Chapter 3: Marriage Proposal
1157 Words
Two years later...
It's Avery's Graduation Day!!!
Avery's graduation day was a bittersweet occasion. While she celebrated her accomplishments with joy, a tinge of sadness lingered. Her mother, unable to attend due to illness and the long distance from Negros Occidental to Manila, would need to take a plane or boat to reach the city. Despite her absence, Avery felt her mother's love and support.
Early in the day, her mother called to congratulate her. "Child, congratulations, I am so proud of you," she joyfully exclaimed on the other line, despite not feeling well.
"Thank you, Nay, this is for you, are you okay, Nay?" Avery asked with concern. "Where is Aunt Maring, is someone taking care of you there?"
"Oh Child, don't worry about me, I'm fine, and your Aunt Maring is here with me," her mother reassured her.
"Okay Nay, I'll call you again later, our Graduation ceremony is about to start." "Don't forget to eat and take your medicine, I love you Nay," were the last words Avery said before the call ended.
Despite the regret of her mother's absence, Avery continued with her graduation ceremony. She knew her mother's support was there, even though she was far away. The words "I am so proud of you" gave her strength and inspiration to pursue her dreams even further.
"Congratulations Hija ," Nanay Maria greeted her with joy. Then she hugged her tightly.
"Thank you Nay Maria," tears fell from her eyes as she hugged the old woman. She stood as her mother figure and also provided for her needs in school. She was very kind to her.
"Congratulations Hija," Tatay Romeo, the old woman's husband, also greeted her warmly.
She smiled at him as he approached.
"Thank you Tay," she wholeheartedly thanked them for not neglecting her.
"Come, let's go, and I'll treat you and Nanay," said to them with a smile.
"Oh Hija. Don't bother, Zack prepared everything for your graduation, let's go home now, they might waiting for us," Nanay Maria said with a smile.
"Really?" she asked excitedly, .
Avery was excited to go home to the Mansion, thinking about the large cake and banner posted outside the Mansion. While on the journey, she sang happily.
But there was no banner, she was briefly disappointed. She entered the mansion with a frown.
Upon entering, she saw a lot of food laid out on the table. Her smile widened again. There was even a cake, which she read.
"Congratulations Avery."
She was happy because her employer appreciated her. She was also greeted by the other maids in the mansion.
"Congratulations Avery," she heard a voice from behind.
"Thank you sir," she said, smiling, "Thank you for the food."
She approached him.
"Let's eat," the young man said with a smile.
For the first time, she saw him smile.
"Okay sir," she said modestly.
"Come and let's eat," Nanay Maria invited everyone.
They happily ate and chatted.
Their master usually didn't join them at the dining table, but in the past few days, he had been getting closer to them.
"So what's your plan, Hija, will you work? Are you leaving here?" the old woman asked sadly.
"I don't know yet Nay! If I leave Sir Zack, he might cry," she joked.
"You're really crazy child, you can never be serious," Nanay Maria smiled while eating.
Zack quietly ate, listening to Avery and Nanay Maria's conversation.
He might get annoyed again and suddenly become a dragon. So he just stayed quiet.
"You can work in the company, Avery, as my secretary," her employer suggested.
Avery's eyes widened at what she heard.
"Really sir? Are you serious?" she grinned.
"Yeah," her employer stood up and walked towards his room.
"Are you done sir?" she asked.
"Yes, go to my room later, I have something for you," and he turned and went upstairs.
After eating, Avery dressed and fixed herself. Her employer was strict and didn't want to see her not dressed properly. She usually wore casual clothes, different from the uniforms of the other maids. Sometimes, they whispered about her, seemingly envious and intrigued by their relationship. Avery ignored them. To avoid stressing over them, she remained kind and friendly to them.
She went upstairs.
She knocked before entering.
"Good morning sir. I'm here, I'll open the door now," Avery said as she asked for permission from the young man before entering.
"Sh*t, he's hot," Avery exclaimed.
Freshly showered, Zack had just come out of the bathroom, with only a towel covering his lower body. His hair was wet, and his toned physique displayed his muscles. Avery bit her lip.
Zack just looked at her.
So she quickly turned around to avoid being embarrassed by her reaction.
"Sorry sir. I didn't mean to see... that..." she said, unable to explain what she saw.
"Avery." Zack whispered softly, close to the girl's ear.
Her hair stood on end from the strange sensation the young man caused. She closed her eyes, not realizing he was behind her. She caught a whiff of expensive soap and shampoo from the young man.
"Sir," she said.
His hands held her arms, his warm palms sending a strange current through the girl. He turned her to face him.
"Get the box inside the wardrobe," he softly ordered.
Even though he was gruff, he still had a kind heart.
"Wow, this is so beautiful, I can really use this, my shoes are already worn out," Avery was delighted with her gift.
Zack just smiled at her reactions.
"Wait a minute sir, how did you know my shoe size?" she wondered.
"Through Nanay Maria," Zack replied.
"Really? Nanay Maria doesn't even know my shoe size," she wondered.
Zack's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, never running out of things to say to his maid. But he chose not to respond.
"Sit down," he ordered Avery.
"Why sir?" Avery was nervous as he approached her.
"I'll have you wear the shoes I gave you," he said again.
"Oh sir, I can manage... I'm perfectly capable of putting on my own shoes. I'm a big girl now," she said with a playful smirk.
"Avery," he said firmly, his patience running out with the stubborn maid.
Avery quickly moved and sat on Zack's bed, she took the shoes and put them on her left foot. Zack rested Avery's left foot on his thigh, one knee bent, and slipped the girl's shoe onto it.
Avery felt the warmth of Zack's hands as he held her foot.
"It suits you," Zack said as they faced each other.
"Thank you sir Zack," she said sincerely, even though he was gruff, he still had a good heart.
"From now on, you won't be a maid in this mansion," Zack said seriously.
"Why sir? Are you going to kick me out?" she asks with a sense of confusion.
"I want to marry you once you're ready," he said candidly.
- Writer
