Our beloved youth

3: Jiya's wedding

Days passed quickly, and soon it was Jiya's wedding day. Elina dressed Emma in a pink frock with a pearl necklace and cherry clips tucked on both sides of her hair.

Emma pouted, asking, "Mom, won't you apply lipstick?" Emma loved wearing lipstick all the time, which made Elina smile as she remembered how much she loved wearing lipsticks, she always found similarities between her and Emma, which made her happy.

"Yes, dear," Elina said, applying lipstick to Emma's lips. "Press your lips together and then leave them. Tadaa! Done." She placed Emma in front of the mirror, admiring their reflection. "My Emma looks the best," she said, placing a soft kiss on top of Emma's head.

"But Mom, won't you get ready?" Emma asked, turning towards Elina.

"Yes, dear," Elina replied with a little smile.

"Mom, did you choose your dress?" Emma asked after thinking a little.

"No, baby. I'll see what to wear now," Elina replied, smiling lightly.

"Can I choose your dress, please~?" Emma said, showing her puppy eyes.

Elina chuckled at her cuteness and nodded. "Yay!" Emma exclaimed, going towards the cupboard. She stood on a stool and started to look for her mother's dress. Finally, she found a dress packed as if it was bought the day before. "Mom, this one."

Elina looked where Emma was pointing and saw the dress. Her heart felt heavy at the sight. "Emma, dear, let it be. It's very old. I'll wear... um... yeah, that yellow dress."

"No, Mom, please wear this one. It is very nice and looks new," Emma insisted.

Sighing in defeat, Elina agreed to wear it. She pulled out the dress and was about to change when the doorbell rang. She put the dress on the sofa and went to open the door.

Standing there was a man in a grey suit, holding a bouquet of yellow roses, covering his face. "Guess who~," the man said with a grin behind the bouquet.

Elina stood with an 'Are you serious' look, crossing her arms. "Jason, I know it's you."

Jason lowered the bouquet, pouting. "Uh~ Elina, how can you always—wait, why aren't you dressed yet? Don't tell me you're not coming! I even managed my schedule for today. Why are you not coming? It's your best friend's wedding!" he asked all at once.

"Calm down, Jason. I was about to get ready, but then you rang the doorbell," Elina said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh," Jason replied, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, you didn't have to come to pick us up. You're already busy enough," Elina said.

"Well, I didn't come for you," he said with a cutely annoyed look. "I came for my beloved Emma."

Elina laughed a little. "Well, your BELOVED Emma is angry with you~," she said, feigning worry.

"Well, then I must go and make up with her. Elina, take this bouquet. I'll head towards our princess, and you better get ready quickly," he said, handing Elina the bouquet and slowly going into Emma's room.

Elina shook her head and giggled, closing the door. She touched the flowers, whispering to herself, "He always knows my favorite." She smiled, placing the flowers on the table, and picked up the dress to change.

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Jason entered Emma's room, announcing, "Look who is here!!!" He saw Emma, who turned her back to him, and said angrily, "Emma is angry!!!"

"And why is she angry?" Jason asked, taking slow steps toward her.

"Because you didn't keep your promise and forgot to bring my chocolates," she said, facing away from him.

"But I bought something for you today. Now, who will I give these to?" he said, raising his hand with the chocolates.

Emma looked and smiled with joy. "Chocolates!" she exclaimed, reaching for them, but Jason raised them higher. "No, but Emma is angry with me, so I'll give these to Elina," he teased.

Emma pouted, saying cutely, "No, Emma is not angry!" Jason laughed, handing her the box of chocolates as she smiled.

Just then, they heard the sound of a door clicking and saw Elina entering. She wore a cream-colored A-line gown with a V-neck and delicate floral embroidery on the top. Jason placed Emma down and looked at Elina.

Jason's Point of view

I saw Elina. She looked so pretty, dressed simply yet elegantly. But why does she look sad? She was fine a few minutes ago. Before I could say anything, Emma spoke excitedly, "Wow, Mom, you look so beautiful. Doesn't she, Papa uncle?"

"Huh? I mean—yes, Elina, you look pretty!" Jason stammered, not taking his eyes off her. 

She still has this effect on me.

"Thanks, Jason. And Emma, how many times must I tell you not to call him 'Papa'? He might feel uncomfortable. Don't use it further okay?"

I saw her raising her brows and asking Emma. 

"Oh no, Elina, it's completely fine...." 

Well, I meant it because, I never felt uncomfortable. 

"No, Jason, it's not. If anyone informs the media or anyone else, you'll be in trouble. Just think about your reputation. Being an actor, you must be careful with everything," she explained.

"I'm sorry, mom" I heard Emma murmur, while Elina smiled as she patted her.

Seeing at it kind of hurted me because I wanted her to feel free or shall I say I wanted Elina to love me back...

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On the other hand Elina's point of view previously

Different memories flashed in Elina's mind as she saw herself in that dress. 

Throughout my life, people have left me, but their memories have always stayed with me. No matter how hard I try, they don't seem to erase, as if they are a part of me...

Elina let out a heavy sigh and wiped the few tears which unknowingly fell from her eyes. She then clutched a few strands of her hair with a clip and returned to Emma's room.

______________

Time skip

Elina and Emma sat in the back passenger seat as Jason started the engine. "So, let's go!!"

Elina suddenly remembered, "Wait—Emma, you wanted to bring Sam with you, right? We'll pick him up."

"No, Mom, it's okay. He said his uncle will drop him," Emma replied, and Elina nodded, while Jason started the car as they drove away.

After reaching the venue, Jason said, "I'll just park the car and then come. You guys go on ahead." Elina nodded, holding the wedding gift in one hand and Emma's hand in the other. They were about to go inside when Jason called out, "Elina..."

Elina turned, frowning. "What happened?" she asked.

"Nothing. I'll tell you later," he said, driving off to park his car.

Elina stood confused. "What did he want to say?" she wondered. "Let it be," she shrugged, and they went inside the venue.

"Let's go Emma" she told Emma, who smiled with a nod as they walked inside.

to be continued