Suddenly, a phone rang. Feliz looks at Linden pocket suit, as Linden didn't gaze away from her.
Feliz looks at him back. "Your phone."
Linden bend down to look at his phone then answer.
"Uncle."
"So how's the meal? Why can't you call me first, so I can feel assure that it went well." Uncle Liam complains.
"It went fine. I'm still with Miss Feliz."
"Oh, really? You're still with Feliz? Now, this is progress. Where?"
Just as Linden about to answers, he cuts in;
"Wait! No, don't tell me. It only ruins the fun. Make sure to take Feliz home after that. Then I won't bother you two, I will inform Tan to call Feliz later. Wouldn't want to disturb both your moment. Alright then."
Uncle Liam hangs up. Linden was loss at word. His uncle is indeed such a silly person. What moment? He puts back his phone, then looks at Feliz.
"Do you have other place to go?" Linden ask.
"No. I don't really know any places around here." Feliz reply.
Linden then looks around as he saw a café.
"Let have a coffee over there." Linden suggest. Feliz only nods and follow him.
Both enjoys the taste of their coffee at the café, silently. Linden holding to his cup looking at Feliz. His mind is chaotic. There's a lot of question he would like to ask her. But couldn't find the courage to ask. Knowing how forward and diligent she is, he thought that maybe she will tell him everything. All the time, he ask a questions the woman didn't faze or hesitate at all. While he, when the woman ask about his parent and son, as it recalls him about his past, he became stiff. But the woman, he was sure that he touch a sensitive questions, she still calmly talk as if retelling others story, like she have no involvement in that topic. That time he thought, whether she is a strong person to handle her past or maybe it had deeply wounded her that her heart has completely become numb. He wasn't sure as he wasn't on her shoe. But his mind couldn't help but wonders what happened 2 years ago? Still, he already decided something in his heart.
While he was lost in his thought, Feliz notice his eyes on her. She then take the initiative to talk;
"Is there something else would you like to ask me, Mr Linden?"
Linden eyelashes shook as he's wake from his thought. He looks at his coffee, holding his cup as he sip his coffee.
"Call me Linden." He stated.
"Then, call me by my name as well."
"Feliz…" He calls her name.
As he put his cup at the coffee table. He looks at Feliz a while. Feliz patiently waits for him to talk. A second later, he speak;
"I would like to take you as my wife."
Feliz was quiet for a while. Realizing that she's contemplating about it, he's a little surprise. Before, she was fast on answering his question without thinking. Now, seeing her like this, the feeling is fresh.
"If you need time, it's okay. You don't need to feel rush." Linden reasons.
It took Feliz a moment, as she looks at him and ask;
"May I know why a sudden change of mind?"
Linden was quiet for a second as he slowly answers;
"I've seen many type of people. Their lifestyle, their manner, attitude, that I eventually could see their true feelings. I could see their greed, their true self. Every day in my life, I have to face this type of people every day. That I eventually thought that everyone, is the same. But seeing you for the second time, trying to understand you truly and looking at you in a different perspective. I thought how indeed…compatible we are."
Feliz was silent, taking in Linden answer. Suddenly, Linden adds;
"Also, I finally realize how proud and arrogant I was that I insulted you, that I judge your character to early...I was thick-headed, narrow-minded, and irrational…I misjudge you, Feliz…with that, I'm sorry."
Feliz was stunned hearing Linden apology, this time it sound sincere.
"Alright…" Feliz then look down, as she suddenly add;
"Alright. I'll be your wife."
Hearing that, Linden was stunned. But he didn't linger in his thought for long.
"I'll inform my Uncle about this matter, so you should tell your father the same."
"I have a request."
Linden brow lifted. He is curious about her request.
"What request?"
"Let just have a informal marriage."
"You mean….you don't want a wedding?"
"Yes."
"It's more convenient that way. Less thinking and less people." Feliz add.
"I'm sure our elders wouldn't agree. They more likely want us to have a wedding ceremony." Linden was willing to accept her request, because he thought having a wedding is really unnecessary. But he also know his uncle way of thinking is old-fashion, to him a wedding is indeed an essential for a married couple, and he is sure Feliz's parent will think the same way.
"I will talk this to my father. I hope you can convince your uncle." Feliz plead.
Linden looks at Feliz, as he try to understand her.
"At least, tell me why? I probably could convince my uncle to consider your request."
Feliz was quiet again. As she is in deep thought, Linden take his chance to observe her face. Although she is quiet as she is thinking deeply, there's no expression or emotion that could be found in her face. She wear a calm face as if she has no worry in the world.
"I just couldn't live my life as normal people could do. Having a wedding is one of the things that I couldn't…no, having a wedding is something I didn't wish to do." Feliz emphasized.
Again, hearing her reply make Linden curious that he wish he could know her past, that she willingly open up to him. But having a thought, Linden sigh. He himself has a story of his own that he wishes to bury deep down in his mind and heart, that he didn't wish to share to anyone. He looks at Feliz, who also staring at him. A sudden thought cross in his mind. 'This woman…is also the same as me. Deeply scarred because of our past…'
"Fine, but both of us will see them. I'll be taking you as my wife, so it is irresponsible for me to let you alone trying to convince them."
Hearing this, Feliz didn't reject. Linden then adds;
"I'll arrange a meeting for our elders. Tomorrow, I'll take you to look for our marriage rings."
Feliz only nods her head. Seeing her attitude, Linden exlaims;
"It might seem rush to you. But I feel the sooner we handle this the better. But if you want some time..."
"I understand. Let's do the way you discuss." Feliz said. Knowing that she agreed to it, Linden feel settled. Both then silently drank their coffee.
A minutes later, both walks out from the café.
"My chauffeur has arrives already. Today, let me send you back. You and I are no longer stranger." Linden said. There's a hint of smile when he said that.
Hearing that, Feliz indeed didn't have any reason to refuse. She follows Linden to his car. Linden open the door for her. Feliz thanks him as she get in, while Linden close the door he walks beside the door as the chauffeur open the door for him. Then they on the way to Feliz place. In the car only silent ensues. Sometimes the driver look through his review-mirror to check his boss and his companion mood. Both seem to be comfortable even though only silent fills the car. Knowing both mood, the driver then focus back toward his driving feeling relief.
A moment later, they arrive at the destination. Feliz was about to open the door, but Linden stops her. He got out from the car and open the door for her. Feliz goes out. Linden then closes the car door.
"I'll walk you to your apartment." Linden stated. Hearing this, Feliz didn't refuse. Both walk together at the quiet neighbourhood.
"It's so quiet here." Linden couldn't help but notice the quietness.
"There's less people staying here." Feliz explains.
Knowing that, Linden laugh a little.
"Then this place suit you well." He tease.
However Feliz only nods her head seemingly not bother by his tease. They walks up stair toward the third floor. As they arrives at her apartment door, Feliz thanks him.
"Feliz." Linden call.
Feliz turn to look at him.
"We haven't exchanges phone numbers." Linden gesture his phone. Seeing that, Feliz took out her phone. Both exchanges phone numbers.
"Well then." Linden said. Feliz nods her head. Linden was about to leaves, when suddenly Feliz call him.
"Linden."
Linden look back toward Feliz.
"Sorry to tell you but I don't like flowers. I returned the bouquet flowers previously back to the florist shop." Feliz inform.
Hearing this, Linden was stunned for a moment.
"Then I'm an inform person." As he smile apologetically.
"Good night, Feliz."
"Good night, Linden."
Feliz then get inside her apartment. Linden walks back to his car. As he instruct his driver back to his company, he was in a deep thought. Feliz just finish her bath when suddenly her phone rang.
"Dad?"
"Feliz, so how's the date going?" Mr Tan straightforward asks.
"We have a pleasant time. And we decide to take the next steps." Feliz explains.
"Next step? You mean…." Mr Tan doubted.
"Yes, marriage." Feliz confirm it.
"Thank god! This is a good news. Finally, my daughter is getting married." Mr Tan happily said.
"We'll be looking for our marriage ring tomorrow."
"Oh goodness, God bless my soul. This is good news, too much a good news." Mr Tan exclaims. Through his voice there's joy that could be heard.
"Mr Linden told me that he'll arrange a meeting for you and uncle, he probably will inform you." Feliz inform.
"Alright, alright, I guess we'll be ready then."
"Yes, dad. Good night."
"Oh, yes. Good night, Feliz. Have a good rest."
Their conversation end. As Feliz slowly buried her face on her knees.