EPILOGUE
"Happy Birthday, Riley!"
Riley was above the clouds when her family and friends greeted her on her 21st birthday celebration. It was not just a simple celebration.
Madame Lacey invited her amigas, co-workers and her friends at the mansion to witness her birthday. It was obviously a grand birthday celebration.
"I still can't believe that you lied to us, sis." The woman in her fifties said to Lacey. "Remember you told us that she's the duchess of this family at the Grand Masquerade Ball? Gosh, sis, I really fell from that."
Lacey chuckled. "You know I always wanted to have a daughter. But what can I do? God gave me four amazing, handsome and loving sons." She proudly says. "And I'm afraid that time that you, my friends, would make fun of me for not having a daughter."
The woman tapped her shoulder. "Oh, silly. Don't make false assumptions. We would never do that to you." She kissed her on her cheeks.
"Thanks. Anyway, let's not talk about that. Let's have fun and celebrate Riley's birthday." She giggled. "Hold on a sec. Where are the boys?"
Ms. Anderson approached Madame Lacey. "Madame, Master Ethan, Jake and Hoon went out with Master Jay. They said Master Jay will change his hair color and so will they."
She sighed. "Those lunatics." She murmured. "Anyway, tell Riley and her friends to get ready. The Masquerade party will start in a minute."
"Yes, madam- oh, they're here!"
CONFUSION WAS visible on Riley's face when Lotte, Yumi and Ysabelle put mascara and helped her put hers that covers half of her face and they dragged her to the center of the mansion which was the dance floor.
"Enjoooy!" Lotte, Yumi and Ysabelle giggled as they left her in the middle where her visitors were staring at her while smiling.
"What's with these people?" she whispered to herself.
"Riley."
She turned her head to the man called her name. "E-Ethan…"
He's wearing mascara too. He's wearing a tuxedo and holding flowers. But what shocked her was his hair color.
Wow, I can't believe he's even more attractive with red hair.
"Here." He gave her the flowers. "For you. Happy Birthday."
She smiled. "Thank you, Ethan."
Ethan asked for her hand and even though she had no idea what he was going to do, she accepted it.
That's when she knew that Jay was behind Ethan when he moved beside her and gave her hand to Jay.
"Take care of her." Ethan said to Jay.
Jay held her hand tightly. "I will." He said straight into his eyes.
One hour and half minutes ago...
"Hey! Hyung! So you have the nerves to take a mirror selfie when we're going to be late at the party? We're still going to pick your outfit, you know?"
Hoon was scolding Jay because he's taking too many mirror shots after they went to the hair salon.
The boys went to their fathers grave first to visit them before going to the hair salon.
Jay told his father everything about the girl he likes and wanted to spend his whole life with her. And now her birthday is today and he wanted to surprise her.
"Oh, shut up, bro. Let me just take a pic of my new fresh black hair." Jay said and smiled then he reversed his phone upside down and pressed the button on his camera.
"Okay, done. Let's go."
ETHAN, JAKE and Hoon shook their heads as they graded Jay's outfit. They already spent twenty five minutes on their hairstyle and hair color and now, half an hour, they still haven't decided the perfect outfit that will suit Jay and suits Riley's taste.
"Nah, it's too dark." Ethan commented on Jay's outfit on his tenth going back and forth in the fitting room.
Jay sighed and went back inside to try another one.
"Nope. Too colorful." Hoon commented when he came out.
"Tsk." Jay went back inside again to try another one.
"Uhm, too expensive when you look at it. Riley wants simple." Jake said.
Jay gritted his teeth. "Oh come on, make up your mind!" He's getting impatient.
"Don't you want to look good, handsome, attractive and all that in Riley's eyes?"
Jay nodded on what Ethan said.
"Then just follow what we're saying, bro. Stop complaining. It's not helping."
He blew a large amount of air. "Fine." He went back inside the fitting room to try another outfit.
It took him ten minutes to change so his brothers went inside with him to check if he's still breathing.
But it turns out that they were stunned to speak when they saw Jay wearing a very simple black tuxedo.
"Now that's what we're talkin' about, yo!" Jake praised him.
"Wow, now you look handsome, hyung." Hoon complimented him. "But still, I'm more handsome than you."
He shook his head and his gaze went to Ethan who's hiding a smile on his lips.
"What?"
"Nothing." Ethan went close to him and patted his chest. "You're one lucky asshole, you know?"
Jay smirked. "Not yet. I'm not sure if she likes me too."
Ethan sighed. If you only knew…
"But yeah, I think I'm lucky." Jay grinned. "You sacrificed Riley for me. And I thanked you all for that."
They heart melt when Jay just 'thanked' them. It just happens once in a blue moon so they become soft.
"Awww…." Jake and Hoon teased.
"Tsk. Cheesy." Jay commented.
"But seriously, hyung. We did sacrifice Riley for you because we know that you deserve her. You're the only man who can make her heart beats-"
Hoon stopped when Jake slightly bumped his shoulder. Sign that Hoon was getting far.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Jay asked.
"Uhh, haha! It's nothing. Don't mind what he said. Anyways, we do know that you cared for her in the first place since she had her period and you bought sanitary napkins for her. I mean, you weren't that considerate to people, especially when you just met her." Jake said. "You thought I didn't notice, huh?"
Jay was stunned to speak. Well, Jake was right. He did care for Riley in the very first place.
"And remember when I brought her to the hospital when Jake's dad told mom to fire her and she got into a car accident?" Ethan added. "I left her in the hospital for a minute to find a blood donor but when I came back, she's already kidnapped by you. And you said to the nurse that you're her boyfriend." He chuckled. "And it turns out that you two had the same blood type. Well, we did have the same blood type because we're brothers but, that time I couldn't donate since I'm lacking sleep and always tired. I don't want to give her my dirty blood."
Jay smirked. "Yeah, I'm glad you didn't."
"There, there. Let's get back to the mansion right away. Mom will kill us." Hoon reminded them.
ETHAN SMILED and left them at the center. Just the two of them. Staring at each other. They were chased by thousands of horses while both of their heartbeats became faster than usual.
Jay gulped. "Hey," He awkwardly said. "Let's dance."
Riley bit her lower lip to hide her smile. "My pleasure."
Jay did everything he could to stop his breath while encircling his arms on Riley's waist.
While on the other hand, Riley felt nervous as she encircled her arms around Jay's neck.
Gosh! Why is he so effortlessly handsome when he's just wearing a simple yet elegant suit? And his hair is now in black color!
God, he's killing me!
"Nervous?" He asked. He noticed that she couldn't look into his eyes.
"U-Uhm, yeah."
"Why? Because of my intimidating eyes?"
Riley didn't reply and just stayed silent. All eyes are on them. But she didn't care. As long as he's with her.
"Baby, didn't I tell you the very first time we met that my eyes are beautiful and tempting? Not intimidating." he smirked.
Her lips formed into a smile when she suddenly remembered Jay's facial expression while telling her those words.
She looked at him. "Yeah, I remembered."
Jay chuckled. "Atta girl."
A minute of silence surrounds them. Only their breathing they could only hear and the soft, slow, romantic music.
Riley's eyes caught her best friend Lotte who's teasing Jake while Jake was trying to focus on watching them but it turns out that Lotte dragged his attention.
Who wouldn't try to get Jake's attention when he's hot and gorgeous in his blonde hair and outfit.
"Oh come on, tell me!" Lotte shouted in a whisper while sticking her nose and sniffing Jake's suit. "Mmm, you smell so good. What's your perfume?"
Jake annoyingly faced her. "What's your problem, woman? Get your face away from me!" He walked out and went somewhere in the mansion.
Lotte just giggled and followed Jake.
Sorry, Master Jake. On behalf of my crazy best friend.
Riley shook her head. Her gaze went to Hoon and his dance partner, Ysabelle. She heard that they have known each other for so long because of figure skating since they were a child.
Good for you, Master Hoon.
Hoon was leaning on the stairs and he looked very charming with his silver grey hair.
"Are you hungry?" Hoon asked Ysa when he heard her stomach rumble.
Ysa embarrassedly smiled. "Honestly, yes. But let's just finish watching their dance." She said. Referring to her and Jay.
Hoon shook his head and grabbed her hand. "Come on, you eat first then we will go back. I'm sure they wouldn't finish in just one hour." He grinned and glanced at them.
She saw Hoon dragged Ysa to the kitchen. Then her eyes settled on Ethan with his ex secretary, Yumi.
When Ethan quitted on handling the Hybe company, Yumi also quitted on being that company's secretary. Ethan pursued his band while Yumi became a personal stylist that she dreamed of.
She's glad that Yumi and Ethan have known each other since they were kids. They're each other's childhood friends.
She smiled when she saw Yumi was amazed while caressing Ethan's red hair that suits him. He's super attractive with that hair color.
But above all, Jay has it all. Words can't explain how perfect Jay is in her eyes.
"Red hair suits you very well, boss."
Ethan glared at her. "Stop calling me boss. I'm not your boss anymore." He said with no emotion.
Yumi grinned and bumped her shoulder on Ethan's. "How about the boss of my life, then?"
She saw Ethan still and couldn't move a muscle. Yumi just chuckled. Looks like she's enjoying teasing Ethan.
I hope you find your happiness on someone and give her your everlasting love, Master Ethan…
"Come to the rooftop. I have a surprise for you."
She quite jumped when Jay leaned closer to her to whisper into her ear. She felt goosebumps all of a sudden.
She let Jay drag her to the elevator that will lead them to the rooftop. Their family and visitors yelled and screamed like they teased them.
They took off their mascara on their face inside the elevator.
A cold breeze embraced her when they got to the rooftop. But it actually changed when a warm coat surrounded her bare back and shoulders.
She glanced at Jay who's smiling ear to ear at her. Then he motioned his hand in front of her.
The scene in front of her makes her heart melt.
There's a table for two, a candlelight on the table, a bottle of wine on an ice bucket, a red carpet on her way with many rose petals, and there's even a guitar that leaned on a chair.
"Uhm, I didn't have much time to prepare this so ahm," Jay scratched his nape. "This is all I got. I hope you liked it." His cheeks burn in shyness.
Riley's lips parted. She couldn't believe that he would make an effort for her like this! This is too much!
With that, she hugged Jay so tight.
"Thank you so much, Jay! You have no idea how happy I am right now. You make me feel so special." A tear left on her eyes in so much happiness she felt.
Jay caressed her back. "You are, Riley. You are very special to me. To my heart. Ever since the very start. Since the day I met you."
Riley stilled and faced him with confusion visible on her face. "Y-You… you remember?!"
Jay smirked. "Of course. Uhm, I hope you won't get mad at me for lying."
"Lying? What do you mean you're lying to me?"
He took a deep breath first. "To be honest, I remember you the whole time. I mean, I did have amnesia and lost some of my memories. But that doesn't mean I forgot you." He pointed to his chest where his heart was located. "The heart doesn't forget, Riley. My heart never forgets you."
Riley couldn't explain what she feels right now. Her heart is overflowing with so much happiness. The feeling that she feels right now is too much to bear.
"Jay…"
Jay smiled and held her hand. He obligately pulled her to their table. He assisted her to sit then he grabbed his guitar to sing a song for her.
Riley wasn't familiar with the song he sings. But the lyrics melted her heart. She didn't know that Jay had this side.
And he is actually good at playing guitar! His voice is so beautiful that you could just sit there forever just to hear his voice sing for you.
After he sang for her, he placed his guitar below the table.
"I didn't know that you played guitar and have an amazing beautiful voice." She praised him.
Jay pulled her up. "I just asked Ethan hyung to teach me some basics. And the voice part is, it just came out naturally. My voice is very beautiful, aren't I?"
Riley shook her head while chuckling. "Yeah, true."
He laughed and pointed at the dark sky. "Look up."
He followed what he said and then suddenly, fireworks popped out of nowhere. She was stunned for a moment at the scene.
"Wow…"
Then all of a sudden, the fireworks turn into a shape. Or in other words, it turns into letters.
The first letter was the letter 'I'.
Her eyebrows furrowed when it was followed by a letter 'L'.
Then letter 'O'
Followed by letter 'V'
And letter 'E'
She gasped when she already had a lead about the letters.
But the fireworks are already finished. Making her confused so she faced Jay who's staring at her.
"What's the meaning of that? It says I LOVE." She dictated. "Why does it feel like some letters are missing?"
Jay can't stop smiling. He turned his back on her for a second to get something and her gaze went to the plate that he was holding.
"Oh, god…" her breathing stops.
He was holding a plate with peeled corns and it was shaped like three letters.
'YOU' was the three peeled corn-shaped.
She didn't know what to say anymore. She just put her hand on her mouth to stop from sobbing while crying in so much happiness and overwhelmed.
Jay put back the plate on the table. And when he returned to her, he softly turned her around and hugged her from behind.
He rested his chin on her shoulder while they're both looking at the dark sky filled with stars twinkling and a full moon.
Riley felt Jay kissed the side of her forehead. Then he whispered. "I love you, Riley. I really do."
She felt loved and protected while Jay's hugging her from behind. She felt safe and secured with him. Nothing compares in so much happiness if the person you love was there and was able to catch and be there for you.
It's indeed the best birthday she had since she was born.
She smiled when a thought came into her mind. She stared at the full moon.
"Jay?"
"Hmm?"
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"
Jay looked up to the moon. But instantly went back his gaze on her. "Yeah. Effortlessly beautiful."
Riley smiled widely and faced him. "Do you know what it means?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "Means of what?"
"The phrase 'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?'. Do you know what that means?"
Jay thinks deeply. Later on he shook his head. "I really don't have an idea. Care to tell me?"
Riley chuckled and encircled her arms around his neck then started to play with his hair.
"I'm confessing to you." She spoke. "It means…" She looked into his eyes. "I love you."
At first, it seemed like her confession couldn't get into his system. Then slowly, a smile formed on his lips. He couldn't believe it. The feeling is like he's floating on clouds.
Jay smiled and hugged her tightly. And after a long minute, he faced her and cupped her face.
"I still have one confession to say." He said.
"Go on." Riley urged him.
Jay rolled his tongue on his lower lip before speaking. "Remember the night at the Masquerade Ball?"
She nodded. "Mmm-hmm. What about it?"
Jay just chuckled at his embarrassment that he made but really worth it.
"I was the intruder who kissed you near the restroom."
Riley gasped when she almost forgot about that intruder who took her first kiss.
"So you're the one who took my first kiss?!"
Jay laughed so hard at her expression. "Yes, I am." he proudly said.
"You lunatic! Why didn't you tell me so soon?"
"Why? Is there a change that is going to happen? You're going to give me your first kiss anyway. So why not make it advance?" Jay's eyebrows moved up and down. Teasing her.
"Argh! I hate you!"
"But you love me." He objected.
In an instant, her anger vanished and was replaced by a sweet smile. "Yeah. I love you."
"And I love you too."
Jay leaned to her and pressed his lips on her. He circled his arms around her waist while she embraced him from his neck to bring him closer to her.
They savor the taste of their lips as they torridly kiss. A kiss that is full of love, happiness, warmth, and contentment.
…...
This best feeling ever. When the man you love also gives you the love that you are giving to him. All your efforts, assumptions, patience and hard work are actually worth it and paid off.
So a piece of advice to everyone who's afraid of falling in love... You can't hide the feeling of love from a person forever. You have all the time in the world to think, and make a decision for what's best for you. The heart wants what it wants so don't you ever run away from it. And remember… you only live once so why not live your life to the fullest?
This is my story on how I met my Masters. On how they made me the happiest person alive. Even though I never had an incomplete family, they showed me and made me feel what a real family is.
One thing that I learned in my life is, I was never alone. I received so much love through such amazing people. And remember, no man is an island. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Many people loves you. You just need to open your heart, mind and soul.
So yeah, I highly haven't any regrets in life no matter how hard it could be, no matter how high waters and huge mountains get into my way, whatever difficulties may occur or encounter in my life, I choose not to give up. There's always a rainbow comes after the thunder.
If there's tomorrow, there's always a chance. If you have faith in God, then there's always a hope.
And as for Jay... I really am enchanted to meet him.
- Riley Gomez
THE END
~amph1trite~