Song for the chapter: Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran
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The plane is now on its final descent to Heathrow Airport. Thank you for flying British Airways. Please remain seated with your seatbelt on. Thank you.
I woke up as the flight attendant announce our arrival in London. I am on my way to attend Simon and Natalie's wedding. I got little sleep during my 13-hour flight to London and I was just falling asleep when they made the announcement. After going through checks and immigration, I made my way directly to Simon and Natalie's wedding. They will just drop my stuff off at my hotel.
"Hey Mark!" Simon greeted me as I give him a bro hug while shaking his hand.
"Nice to see you man." I said once we pull apart.
"Yeah. I'm glad you could still make it despite you know..." He said giving me a sad smile.
"Of course. I promised to be here for your wedding didn't I?" I replied trying to give an upbeat smile. "Congratulations again. I'll just look for my seat." I said trying to move the conversation forward. I easily find my seat right in front.
Looking around I let out a deep sigh. Weddings and marriage. I ponder over these things as I see Simon with his family and these guests gathered just to witness the union of two people. Will I ever get to experience this and have the privilege to get married?
"Hey there young man." An old man like a grandfather greeted me when he take the sit next to me. I just give him a polite smile.
"So are you here for the bride or the groom." The same old man continue talking to me and he sort of remind me of my own grandfather.
"The groom, Sir." I answered him while people continue to mill around us.
"Ah, Simon. Wonderful young lad. So were you his friend from university?" I shake my head as he look at me curiously.
"Uhmmm, I know of someone who knows him. I met him just early this year." I offer an explanation the best I could.
"How curious. So what do you think of all of this?" He asked as he gestured around us with his cane.
"Oh it's really beautiful. From the short time that I've known Simon, it seems he's really in love with Natalie." I said as I observe this old man. He has an air to him that commands respect and attention and I noticed that most people avoid making an eye contact with him. I wonder why.
"Pssh. That boy is crazy over Natalie. So much so that he followed her all the way here. Anyway, do you have a girl on your own? A handsome young man like you should have one." Uhhmmm, I was stunned for a minute as the conversation has turned into my private life.
"I see Grandpa George has gotten to you, babe." I turned around to see the one person that I've been dying to see. I break out into a huge smile as she give me a kiss before taking the seat beside me.
"Oh Little Anna. I didn't know you two know each other." I just give him a sheepish smile as I drape my arm around Anna.
"Grandpa George I'm no longer little you know. I'd like you to meet my boyfriend Mark Tuan." I take his outreach hand and shake it.
"Oh. You didn't tell me your dating our Little Annie. What a small world. You got a really good one right here Anna." I chuckle as he give her a wink as she let out a tinkle of laugh.
"Oh don't I know it. It was great seeing you again Grandpa George." Anna blow him a kiss as he lean to me before he leaves.
"Invite me to your wedding young man, okay? I see you both living a life full of love." He whispered then give me a wink as he walk off saying that he needs to make sure every penny he spends is worth it.
"Hey!" Anna said quietly as I turn to her.
"Hey!" I said equally quiet while giving her a grin.
"I miss you. I didn't know you've arrived." She continued as she rest her head on my shoulder.
"You're dad's okay?" Anna asks me referring to the emergency meeting that I had a couple of days ago. I had to fly to LA very last minute when my dad had a small health scare. But the doctor's assured us that he's okay and healthy aside from his slightly elevated sugar level. Anna had to go here by herself while I was still in LA.
"Yeah. Aside from the doctor ordering him a healthier diet, he got a clean bill of health." I replied as I rub absent-mindedly her small scar right above her left eyebrow. It's not noticeable to naked eye but I've been so familiar with the scar. It's the only lasting proof of Anna's car accident about three months ago.
That night was the scariest night of my life when I received that phone call from the hospital. The doctors said that she was extremely lucky to walk from that car accident unscathed. It made me realize how much I love her and how I can't live without her.
While the wedding is underway, I only have eyes for her. I love seeing her happy and carefree as she sees her oldest friends get married. I aptly gave her my handkerchief when she started tearing up as the bride and groom say their vows. One day, I will marry this woman.
"They're so beautiful, babe." I give her a huge smile when she turned to me after the bride and groom finally left the reception for their honeymoon.
"Yeah... truly beautiful." I replied but not of the couple but of her. She leaned back to me while letting out a contented sigh. "I love you Anna." I said to her as I give her head a kiss.
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I feel someone shaking me as I slowly open my eyes to see Mark hovering over me.
"We're here babe." I break out into smile as here means Paris. We left the following day after Simon and Natalie's wedding to celebrate Mark's birthday. After the short taxi, we finally disembark from our chartered plane. Meeting us at the foot of the stairs are a plethora of bodyguards. Ever since my car accident a couple of months ago, I am no longer allowed to travel alone. Mark and my dad formed a united force leaving me with no choice really. Aside from my own driver, I also have one close in female security and then another set of bodyguards that convoys my car wherever we go. Although I think the number of security that I have is over the top, I secretly feel at ease knowing that I am well protected. The doctor said that I was extremely lucky to have survived the devastating car crash with no injury at all. I'd like to think it was my father protecting me that night.
After leaving our stuff at the hotel, Mark and I set out to the Louvre Museum. Seeing the iconic glass pyramid leave me breathless despite seeing it a countless time because this time, I will finally get to set foot inside the magnificent building that houses some of the most prized art pieces from the masters. When the car finally stopped in front of the entrance, words can't describe the emotions that I am feeling as I stop for a while to catch my breath and calm my beating heart. I didn't even realized that I stalled as Mark rounded my side and slowly take hold of my hand.
"Ready to go babe?" He asks me patiently because he knows how monumental this moment. Taking one last big breath I take his outreach hand and nod my head yes. Walking the halls of the museum seeing the different exhibits were so surreal but nothing can compare to what I felt standing in the room that houses history's most revered art pieces. I think I almost fainted seeing the Mona Lisa in real life.
After our amazing day exploring the Louvre, Mark and I opted to just stay in the hotel and have a wonderful dinner in our suite while having an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. We paid big bucks just to acquire this prime property to house our Serenity Hotel Paris branch from a member of the aristocracy who just wants to retire.
"Oh my gosh babe! I can't believe I did it. I finally saw the Louvre and It's better than I could even imagine. I feel like I'm on cloud nine and I never wanted to get down from it." I said excitedly as I take a bite of my steak. "I mean how did they do it? Did they ever paint knowing that it'll be a masterpiece?"
"I'm glad your happy baby." Mark said after letting out a chuckle. I melt slightly after he said those words and I reach out for his hand across the table.
"Thank you babe. I am extremely happy and even though it's not my birthday, I feel like you spoiled me more. I am so happy that I get to share that with you." I said as I give him a loving smile while he lifts my hand and place a kiss on the back of it.
"Well speaking of birthdays, it would be the greatest gift if you accept this." He said as he let go of my hand and retrieve something from his pocket. I let out a gasp when I see what it is. In between Mark's fingers is a simple band with diamonds lining the side of it. I just give Mark a dumbfounded look.
"Anna, these past few months has been the best times of my life because you were in it and while we faced so many challenges along the way, they just served to strengthen my love for you. Although this is yet an engagement ring, I want to propose something to you. This is a promise ring and this is a symbol of my commitment to you. It might be too early to say now but I know in my heart you are it for me. I don't think I will ever love any other person if they aren't you." Tears are falling down to my cheeks as Mark swipe them away. This is vey unexpected but very right. I nod my head yes as I give Mark a smile letting him know that I promise him too.With my shaking hand, he wear the ring on my right hand as I give him a kiss.
"I love you babe. You're it for me too. When one day you'll ask me to marry you, I will say yes. A thousand yes. I love you so much." It's crazy how an unexpected meeting will lead me to this moment in my life. I lived in the darkness for the longest time carrying the heavy burden of my past but with Mark, I was able to overcome them and moved forward. It's not easy but we came through and I will never trade this love for anything in this world.
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Author's Note: This is it guys. This is the last chapter. I'm actually feeling emotional as I'm writing this. Thank you so much for all that have joined me through this journey. No words can explain the joy that I've experienced through this journey for it is truly a journey for me. I've never written a story ever before and it's actually one of my bucket list for this year and I'm extremely happy that I get to do it. I didn't realized that GOT7 is the only push I need to jump right into writing. I'm not the best writer out there but still thank you for reading the words that I've written. We only have the epilogue left so look out for that. Thank you seems to be the only words that I can think of right now.
It would be so important to me for you to share your final thoughts about the entire story. And as usual, vote, comment and subscribe.
xoxo alilesixteen