I couldn't help but laugh with what I heard. "I think that was the funniest joke I heard from you. You're still the same Geoff. You could still find a way to make me laugh. If I don't know you well, I would think you are really serious." I said. Actually, I don't find it funny, I just couldn't think of any reply. Half of me feels happy and excited and it made my heart skipped a beat, but the other half says it's a big lie.
"That's your problem! How many times I have told you I like you when we were still in college? I always tried my best to be a gentleman to you and I was always there for you. How couldn't you see all the things I did for you?" His voice raised a little. This is the first time he did it to me. Is he really serious?
There was a long silence between us. Even the man playing piano stopped what he was doing and left the place. The bartender couldn't also be found anywhere. I guess they left the place as a courtesy, they knew they shouldn't be here.
"What do you want me to do to prove that I really like you, that I have loved you ever since? I envy that drummer guy! You fell for him easily even for a short time. In my case, I spent almost a year trying to convince you about my feelings, but nothing happened. I asked you to marry me and you just laughed. How can I be a joke to you?"
"How did you know about Lance? Were you stalking me?"
"Long story. And don't change the topic!" He exclaimed. I'm starting to feel scared of him. I feel like a child being scolded by my father.
"It's not that I don't trust you. I seriously didn't think that you were serious. I really thought you were kidding." I said in a low tone.
"Well, I'm not! We're not getting any younger Jessica. I just don't want to lose you again and I'm scared you will meet someone again, so I have to make my move."
"Anyway, do you really have my diary? Can you please give it back to me?" I tried to lighten the mood by changing the subject.
"I have them and I was disappointed not to see any information about me in there. I read all the entries and I couldn't help but realize how you have missed a lot of things in your life because of you fears. From now on, I will make sure you will try all the things you missed, and we will do all those things together. If you will just allow me. But from what I see, you don't care!"
"Like what things are you referring to? I am happy with my life now and I don't think I am missing something."
"Having dates outside! Going to the beach, watching movies in cinema and not at home, going overseas, walking in the park, everything! We will do all those things together. I will not let you feel alone anymore. So please, wake up, Jessica."
"When you asked me to marry you, were you serious?" I asked. I am asking the question to make sure I'm understanding the situation correctly and I'm not just assuming things.
"Yes. I am dead serious. I want to marry you." He said with determination.
"Should I give you my answer now?"
"Not necessarily. If your answer is no, then don't say it. If it's a yes, then we can plan the wedding starting tomorrow." He said now full of hope in his eyes.
I look at him trying to analyze whether he is sincere. I couldn't remember any time in university when he hurt me, or he let me down. He was always there for me when I needed him. He was never ashamed of going to public places in the campus with me despite his fame and me being a nobody. This guy is many woman's dream. But why I feel so scared trusting him? I feel so small whenever I am with him. We are exactly the opposite. He is super wealthy and I am just a commoner, with nothing to be proud of.
"You don't need to answer now. As I've said a while ago, I can wait for you even it takes forever."
"Can we take things slowly? I want to be sure that you really love me before we get married. I want us to get to know each other deeper. Is that possible?"
"I was already expecting that." He said with a smile. "Let's try being a couple for two months. After that, you can decide to marry me or not. If in those months, you realize that you shouldn't trust me, then you can leave me, I won't bother you again. But after two months and you can discover how lovable, romantic, sweet, thoughtful and handsome I am as a lover, then we will get married. Deal?"
I couldn't help but smile. I think it was already part of his plan. He knows I couldn't say no directly so he thought of how he can convince me to accept his offer. Very smart plan. He is indeed a businessman.
"Is it a yes? So, we are now a couple?" He moved beside me and sat so close. I could feel my heartbeat racing again. It was not my first time to be so close with a man but his effect on me is still different.
I think I don't have a choice anymore, so I nodded and looked down. I don't know why I feel so shy in front of him, something I didn't feel when I was with Lance. When I met Lance, I was confident and I wasn't scared to be aggressive but with him, it's totally the opposite. I trusted Lance immediately. Maybe because I know that we are the same, we are both "normal" people.
He hugged me tightly. I could feel the warmth of his body which sends electricity to my body. "I will make sure you won't regret it and two months later, you will definitely become Mrs. Geoffrey Park."
We stayed in this position for a few minutes. I couldn't stop thinking about how it would feel like to wake up in the morning beside this man. I had to stop myself, I'm thinking way ahead again.
He let go hugging me and looked at me. Our faces were so close to each other now and I can feel the warmth of his breath. It was too obvious that he was looking at my lips and I could feel blood rushing in my face. It is too hot.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked.
Before I even answered, I could feel his lips on mine. It was so gentle. I felt his lips move and it was like a natural reaction that I kissed him back. We kissed passionately for I don't know how long. We separated almost out of breath.
He held my hand and kissed it. "You are the only woman I have loved like this do you know that?"
Of course, I didn't believe him, I just stayed quiet.
"We have a lot of catching up to do. I want to know all the things that happened to you since I left. I read some from your diary but it's still different if I can hear them from you directly."
"I also want to listen to your story. I want to know why you didn't send any letter nor call when you left. I thought you already forgot about me." I said pouting.
"Why are you so cute when you do that? Can you please do it again?" He was teasing.
I acted to punch him. How can he say such a thing when I was serious asking? I didn't say a word. I felt embarrassed.
"I wanted to write you letters but I chose not to. I wanted to tell you everything directly when we meet. Do you know I was praying every day for you not to meet anyone? I did many good deeds because I believe God will give what I pray for if I am good to others and He didn't fail me. You remained single until I met you in the bar."
"What bar?"
"The bar where you met Lance. I was also there. I wanted to approach you, but he approached you first. I lost hope at first but when I found out what he did to you, I wanted to kill him. That's when I got your diary. It's really a long story. I think we need the whole night."
"It will be cold here later. How about we go to a café nearby? We can share stories there and there are many 24-hour cafes in the area." I suggested. He was quiet for a moment, seems like he was thinking.
"How about we stay in your room in this hotel? We can stay there overnight."