Chapter 472 - 2-(143)

Angela gazed at the beautiful ring, sparkling under the lights above them. The rose gold band complimented the blush pink diamond flanked by smaller white diamonds—two round ones on each side and a pear-shaped diamond below each pair of the round stones. She hadn't seen anything so beautiful being given to her; it hurt to see. No words came out of her mouth despite her wanting to say a lot to Gael. Her erratic heartbeat was the only reminder that she was still alive at the moment.

Gentle wind blew past them, swinging her hair and making her dress flutter. The faint piano instrumental behind them made the moment even more special. It was just the two of them, and it couldn't be more perfect.

[ Instrumental: You Are the Reason — Laura Sullivan ]

"Angel…" Gael called after a few beats of silence. "I know we haven't been together that long. But for me, it feels like I've known you forever. Everything that happened to me before I met you seems so distant and bland now. I can't even remember a time in my life when you weren't with me. It's like I was born…and then there's us. 

"I don't know how I survived three years without you…and the few months we were apart for the second time. I know now what it's like to be without you, and it's…fucking bleak and dry. Sorry, I didn't mean to curse. This is so unromantic." He shook his head, and she chuckled as water pooled in her eyes, her fingers covering her lips as she listened to him.

Gael lowered his gaze for a brief second and then lifted it to meet her eyes. "I don't think I've told you before, but ever since that one night we had shared on Hillberry four years ago, I haven't been able to get you off my mind, not really. My memories of you would creep their way back in just out of nowhere. And I'd regret how I didn't try to see you again after that.

"Call me sappy, but I believe in fate, baby. I believe that I was meant to meet the Chos because despite my history with them, they ended up inviting me to their wedding. And that led me to meet you. I believe fate kept pushing us together even after three years. I know I was meant to find that book. But even if I wasn't, I could feel the universe finding ways for us to meet each other again anyway. And honestly, I tried to resist the inevitable just like you did. But who are we kidding? We're meant to be, don't you think?"

A tear leaked out of her right eye when she nodded and smiled at him. God knew she tried and let Gael stew to shake him off. But she couldn't lie that she wanted him—even if she knew she'd get hurt in the process.

Still holding the velvet box in his right hand, Gael took one of hers in his left. He held her gaze, his eyes becoming misty as he uttered the next words: "I love you, Angela Kylie Su." He let out a deep sigh as if whatever he had been keeping inside him gave him relief when he exhaled.

More tears rolled out of her eyes, but she could only stare at him. She had waited to hear those words and at last, her withered and battered heart bloomed once more. Even though Angela could feel his love, it still felt absolutely satisfying and reassuring to hear him say them.

Then he kissed the back of her hand. "I've been dying to say that for a long time. I've already known for a while—even before you became officially mine, I already knew. But every time I wanted to say it, I'm reminded of how I don't feel worthy of you. But here…" He placed her hand on top of his heart where she could feel how fast it was beating.  "You feel that? It's more than just love. It's why saying it plainly feels so inadequate. I more than love you, Angel… I don't have words to call how I feel for you."

"I more than love you too," Angela whispered back, catching her breath in her throat.

He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I don't want any more pit stops or detours. I want to wake up with you beside me every single day until we grow old and grumpy, and we'd have nothing but snarky remarks and banter for one another…but we'd still love each other."

The corner of Gael's lips curled into a handsome smile. Then he squeezed her hand as he told her, "I'm so sick of calling you my girlfriend because you are more than that. So. Much. More than that. So what do you say, Angel? Will you make me the luckiest man for the rest of my life? Will you marry me and give me the honor of calling you my wife?"

Angela's smile brightened her face, and she nodded before the words came out of her. "Yes! Yes, Gael. I will marry you."

Gael was now full-on grinning as he slipped the ring around her finger. "Thank God. I thought I'd be the saddest asshole on Valentine's day."

She laughed and then squealed when he picked her up in a bear hug, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. When he put her back down and took her face in his hands, she saw wet parallel streaks down his cheeks. He teared up with the happiest smile on his face, then he claimed her lips and kissed her deeply.

With their foreheads pressed together, their eyes remained closed, but their lips were curved into smiles only the two of them could bring out from each other. Gael pulled her against his chest and squeezed her once, thanking the heavens that the woman in his arms agreed to spend the rest of her life with his.

Angela raised her hand behind him, taking a peek at her new favorite ring on her finger.

"Do you like it?" he wondered. "If you want a bigger stone, I can arrange that. We'll pick out the size—"

"What? No!" She leaned against him as the two of them looked at the ring. "I don't want it any bigger than this. This is perfect. I love it! You can't make me take it off." 

"Okay." Gael chuckled, kissing her forehead and hugging her again. "I love you, Angel. Tu sei la mia vita.1 Thank you for saying yes."