The Ace And The Four Kings
Xyrine Jean's POV
"You look absolutely stunning, Xyrine," Ella complimented me with a warm smile, sincerity shining in her eyes.
I turned to my reflection in the mirror, taking in my appearance. I was now wearing the white dress Spade had sent me earlier.
"You know, I'm really, really happy for you," she continued, her voice slightly trembling with emotion.
I almost laughed when I saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Oh, come on, Ella! You're acting like I'm about to get married."
"But how could I not?! You and Spade are just so perfect together! I can already picture your wedding—gosh, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it!"
"We're just going on a date! You're being overly dramatic."
We were still giggling when we suddenly heard a car honk from outside.
"Oh, it looks like your dashing escorts have arrived," she teased, making me smile even more.
A few moments later, we decided to head downstairs. As I descended the staircase, my eyes immediately landed on Ren and Ten. However, something about them caught me off guard. They weren't just dressed up—they were in formal attire, looking as if they were heading to a grand event.
What's going on?
The moment they saw me, they stood up almost instinctively. Just like at the ball, they tilted their heads upward, their jaws practically dropping as they took in my appearance.
Ren was the first to break the silence, a slow smile forming on his lips. "You're stunning."
Ten, on the other hand, seemed at a loss for words. He simply stared at me, his voice breathless as he said, "I'm speechless..."
I chuckled softly. "Thank you. But, seriously, why are you both dressed like that? Are you attending a wedding or something?"
"Not yet. But if you happen to slip and say the word 'yes,' there might be one tomorrow," Ten replied with a smirk, his words laced with mystery.
Ren let out a deep breath, shaking his head slightly. "Looks like this is as far as we go, Ten. Anyway, make our leader the luckiest man alive tonight."
His words carried an unexpected weight, and I noticed the way he clenched his fists, as if holding something back. For some reason, my heartbeat began to race.
What exactly did they mean by that?
"Can we go now, our princess?"
Ten extended his arm toward me, and Ren did the same right after. Their gestures made me smile.
"My pleasure," I responded, looping my arms through theirs.
"Good luck, Xyrine!" Ella called out behind me.
I turned back to flash her a grateful smile before the three of us made our way to the car.
The drive was quiet, yet a strange anticipation hung in the air. After a few minutes, we arrived at a secluded area of a well-known park on Balesin Island. I furrowed my brows in confusion—there were no lights around, just the car's headlights illuminating the pitch-dark surroundings.
"Are you two sure this is the place?" I asked hesitantly as I stepped out of the vehicle.
"To be honest, Ren and I are kidnapping you," Ten joked, laughing.
"If only we could. But don't worry, the electricity just got stuck in EDSA traffic," Ren quipped.
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "You two and your nonsense."
A beat of silence passed before Ren spoke again.
"Go ahead, Xyrine. Walk forward."
Something about his tone sent a shiver down my spine. "In this darkness? What if I trip?"
"Don't worry. Spade won't let that happen," he assured me.
The moment I heard Spade's name, my heart did an involuntary leap. I hesitated, but after a deep breath, I smiled at them.
"Alright, then. Thank you, both of you. Have a safe trip back."
With that, I turned away.
I had barely taken a step when Ten called out, "Xyrine! Don't forget to say the magic word!"
Magic word? What magic word?
I was about to turn back and ask, but before I could, they had already driven away, leaving me alone in the dark.
I straightened my posture and inhaled deeply.
Even though my chest was tightening with nerves, even though I could barely see anything, even though I had no idea where I was supposed to go—I took a step forward.
The moment my foot touched the ground, a pathway of lights flickered on beneath me, illuminating the way ahead. My breath caught in my throat as the glowing path extended toward a destination I had yet to reach.
And then, I saw it.
At the very end of the path stood a massive tree adorned with cascading LED lights, its branches glowing like a constellation of stars. Beneath it, a large canopy tent was set up, draped in soft, warm lights. Inside, a candlelit dinner awaited, the setup so beautifully arranged it looked like something straight out of a dream.
If there was a single word to describe this scene, it would be nothing less than romantic.
My steps quickened, my heartbeat matching their pace.
Did he do all of this? What does this mean? And where is he?
I reached the tent, but Spade was nowhere to be seen.
A nervous energy settled in my chest as I slowly sat down, unable to stop myself from admiring the enchanting atmosphere around me.
Just as my anticipation reached its peak, a sudden flicker of movement caught my eye.
A white screen I hadn't noticed before lit up at the side of the tent. A slideshow began to play, accompanied by soft music that filled the space.
And just like that, my heart pounded even harder.
[NP: Destiny - Jim Brickman]
A smile unconsciously formed on my lips as a picture flashed onto the screen.
How did he get that? Who took this photo?
It was an image of me confronting Spade back in the cafeteria—the very day he almost kicked Ella and Tong out. I remember that moment vividly. But what really made me smile wider was the caption on the slide:
"The very first moment when someone caught my attention."
Ha. How dramatic.
The next slide appeared, displaying a picture of us during the race. I couldn't help but shake my head. The position we were in was so awkward—I was leaning against his car while his arm was draped over my opposite shoulder, his face slightly lowered toward mine.
That was the moment I was trying to get him out of his own car. His arrogance was unbearable, and if I hadn't kicked his precious vehicle, he wouldn't have stepped out at all. My smile lingered as I read the caption:
"The very first moment when my heart began to beat fast and loud."
So, even back then, I had already made his heart race?
Then came the third slide, and my brows furrowed slightly.
Wow. Someone actually managed to capture that?
It was a picture of him carrying me—like a sack of rice, no less. Why did he even do that again? Oh, right. He carried me all the way to the student council office. I had gotten caught in some wires and ended up landing on top of him. Ugh. I was so embarrassed that day.
"The very first moment when someone got on my nerves."
Fourth slide.
My hand immediately flew to my face as a wave of embarrassment washed over me.
Seriously? They caught even this moment? Just how many photographers did he hire?
It was an image of me standing on stage, waving. That was the day I was forced to substitute for Sharina in the Ms. Montreal pageant.
"The very first moment when I was completely mesmerized by your beauty."
Hah! Mesmerized? But wait… Did he even see me on stage? As far as I remember, he only saw me after I got kidnapped.
Then the fifth slide appeared.
I was leaning against a wall with my eyes shut, while Spade stood in front of me, looking as if he was about to punch me.
"The very first moment when you told me to stay away from you."
A small ache settled in my chest. That was the day he had beaten up a student, and for a brief second, I thought he was going to hit me too. But more than the anger, I remembered seeing something else in his eyes that day—pain.
The sixth slide.
Ugh. I remember this vividly. We were in the gym, and both Spade and Lucas had a firm grip on my arms.
"The very first moment when I felt jealousy."
I couldn't hold back a smile. He really was possessive.
The seventh slide.
It was a picture of us in the cafeteria, locked in a gaze. I recognized the moment instantly. That was the day Monique poured water all over me, and he avoided me afterward.
"The very first moment when I realized that not everything I want, I'll get."
I felt a small twinge of guilt reading that. But at least he learned something from it.
Eighth slide.
It was a picture of us hugging.
A wave of warmth spread through me as I recalled that moment—it was the day we officially became a couple. The day I thought he had already left for the Europe.
"The very first moment when I felt true happiness."
Ninth slide.
I must look ridiculous right now, grinning like an idiot.
It was an image of us slow-dancing at the ball, wrapped in each other's arms. My heart melted further as I read the caption:
"The very first moment when I told myself that I'm the luckiest man alive."
My smile grew so wide it was beginning to hurt my cheeks.
Then, suddenly, the screen turned black.
"The tenth..."
A new slide flashed.
"...is about to happen when you look at the sky."
I don't know why, but my heart started racing. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to the heavens, unsure of what to expect.
At first, all I saw were stars. But then, as I continued to stare, one by one, fireworks began to light up the night.
Was that it?
I barely had time to process what was happening before the fireworks momentarily stopped. Just as I was about to lower my gaze, a massive burst of light painted the sky. At first, I thought it was just another display, but as I stared, letters started to form.
A name.
"Xyrine Jean Guevara."
My name.
A sudden rush of nerves hit me. My eyes stayed glued to the sky as more fireworks appeared, shaping new letters, new words.
"Will"
My heartbeat thundered in my chest.
"You"
A lump formed in my throat. My breathing became uneven. I didn't know why, but Ten and Ren's words from earlier flashed in my mind.
"Not yet, but if you accidentally say the word 'yes,' by tomorrow, it might be official."
"Looks like this is where Ten and I step back. Anyway, make our leader the luckiest man alive tonight."
Wait.
No.
They couldn't possibly mean—
And then, the last word appeared.
"Marry me?"
My lips parted in shock.
"Will you marry me?" I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.
I stood there, frozen, eyes locked onto the glowing letters in the sky. It was as if my brain refused to comprehend what was happening.
Was this real?
Was I dreaming?
Was I hallucinating?
Did I really just read those words?
Then, as if to seal the moment, music began to play once more.
[NP : GOD GAVE ME YOU BY BRYAN WHITE]
As I gazed up at the sky, lost in thought, my eyes shifted to the man walking toward me.
"For all the times I felt cheated, I complainedYou know how I love to complain..."
A smile unknowingly spread across my lips. I wasn't sure why, but just looking at him made me feel as if I already had everything in the world.
"For all the wrongs I repeated,Though I was to blame, I still cursed that rain..."
I kept my eyes on him as he finally spoke.
"I don't know how to begin… or how to find the right words to say this," he said, his gaze locked onto mine.
"Spade..." His name was the only word I managed to utter.
"I didn't have a prayer, didn't have a clueThen out of the blue..."
"Because all I know is that this has been on my mind since last night, and I can't wait another second to do it."
"God gave me you to show me what's realThere's more to life than just how I feel..."
What… What is he trying to say?
"Last night, when I saw you drunk, I didn't know what to feel. It tore me apart, Xyrine. It made me think… Maybe you can't feel how much I love you. Maybe I'm lacking something. Maybe… I'm already hurting you."
No… I wanted to say it out loud, but the words wouldn't come.
"And all that I'm worth is right before my eyes,And all that I live for, though I didn't know why..."
"Xyrine, I don't care if you're only 19 or if I'm 21. I don't care if you're struggling financially and I come from wealth. Even if I lose my inheritance, even if I have to endure hardship, even if the entire world stands against us—I don't care. None of it matters as long as I can prove to you that you are my life. And I'm ready to prove it now... if you say yes."
Then, he knelt.
"Now I do, 'cause God gave me you..."
From his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box. The moment I saw it, my chest tightened, and tears welled up in my eyes.
"Xyrine Jean Guevara…" He looked at me with an intensity that made my heart stop.
"Will you marry me?" His voice trembled.
My world stood still. I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid that if I kept them open any longer, the tears would finally fall.
When I opened them again, I saw him—tears brimming in his own eyes.
"For all the times I wore myself pity like a favorite shirtAll wrapped up in that hurt..."
I stared at the little black box in his hands, the glint of the ring inside catching the light.
"Spade, you're so annoying!" I said, my voice shaking.
"Be as mad at me as you want, just… for heaven's sake, please say yes." His voice cracked completely.
Say yes?
"Even if I lose my inheritance, even if I have to endure hardship…"
Should I say yes?
I took a step forward, moving closer to him. He looked a little confused by my reaction.
"For every glass I saw, I saw half emptyNow it overflows like a river through my soul..."
When I reached him, I slowly knelt before him, mirroring his position. Then, I smiled—genuinely, with all my heart.
I placed my hands over his, gently closing the box he was holding. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"From every doubt I had, I'm finally freeTruly believe..."
And then, without another word, I wrapped my arms around him—tight. As tight as I could.
"Spade... I'm sorry."
"God gave me you..."
Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words. Then, at last, I parted my lips to speak.
"IT'S A NO."