C10 Chapter 9

But you know what, I'm still happy somehow because I apparently affect Amberine's emotions even though we don't spend time together or talk anymore. So, it means she's feeling something for me now.

All I have to do is make her admit to me that she loves me too. Yes. She loves me too because I love her. Zayn and Arden, whom I was surprised to see, got out of my car.

"Hey idiots! Do you want to see Amber over there?" I was about to say something, but Arden called Amberine. Fuck! What did these guys do?

The plan was for them to accompany me here to watch Amberine, find out what she's been up to, and see if there are other guys hovering around her that I don't know about.

Amberine turned her head and gave Arden a small and fake smile. I sigh. This is all my fault. I led Amberine on, that's why she's sad now. Amberine approached their small gate, barely reaching her waist.

"Arden... what are you guys doing here?" Then her gaze shifted to Zayn.

Damn it! I got jealous when she smiled, even though Arden's smile wasn't even real, but it's even more frustrating to hear them talking while I'm not included. Bullshit! Why did I just realize now that being a playboy and handsome are worthless if you're sad and can't get close to the girl you love?!

"Someone here misses you, that's why we're here." What the fuck?! I thought Amberine was just my sister's best friend, so why is there someone else she misses?

I was about to leave and confront my twin brother when the shotgun seat opened and Amberine got in, looking even more surprised when our gazes met.

The racing horses in my chest immediately returned, which had been gone for almost two weeks. I hadn't seen Amberine for two weeks.

"Aiden..."

"Amberine..."

"Oh, don't just call each other's names, talk to each other!" Zayn said with a laugh and closed the shotgun seat. I didn't waste any more time and held her by the waist.

"A-Aiden, what did you do?" She asked me as I sat her on my lap. I noticed the blush on her cheeks. I rested my head on her shoulder and inhaled her sweet scent.

"I miss you so much, baby..." I held her small hand in mine and brought it to my chest. I faced her and met her gaze, but she quickly looked away, so I held her chin to make her look at me.

"A-Aiden, what did you do?" She asked me. "Look at me, baby."

"A-Aiden, please... I-I don't want to." But I didn't listen to her. I just stared at her. She's really beautiful with her natural black hair, thin natural eyebrows, long curly lashes, brown eyes, pointed small nose, chubby cheeks, and pouty kissable lips.

"Hmm..." Amberine moaned when I kissed her, and she tried to stop me, but I wouldn't let her. Damn, I missed her lips and her kisses. I caught both of her hands and placed them on my chest, then kissed her passionately this time.

We both ran out of breath when we decided to stop kissing. I pressed our foreheads together and touched her lips with my thumb. "I like kissing you. Your lips are so addicting." And I gave her a peck.

"Aiden..."

"Amberine, I have to tell you something," I told her. "W-What is it?" She replied.

"Amberine, I love you. I'm in love with you." And then I explained why I became Mika's girlfriend. "I love you so damn much, Amberine. I can't promise to always be by your side, especially since we're in different year levels and courses. I don't want to see you being bullied because of me. That's why I did what you asked me to do."

"I really thought you didn't care about me."

"That will never happen, baby." And I kissed her forehead, then I took something out of my pocket and put it around her neck. She held it. "What's this for?" She asked me.

"It's the sign of my love for you." It's a heart-shaped pendant with my name initial engraved on the inside of the heart in the middle. "Amberine, I love you so much. Let me prove to you how much I love you." She immediately shook her head.

"Amberine..."

"I love you too, Aiden, and you can prove your love to me while we're together."

"I love you even more, Amberine." I told her as I claimed her lips again. Damn! I am really addicted to her lips and her kisses. I can't get enough of her.

As time goes by, our love for each other grew deeper, and I decided to ask for her hand in marriage. Luckily, we both graduated from college, and fortunately, Aunt Kylie and Uncle Kent allowed her to come with me to the USA to meet my grandparents.

"I'm so happy that I'm with you," I said to Amberine, and she smiled at me and cupped my face, giving me a peck.

"I'm happy too, baby. I'm happy because it's my first time here in the US, and you're the one I'm with. I love you so much."

"I love you too, baby." Then I hugged her. We were in a cab on our way to my grandparents' house, where we would be staying while we're in the US.

"Grandma, grandpa. This is Amberine Schinitchka, my girlfriend." My grandpa and grandma smiled at Amberine, and she greeted them respectfully.

"It's nice meeting both of you, po." My grandfather is pure American while my grandma is Filipina.

"It's nice to see both of you here. So, any plans?" Grandma asked us. Amberine just mentioned that we'll be staying here and going sightseeing, but she has no idea about my marriage proposal and us getting married.

I want to bring her to our house again and introduce her to Mom, Dad, and Arden, not as my girlfriend but as my wife. I'm sure they'll be happy for me and Amberine.

"Baby, I'm tired... let's go home." Amberine whispered to me, but I shook my head and looked at my watch. It's already eight pm, and we've been here at the amusement park since eight am. We've tried almost all the rides, and now we're in front of the Ferris wheel, waiting in line.

"This will be the last one, baby, and then we'll go home." I hugged her tightly since it was getting colder. She hugged me back and rested her head on my chest.

"Your heartbeat is so fast, baby..." She said to me and started drawing a heart using her finger. It tickled.

If only you knew, baby, why my heartbeat is so fast. I have a plan inside the Ferris wheel.

"Wow! Livermor is so beautiful at night. There are so many lights in different colors." Amberine was amazed as she looked at the Livermor lights, one of the cities in California.

I hugged her from behind and rested my chin on her shoulder, giving her a kiss on her neck. "I love you so much, Amberine, baby." She turned to face me with a smile. "I love you too so much, Aiden. You're the best that's ever been mine."

I let go of our embrace and knelt down on one knee. "Baby?" She asked in surprise when she saw what I was doing. I smiled at her and took out the small black box from my pocket.

"Amberine Schinitchka, will you marry me?" She covered her mouth, and I saw tears welling up in her eyes.

"Baby, don't cry. I don't want you to be sad. If I had known that proposing would make you cry, I wouldn't have proposed—OUCH!" I complained because she suddenly kneeled down too and started hitting me!

"Ouch! That hurts, baby! Amberine, why?"

"It's because of you! These are tears of joy!" And then she took the small black box from my hand and opened it. Her surprise was evident when she saw the diamond ring, and then she sighed.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I asked her, she seemed disappointed. Didn't she like it? She hugged me tightly, and this time, she rested her chin on my shoulder, and we both sat down.

"Baby, it seems too much. A diamond ring? It's okay with me even if it's not a diamond ring, as long as it's a ring." I laughed at that.

"You only deserve the best, baby, and if the best means a diamond ring, then so be it. I don't care about the price or anything as long as it's for you, I'll get it by hook or by crook."

"I love you so much, Aiden. I'll marry you."

"I love you too, baby, I love you even more. Damn! Did you know that I prepared a whole speech for this proposal, I even memorized it." I scratched my head. "But I guess it wasn't necessary since you already said yes immediately."

"Well, it's because I love you so much."

"Take this ring as a sign of my love and royalty, Amberine Schinitchka Monteverde."

"You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Monteverde." I nodded to the judge who officiated our wedding, and then I slowly lifted her veil before closing the distance between our lips.

Applause and joyful greetings greeted us from Grandma and Grandpa after our wedding. Of course, we celebrated at Grandma's house. The judge, Grandpa, Grandma, I, and my beautiful wife, Amberine.

"I still can't believe that we're married and I'll spend forever with you. I can't wait for us to start our family. Amberine, wife, I love you so much. I can't even describe how happy I am right now."

"I love you too, baby. I'm also excited for us to have a baby. When do we start?" I blushed at her question, which made Amberine laugh as she sat on my lap. "Why are you blushing, Mr. Monteverde?"

"Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Monteverde?" It's because she's being so playful while sitting on my lap, wearing those short shorts and a tank top. She bit her lower lip and answered my question.

"Am I?" She replied with a mischievous smile. I held both her hands around her waist. "I love you so much, and I want to introduce you first to Mom and Dad and Arden as my wife before our honeymoon."

She nodded and kissed me on the lips before getting off my lap. Finally. Her on my lap was a pre-torture, and then we went to sleep early because we had a flight back to the Philippines tomorrow.

"I'm sorry, Aiden. You can't change my mind. Arden... Arden needs me more than you do." Amberine held my hand and returned the engagement and wedding rings she was wearing.

Fuck! Damn! Bullshit! Is that how it's going to be?! Just because Arden has leukemia, she would leave me just like that, even though we're already married? Her best friend is more important to her than me, her husband?! Fucking hell! It hurts.