Unexpectedly In Love With You

forty-five

Daera clapped her hands as she watched a couple getting engaged at the hotel restaurant. Everyone was applauding and some of them even shed a tear. She tightened her grip around her clutch and exhaled heavily.

"Did you wait too long?" A voice asked her. Jay approached her, wearing a black tuxedo that made him look hot and expensive. Some of the women in there averted their gaze to him, whispering to each other.

She shook her head, "No. I just arrived."

A waiter led them to a table near the glass window so that the view outside was visible. The beach was beautiful as it was decorated with a few romantic-themed tables in case any couple would like a candlelit dinner.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, noticing her mind was away from reality. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear before breathing out, "A couple got engaged just now."

Jay pursed his lips, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Are you sure no one's going to harm you again?"

He smiled softly and held her hand to assure her that nothing was going to happen to him ever again.

"No one is going to harm me or you ever again. I'll protect you, Daera. I promise."

She slowly exhaled and asked, "Do you see any future in our relationship? Do you see us getting married?"

He looked at her with surprised eyes and chuckled, "Of course, sweetheart. Why?"

"Don't you want to get married? Like...soon?"

What am I thinking? Why did I even ask that? I haven't seen him for months and the first thing I asked was to get married?

"Do you want to get married now?" He asked slowly. She blushed, "I mean if you want to. You know what, we don't have to push it. If God gives us a sign, then we'll get married."

He nodded and opened the second page of the menu, "Okay."

He gasped in surprise when the first word he saw was 'wedding'. The page was saying how the restaurant does wedding catering in case anyone wants to book them.

Daera closed her menu, "I don't feel too good."

"Should we leave?"

"Do you want to?"

"Let's go," Jay said and intertwined his hand with hers, leading her out of the restaurant. They both left the hotel and ran down the streets, laughing like little kids.

She turned around and widened her eyes when they both stopped in front of a wedding boutique.

"Oh come on!" She frowned.

To be honest, they both weren't ready. She was amazed how Edlyn and Jake got married (even though they were stupid and drunk) but to them, it was a big responsibility.

She couldn't imagine how big the responsibility she had to fulfil when she gets married.

"Do we need to get drunk to get married?" She asked. He scoffed, "I'm not going to be stupid like Jake. Let's go," he held both of her shoulders from the back and they both walked away.

•

Daera couldn't sleep for the whole night. All she thought about was how she and Jay were trying to find signs to marry.

Is it too quick?

The doorbell rang and she got up, walking to the door. Edlyn walked in with Jiah, "Hey, Jake just left with Jay to go shopping. So I thought maybe I could spend some time with you."

She eyed Daera up and down, "Didn't you get enough sleep. Your eye bags are horrible."

"I slept for only two hours."

Jiah frowned, "You look awful, Aunty Daera."

"Go help yourself at the mini bar," Daera frowned and took a seat next to Edlyn on the couch.

"Hey, I'm sorry for not telling you about Jay being in America," Edlyn said.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you had a reason," Daera said before a thought crossed her mind. She cleared her throat and looked at her friend, "Do you think I should marry your brother?"

Edlyn quickly sat up straight, "Did he propose?!"

"No. But...I want to spend the rest of my life with him. And I think I'm ready. But I'm not sure if he is because — maybe it's too quick? Maybe he still wants to focus on his work and put marriage aside first."

"Yah," Edlyn pushed her shoulder gently. She couldn't hide her excited smile, "I can't believe you thought of that. Oh my God, how fun it'll be if we're sisters-in-law. We can go shopping together, have tea parties. I can't believe you guys are going to get married!"

"Well, not yet but–"

Edlyn interrupted her sentence by giving her a tight hug, "I'm just so proud of my brother. I mean, he waited for you for years, okay?"

Daera's lips curved into a small smile as she hugged her best friend back.