Ethan wasn’t prepared for Gillian’s reaction, but he was quick to unstrap the guitar over his shoulders and ran after her. Those who were left behind in the banquet hall felt rather unraveled and didn’t know how to respond at that moment. All they could do was wait in the room as they watched the back of Ethan disappearing down the hall.
Ethan was two steps behind when he watched as Gillian walked into the Ladies Room. He would have followed her inside if it wasn’t for the woman who was approaching from the opposite end of the hallway. Ethan realized the woman was looking at him as she got closer, so he pretended to read the sign on the door in hope that she was just walking by. But the woman stopped in front of him and gave him the look. So, Ethan had no choice but to step aside and backed off a few steps. After the restroom door was closed, he started pacing the hallway hoping Gillian would come out soon. Lucky for him, Gillian did just that, but she was spooked by his presence when she lifted her head. Ethan noticed her eyes were very red.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I wanted this to be the most romantic night for you!” Ethan reached out and took hold of Gillian’s upper arms. “Aunty May told me this place was very close to the beach where that classmate played the prank on you when you were in high school. I wanted tonight to replace that horrible memory; that from now on, you’d be telling people about our story!”
Ethan waited and was hoping Gillian would smile or at least say something; but her expression remained nonchalant, and no words came from her mouth. So, he held on to her by the shoulders and pleaded in desperateness. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
Gillian was deeply moved by what Ethan had just said, but her playful nature took over because she wanted to see more of his needy expression. But when she was being shaken by him, she could no longer hold back her inner chuckles.
“Who said I was mad at you? Some of the make-up got into my eyes and started to irritate them. I had to wash my eyes.”
The feeling of relief was so obvious on Ethan’s facial expression. It looked as if he had just returned from a major battle, and he was the winner. He let out a breath of air. “Okay, you’re smiling now, so I’m going to take that as a yes!” With a shy dimple smile, he reached for her hand. “We can now go back and tell everyone we are getting married!”
“Getting married?” She pretended with as much drama as she could and pulled her hand back from his hold. “No, no, no. You can’t do that! All that happened was you singing to my dad that you want to marry his daughter.” Gillian just realized it was so much fun to play hard to get. “You said my dad was quite a playboy once, remember? Maybe I should ask if he’s hiding another daughter somewhere.”
Ethan looked into her mocking eyes and regretted ever making that comment way back when. He turned to look around his surroundings, making sure his potential future father-in-law was nowhere in sight or within hearing range. That would definitely jeopardize this entire evening, let alone his future with her. “Gillian, you know it’s only you that I love. The ring in the box was meant for you only!”
Upon hearing the ‘love’ word, Gillian’s heart did a leap to her throat. She realized this was the first time he ever professed his love to her by actually using the four letter word. If it had been an ordinary night, she would have caved and accepted his proposal again like she did the first and second time. However, she was having way too much fun tonight. “How do I know there is a real engagement ring in the box? For all I know, it could be the skull ring.”
Looking at her, Ethan knew for certain that having her as his wife would definitely be filled with wits and challenges. There would be no dull moments for sure. But he would welcome them. In fact, he was looking forward to taking on whatever challenges she would present to him. He had noticed life was a lot more interesting when he became the mouse who could outsmart the cat. “Well, the only way to find out is to follow me back and see for yourself.”
He took her hand and Gillian began to follow along; he then gave her a knowing smile. “Remember what you promised me.”
Gillian stopped short instantly and pulled him back. “What did I promise you?”
“You said if fate was on my side, you would ‘Let it be’ and marry me!” Ethan grinned with confidence. With a touch of schmuck-ness upon a realization, he added. “Hey! That even rhymes!”
Upon returning to the banquet room, Gillian noticed the 4-seater square table had become a 12-seater long table. Fancy crystals, china and silver wares were set for each placement and the long table was decorated with small vases of fresh flowers. Even Ethan was amazed at the sudden transformation of the room. The guests were expecting Gillian to be wearing a smile upon her re-entrance; but when they didn’t see that, they all turned apprehensively quiet.
After a short pause, Gillian’s father couldn’t take the silence and spoke up. “Gillian, did you say yes to Ethan? We are having a wedding, right?”
“I didn’t say anything to him!” Gillian addressed her father and then gave Ethan a playful smirk. In the past, she was sensitive enough not to mention her father’s past liaisons. But she thought tonight was alright just to perk her dad a little for taking Ethan’s side. “He only asked you for permission to marry his daughter. I meant to ask if you have another daughter somewhere that I didn’t know about.”
As soon as those words came out of Gillian’s lips, Jason, together with Aunty May and Ethan came to Mr. Chan’s defense. Gillian was truly glad for that; especially when it came from Aunty May who never used to side her father when it came to his affairs in the past. Tonight, Aunty May really stepped up for her husband. “Oh no, your dad is very loyal. He only has one daughter and that’s you!”
“Well, you were the one who used to feed these ideas into my head.” Gillian gave Aunty May the get even look. “So now you’re siding Dad, huh?” Then Gillian drew close to her dad and gave him a shoulder hug. “Sorry Dad. I was just playing with you!”
“You are such a brat!” Aunty May chided. “You’re going to be Ethan’s wife soon and still want to play such childish games!”
“Ethan’s wife? Says who? He did not propose to me tonight. He sang to Dad, not to me!” Gillian dismissed the subject and headed back to her seat.
Katie came up and stood behind Gillian. “Gillian, Ethan worked really hard learning to play the guitar for you.”
“Ms. Chan, you have to give him a break. Yip Sir jumped into the polluted sea just to get the ring back for you!” Erica told Gillian.
This was news to Gillian, so she turned to look at the jewelry box that was still sitting on the table where Ethan had left it earlier. She had no idea what Erica was talking about until Derek enlightened her by pointing to the jewelry box. “Ethan recognized right away this was the engagement ring he bought you when it was stuck to a pop can. Remember, the one you dropped into the sea?”
Gillian turned to Ethan who was grinning at her. But she wasn’t buying what was told to her. She didn’t think it was possible. “No, it can’t be!”
“Open the box!” Ethan challenged Gillian but she refused to give in even though everyone in the room was rooting her to open the jewelry box that was directly in front of her.
Knowing Gillian’s stubbornness, Ethan finally picked up the jewelry box. Just when he was about to open it up in front of Gillian, Mark whispered something that was only meant for Ethan to hear. “Don’t worry! If Ms. Chan won’t say ‘yes’, we still have Plan B!”
Ethan ignored Mark’s comment but went on to present Gillian with the ring. Gillian gasped upon seeing the ring. She took the ring out of the box to take a closer look, it was indeed the exact same ring that Ethan had given her. Ethan took hold of the ring and put it on her finger. “This is the third time I’m putting this ring on your finger.”
“People say third time is a charm! So, this is good luck!” Nathaniel added and everyone voiced their agreement with glee.
“You hear that!” Ethan pretended to lecture Gillian. “So be a good girl and wear this ring. And if you need to lose it or drop it somewhere, do it after we are married.”
When Gillian looked at the ring on her hand and smiled at Ethan, congratulations filled the room. However, there was one particular comment from Derek that caught Gillian’s attention. “Ethan said he would only accept the training in the States on the condition that you marry him!”
“Training in the States?” Gillian had to repeat part of the statement as she looked at Derek.
“See! I wasn’t lying when I said someone was considering moving to the States!” Aunty May added. "And Ethan really did have questions to ask you!”
“Miss Chan, did Ethan get down on his knees when he asked you to marry him the first time?” Mark teased. Ethan gave him a ‘back off’ glare, though it was a jovial one.
“No, he never did!” Gillian shook her head. “In fact, he has never asked me to marry him, so to speak. He just put the ring on my finger.”
Everyone started on Ethan to get down on his knee and give Gillian an official proposal. He tried meandering his way out but finally got down on one knee. But instead of proposing so everyone could hear, he pulled Gillian towards him and whispered something to her ear. “Please say you will be my wife, or they will play me for a fool for the rest of my life!”
When Gillian leaned back and smiled sweetly at him, Ethan thought his job was done. Congratulations were given and Ethan could feel the pats on his shoulders. And when Gillian came forward to give him a quick peck on his cheek, he thought it was time to tell the Maitre’D that dinner could soon be served. The moment of triumph only lasted a split second because Gillian accepted his proposal with a condition. Then his facial expression took a 180-degree turn, almost like he got instant sunburn. That reddish glow on his tan skin was prominent to Gillian’s eyes only.
Ethan had to be sure he heard Gillian correctly, so he looked into her eyes and asked. “Are you serious?”
Gillian nodded with a grin and rolled her eyes towards Mark. Ethan reluctantly got up and stood on both feet. First thing he did was grabbed Mark by the neck and pretended to strangle him.
“Thanks to you, she wants Plan B!” Ethan told Mark.
Mark walked up to Derek and announced to him. “Plan B!”
Then both of them turned to Gillian and gave her a salute. After that, they made their way up to the stage with Ethan.
“There is a Plan B?” Anita and Katie asked out loud at the same time.
When the others started asking about Plan B, Gillian realized she wasn’t the only clueless one. It seemed only Mark and Derek knew about Plan B. Gillian watched as Derek and Mark worked together to set up the media system. When Ethan stepped up to the stage and took the solo mic, she was overcome with regret by putting him under the limelight alone.
“Umm…I didn’t know Plan B was just Ethan, I was expecting to see everyone singing and dancing again.” Gillian approached the stage and tried to bring Ethan back to the table. She took the mic. “I don’t need Plan B anymore!”
But it was too late because the rest of the group wouldn’t let Ethan off the hook. They kept Ethan up on the stage but brought Gillian back to her seat.
“We want to see Plan B!” Anita added. She turned to Gillian. “Ethan stayed behind at the studio every day to practice; before we open and after we closed! He wouldn’t let any of us stay to watch!”
“Since you practiced so hard, you need to do this!” Derek assured Ethan. “You need to show Gillian how…” He paused. Then he placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulders. “You know, you need to show her!”
“You need to do this, Ethan!” Mark urged on with a tease. “But you don’t have to worry; even if you sound terrible, it seems Ms. Chan has already agreed to be Mrs. Yip!”
“Yes! See how she’s already protecting you!” Nathaniel added.
“Sis! You don’t need to protect Ethan so soon!” Jason placated his sister. “Let us have a bit of fun with Ethan before the wedding!”
Ethan’s confidence grew when Gillian attempted to spare him the embarrassment. But the more she fought for him, the more he wanted to sing the song to let her know the words in his heart. So, when the lights dimmed and the background music started, he started with an icebreaker to calm the crowd which now included the Maitre’D and a few of the servers assigned to their function tonight.
“Gillian, remember when you asked me to show you my sincerity?” Ethan started.
Gillian’s heart was racing at this moment, but she managed to give Ethan a nod.
Ethan then continued. “Well, since then, I’ve been cracking my brain to find all the ways I can do that. I’ve even asked my boss! Really, he can vouch for me!” Ethan noticed how Gillian turned to look at Derek who affirmed her with a nod. When Gillian turned back and smiled at him, Ethan continued. “I hope by singing this song, you will know how sincere I am about us and about asking you to marry me.”
Never in a million years would Gillian have thought it was possible for Ethan to serenade her with a song, let alone propose to her in front of her family and friends. She knew this was so out of his character and she could no longer doubt his love for her. As soon as the music started, her heart began to melt. And when Ethan started singing the first lines, she felt as if her entire body was zapped to outer space. In a good way! She felt like a baby learning to breathe again.
“Girl, tell me only this,
That I'll have your heart for always,
And you want me by your side,
Whispering the words "I'll always love you,
And forever, I will be your lover,
And I know if you really care
I will always be there.”
Heat was rising to her cheeks, and she was trying to pace her heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. And when she heard the word ‘lover’, she envisioned herself as a piece of marshmallow being heated up and was about to lose its solid state.
“I need to tell you this,
There's no other love like your love,
And I, as long as I live,
I'll give you all the joy, my heart and soul can give.”
Gillian could hear and see how some of the servers were being affected by Ethan’s serenade; the distraction to glance away from him was the only way she could bring herself back to earth to take some air into her lungs. But when Ethan approached and took her hands, her heart was just about to jump out of her chest. Gillian's eyes were seeing stars in the sky, and she had to tell herself not to go into cardiac arrest. This was one magical moment she would never ever forget.
“Let me hold you,
I need to have you near me.
And I feel with you in my arms,
This love will last forever!
Because I'm truly …
When the song came to the end, Ethan brought her left hand to his left chest and asked with confidence. “Gillian Chan, would you do me the honor and accept this ring and marry me on July 8th?”
The answer was obvious in Gillian’s eyes, but they were both distracted by the curious audience.
“Why July 8th?” Several people were asking.
Only Gillian and Ethan knew the riddle to July 8th, but they had no intention to respond. Instead, Gillian said to Ethan quietly. “Tonight’s bill is going to be a big one, isn’t it?”
Ethan winced at the thought of the anticipated bill which made Gillian chuckled. Then she moved her hand that was still resting on his chest to show him the ring on her finger. “I will guard this ring with my life for the next two weeks. But on July 8th, you will have to put one on that will fit perfectly in front so that this one will never come loose again!”
“I promise I will do that!” Ethan smiled his relief.
Finally, they turned to face their guests and Ethan made the grand announcement. “Please set your date, Gillian and I are getting married in 2 weeks on July 8th!”