Chapter 612: With You

Ivan couldn't believe Arna had no more patience, as though he had. He understood why his mother says the reality is different. The reality isn't a slo-mo scene in a movie to play romantically.

If he just goes with the flow, then he won't be called Ivan Ross. So he patted Arna's back as sounded clueless, "Marry? Snow, I came to congratulate you."

Arna stood back without understanding the reason behind the wishes. "Wait…" She lifted her hand to stop him from speaking. "Isn't this all you prepared to propose to me?" She was flabbergasted.

Ivan played dumb, to know if she was going to get angry or understand his act, "When did I say that?" Ivan asked back, spilling his hands away, "Am I holding a bouquet or a ring to propose to you?"

Arna: "..."

She uneasily looked around thinking if she read too much into it. "Then why?..." Her awkward voice sounded when she saw her manager and assistant confused looking at her.

'Who said bouquet is mandatory for a proposal? Ring? It can be in his pocket.' She thought while Ivan was answering her, as he walked away from her.

"I haven't met you in a long time. So I thought, I should congratulate you for starting fresh, for your new studio, a new goal, a new life, a new husband...."

Arna turned around hearing his teasing tone. She understood the man was fooling her by not letting him speak. Squinting her eyes at him, she realized she hadn't beaten him for a long time. She nodded at his words as she removed her stilettos folding her leg. Running on the lawn in heels might twist her ankle so she took the precaution.

But hearing him congratulate her new husband, she threw the sandals on the ground. She snorted, "Ivan Ross, what the hell do you mean by new husband?" She removed another sandal, looking at him, "Let me congratulate YOU for your new life with a wife..." She threw another stiletto to the ground before she chased after him.

Ivan laughed at her as he continued to escape from her. This carefree, less worried Arna had really lost for a long time. 

The manager and the assistant realized they were not required anymore hearing Arna scold him for playing her so they went inside quickly to avoid beginning third wheels. 

Getting to her hands meant getting beaten up. Arna, who was chasing him, noticed multiple colored balloons tied in a net. Ivan untied the knot when Arna was at the balloons.

The net freed all the balloons, pausing Arna who was amused like a child. The helium balloons slowly flew away in the air excluding one.

Arna followed the oranged balloon which slowly descended due to a wooden box tied to the ribbon. She jumped to hold it and untied the ribbon as she freed it to the air.

Opening the small lock of it, Arna found a folded old paper. She glanced at Ivan who was going towards her. Opening the paper she gasped looking at the drawing. It was a drawing which she probably drew when she was just 10 years old. She had drawn on balloons as a decoration around a couple. 

She had given a suit to the man and white to the girl. She had actually drawn it as her mother and father but she had liked it so much that she had named the girl as her and the boy as her husband.

"And you wanted your wedding decor in balloons." Ivan remarked standing next to her, "That was cute." He dragged the words while she flushed, imagining their wedding decor in only balloons.

She sheepishly grinned, "Then you should have married me in school." Now, she didn't want balloons hence he freed the balloons.

She opened the wooden box again and saw two diamond couple rings. They were classy and attractive. Ivan took the woman's ring before turning her to him.

He knew she wasn't expecting anything but he wanted to give her what she deserved. "I had met a chubby cute girl, who was full of mischief, making everyone happy with her giggles. 

You showed me a girl can't be just that. A girl grows through watching and also learning by their own experience.

You became a girl with values and fondness for your close ones. 

You met the demons in you to know your worth, you fought against it without losing your unwavering, unbroken, lively smile on your pretty face. 

You had been loved, you had been betrayed, You were frightened. Yet you still had the hope and confidence to stand for yourself. 

I admire you for being the strong lady who had the courage to be alone burying the fear deep inside to face the cruel world. You were also brave enough to show your vulnerable side to me...."

Arna's eyes filled up hearing Ivan's soothing voice recalling her whole life in simple yet beautiful words in his view. She knew she wasn't so good, but seeing herself in his eyes, felt emotional and also content.

Ivan gently brushed his fingers on her cheek to wipe the tear that was rolling on her smooth cheeks. He was with her in every phase of her life but as a friend who could only share her sorrow and happiness. He wanted to be more.

"Out of all, I love you, I love you for never giving up on your love all these years. If I have to wait for you, It's worth my whole life."

She had waited to hear this for so many years, so the tears were unstoppable in happiness. 

"Arna Morgan, although I haven't seen the life as much as you, I can promise you to be by your side to the rest of our life, to be your home where you can return, to be your shoulders to lean on, to be the embrace to feel the warmth, to be the man who will remind you that you are being loved.

Arna Morgan, will you give me a chance to walk with you and be your husband? Will you marry me?"