In the name of 'Friendship' [COMPLETED]

36: 'Seas' the night

"I looked at her as a friend until I realised I loved her."

"Ash." I knock on her door.

"I wanna be alone."

"Let me in, please."

"Derek."

"Please." I pleaded.

Within seconds, she opened the door.

"You're the bravest person I know." I smile at her and just wrap my arms around her. I wanted to be as close to her as possible, comfort her and just be there for her without pushing her for any answers. Not right now, at least.
I don't know for how long we stood like that. She sobbed on my chest and I stroked her hair, whispering soothing words in her ear.

I hate watching her cry.

"I wanna show you something Ashley." I tell her taking my tuxedo off.

She raises her eyebrow at me wondering what was I upto.

Once the tuxedo was off, I bring my arm in front of her face, pull up my sleeve instantaneously and scream, "I'm the heir of Slytherin." pretending there was the dark mark on my wrist.

And that worked.
She laughed.
Just the sound of her laugh took away all the anguish, leaving me smiling as well.
Her shoulders shaking slightly, tears rolling down her face and that sight alone has my heart.
I swear I fall in love with her every fucking time she smiles.

"You're the best." She says in between the laughs.
I feel like I'm on the top of the world right now. Literally.

"Tell me something I don't know babe." I wink at her playfully.

"But I ruined your Christmas." She said disappointedly.

"You did not. I'm with my family and my best friend, what can possibly ruin that?"

"Stop being so kind. I don't deserve it."

"You do. You deserve all the happy things."

"Der." She tried to argue but I placed my finger on her lips so that she would stop talking.
Her hazel eyes boring into mine.

"Then come with me, let's make this the best Christmas." I whisper holding her hand.

"What?" She asked startled.

"Just come, okay?"

"Where?"

"Change into something comfortable and meet me outside in 10." I wink and leave her room.

From the minute we rented the bungalow, I convinced the agent to let him have us the underwater aquarium and zoo entirely to ourselves for a night.
Dubai is known to have the best underwater aquarium and I had planned on proposing Ashley there, around midnight on New Years but I guess I'll cheer her up tonight with this.
It took a lot of persuasion from my side for them to rent it out to us as they shut it by midnight but Dad's money does come handy during such times. Now, I hate spending his money but this was something extremely special for me, for us. Also, I can definitely spend money for the girl I love.

I just made one phone call and things were set.
But I gotta inform Dad about this or they might freak out not finding us at home especially after what went down tonight.

"Hey, Dad." I greet spotting him in the living room.

"Is she okay?" He asked.

"Better. I'm taking her out right now to cheer her up." I hesitantly tell him.