Chapter 9
1531 Words
{VICTORIA}
WE were now in front of Romeo and Juliet's castle. They say it's an unlucky place for couples. They believe there's a curse that says every couple, whether married or not, will separate if they come here. But I see something different.
All I can see is a beautiful castle with a deep history. It's a place that was brought from a fictional world and made real by the people of Italy. The atmosphere of the place is very romantic and nostalgic.
The three of us entered through a long entrance into the castle garden. We were greeted by many papers of different colors stuck to the rough grey cement wall. Each one had promises and wishes written by the people who put them up. They believe that this place can make their dreams come true.
Jackson took out a stack of sticky notes. I smiled. It's like we're on the same wavelength. He knows exactly what I want to do and how to make me happy.
He handed one to me and also to Demi. Then he took out three pens. He was really prepared for this moment. He gave Demi and me one pen each.
Jackson got down on one knee to be at the same height as Demi's face. "Draw something that you want to receive this year, and it will come true," Jackson said with a smile to my daughter.
Demi nodded and gave a thumbs-up to Jackson. Then she turned to me.
"Mom, I'll be over there at the end. I don't want you to see what I'm going to draw," Demi said, which made me laugh.
I patted her head. "Okay, just don't go too far," I reminded her.
She ran off away from us and sat not far from the garden under a big tree.
I looked at Jackson when he held my left hand. He gently squeezed it.
"Can we just use one sticky note for the two of us? Let's write on it that no matter what happens, we'll always find our way back to each other's arms," he said.
"Sure, I agree," I happily told him. My heart overflowed with joy. In an instant, he meant the world to me, Demi, and Jackson.
I wrote on the sticky note, but I didn't write any words. Instead, I drew an infinity symbol. In the two circles, I wrote our initials, J and V. I stuck it together with the many other papers.
When I turned to face Jackson, he gently held both sides of my face. He looked at every angle of my face with a wide smile on his lips.
"What makes you change your heart? I just couldn't believe it until now," he suddenly said. Then he looked me in the eye.
My heart was beating so fast. It felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. I never thought I could feel this way again. Even I couldn't believe it. But Jackson made it possible.
"I love you, and that's what made me change my heart," I honestly said to him. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. Finally, I have gathered the courage to say those three words to him.
"Thank you for accepting everything about me. I promise I won't hurt you. I'll cherish you and your love for me for the rest of my life," I said being emotionally to him. I couldn't hold back.
He gently wiped away my tears, and then he slowly kissed me on the forehead. His lips felt so soft on my skin. It sent a bolt of electricity through me. I am also feeling butterflies in my stomach that it made me weak in my knees.
"YOU'RE blooming today, huh!" Vine teased me. We were currently having coffee in the company's coffee dining area. We came in early because we had a lot of gowns to catch up on for our clients this month of July. It's summer time, so many people are getting married.
I smiled at her. "It's nothing!" I denied it.
Vine slapped my shoulder. "Girl, you can't fool me. You're completely different now. Look at yourself in the mirror. Before, your outfits made you look like a designer, but now you look like a model yourself. What happened?" She was even more intrigued by me.
"Really, nothing!" I insisted. Damn it! I couldn't help the smile on my lips. And I could feel my cheeks getting hot.
"Hey, what's up!" John interrupted us.
He had a wide smile. Our other teammates at work followed behind him. It seemed like they had just arrived. You could still see the signs of a sleepless night on them.
They all came to my house last night, except for Vine. Vine had something important to take care of, so she couldn't join them in surprising me for my birthday at my house. But it seemed like they were the ones who got surprised because Demi and I went home late with Jackson. Also, that was the reason why they looked like walking zombies because they had fun until midnight at our house.
I didn't deny it to everyone that Jackson and I are officially a couple now. I even properly introduced Jackson to my dad as my boyfriend, and I could see that Dad was truly happy for me.
Luckily, my two brothers weren't around at that time. They told Dad that they were going bar-hopping here in Italy. I'm not ready to introduce Jackson to them yet. I know they won't be happy about it. They have their own traumas because of what Liam did to me, and I understand that they just don't want me to get hurt.
"Her eyes will surely sparkle when he sees you now," Sarah commented after giving me a once-over look from head to toe.
They all gave me teasing smiles, except for Vine, whose face was almost impossible to read. She couldn't relate to what was happening.
"Mind telling me everything?" she asked us.
"Secrets are not allowed for absentees," John teased her.
They each took a seat beside Vine and me at our table. Darcus volunteered to order their coffee at the counter.
"John, stop it!" Vine threatened John. The man just laughed at him. He really enjoyed teasing Vine, who always seemed serious in life.
"Speaking of, he's here!" Sarah whispered while looking in one direction.
We all turned our heads to the café entrance. From there, Jackson walked in wearing his elegant suit. His hair was messy, but he made it look like a new hair trend style. He had a sweet yet playful smile on his face.
He walked straight towards our table. He only looked at me. I tried to avoid his gaze. I couldn't handle his intense stares. It felt like he was melting me with his eyes.
I was surprised when he pinched my cheek. Then he proceeded to sit next to John.
Vine and I exchanged glances. She raised an eyebrow at me. She was giving me stares that indicated I should explain to her what was going on.
"Hoooo!" John suddenly shouted, breaking the silence between all of us.
By the way, aside from the guards and bartenders, we're the only people here. I estimate it's around 5 o'clock in the morning right now. The normal work call time for employees here is 7 a.m.
"Sir Jackson, can you be the one to tell me what's going on here? They don't want to tell me!" Vine pleaded with Jackson, appearing frustrated and complaining. She even leaned towards him because John was blocking her view.
Jackson looked at me, asking for permission if he should tell Vine everything. Vine also looked at me, her eyebrows furrowed.
"What's with your looks?" Vine asked in confusion. While the rest of our group tried to hold back their laughter due to Vine's cluelessness.
"Jackson is now my boyfriend," I said with a smile to Vine.
Her eyes widened. After a moment, she smiled at me teasingly.
"I knew it, and you finally gave in!" She happily said to me.
"Anyway, I should be one of the bridesmaids at your wedding," she added.
I was briefly taken aback when I heard the word "wedding." I felt my chest. But I no longer felt any pain from the bitter experience of my first marriage. And now, it's like I want to thank everything that happened because I met Jackson.
"You won't be able to do it anymore once they get married," John interjected, breaking the news to Vine.
Without hesitation, she slapped him hard in the face. "Stop interfering with my business. You know I've had enough of your mouth!" Vine snapped at him continuously.
"Well, what I'm saying is true. I'm sure that, like Victoria, you won't be able to resist me and you'll end up saying yes to me," John said.
We all looked at him, surprised by our reactions. Our gaze then shifted to Vine, who now looked like an angry tiger, ready to devour John alive at any moment.
"Vine, maybe you have something to say to us too?" I teased her.
- Writer
