Trauma

Part 29 "Promise"

Just as I was about to ring the doorbell, Jack came out of his house, wearing a tux.

I was speechless at the sight of him. I have to say, he really cleaned up nice. His necktie was the exact color of my dress and I kinda swooned at the first sight of him.

"Aww, I was about to escort you." Jack slightly pouted as he held the door open for me to get in his house.

"Wow, you look amazing in that tux." I finally formed the words to say out loud.

"Me? Nah. You are absolutely breathtaking in that dress. You kinda look different. Good different." Jack said, grinning.

"But why are we all dressed up? Are we planning to go somewhere?" I asked, puzzled.

"Well, The other day, I was talking with the keeper of this apartment and I found out that we had quite a big rooftop." Jack said, handing me a carefully folded blanket.

"And..?" I asked, even though I kind of got where this was going.

"Let's just say that I asked him a favor." Jack said, grabbing his own blanket and stepping outside his house.

Jack pressed the top floor button of the elevator and waited for me to get inside.

I was kinda excited. I have never been to the rooftop since it was always locked, and I always wondered how beautiful the view will be.

"You aren't going to be disappointed, right?" Jack said nervously while he held the doorknob to the rooftop.

"Jack, It's the thought that counts. I'm going to be excited even if there is nothing out there." I said, slightly rolling my eyes. And I really meant it. 

"Okay, well. Here goes." Jack said, opening the door.

The rooftop was more amazing than my imagination. Jack must have scrubbed the place clean because the floor was dust free. You could have eaten out of it.

The place wasn't just clean. Jack had decorated the place with a bunch of fairy lights and most amazing of all, there was a table right in the middle of it, with candles burning bright.

"You did all of this?" I said, slightly breath taken. This boy exactly knew how to win a woman's heart.

"For you, I'll even get the moon from the sky." Jack said, leading me to the table.

"It must have taken you a lot of time to do all this. Thank you." I said, sitting on a chair.

Jack smiled as he sat across me. "Well, I have to keep on working to try to keep your heart."

"I don't think it is going anywhere." I said, smiling back.

"Here. Put the blanket over your legs. It can be quite chilly out here." Jack said, giving me his blanket.

"Oh, It's fine." I said, gesturing to my own blanket.

"Let's eat before the food gets cold." Jack said as he pulled out a dish from the basket next to him.

"Woah. Chicken Frittatas? That's my favorite! How did you know?" I said, bewildered. I have never tasted Jack's food that wasn't Korean before.

"Well, I asked your mom. I kinda wanted to re-do the whole 'Will you be my girlfriend' thing because I wanted it to be more special." Jack said, slightly blushing.

"Jack, It was already perfect. Though you doing all of this just to make it more special really makes me love you more." I said, inwardly screaming about how cute he is.

"I don't know the food will be good though. I haven't really eaten it before so I have no idea how it is supposed to taste." Jack said, now his cheeks bright red.

"I trust your cooking. And even if it turns out wrong, we can always order pizza." I said, grinning as I picked up my fork.

Jack watched me take a bite nervously, fumbling his fingers. God, he was so damn cute!

It was amazing. It was the best Chicken Frittata that I have ever tasted, but I decided not to show it.

"H..How is it?" Jack asked.

"Hmm." I said, giving a slightly forced smile.

"Ugh, I knew it. It's bad, isn't it? I should have just stuck to Korean food." Jack groaned, banging his head slightly on the table.

I giggled. "Jack, I'm just playing with you. It's literally the best Chicken Frittata that I have ever had! I can't believe that it's your first time making this!"

"Really? It's not bad?" Jack's ears perked up, and I kind of had the urge to ruffle his hair. 

"Yeah, Of course it's not bad. It's the exact opposite of it. Why would you doubt your cooking? You're the best cook I have ever met, Jack." I said, taking another big bite. God bless this food. I already felt like I was in heaven.

"I prepared some red wine to go with it." Jack said, pouring the wine into a glass.

"Jack? I have a question."

"Hmm?" Jack said as he concentrated on not spilling the wine.

"Did you pick out this dress? Because I know that Rick had sent it but to be honest, He isn't really good at picking out clothes." I asked, trying to solve the mystery.

"Oh. Well, yes. You remember the time when I went shopping with your mother at Thanksgiving? I saw this dress at one shop and thought it was perfect for you. Your mom knew your size so... " Jack said, scratching his neck.

"But why did Rick send it?" I asked.

"I wanted to keep it a secret until today. I gave it to Rick for him to hold on till now." Jack said.

"You don't like the dress? I asked your mom whether it seemed okay, and she thought you will love it and-" Jack started to ramble and I stopped him by putting some food in his mouth.

"Stop. It's perfect. Heck, I should let you pick out my clothes. I love it." I said, laughing.

Jack grinned his goofy grin. "I'm glad."

After we finished eating, we stared down at the scenery before us.

"You know, It isn't really what I imagined it to be." I said, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"All those buildings. It kind of makes me...I don't know, trapped." I said, leaning towards him.

"I know what you mean. I kind of want to leave everything behind and just be free, you know? Just you and me, and nothing else." Jack said, holding me close.

"That's nice. Maybe in the future, we'll live somewhere more close to nature." I said.

My eyes widened. Did I really indicate what I think it was? Damn it. Why did I do that? I only dated the guy for a few months! It was way early for us to discuss the future.

"Yeah. I wouldn't have it any other way." Jack said, taking something out from his back.

"A rose?" I said, staring at the red flower. I fingered the delicate petals when I felt something cold.

There was a simple ring hidden behind the petals. I stared at Jack in awe.

"It's a promise ring. I wanted to promise you that future we just talked about. I don't think I can live my life with someone else. I need you, Liz." Jack said, staring right into my eyes.

"Do you mean that? Because I don't think I can imagine my life without you too." I said, tears in my eyes.

"Don't cry, love. I really mean it. I told you before. You're the best thing that has happened to me." Jack said.

With that, he leaned close till his lips met mine. I began to hope.