Chapter 29: Love and Romance
Ember Corbin
"Lance?"
I got nervous as Lance remained silent for a few minutes while gawking at me like he couldn't believe it was true. It was almost adorable in a way, but I didn't have the patience to admire his handsome face after waiting hours for him on this chilly terrace; I was sure I was going to catch a cold afterward, but that wasn't what was important at the moment. I had been so worried about him.
"Say something, will you?"
Lance finally snapped out of his trance and asked, "Um, I... I don't get this. Why?"
I sighed fondly and walked up to him, taking his hand in mine. "Because I forgive you."
"Exactly. W-why?"
"I'll answer that later?" I asked with puppy eyes, and he considered for a moment before nodding. "Let's have dinner first. It's already gotten cold enough."
"Okay." Lance just followed my words like a robot, even pulled out a chair for me to sit like a gentleman.
Once we were seated and he was serving something on my plate, I prompted, "Do you know who made these awesome dishes?"
"Who?"
"Of course, me. Who else can make such amazing dishes on her first try except me? I don't usually cook that much at home, and even if I do, it's really easy and simple. That's why when I decided to make these hard recipes for you, I thought I was going to end up with a burned kitchen like those soap opera protagonists, but it seems like I'm way better than them. I'm so glad," I chirped, and he smiled.
"It's really good to hear you talk again like that."
"Of course, did you think I was going to go quiet just because something happened between us?" I arched an eyebrow, and he just averted his gaze. I couldn't help but smile and reach over the table to get his hand. "Don't worry. I won't. No one can stop Ember from speaking whatever comes to her mind."
He chuckled. "Of course, no one has that audacity."
I grinned and started chirping about how much I had to work hard to make these arrangements, but Maria and Isabella helped me.
"I really need to thank Isabella for helping me, and also YouTube. Without them, today would've been impossible."
"They are a nice family," he said, and for a second, a future image of me and Lance flashed in my mind. It made a blush rise to my cheeks. Thankfully, he didn't notice.
We were almost done with dinner when he spoke up, "So... are you going to say why you decided to forgive me even though I'm responsible for your sufferings?"
I wiped the corner of my lips with a tissue and stood up. "Let's dance," I offered since slow music was already being played in the background.
Lance just gave me a dumbfounded look before reluctantly taking my hand.
"Usually, it's the guys who ask for a dance," he muttered when we were getting into position.
I giggled and said smugly, "Well, I'm different. I'm awesome."
"That you are."
I hummed and placed my head on his chest as we swayed slowly to the soft music.
"Lance," I called out quietly.
"Yeah?"
I sucked in a deep breath and uttered, "I love you."
He stopped moving as soon as those registered in his brain.
"It's because I love you that I'm willing to forgive you and give you another chance. I know that you gave the order to kill my mother, but it wasn't like you did it after getting to know me. You did what you had to, so I understand it from your perspective, and it honestly makes sense."
He remained silent, listening to me carefully.
"But what doesn't make sense is that I've looked for you for so many years, and here I am doing this. I hope Mom forgives me because she was the one who taught me that love doesn't make sense. Love makes you blind to everything, and I'm fine being blind if it's for you. I love you that much," I expressed.
"Are you sure you want to forgive me?" His voice was a little strained.
"Of course. My dad started everything, and I'm mad at him for that reason. But I couldn't stay mad at him just like I couldn't stay mad at you. My dad committed suicide from so much anxiousness. He even sent me to an asylum, he went out of his mind for blaming himself, and I don't want the same thing to happen to you. You're my only family left, Lance."
"Still, it doesn't change the fact that I'm the reason why you had to experience those painful things. And I never even begged for your forgiveness, I just stayedâ"
"Lance, you're just a human. And humans tend to do something horrible even once. And you didn't just stay. You accompanied me through those days that I needed to do some thinking," I said.
All of a sudden, something light landed on my forehead, and I looked up in surprise.
"Oh, my God, why are you crying?" I asked in a panic as I saw tears streaming down his cheeks. I couldn't believe that I was seeing him cry twice in a single day.
"No, no, it's fine. Let's keep dancing." Saying so, he squeezed me tighter in his arms, forming us in a hug as he started to sway very slowly to the music.
"You've been shedding quite a few tears today because of me. Should I be honored that I made Lance Storm cry?"
"I'm just a human, Ember."
"Yes, I love this human a lot. Therefore, it hurts me to see you cry."
"I don't know. Maybe these are happy tears. Because I'm so goddamn happy that you forgave me. I almost thought that I would never get your forgiveness, not that I deserved it anyway."
"But you did. You earned it through your love, but you have to do more."
"I'm willing to dedicate my whole life to that."
I chuckled lightly. He made me raise my chin and looked into my eyes while uttering, "Because I love you too."
My heart fluttered after hearing those three words again. "I love you so much," I breathed out.
While we were enjoying our slow dance in silence, it started to snow.
"It's snowing," he murmured, not stepping an inch to get under shelter.
I hummed and said, "Let's just stay here for a few minutes."
"Okay."
Then, I lifted my head and pouted my lips, asking him to kiss me. He chuckled briefly before leaning down to press his lips on mine.
With that, I started to lose track of time.
His lips and tongue were exploring mine. The snow in the background made it so much better, but at the same time, it wasn't really great to have snowflakes land on my bare arms since my dress was sleeveless.
He stopped when he sensed that I needed air and the weather was getting colder. "Let's go inside," he said, and I nodded.
We both ran under the shade of the small gazebo on the terrace. As we stood protected from the light snow, we were still gasping for air, yet smiling at each other. He brushed the little snowflakes over my head, then brushed his hair, before placing some loose strand of hair behind my ears, all the while smiling widely at me.
"I missed you so much. I don't know what I would do if you had left me," he said sincerely and then hugged me. His head is on my shoulder again, inhaling my scent.
"I'm not going to lie. I thought that I couldn't forgive you either, but when I thought about living a life without you, it was unimaginable. I can't fathom my life without you anymore," I said while massaging his hair. He nodded while his head was still on my shoulder.
"But your father talked to me. You know that, right?" I asked him, and he just hummed in response.
"I'm too scared to ask what he told you," he said, and I giggled. I noticed that every time he was staring at me, it looked like he wanted to ask me something but was just looking for the right opportunity.
"I won't tell you what we talked about, but let me tell you what I realized. I realized that you became a part of me. You're someone I can't erase from myself. I know that I will always look for you even if I were to leave you, and fate will bring us together again like it did during our first few meetings. And I don't want to make the cupids work so hard. I want to be with you. Always," I said genuinely while embracing his hug that was protecting me from all the pain.
We stayed silent for a minute before he started to speak in an almost quiet tone.
"There's something I want to ask. I know it might be sudden and out of nowhere, but I really want this."
"What is it, Lance?" I encouraged him to ask with a smile.
He slightly pulled apart from the hug to lock our gazes as he uttered the next few words.
"Em, marry me."