Always You - 4
1503 Words
Nic stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room. She had just changed to her next outfit and was waiting for the next layout to be ready.
John retouched her makeup and her hair has now been tied up in a loose bun.
"Always so pretty. You make my job so easy." He said as he changed her lip color.
Just then Chad addressed another message to Nic.
"The next song is another original." Chad said as he wiped the sweat on his forehead.
He looked up at the ceiling as if telling the wind to bring his message to her.
"Nic, all the stars in the sky may shine their brightest but they will never compare to you."
He then started to strum his guitar in the slow rhythm of the song.
Nic smiled and sat on the make-up chair, with a smile, tears welling up her eyes, remembering the old days with Chad.
"Oh, great! Now more smudging. I swear I am going to hit Chad in his beautiful face with my well-manicured fist when I see him." John pouted.
"Oh, John." Nic smiled. "I won't cry. I promise." She answered.
Stars
You are brighter than all the stars,
Your beauty can heal all my scars,
I want to bathe in your loving warmth,
I wish to forever keep you in my arms.
You have an everflowing radiance,
And all I ask is a little chance,
A chance to let me love you,
And time to make you love me too.
***
That lunch they set was followed by several more that turned to coffee dates then a few dinners, walks in the park and random long drives. Each time strung a stronger bond between them.
They saw the best in each other and they helped each other be the best person they can be.
With Chad, Nic was most vocal. Somehow, she felt at ease speaking to him and just letting loose.
From her little shy smiles, Chad made her feel like she could just let everything go and laugh her heart out.
With him, Nic had more to live for. Aside from her mother, she had another person she actually cared for.
All her life, there were only two people she trusted, her parents. When her father died she promised to fulfill his dreams and take care of her grieving mother.
She lived each day by the book, just getting from point A to point B with her head held low and never looked anyone in the eyes until her gaze met his.
For Chad, Nic was the inspiration he had been looking for.
From the outside, it looked like he had everything, good looks, talent, charm, wealth but inside he felt empty. Being an only child, losing his Mom at a young age and with his Dad drowning himself in his work did that.
Chad never genuinely cared about anyone else for so long until he found her. Now, he just wants to be with her, protect her, take care of her, love her.
I waited and looked up to the sky,
Praying the stars would let me by,
And grant me what my soul desires,
And that is to light your heart afire,
Set it afire until you love me,
You have an everflowing radiance,
And all I ask is a little chance,
A chance to let me love you,
And time to make you love me too
After two months of seeing each other, Chad finally decided it was time to ask Nic the big question.
Chad picked her up from their home for dinner.
She dressed up in a short white off shoulder boho dress and black and cream pumps. Her hair was tied up in a bun, showing her perfectly shaped neck and shoulders. Her makeup was kept light and fresh, complementing her smooth olive skin.
"Oh my God. You are so beautiful." Chad gasped as she stepped out of the front door.
Nic looked down and avoided his stare. "Thank you. I tried." She said as her cheeks blushed.
He gently lifted her chin with his thumb so she would face him and looked deep into her eyes.
"You should really stop doing that. Your beauty is meant for everyone to see." He smiled.
Chad led her to the car and drove to the main branch of their restaurant, overlooking a famous lake.
He arranged to have the whole place closed off for the evening.
Nic couldn't believe her eyes once they got in. The place looked like a dream filled with red roses, candle lamps and fairy lights. Red rose petals were scattered on the floor they walked on until they got to the balcony where a special table was set up for them.
They had a lovely dinner together, filled with happy stories, smiles and laughter.
Chad's heart beat wildly in his chest as they ended their meal and the time to ask her came closer.
"Can I have this dance?" Chad held out his hand to Nic after dinner as a string quartet started playing A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
She smiled and placed her hand on his palm. They walked to the middle of a space encircled by rose petals and candles.
Chad slipped his hands around her waist while Nic placed her hands over his shoulders.
They started to move and sway to the music slowly, staring into each other's eyes.
"You are unbelievable, Nic. The most beautiful person I have ever met inside and out." He said.
"You don't mean that." She blushed.
"I do. I really do because you are."
"Thank you, Chad, for everything. I've never been this happy. You opened up a whole new world to me. You are a miracle, Chad."
"No. You are my miracle. I've never found inspiration and a real reason to live until I found you." He said as he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on hers until the song ended.
Chad led Nic to the view deck. She leaned on the railings and looked out.
"This is amazing, Chad." She said as she watched the soft glimmer of the stars on the lake.
He stepped behind her and hugged her from the back.
"You are amazing." He whispered in her ear.
She turned to face him and smiled.
"Nic, I've been thinking about how to say this to you but I guess there's really no perfect way to say it so I'll just lay it out there." Chad took a deep breath and held Nic's hands.
"I love you, Nicia Deither, only you and I would like you to be my girlfriend."
She didn't answer at first. She just looked at him with a discerning eye.
After a few seconds, he sighed and bowed his head, feeling defeated.
"I love you too, Chad." She said in a faint whisper.
"Wait. Did you just?" He suddenly looked up with a wide grin on his face.
She coyly nodded her head. "I did."
"So that means... We're official? You're my girlfriend now?"
She giggled at his childlike excitement.
"Yes, Chadrick Alders, I am your girlfriend now."
"YES!" He yelled. "Did you all hear that?" He winked at the musicians who all nodded at him.
He turned to face Nic and cradled her face in his hands. "You are my girlfriend. I'm not dreaming, am I?"
She laughed. "No, you're not dreaming, Chad."
"I love you, Nicia." He smiled.
"I love you too, Chadrick." She replied.
Chad addressed the musicians one more time.
"If you could all please turn your backs from us while you play… I would like to kiss my GIRLFRIEND now." He grinned.
The quartet turned around and started playing their next song.
Nic couldn't stop giggling and laughing at Chad's antics.
He turned to her and caressed her face.
"I meant what I said, Nic." Chad whispered. "I really want to kiss you right now." He looked directly in her eyes. "May I?"
Nic smiled shyly as she stared back at him. "You may."
Chad then slowly inched his face closer to Nic's until their lips met for the first time in a gentle and loving kiss under the light of the stars.
***
I will catch all the stars for you,
I will make all your wishes come true,
Forever I will hold their light for you,
And now, you love me too.
To this promise I will always stay true...
Oh, my baby, I love you…
The song ended and the crowd cheered, as their eyes filled with tears. Everyone felt the love Chad has for Nic in every word he sang for her.
"Nic, we're ready to start." A staff member called.
"Okay. I'll be right there." She answered.
Nic took one glance at the screen and saw Chad waving and smiling at the crowd with his handsome bedimpled face.
"I'm happy to see you finally living your dream, Chad." She smiled before turning to walk back on set.
- Writer
