"I didn't want to see El for six months. I want him to confirm his heart. Does he really love me or not? During these six months I will also make my wish come true. I want to visit some countries before I become his wife. I don't want to enter into a marriage with a regret for not being able to do what I want. If Eldrick agrees to both conditions then I will accept him as my husband."
"Six months? it imposible, O. Almost every day we see each other. I can't imagine six months without seeing you," Eldrick protested.
This was not what Eldrick wanted. He wanted to get married soon because he won't be able to be separated from Ozora for long.
"That's exactly what you should do. Prove that you still love me even if we don't meet. I don't want your feelings to just be based on habit. Can you do it for me?" Ozora saw the face of El who was sitting right in front of her.
El sighed. He really gave up. It's true what Mommy Carroll said. He could not force his will on Ozora. The only way to get the woman was to last six months without seeing her.
"Okay, I agree. I will let you visit the country you like as long as you don't break your promise to marry me."
"I promise."
Ozora was relieved. He was sure that El's feelings were not love but only comfortable because they were used to being together. Almost every day they met, joked with each other, exchanged ideas, and did many other things. Eldrick must have failed to meet the requirements. Moreover, he would go to Japan accompanied by his beautiful secretary, Shayna.
It's getting late. Adam invited his wife and Eldrick to go home. He knew that Ozora's answer was very disappointing for his son but this was a risk. Proposing to someone who was not a lover was not as easy as proposing to a lover who was already in a relationship.
Watching them leave, Nicko also took his wife home. His two children were left with nannies at home and they must went home before late. Meanwhile, Geona, she invited her husband and twins to stay there. She wanted to invite Ozora to talk one-on-one.
"Can we stay here tonight? Ghana and Ghava would love to be able to play with grandpa and grandma." Geona asked her husband and Othniel agreed to his wife's request.
"Daddy, we are sleepy," Ghana complained when he and his twin were sleepy.
"Want to sleep with daddy?" Othniel asked his twins.
The Two year olds nodded and immediately held out their hands for Othniel to carry them to the bedroom.
"Honey, I will take the boys to the bedroom first. You can talk with Ozora first," Othniel said to his wife who still wanted to spend time with her family.
"Yes. I will follow you later."
With his two strong hands, Othniel carried Ghana and Ghava on the right and left, leaving Geona still sitting on the sofa.
"O, I want to talk with you for a while." Geona invited Ozora to talk privately.
"Okay."
The two women left behind their family. Ozora opened the bedroom door and ushered her sister in. Geona immediately climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged.
"Let sit. We rare to talk like this," Geona invited.
Ozora guessed what Geona wanted to talk about. Most likely her sister would discuss the conditions she gave to Eldrick. She already had an answer for that.
"What do you want to ask?" Ozora did not dodge. The woman sat cross-legged in front of Geona.
"Why do you put conditions like that on El? It's obvious that he loves you very much. What if during these six months he found another love? Japanese women are cute." Geona deliberately heated Ozora's heart. So far, Geona could see that the woman had the same feelings as Eldrick but the bitter experience of the past was so haunting that her sister tried to kill the feelings of love that arose in her heart.
"If he finds another love it means he's not the right man for me."
"O, where else can you find a man as good as El?"
"I never looked for a man. You know that I didn't want to get married."
"Yeah, it's up to you. I just don't want you to regret it."
"I won't regret it. I believe in what I say." Ozora had great faith in her heart that Eldrick would be able to pass the test from her. Ozora did it not to test Eldrick but herself.
"I am sorry, El. I am so scared. I am worried if you are the same as the men out there. Please don't hate me."
***
A week had passed. Today Eldrick and Shayna would leave for Japan. His secretary had prepared everything.
To be honest El's footsteps were very heavy to leave Ireland. He would definitely miss the adorable tomboyish woman. His dream of bringing Ozora to Japan had not come true.
"Sir, it's time we boarded the plane." Shayna, who had been accompanying Eldrick in the waiting room, invited Eldrick but no answer from the man.
"What's wrong with him? He's not excited like usual," Shayna thought.
They were already sitting on the plane seats. Eldrick immediately changed the shape of his chair to make it more comfortable to sleep in. He would sleep all the way. He's not usually like that.
"Are you sick?" Shayna tried to pay attention.
"I am not. I am just sleepy so don't bother me until we get to Japan."
"Yes, sir."
"His demeanor is colder than usual. Does he not like this job? but, impossible. During this time he was very passionate about advancing his family company."
"Looks like he is sick. After arriving in Japan I will make a spice tea for him." Shayna talked in her heart.
***
"Is he okay? Has he gone to Japan?" Ozora stared at her cell phone screen and ignored the work in front of her eyes. Geona asked her to make a monthly report on finances, progress, and other things that needed to be evaluated but her mind could not deny the image of Eldrick's face. The man really kept his promise. A week after she made the conditions, Ozora did not see Eldrick anymore. He did not contact her and never texted. Ozora did not know about Eldrick departure time.
"He must be fine. Shayna must be taking good care of him."
Ozora suddenly thought of Shayna. Beautiful, elegant, and she was a very intelligent woman. "Are they going to live together?" Ozora's heart immediately became worried.