Nicole Jane’s POV
One week after college graduation
I woke up with the feeling of someone tickling my foot. I opened my eyes only to close them again when sunlight came into view through the window. I turned around and opened them again.
“Good morning, best!”
The drowsiness I felt vanished immediately upon seeing her. I even rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t just imagining things.
But I’m not. She’s really here!
“Mikan!”
I got up from my bed and hugged her tightly. I didn’t care if I looked disheveled with strands of hair scattered across my face. I heard her chuckle.
“What’s with the sudden visit? You were just here last week, right?”
I didn’t really expect to see her right now. They just came last week along with Miley and Kira for our college graduation. But they left the next day, so I don’t know why she’s here again today.
She smiled. Even her eyes seemed to be smiling and sparkling in a way I couldn’t understand.
I tried to recall a certain event that was supposed to happen right now, but I couldn’t think of anything.
“Why do I feel like you don’t want me to be here?” She pouted.
I lightly tapped her arm and laughed.
“It’s not that. I’m just surprised. So?” I raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to reveal something.
She grinned. Believe me, it’s something. “You’ll see. So, you better hurry for now and go downstairs within thirty minutes. We have somewhere to go.”
I was about to speak, but she pushed me towards the bathroom. I shook my head and just did as she said.
I put on a pair of denim shorts and a pink t-shirt. I completed my outfit with white sneakers. I didn’t know where we were going, so I chose to wear something comfortable. I also grabbed my sling bag and went downstairs. I found her waiting in the living room.
“Wait. I’ll just inform Kyle.” I took my phone out of my pocket, but she snatched it away.
“There’s no need for that. He already knows.” She winked at me.
I furrowed my brow. Why didn’t Kyle mention anything about Mikan suddenly coming home and going out today? We were together last night.
“Oh. Okay? I’ll just say goodbye to Mommy then.”
But before I could even walk away, she grabbed my wrist and dragged me with her.
Seriously, what’s with this girl? Even if she’s a vampire now, her playful attitude hadn’t changed a bit.
“They’re not at home,” she casually said and pushed me into her car.
“Wait a minute! Where are we really going? And how did you know that Mom isn’t here? Where did they go?”
I was really puzzled. It’s Sunday today, and it has become our tradition to be together on days like this. Our parents won’t leave without my brother and me.
I rolled my eyes when Mikan remained silent. I decided to keep quiet and just looked outside.
Could it be that they have a surprise for me? But what could it be? There’s no occasion today.
I furrowed my eyebrows when I noticed that the path we were taking was towards Clarkson Academy. I bet the students there are not around because it’s summer break.
“What are we going to do at the academy?”
Once again, Mikan didn’t speak. She just kept her gaze fixed on the road.
I crossed my arms. This is really frustrating!
After a while, the car came to a stop. I quickly got out and looked around.
A smile crept onto my lips. I missed this place, even though we still visit here quite often. We just want to make sure everything is okay and under control.
I turned to Mikan to ask her once again, but suddenly a black cloth was placed over my eyes.
“Hey! What the—”
“Just trust me and keep going. I’ll be right here beside you.” She giggled, leaving me confused.
I didn’t say anything and continued walking with her support. Even though I couldn’t see the path, I was familiar with every corner we passed. If I’m not mistaken, we are heading towards the function hall.
She stopped. I did too. Then, seconds later, I heard the creaking of two wooden doors opening.
Mikan guided me to go inside. We were in the middle when she suddenly stopped again.
“Don’t open your eyes until I say so.”
I nodded in response. Gradually, I felt the blindfold being removed from my eyes.
“Now, open your eyes,” she whispered behind my ear, and I felt a cold breeze on my back.
I slowly opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was a large picture of myself hanging in front of the stage.
I was depicted sleeping while leaning on a tree branch. I remembered this scene. It was one of those times when Kyle and I climbed up the tree to enjoy the view of the entire academy.
Then, I turned around, and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
There are pictures of me scattered everywhere. All of them were candid shots. I’m not fond of having my picture taken because I’m the one who usually enjoys capturing moments through my own lens.
Each photo of mine was attached to roses that were tied around the area. They were different shots, capturing various moments.
I had pictures of me eating in the dining hall, sitting in the open field and gazing into the distance, reading a book on the floor and corner of the library, engaged in conversations with a smile, and various other moments captured.
A tear escaped my eye. Was I so oblivious that I didn’t even notice him watching and capturing my every move?
Suddenly, a familiar song started playing. I continued to wander around, feeling like I was in an art museum and that I was the masterpiece.
It’s not difficult to guess that a man with brown eyes like mine did this. But the question is...
Where the hell is he? And why is he doing this? Besides graduation, our birthdays have just recently passed.
I couldn’t help but smile. It’s actually weird that we share the same birthday. We almost seem like twins.
As if on cue, rose petals started falling all around me. But that wasn’t what caught my attention.
I smiled the moment I saw Reiri and Hiro walking towards me, their hands locked together.
“For the beautiful princess who tamed the heart of the hard-headed prince,” Hiro said as he handed me a pink balloon. I laughed at his description of Kyle.
“You’re pretty, Nics!” Reiri said, smiling from ear to ear.
“You too.”
I was happy for these two because they finally confessed their feelings. I was about to ask them where Kyle was, but they disappeared instantly.
I just shook my head. I looked up at the balloon I was holding and found a note.
LET’S
I raised an eyebrow. What does this word mean?
Suddenly, the tempo of the music changed. This time, Kira and Miley were approaching me.
“For our future queen. I know that you will be able to rule the whole clan together with our future king.” Kira handed me another balloon. Miley came closer and whispered,
“I want a dozen, okay, Nics?” She giggled.
Before I could even react, they were no longer in sight.
“A dozen? What does that mean?” I wondered aloud, looking at the new balloon I was holding. And my thoughts were confirmed. There was another note attached to it.
GET
I set the two balloons aside. “Let’s get,” I mumbled to myself.
I covered my mouth as soon as I realized something. Does he want us to...?
The tempo of the music changed once again, and suddenly, Gino and Athena appeared. Gino had a frown on his face, and I couldn’t help but want to laugh because he seemed forced to do this.
“For you. If that guy ever hurts you, he’ll see!” he grumbled, but Athena playfully tugged at his ear.
That made me laugh.
Athena turned to me and smiled. “Please be happy.”
I nodded as tears started to fall, which I had been holding back since earlier.
They started to walk away. I followed their gaze to see where they were going.
And that’s when I noticed that all our loved ones were here. They were standing together on the stage, smiling. I looked at Mom, and I cried even more when I saw her wiping away her tears as well. Mom Cass was the same, tightly embraced by Dad Zach.
Well, they both told me a long time ago that I should start calling them Mom and Dad too, because soon they would be.
But my eyes widened when I noticed that Butler Lin was also here. He slightly bowed when I waved at him.
I just shook my head and looked up at the balloon once again.
MARRIED
“Married,” I uttered the word, and at the same time, I heard a familiar voice.
Slowly, I turned around and there he was, the man I had been searching for, standing at the main door with his hands in his pockets. He looked amused.
He slowly approached me, and everything seemed to slow down. The tempo of the music changed once again, and the function hall transformed into an island. I knew Athena was behind this illusion.
“Well...” he said as he held both of my cheeks upon reaching me.
“Nicole Jane Parker, let’s get married already. I can’t wait to replace your last name with mine and announce to the world that you are officially mine. Spend the rest of your life with me and be my future queen,” he spoke with sincerity in his words.
A smile formed on my lips, and I pressed my forehead against his.
Tears continued to fall from my eyes, just as I couldn’t stop myself from falling for this man in front of me every single day.
“It’s supposed to be a question, you know.” I chuckled.
He suddenly frowned. “Please don’t ruin the moment. I’m being romantic here.”
I heard a loud laugh coming from behind us. I pinched his cheeks, making him blush.
I looked directly into his eyes. “Whether it’s a question or a statement, I’ll marry you, Kyle Ethan Clarkson. Nothing can ever separate us. Not even death. You are my better half, the one meant only for me. From the very beginning, I’ve been officially yours. You hold my heart, and I have no intention of taking it back. My love for you is stronger than any challenges or hardships we’ve faced. I love you, my prince.”
He stepped back and slowly knelt in front of me. He took something out of his pocket, and a red velvet box came into view.
He opened it, and I started to cry even more when I saw the ring he took out and slowly placed on my finger.
“Until eternity and beyond, I love you too, my princess. It will always be you,” he said.
I covered my other hand with my mouth. I’m feeling a mix of emotions right now. But I know that happiness prevails in these moments.
“Until eternity and beyond.” I smiled as he stood up and kissed me.
I could hear the loud cheering of almost everyone here, while some were whistling.
I think wearing denim shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers on the day of the proposal isn’t that bad at all. What’s more important is the presence of our loved ones and our hearts ready to become one.
Everything felt so perfect. Until...
“I won’t allow it!”
That made Kyle and me pull away from each other. Suddenly, everyone fell silent.
We all looked at my brother, who was now down the stage, still frowning. Athena was beside him, looking at him in disbelief. I was so caught up in my happiness that I didn’t realize we were back in the function hall.
Just what the hell is his problem?
***
Athena’s POV
We were all so happy while watching the two of them. I am certain that when they get married, their hearts will be even happier.
I did enjoy creating illusions as well. For now, I have returned the surroundings to their original appearance.
The two of them seem to be exchanging their vows already. I glanced at their parents and saw Aunt Nathalie quietly crying.
When the two of them finally kissed, screams filled the entire area.
Then I looked at the man beside me, who was holding my hand. I hope that we will also reach our happily ever after.
But I was surprised when he suddenly pulled me down from the stage.
“I won’t allow it!”
My eyes widened at what he said. Everything suddenly became quiet.
What did he say?
I saw Nicole roll her eyes at him. “Brother, seriously! You’re already against it even before the actual wedding?”
“Gino! What the hell are you talking about?” Uncle Conrad asked in disbelief.
Even I was confused as I stared at him. What is this guy’s problem?
He sighed and then pointed his finger in Nicole and Kyle’s direction. “I won’t allow you to get married before us! I’m the eldest! I was about to propose to Athena today as well. But then I received the news last night that you’ll do the same on this day!” He pouted and stomped his feet like a child.
I gasped. What did he say? He’s going to propose too?
Oh, merciful Earth. Swallow me now!
“Then do it. We are waiting.”
I looked at Kyle and saw him smirk. Wait. He knows this will happen?
I placed my hand on my hips before I made this crazy guy beside me face me.
“What the hell, Gino? Will you please stop acting like a child now? It’s—” I didn’t finish what I was saying because he suddenly reached for my left hand. Then he took something out of his pocket. All the irritation I felt vanished when he opened the box and put a ring on my finger.
My jaw dropped. I wasn’t expecting a grand proposal, but I definitely didn’t expect it to be like this!
“Athena Stanford, you will marry me. And no matter what happens, we will marry first before the two of them.”
She gave Kyle a stern look before continuing. “No buts and stuff. I won’t let you go anymore, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Even if you use all your spells, you won’t be able to keep me away from you,” he said firmly, looking into my eyes.
I looked at him in disbelief as I processed what he said in my mind.
Things were happening so quickly. I thought it was just one proposal that would happen today.
What the hell!
Besides, I’m not in a hurry to get married. This guy is really stubborn!
“But—” He cut me off by kissing me. Within moments, the surroundings were filled with screams once again.
And just like that, I can say that this imperfect moment makes it perfect after all.