"You want to propose to me? Are you kidding me?" Ozora asked, surprised. "I don't want to marry anyone!" Ozora wanted to curse Eldrick but she did not have the heart to do it.
"Just wait. I will definitely make you my wife. The only woman who will accompany me until I grow old."
"Don't be crazy, El! I know you are always joking but this is not funny. You make me scared."
"Yes, I am crazy. I am really crazy about you. It's been more than a year I approached you but you are completely insensitive to my feelings. So the last way is to bring our parents to meet and talk about marriage. I want to marry you before I leave for Japan."
"Japan?"
"Yes. Soon we will go to Japan. Then I will go first. I just stopped by to see the face of my future wife."
Eldrick left Ozora confused. He had purposely left to avoid an argument. Eldrick knew very well that Ozora would have a thousand and one reasons to reject him.
"What did he mean about the proposal? We have never been in a relationship. It was just Eldrick's way of keeping me from getting mad at the kiss. We will see! I will keep scolding him." Ozora still thought that it was just a bluff.
***
Eldrick was worried. He was staring at his reflection in the mirror. Honestly, he doubted whether Ozora would accept his proposal but there was no other choice. Among the many women who expected him to be a husband, the stubborn woman was actually not sensitive to his attention.
"Son, what are you thinking?" Mommy Carroll came in because Eldrick's bedroom door was unlocked.
"I am scared, Mom. What if Ozo rejects my proposal? What if She gets angry and turns to hate me? We Are not lovers and she doesn't know that I love her."
Carroll saw the worry on his second son's face. He grabbed his son's shoulder. "Where has my son's courage gone? You always dare to reject women who approach you. Then why are you afraid of being rejected?"
"I love her so much, Mom. I just want to marry her."
"EL, give her the freedom to make decisions. I know you love her very much but you never confessed your feelings to her. It's not Ozora's fault if she rejects you tomorrow. Trust me, if she is the right woman for you, she will definitely give you a chance. Now you rest so that tomorrow you will be refreshed when we come to her house."
All this time Eldrick did not want Ozora to stay away from him. Many times hw wanted to confess his feelings but he was afraid of rejection. That's why he always harbored and hoped that the woman would be sensitive to his feelings. If it was another woman then they would have picked up every signal of attention given by Eldrick. But Ozora was not like most women. She ignored the thing called love. It was enough for her to be friends with Eldrick. When Adam, Eldrick's father, ordered his son to go to Japan, Eldrick did not want to go without Ozora.
***
Daphnee did her sister's hair tie and polished her face with makeup. Even though Daphnee did not ask her sister to be feminine, at least she arranged Ozora's clothes to make her look neater. After having a long talk with Jacob and Rachel, finally Ozora agreed to the proposal to be held. even though she already had a plan in her mind. This time Ozora wore a t-shirt with a casual blazer and black jeans. The soles of her feet were wrapped in salmon colored flat shoes. Daphnee had wanted to lend her the dress she had but that would really offend her sister. Daphnee let her sister show who she is. Instead, it was a test of whether her future husband's family accepted her or not
***
FLASH BACK ON
Carroll asked her husband Adam to contact Jacob. They did not want to break their son's wish. As parents they want their son to be happy.
"Hello, Doctor Northman. I am Adam, Eldrick's daddy. Can we talk?" Adam deliberately turned on the loudspeaker so his wife could hear too.
"Of course, Sir."
"Tomorrow we will come to propose to your daughter, Ozora. We know this is very sudden. We also know very well that Eldrick and Ozora have never dated but our son loves her very much. Can you help us to persuade Ozora? We are sure El will make Ozora happy."
"Do you know Ozora's background? She is not our real daughter." Jacob wanted to clarify before it was too late. He would not give his daughter over to a family that did not value Ozora.
"We know everything about her. Eldrick had told us everything. El's happiness is paramount and now he wants to be happy with Ozora."
"Okay. Tonight we will talk to our daughter."
"Thank you, doctor Nortman."
Jacob knew Eldrick. The man stayed there several times when Geona and Othniel also visited his house. He was sure the man truly loved his daughter and would guide Ozora well.
"Are you sure you can persuade Ozora?" Rachel asked. She doubted her husband's decision.
"This is the best for Ozora. I will talk to her."
FLASH BACK OFF
The meeting of two families made Ozora's heart beat fast. She inhaled then exhaled. Ozora squeezed her fingers in fear but she had to finish this all.
Ozora's eyes saw Eldrick standing up to welcome her. Ozora and Eldrick were the sama because El was struggling to calm his heart which almost fell out from its place. He also saw Geona and Othniel. His friends gave him support with their smiles. It seemed they had already planned for today's event.
"You are so beautiful. Now I know why my son wants to marry you," Carroll said. She immediately approached and gave Ozora a hug. "I am sure that you will be a good wife for Eldrick."
All of them sat on the sofa. After Adam had talked a lot and told the purpose of their arrival, now all eyes were on Ozora.
"What's your answer?" Jacob asked his adopted daughter.
Ozora squeezed her fingers tightly, hoping her anxiety would be channeled. "I will accept El as my husband if he can accept my conditions."
"Condition?" Eldrick's forehead furrowed at the thought of the conditions that the woman would give. He was really afraid that he would not be able to fulfill those conditions.