Feeling that the woman in front of him was in another deep thought, Anderson could not wait to let Celia be stubborn again and close her heart as she would force herself to suffer the pain that she didn't deserve. Holding her small chin, he grinned and softly grazed his calloused thumb on her soft plumped cheeks.
"If my soul had taken liking to someone, especially my heart, I would do anything to take that into my hands and I would not rest until I have it. And darling, you have my heart and soul since that night, so take responsibility for making them yours."
"And how do you know that those emotions would last? How do I know that you won't change your heart and thoughts in the future? Mr. Jones, I can admit that I have been hurt terribly by the people that I used to hold close, and with this experience, I guess you can call me a coward, but as a human, if I can prevent myself from experiencing the same pain from back then then I would do my best to prevent that from happening."
"And how do you know that I would do that? Whoever the man that hurt you, I would say he's a donkey with the mind of a plankton who can't tell the difference between a diamond and a mudstone. Don't close your heart and harden them, not every human in this world is trash. Don't lump me in with that asshole. You haven't experienced, seen, and felt the things that I could give you. Celia, my Lilly, give me a chance to show my real self to you. You would be the only one that would reign over my body, heart, and soul. Ever since I saw you that night, you have already taken them in the palm of your hands and I am tightly wrapped around your pinkie."
"Mr. Jones, the pain I felt is the only thing that I do not want to experience. I've barely survived and I'm trying my very best to overcome that. Time doesn't heal the spiritual and emotional wounds I've suffered, and although I wanted to heal, my past haunts me like the grim reapers of a nightmare. I'm constantly running and looking around to protect myself like a paranoid person. I don't want to experience that again. I'm just human, just like them. But what did I do to deserve the pain that they have caused me? What did I do for them to hurt me so badly that I wanted to just die? Tell me, Anderson, since you claim that you know the world better than I do."
Anderson watched at the glistening eyes of Celia. He could see the tears that were ready to spill but she stubbornly held that, not showing her fragility and trying hard to portray that she was a strong woman. But like she said, she's only a human. She can't hold all the pain she felt.
Feeling remorse and extremely guilty for almost making her cry, Anderson brought her body close to his and hugged her tight as if mending both of their bodies together. Wrapping his arms around her waist and at the back of her head, he could feel that his shirt was soaked from her tears. Her small body trembled as Celia brought her shaky hands to grasp his sides. He didn't utter a word but let her feel, through his arms, that he would always protect her and that her happiness was his first priority. More than his.
The two hugged each other without space coming in between. Time passed by, she didn't how long it was when Celia finally calmed down. She didn't realize that his morning rain and woody scent would be the final trigger for her tears to spill, showing her vulnerability to the man she swore to stay away from and to cut off ties.
Still, in the same position, Celia could feel his fingers softly rubbing her waist while the others were combing her hair. She wanted to say something but she felt like her brain had no energy to spend. Guess all of that emotional frustration from both past and present had taken a toll on her, it wasn't like she could tell anyone her worries.
Of course, she has amazing best friends but her mind doesn't feel settled letting her worry about them. And something about Anderson's aura just felt so comforting to her. She felt like she could dump all her frustrations and worries even problems on him and he could find a solution within seconds or comfort her. Just like right now.
"Do you feel fine? Is it okay for me to talk to you?"
Celia nodded her head at the second question. She didn't really have any strength to pull away and she was glad that he didn't.
"Just like what I said before, I am not afraid to court you. If I have to be shameless, I will. If I have to beg for your attention, I will. If I have to be foxy, I will do that too. But Celia, hurting you would hurt me one thousand times more than you or even infinity times. My soul would feel like dying slowly if I saw you with tears or in pain. If I could take away your negative emotions, I would do that with all my being.
"I am not afraid to show to the world how an amazing woman you are. I could even show you off and if I see people being jealous of me, I feel like the gods have given me the universe because I have you. You're not unlucky. You don't bring me or people unhappiness. You are a blessing. A miracle. God's gift. And the universe's beloved child. Don't underestimate yourself, you have so much to offer and to discover your talents. Don't let your past define your future. If other people, especially those assholes that hurt you, had found their happiness, all the more reason for you and the more you deserve to find your own.
"If you can't pick up the broken pieces, let me do that. Don't reject me before you know me. Don't harden your heart without experiencing the happiness and the bliss of life. Don't let those people haunt you and prevent you from reaching a happy life. The best revenge is to show them how well, prosperous, and happy you are. If you can't fight their demons, your demons, give them to me. I will fight in your place. I will be your pillar. Your shield. And your warrior. All I ask is to give me a chance, watch me struggle to receive your heart, to make you happy, and just decide when are you going to be my Mrs. Jones."
"You--"
Celia looked up and saw his smirk. Her frozen heart beats against her chest. She could feel the walls that she had created for years and years slowly breaking down.
"Just let me woo you. Let me court you in public and private. Let the world know that the Celia that those people who hurt and threw you away had taken the attention of Mr. Jones without effort. Let them see how stupid they are. And don't be afraid to tell the world that I, Anderson Jones, had shamelessly come knocking on your door to ask your hand and to make you mine. I will take pride in that. I promise."