Beautiful and Better (ENGLISH)

Eight

Seeing Tim in front of me was like a new reason for me to stay. He always shows up when I’m alone and feeling down. If I needed someone, he popped out and reminded me that I am not alone. That there’s always one person who will stay and make me happy somehow. 

“Where do you want to go?” He turned to me. 

“Anywhere that can make me forget.”

“I can bring you anywhere you wanted to be, but I can’t heal the pain and make you forget.” 

I smiled bitterly at him. I know, and I’m also taking advantage of his kindness. I was already asking him too much. Somehow I still feel ashamed. He took me to the playground near Long Island. It looks like a fair. The surroundings are colorful, full of people, and fun games. I've been smiling since I came here for a while now. 

"How nice," I whispered as I happily roamed my eyes around the fair. 

The only place I went to before was Disneyland. I don't even enjoy it properly because of the people around me. They kept on putting a leash on me to keep me from going anywhere I wanted to be.

As Tim and I walked together, he did not ask me anything. He was just next to me and followed me quietly. He's like an Angel accompanying everyone who wanted to go around the area and make them feel better. I don’t know, but I feel peace knowing that he is just there next to me and listening to all my whims. Although I'm sure there are things and people that he needs to prioritize first.

"Are you not busy?" I asked him as we sat on a bench.

I was tired of walking, but this one beside me wasn’t getting tired of walking. When he sat beside me, he immediately brought food. It looks like I'm fat, but he ate a lot more than I did. He would have beaten me in terms of eating.

"No. I own a company, so maybe I won't get poor tomorrow if I rest even for a day," he proudly turned to me.

"Aren't you arrogant enough to say that?" I said, laughing while teasing him.

"At least I can make you smile."

That is what I cannot deny. He always makes me laugh and makes me happy. Even in the short time we were together, he did not fail. He knows the things that will make a woman feel better. It is not surprising that he knows a lot about women because it's not surprising how he looks.

"Isn't your girlfriend looking for you?" I turned to him. I even laughed for a few minutes when he stared at me.

"Why?"

"I'm the one asking! Your diligence accompanied me around,” I shrugged. 

"There's only one girl that I was crazy about lately, but it looks like she's also busy, so I´ll take you for now," he exclaimed out. At least he has someone, unlike me. 

"Let's ride a Ferris wheel," I said to him. He was hesitant to come at first, but he had no choice but to go with me. "All right, this is the first time I would ride that thing, so please join me!" I beg him. 

I even made puppy eyes on him. He even scratches his head and shakes it before he walks into the Ferris wheel ride queue. 

He waved at me, but before I could step closer to him, my phone rang. Matthew's name came out there. I stared at my phone for a few minutes. I do not know if I will answer it or not. But before I could decide, two arms were already wrapped around me as I looked at Tim. I feel like everything around me slows down for a moment while I am looking at him. And I could see how Tim's smiling face changed into an absence of reaction.

I don't have to look around to see who is hugging me.

I saw how he looked at me with sadness in his eyes before he turned around and disappeared from my eyes. I do not know, but I feel like I feel some pain inside my chest.

A smile greeted me as I faced him. "How did you find me?" 

“I trace your phone. Who’s with you?” he asked, looking for someone. 

“I’m with a friend, but she already left.” 

I lied, I can’t tell him that I’m with Tim. 

I can’t tell him that I’m with a guy. Maybe he'll think badly of me because of that.  

"I'm sorry if I left suddenly. There's an emergency with a friend of mine. I'm sorry if I didn't say goodbye to you. I was in a hurry at that time. I hope you understand, sugar," he whispered before he kissed my temple.  

I feel that he is sincere in apologizing, and he has a reason, so there is no reason to be angry with him. All I wanted was to enjoy the remaining days that I was free. When I get back to the City, I´ll be back in the cage where I used to stay. 

So as long as I can be free, I will do whatever I want. 

"I want to be free!" I shouted while riding the Ferris wheel. 

A pair of arms hugged me from behind and pressed his cheek to my neck. I hate what he did. But now that he is by my side, all my anger flew away. It was as if nothing had happened to the two of us. We act like what happened didn’t almost break us and ruin what we have. Maybe that’s what it is if you're in love, you tend to forget all the bad things he did or happen so that you won't separate. 

"Do you have a problem?" 

"Huh? Nothing," nothing. I just keep thinking about what happened to Tim. I didn’t even say goodbye or even thank him for accompanying me. 

“You look bothered! It's not my intention to leave you here, so forget it. Okay? I love you!" he said and kissed me again and again. 

"I love you too." 

I savored every moment as the two of us were together. While sharing a kiss at the highest place I am right now. I guess this is the man I will love for the rest of my life. The man I will fight on them.  

"How was your audition for the tv show you said last week?" I asked him, remembering the show he was telling. 

Last week, while we were watching a movie inside my room, he told the story of a director. And he said he was right, so he wanted to work with him. But hearing that he is a family friend, I helped him too. Maybe there's nothing wrong with that. It's just a favor. 

"Oh, that! Would you believe that he accepted me? He said I'm good; I just need a little more training," he beamed happily.

I smiled at what he said. He's just getting started on all this, so I want to help him. I just hope his head doesn't grow because of that. I want him to stay as humble as he can, or like this, my Matthew.

"That is good news. I hope you continue to be successful. I am happy to see you happy," I told him. 

We are here now on a bench because we are tired. The number of rides we both rode was making me exhausted. 

"I am also happy because while I am fulfilling my dreams, you are by my side. I hope you will continue to be patient with me, Tally. I am not perfect, but I want to show you that even I can not match what you have. I still love you very much." 

I did not realize that my tears were already dripping. This man always surprised me with his words. Now he is kneeling in front of me, so I can't hold back my tears even more.

"What are you doing?" 

"It's cheap, and it can't match what you gave me. But I still want to give it to you. Tallulah Stevenson, are you ready to love me for the rest of your life?" 

Tears, joy, and overflowing joy I feel now because of this man. I am not beautiful, and I am not blessed physically. But the love and happiness given to me today is overflowing. "I love you so much, Matthew."

We look crazy, hugging each other while crying and laughing. I don't even pay attention to the people who look at us because we’re f*****g crying.

As far as I know, I am happy. 

Even if someone or anything will come to ruin this day, I can still smile. One of my dreams is within my reach. I will bet everything on it so that I will keep it to the best of my ability. 

"It's enough crying. We still have a long night so we can celebrate," Matt said while wiping my cheek. 

"I want to make the most of it because I know I might never be able to go out again. And you might be busy. My boyfriend is famous!" I shouted. 

He chuckled. "I love my girlfriend," he shouted even though we both looked crazy. 

That night we made the most of all the time we had before driving back to Manhattan. That was the time that made both of us sad—the time we need to part again. We've only been together for a few days, but the difficulty of getting used to that routine we’re challenging. Waking up every day with the person you loved beside it feels heaven.

“Thank you for spending your weekends with me. You made this even happier for me. I love you.” 

“I love you too, handsome,” I whispered and closed my eyes when he kissed me. 

We always shared a kiss, but I can’t get enough for its taste and feel, and he made me feel.

In the book, I read that happiness is not based on what you wanted to happen. 

Sometimes there are small things that destiny has given you that you do not think will bring you complete pleasure. And me? This is it, this sweet man smiling in front of me. 

"I'm going down. Maybe Ari is already waiting for me," I said goodbye to him. 

I already opened the car door, but when he pulled me and greeted me with a kiss, I lost it. Kisses that made me forget in reality. Fortunately, before that kiss deepened, someone blew a horn from behind. I immediately broke up with him. He laughed while shaking his head, so I slapped his chest. 

"Stop your mischief. I need to go home," I told him. But before I could get down, he reached for a paper bag. 

"I'm not calm that you will leave me again. I am used to being by your side." 

"What is this?" my brows furrowed. 

"Our baby," he replied with a smile. 

So I frowned at what he said. Because I do not understand. When I opened it, I was almost surprised. A big teddy bear, and there’s a tag on his neck. When I read it, I almost laughed at its sequel. 

"Adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Ventura. Baby Theo. Is that true?" 

I can't believe what I saw right now. He was already standing in front of me. 

"Meet baby Theo, and this is your Mom. Protect her while I’m not around," he mumbled. 

"Oh my god! Thank you, Matthew. This is so cute. I will take care of Theo from now on," I told him before hugging him. 

He would not have let me go if Ari hadn't shouted from the car. She will also take me home. I have to stand up for the lie I have already made.

Matthew and I had been separated for some time. But before we could go home, we are here now at fast food, and Ari is eating. We suddenly crave fries and burgers. 

"So, how's the vacation, dear princess?" She teased me. 

"You're annoying! Don't call me that," I scolded him, but she just laughed. 

"My weekends are fun, and this is probably the happiest day." 

"So exaggerated! Can't you be happy because you were born into the world? Or when you were born rich?" I pouted. 

"I am, but of course, it's a different kind of happiness. Especially the s*x is delicious--" I looked at her in shock as she almost choked on what she’s eating. 

"Damn it! You gave him that password?" she turned to me angrily, and I think she was angrier when I nodded. 

"I think he deserves that. Besides, I'm not good enough to be a Saint in front of him. It's delicious, so go ahead, and what is the big deal on virginity?" she looks at me unbelievably.

"I don't know about you, Tallulah. You are so crazy because of your love for that man." 

I was stunned for a moment by what Ari said. She hit something inside me because since Matthew came into my life, my life has changed. Everything seemed to turn upside down because of him. I do things I do not know I am capable of doing. It's just like giving everything I have.

But just like other stories, there will always be a problem after each happiness you´ll have. 

When I got home, almost everyone was asleep. Ari didn't go inside either. She just took me here to the house and left immediately. While bathing, I could not help but stare at the ring Matthew gave me. It is not an engagement ring. It's a promise ring. Promise that we will love each other, and we will continue to the end. I lay down on the bed while still unable to believe what had happened to me today. It was surreal, that made me think if this was true. But it is! 

"Hi, Theo. I'm your Mommy. I hope your Daddy is okay. Always hug me when I miss him, okay!" I whispered to him before I could finally fall asleep. 

When I woke up, it was morning, and I heard a non-stop commotion from outside. 

"Tallulah! Tallulah!" I can hear screams from outside my room.

”Let her explain first before you do something!” 

I can hear them bickering, and I am not sure what the heck is going on with them.

And when I opened the door, Daddy's angry face and Mom's worried face greeted me. I do not know what is going on, but I am slowly being overwhelmed by fear. 

"Dad, what--" I was almost deafened by the force of the slap that hit my cheek. Dad just slapped me. I can even hear Mom’s gasping from the side.

"We gave everything to you, but you still did this to us? What else is missing, Tallulah?" 

"Dad, what are you saying? I don't understand anything." 

Several photos burst into my face when my father threw them. I almost stiffened in my stance as I watched what it was—trembling as I picked it up with the influx of tears. 

It was Matthew and me kissing.