Yours?" I asked astonished.
"Yes, Elle. I've been meaning to ask you this... for a long time." He held my hands and looked closely into my eyes.
"You are the only girl that caught my attention from the very start and I don't want to take it any longer"
I bit my lips, still dazed by the sudden turn of events. I cannot decipher everything yet. I thought I will be confessing but Cian clearly ruined it.
My eyes welled up with so much joy. I never know that this is what it feels like to be loved back.
I mean, I was expecting this but it feels different when it is really happening. No words can explain the joy and excitement.
"Hey, why are you crying? Was I so fast? L-let me formally cour--"
"Shh, you are panicking." I whimpered, placing the tip of my finger in his mouth.
"I'm just so happy. But... here I thought I will be the one confessing tonight... it would have been a blast" I added, pouting my lips in dismay.
His eyes widened upon realizing what I just said.
"Oh Elle, you just made me the happiest man on earth" He exclaimed, encircling his arms around my waist, and pulling me closer to him.
I gently slapped his arms.
"But you ruined my confession" I whined, making him chuckle playfully.
"Don't worry baby, just be mine and it'll always be a blast"
I loosened from his hug and eyed him with amusement.
"Smooth talker as always"
He groaned in disapproval.
"And you... a temptress as always. Come on Elle, enough teasing... Will you accept me?" He asked with anticipation in his eyes. I nodded gently with tears on my face.
"Stupid Lucian, yes... Of course, Yes I want you to be mine too," I answered wholeheartedly.
He stiffened as his pupils dilated, it was as if he was surprised. Then, he suddenly kissed the tip of my nose, resting his temple on mine.
"You won't regret this day Elle. I love you so much" He declared with delight and wiped my tears.
I tried my best to keep my sobs but I am overjoyed by this realization that I am in love and the one that I love, loves me in a way that I do.
I never had doubts about Cian. He was the man of my dreams. Every time we are together, I always feel safe, that no one could ever harm me.
And I felt that every day of my life since he's been with me. With that thought, I burst into tears again.
"Cian...you made me cry this hard... my makeup would smudge now" I whined, as he was clearing up the tears on my face. He laughed at my sudden outburst.
I frowned, raising an eyebrow at him. He cleared up his throat and stared at me as if I was some angel who falls from the sky.
"You look too damn beautiful for anyone to notice it," he said in a low tone, earning an eye roll from me.
"Geez, I know you'd say that," I mutter, looking at his handsome face with confusion.
But it was effective. He diverted my attention that easily with such a compliment. I smiled naughtily at his addled face, grabbing his free hand that was wiping my tears.
"Be thankful that I Love You...I don't just accept compliments from random guys...more so let them kiss me or even take me" I whispered, emphasizing each word.
Then, it was as if I had said something unpleasant which made his eyes turn a shade darker, wiping out his cheerful aura.
I gulped as his wolf eyes ablaze with fire, wanting to devour me. Did I just go below the belt?
And in one swift motion, his lips crashed to mine as if to answer the question on my mind. It was different, he kissed me with armored intimacy, pushing me to my limits.
"Damn Elle, you don't tease me like that and just get away with it," he said in a raspy voice after pulling from our mind-blowing kiss.
I, on the other hand, remained still, staring at his serious face with lips slightly parted.
"Say you love me again" he pleaded breathily as if casting a spell on my stunned self.
"I love you, Lucian."
It was not my mouth saying those words but my heart. This emotion or feeling felt surreal and overwhelming. I can't fully describe what it is.
Love. I think that's what it is.
He smiled, happiness was written all over his face.
"Damn, I need to get used to this feeling, it felt so gay but... coming from you I'd accept everything"
I wiggled my head, keeping my sanity together. Trying to regain my rationality lost with that sudden kiss we shared.
"You kissed me!" I exclaimed in surprise, yet too late for such a reaction.
He grinned sheepishly, he was not regretful at all.
"It's your fault, Elle, you're such a temptress."
I raised my brows again. "What?"
"You never really know the kind of beauty you possess. Damn, it could adghimlkm" he mumbled, yet I was not able to understand the last words since it was so fast.
"What did you say?" I asked hoping he'd answer but instead looked at me with troubled eyes.
"Don't worry about it Elle, it's not important" he said, scratching his brows.
I eyed him suspiciously.
"You are my boyfriend now, yet you are keeping something to me," I said, pouting my lips.
He chuckled and held my chin, making me look at him.
"I'm your boyfriend hmm?" He asked as if it was the only thing he noticed. I pursed my lips.
"Obviously, and you are keeping something already" I repeated.
"Who said I am keeping something from my girlfriend?" He asked playfully.
"You said something like... ugh whatever Cian," I said defeated.
I rolled my eyes, and he laughed heartfully.
"I love you, Elle, don't be mad, baby"
I sighed. "You really know how to get at my good side."
"Come on, won't my girlfriend return the honor?"
I looked at him, a smile slowly forming on my lips.
"Is it a question that I need to answer?" I fired back and he immediately frowns.
I laughed and pinched his cheeks.
"Of course, I love you Cian. I love you more since that rainy day. I love you then, and now I got used to loving you every single day. You made me that kind of girl, a girl that loves the whole you"
His eyes brightened, and a glimpse of tears escapes from his gray eyes.
"Justine Elle, don't do that"
He planted a kiss on my lips, a soft one.
"You are always worth the wait Elle, and yes, I should be thankful that you choose to love someone like me. I'll work hard to keep that love. I love you, Elle"
His eyes shine with adoration and I couldn't help but get teary-eyed again.
"I can't wait to let Dad know about this"
We headed back to the grand hall as if we just came from Cloud Nine.
All eyes were on us as the guards opened the hall. Dad was there and curiosity was in his eyes at our intertwined hands.
"Oh, here she is." Then the emcee laughed, noting our presence.
"Come on dear, it is time for your 18 dance for the night... and as I can see you have already chosen your first dance," she said while looking at Cian on my side.
My cheeks heated up. Cian let go of my hand and kneel, earning a squeak from the audience.
"So may I have this dance?"
I looked at Cian who was smiling, extending his other hand. I nodded shyly and took it.
"Gosh, this is embarrassing" I commented. Cian went up and chuckled.
"Don't be, you are with me"
The crowd went wild when Cian kissed my hand and we head our way to the center. I could hear my naughty cousins whistling on the side and throwing cheesy lines.
I hid my face in embarrassment. Goodness, why do I have such cousins?
"Hey, don't mind them. Just look at me" Cian snatched my attention by gently pulling my chin up. My eyes were welcomed by his naturally striking features.
Indeed, I shouldn't let them distract me. This is the moment I have been patient of and I wanted to savor this one.
I placed my arm around his neck and Cian rest his other hand on my waist while our hands were interlocked as the music began to start.
"Focus on me Elle, I want your all attention for myself," he said in a low tone, sending butterflies in my stomach.
My blush was enough evidence that I was beyond happy by his comment. And true indeed, we danced as if we are in our own world.