Forbidden Urge

Double Surprise

The first thing Heidi and Philipp did when they woke up that day, before breakfast or talking to anyone was paying a visit to the nearby jewellery store.

"Love, it's not urgent. It doesn't matter. I can wait until Germany," Heidi said.

"No," Philipp insisted. "We'd gone through so much trouble to finally reunite here in Japan. It's only natural for you to have a ring bought here."

"Alright, makes sense."

He kissed her on the hair. "I love how quickly we agree over different matters."

Choosing the engagement ring didn't take much time. Not because they were in rush to make it for their flight back to Germany, but simply because Heidi didn't complicate. She liked a number of rings the jeweller exhibited to them, so let Philipp choose which one he wanted, and one hour later, she left the store wearing a white gold ring with a blue diamond the colour of her eyes.

Since they were still in the city, Philipp insisted that they go to the Nagoya Castle, where he took the ring off her finger and romantically proposed to her again in a private flower garden overlooking the roofs of the old building. The smile on her face made him feel as if he was asking her the question for the first time. The adoring look in his eyes made her feel the most complete, loved woman in the world.

On the way to Germany they had more than ten hours to fear and get uneasy about what was about to happen: first they'd speak to the journalist – Luka and Gerard already organised it, then they'd go to meet Ana and Arnold to talk and reason them. However, the news would probably reach the Bauers' house before Heidi and Philipp, which wasn't ideal, but they didn't want to change anything in their plan. They would go public so that everyone know they were serious.

"We're getting married soon," Philipp said to the polite reporter who welcomed them.

"When is soon?" he asked.

Philipp and Heidi exchanged glances. "Maybe next week," Heidi said with her devilish wink.

In the car, on the way to her parents' house, Philipp's phone didn't stop ringing and vibrating. He didn't pick any of the calls. His thoughts were all focused on what would happen with his old friends, his future wife's parents, his future mother and father-in-law.

Heidi caught his hand: "Thanks god I don't have a phone now," she joked, and that relaxed him slightly.

"Wait and see when you open your social networks and mailbox. You'll want to kill us all, both me and your friends."

"I'm sure I'll be more overwhelmed with good wishes and congratulations after everyone sees this ring," she kissed his hand. "It's gonna be alright, Philipp. This time I assure you."

He looked at her, full of love, and kissed her hand, too: "Thank you."

The meeting with Ana and Arnold was short. Shorter than they expected. Heidi was surprised, too. When Arnold opened the door, according to the look on his face, Heidi knew they had seen the news, and the ring, and that they weren't too happy about it all. When they entered the hall, Heidi saw her mother missed her and wanted to hug her, but had a silent agreement with her husband not to show any affection.

"Can we talk?" Philipp asked after Arnold didn't move or say anything for more than a minute after closing the entrance door.

Still wordlessly, Arnold and Ana turned and led the way to the salon. Arnold then showed with his hand that they could sit. Only Heidi did, because she was tired from the flight and her legs shook with fear and uneasiness. Ana did the same. Seeing that Arnold would stand, Philipp decided to remain standing, too.