549 Will You Marry Me?

The sleep that came quickly also went back quickly. 

It was around midnight when her eyes opened on its own. However, the bright lights in the room made her squint her eyes. 

Did she forget to turn off the lights before sleeping?

While she kept staring at the ceiling with a strange look, the bed dipped down and she instinctively smiled when she saw her Regan sitting beside her. She didn't even know when he came back?

"Did I wake you up?" He caressed his hair softly as he asked.

"No," answered Xiu honestly since she really didn't wake up because of any noise. She just woke up without knowing why. "When did you come back?"

"About an hour ago," said Darren.

"Huh? Why aren't going to bed then?"

Darren pursed his lips as if contemplating before he said, "I was gonna wake you up after setting things up but since you're already up..."

"What do you mean?" Xiu's brows knitted up as she watched him getting up from her side and going over towards the glass windows. As he drew the curtains, it confused Xiu even more. And her confusion reached the peak when he turned the lights off as well leaving the room in pitch-black darkness. "Regan? What are you doing? I can't see any..."

Her words got stuck in her mouth as something floating around caught her attention. Those tiny glimmers of light... Was it an illusion or was she really able to see fireflies around her? But how was it possible? 

However, whether she could believe her eyes or not, there were indeed hundreds of fireflies dancing around her. As if possessed, Xiu also sat up and looked around as a wide smile spread on her lips. One thing that hadn't changed in her life was her fondness with these small glimmers of lights that lit up like fire and seemed to burn down the darkness of the night.

"You know I have thought about it for way too long."

Hearing Darren's voice, Xiu tilted her head and gasped with her eyes wide open. In the dim glowing lights of the hundreds of fireflies, she could see him on his knee right by her side of the bed. 

"I always wanted to do something grand for you. Something unforgettable. I wanted you to remember this moment. But even after thinking for months, I couldn't think of anything." He smiled softly as he held her hand and went on, "Although you're really easy to please, that's the worst thing about you as well. It left me in a lot of dilemmas. How was I supposed to make this moment special when you don't even like anything grand or flashy?"

Xiu felt her hands trembling. No, it was better to say that her whole body was trembling as she stared down into his eyes looking at her with those very familiar feelings. The same feelings that made her feel safe, content, and most importantly, loved. 

"What for?" Even though Xiu could feel her throat tightening for some reason, she still asked in a small voice. 

Darren took something from his pocket and held that circular thing towards her saying, "To ask you this question... Will you be my wife?"

Xiu felt like her heart stopped beating for a second as she heard that very simple and straightforward question. He neither delayed it nor did he try to add in any suspense. But his straightforward words were enough to cause a storm in her heart. She couldn't help clutching the sheets tightly as she looked into his eyes. Those most beautiful eyes that she could spend a lifetime staring at. 

"I can't imagine my life without you anymore. When I lost you once, I thought I saw the worst of life but trust me, I believe if it happened again, I won't even be able to breathe."

Xiu didn't know what to say to him since she was having difficulty in breathing even at this moment. Her eyes were stinging with warm tears that were threatening to spill out.

"These fireflies can twinkle in the night to make it bright but trust me, you're the only light I crave for. My life only brightens with your presence. Whenever I'm around you, I become a very different person. It's just like you say, I can't keep my hands to myself. Your smile is the most precious to me. It's like a magical thing because seeing your smile I end up smiling without knowing it. I become restless when you're not around. And I become sad when I see the sadness and a struggle in your eyes."

Xiu bit down on her bottom lip so hard that she could even taste her blood at this point. But she wasn't willing to open her mouth because she knew if she did, she was gonna end up bawling like an idiot right now.

"I hate to see you suffer on your own. So, allow me to be your other half. Let me face everything with you. I can promise to make the whole world yours, but in return, just give yourself to me. I just want you to be mine." His hand reached up to rub circles on her cheek as he went on softly, "People say love is like a dream. But my dream had been you. And perhaps it's called destiny because my love had also been you. You once said that our story is like a fairytale. Because we found each other against all odds even beyond the barriers of life and death."

He slowly licked his lips as he added, "Even if it's a fairytale, then let's strive together to find our happily ever after."

He looked into her eyes expectantly and a bit anxiously as he asked again, "Since you're like the sweetness that was lacking in my life, I want to become like the warmth of the sunshine you always chased after. I love you! I love you very much. Please accept my proposal and let's create the most beautiful life together. So, I'm asking again... Will you marry me? Are you willing to say yes and spend this lifetime with me? You're already my life, how about becoming my wife now?"