
[December 25, 2016]
[12:00 am]
"Merry Christmas!" We all said in unison, once the clock hit 12.
"Let's eat!" Dad mutters.
We're all in our mansion with Zack and uncle Zyro. My grandpa, Chanse and his parents are here too.
We all went to the dinning area and started digging our foods. Dad and uncle Zyro are always fighting each other but in jesting way. Their relationship is getting more and more better everyday.
"Look at them they're not kid anymore but still fighting over a chicken leg," mom uttered, shaking her head bashfully.
Zack and I look at each other, giggling. Well, we can't help but watch them. Honestly, I'm glad that they're not snarling at each other anymore.
"Azalea do you want this?" Zack asks, pointing at the carbonara.
"Oh yes." I nodded.
"Anyways," Grandpa mumbled, clearing his throat, snatching our attention. "When is the wedding?"
"H-huh?" I asks tilting my head.
"Eh?" Zack whispered.
"Hahahahahaha! Look at their faces, they're both blushing." Grandpa laughed hysterically, holding his stomach.
Reluctantly, Zack and I look at each other, letting out an embarrass laugh.
"Hey dad my daughter is still young for marriage!" Dad defended, munching his food.
"I was just kidding Andrew hahahaha!" Grandpa slams the table.
We all laughed while eating our foods. Grandpa started to tell us different stories about his life when he was young. Sometimes we're serious but mostly we're laughing. Grandpa is really funny.
After eating, Zack and I went to the garden to relax. We're sitting on the bench, looking upon the bright stars above.
Leaning my head on his right shoulder, I hold his hand and says, "I couldn't ask for more."
"Yeah me too. My only wish is finally in my arms. Azalea, you're finally mine," Zack whispered soothingly in my ear, leaning his head on mine.
"Hmm," I hummed.
"I want to get us married as soon as possible," he retorts, making me pull out from him. "W-what's the matter?"
"W-we're too young for that!" I yelled shyly. I could feel the heat on my face.
"I know what I mean is after graduating for college of course," he explains, laughing.
"Ha! You make me nervous for a moment." I roll my eyes.
"Don't tell me you're actually thinking of getting married at our current age?"
"Of course not!" I defended sternly, averting my eyes off him, making him laugh.
My eyes landed on dad and uncle Zyro. They're standing at the second floor balcony, talking to each other. Involuntarily, smile curved onto my lips while watching them. They look so close now unlike before.
"When I look closer to it, Don Santaella was the one who helped us pursued your father," Zack said, making me shift my gaze at him. "He really knows how to deal with his son."
"Yeah, grandpa really helped us a lot." I nodded. My phone suddenly vibrated, seeing a message from an unknown number. "What's this?" I tap the message, reading the word.
My eyes widen in surprised, covering my mouth. "Is this for real!"
"Why? What?" Zack immediately peek on my phone. "Woah! Congrats!"
Standing up from the chair, I put back my phone onto the pocket. "Finally I got accepted in Shine Dove!" I shouts.
Shine Dove is the most famous volleyball team in the Philippines and they're competing outside the country.
"Finally your dream for being professional volleyball player is getting closer!" Zack exclaims.
Nodding, I throw myself onto him, hugging him tightly. This is the best day of my life.
—
[February 2017]
We're now inside the car, heading to the company venue of Figueroa's. They'll now announce the heir of their family and his partner. Every generation of their heir and their partner, the rank 1 family is inviting all billionaire and millionaire family to attend this type of event.
We're not supposed to attend this, knowing that she'll be there. I'm still wondering why all those things happen?
"Are you still mad Aza?" Zack asks beside me. We're sitting at the back seat, while my parents are in front.
"And sad at the same time," I answer, looking outside through the car window.
"We couldn't do anything now. They chose to do it, so let's just accept it," he mumbled, rubbing my back.
Frustratedly, tears trickled down my cheek. Zack and I became happy and achieved the dream we want. They deserve the same too! But why?
As the car stopped, we all went off the car.
"Ready?" Zack asks, wrapping his arm around my nape.
"Yes."
***
Next is Epilogue!!