"Sick?How?" she was stunned and Marcus took her hand. They walked over to the living room and sat on the couch. He held her hand as he told her.
"She had leukemia. She had it for a long time..." he said. "Christine was my best friend since we were kids. Best friends then turned lovers... When I left to the States, I promised her I would take care of her, that I would pursue my dreams and marry her one day. But like most long distance relationships, it didn't work out long.. We moved on. She met David online, they fell in love and got married.... But since it was hard for her to have kids, he left her with another woman."
"She called me days before you and I should meet. I was in California that time for a project and we met. She told me about the situation, and I remember my promise to her... she has no one else to go to... so she thought of me... I wanted to tell you that night about her but I was so confused about my feelings for you... I don't know what to tell you... I thought it would be easier for you to hate me than tell you what I feel and get more hurt... I thought maybe it would be better if you forget about me... and move on... you're young and I don't want you to get too tied up with me when there could be others who could make you happier."
She squeezed his hand as if to tell him he was enough. He smiled and continued.
"I tried to come back for you that fall but they told me you moved to Connecticut with Daniel. They gave me your number but I didn't have the courage to talk to you yet. So I called Daniel and I could tell he was mad at me. He told me you are with Philip and that I need to leave you alone. I thought you were okay until I heard what happened."
"I kept blaming myself for the things that happened to you. If I tried harder maybe you never have to experience them.. maybe..." and he took her hand and kiss it. "I don't want to lose you again, Nikka. I'm not asking you to love me back.. you can take your time.. I will wait but please give me the chance to prove to you that I will be staying forever with you this time."
Her tears continued to fall as she whispered, "I love you, too, Marcus. I never stopped loving you."
He cupped her face, his eyes memorizing every detail of it. He could not contain his joy upon hearing it again... that she loved him.
His heart beat faster as he leaned closer to her face.
Then he whispered, "C-Can I kiss you?"
Nikka bit her lip and chuckled.
"Kiss me now before I change my mind."
He smiled and he lowered his head towards her, angling himself as she closed her eyes. He captured her lips, kissing her softly, very carefully. He wanted to savor her lips, those cherry lips that he craved for such a long time, as he traced her jawline with his thumb. She slightly parted her lips for him and he pushed his tongue inside her mouth. Deepening the kiss , he pulled her towards him as she moaned. Their kiss intensified, bringing heat to their bodies. Her hands wrapped around his neck, urging him to do more as he laid her down on the couch.
He wanted her but he needed to know if she was ready. The last time he tried to make love to her, she ended up pushing him away, locking him out of the room. He doesn't want that to happen again. He wanted her to feel safe... to let her know that he wouldn't hurt her and he was willing to wait as long as she needed him to.
He let go of her lips and whispered, "I wanted you, Nikka. But I don't want to force you. I can wait till you're ready.."
She sighed and he held her face, as their eyes met.
"Thank you," she replied, smiling. As much as she loved him, she needed to assure herself that she was ready to give herself fully to him without any fear or any memory of the trauma she had gone through with Philip.
He traced her lips with his finger as she moistened her lips and he kissed her again. He couldn't get enough of her lips but he let her go, as he closed his eyes and placed his head on her neck.
"You just don't know how it drives me crazy whenever you do that with your lips," he whispered in her ear. "Don't torture me or I might forget myself."
She laughed, knowing that he desired her greatly yet he was trying to restrain himself just shows how much he respected and loved her.
"I love you, Marcus," she whispered.
"I love you, too," he whispered, and he lifted his head to look at her eyes. He then caressed her face with his finger.
Suddenly, his phone rang and he took it from his back pocket. Pulling himself off from her, he looked at who was calling and glanced at Nikka. She sat up, her eyebrows furrowed.
"It's Dad," he said, covering the mouthpiece of his phone, and then, "Hi, Dad."
"Hello, Son. Listen, I know you might be busy but I wanted to check in with you if you are coming to the Spring Gala tonight?"
"Is it tonight?"
"Yes. I told you about this a week ago, remember?"
"Right... sorry, Dad. Sure we will go," and he glanced at Nikka again.
"We?"
"Yes, Dad. I think it is time for you to meet my girlfriend," and he smiled at Nikka. She smiled back at him.
"Do I know her?"
"You'll meet her later, Dad."
"Okay, okay," and he laughed. "See you later, Son. I love you."
"I love you, too, Dad," and Alfred hung up.
Marcus placed his phone back in his back pocket and turned to Nikka.
"So, I guess we have a change of plans."
"Yeah," she agreed.
"I'm sorry. I totally forgot about this."
"It's okay. It's just... I don't have anything to wear."
"Well, then, I think we might just go shopping. But, first, let's have lunch. I know a place that has this delicious steak," he said and took her hand.
"Wait! I thought you're going to teach me how to cook."
"Well, Ms. Nikka dela Cruz," and he pulled her to him. "You're a bad student."
"Hey! What did I do?" And she pouted.
"You distracted me with those kissable lips of yours," and he kissed her. She smiled after he let go of it.
"I'll be a better student next time, Sir," and she chuckled as she saw him groan.
"Oh my dear Nikka! What am I gonna do with you?" he cried as he gave her a simple peck on the lips and they hugged each other.
**************
"Wow! You look amazing," Marcus admired, and whistled as he stood in front of Nikka's door. She was wearing a black strapless silky gown that trails down to the ground and has a slit on her left leg. Her hair was in a bun and strands of hair fell from the side of her face. Her neck was adorned by the familiar heart-shaped necklace and on her ears were the three-layered diamond covered heart earrings.
Marcus pushed her inside her apartment again and closed the door behind him.
"I need a time alone with you," he mumbled as he walked towards her and took her left hand.
"Marcus, what are you doing? We're going to be late," she said as she saw him kissed her hand without looking away from her.
He took something out of his pocket while holding her hand and placed a sparkling diamond ring on her finger.
She gasped as her eyes widened.
"Marcus, what's this?" she asked.
"I thought something is missing," he commented and smiled.
She looked at the ring and it was familiar. The diamond princess cut ring was...
Elizabeth's engagement ring!
"Marcus-"
"Will you marry me? I know we agreed on the marriage part but I want it to be official and I thought Mom would really love it if I give it to someone special like you."
"Oh Marcus! Yes, yes, yes!" she cried, as she hugged his neck, and he pressed his lips on her.
Marcus licked his lips as he released her.
"Hmmm... tastes good," and she laughed.
"Tonight, we will announce our engagement to everyone at the gala. I want everyone to know I am marrying this wonderful woman.. who stole my heart years ago till now."
She smiled and whispered, "And you stole mine, too. Now we need to get going or we're going to be late."
"As you wish, my dear lady," he said, slipping her hand in his arm and opened the door.