Chapter 36

CHAYA got up early, wore a nice smock dress, and left the house to wait for the sunrise. Kiel was still sleeping in her room, and she left the door ajar in case he woke up.

She wrapped her arms around her as the cold breeze wafted her skin. She should have brought thick clothing.

She wanted to clear her mind. How would she pull off a perfect setup for Parker’s marriage proposal to Jellybean? And was Kyrie really planning to ask her to marry him?

Chaya’s heart and mind were restless. Last night, she called Tyler to thank him and congratulate him for his courage. Their conversation was short as they already knew what to say to each other.

Caroline Shore had beautiful amenities. It had many pools, restaurants, rooms, and a whole building for indoor activities. Granny Caroline said Parker gifted them the resort during their golden wedding anniversary. It wasn’t a bad place to hide away from the world. She'd remind Parker of his promise once they saw each other later.

Chaya decided to return to the house when a glimpse of sunrise began to illuminate the sky. She took her time. And from a distance, she saw Kyrie’s familiar figure approaching.

Her heart began to beat erratically again. She didn’t take his eyes off him. She just couldn’t.

There were so many emotions on his handsome face. She glanced at his hand and realized he was holding a small blanket. He crossed their distance, and he wrapped it around her quietly.

“I thought you left. I was scared,” he said.

“Why would you be?”

“Because…” He cleared his throat as he threw his head back for a moment, fighting back the tears that welled up in his eyes. “I was so stupid to hurt you for the things I was doing to you as well.”

Chaya bit her lip as it trembled.

“I can’t believe I forgot that when I needed you, you needed someone too, and that was supposed to be no other than me. I pushed you away when all I ever wanted to do was lock you in my arms and never let you go again. I’m sorry, Chaya. I was a fool. I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry for the things I said to you yesterday. Hurting you didn’t make me feel any better. I was a jerk. I doubted your love when all you ever did was be patient with me. You never questioned me. You always understand me. H-how could I do that to you?” His voice broke.

A tear fell from Chaya’s eyes, but she said nothing.

“I’m sorry for my pride. I’m sorry for thinking you betrayed me when all you ever did was be there for me. I should have done the same.”

Chaya watched as he pulled an envelope from his pocket.

“Avery told me to give this to you when we meet again.” He took her hand and put it on her palm. It was still sealed.

She opened it quietly and read the letter.

'Dear Chaya, I told Kyrie to give this letter to you when I’m gone.

When I told you it was nice to meet you, I really meant it, though I was jealous because I saw how Kyrie loves you and how much you love him. That was when I knew I had lost him forever.

But thank you because you let me spend the remaining days of my life with him and our beloved Kiel. I knew it wasn’t easy for you. I hope you are still there waiting for him. Kiel is a good boy. I’m sure he won’t give you a hard time. He’s easy to love.

I can now die in peace knowing that Kyrie and Kiel have a wonderful woman who will be there for them and love them unconditionally. I am living my best life because of you.

Thank you for your sacrifice. I’m so glad Kyrie found you. And please, take care of Kiel, too. That’s all I ask of you.

Be happy, Chaya. In another life, I would love to be friends with you.

Avery.'

Chaya brought the letter to her chest as tears kept pouring down her face.

“Avery believed in us. I should have trusted you, then. I shouldn’t have given you any reason for you to doubt my love. I should have done something,” she said. “I couldn’t hate you even if I wanted to.”

Kyrie cleared his throat as he cupped her face and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Do you think you can forgive me? Do you think you can love me again?” he asked tenderly.

Chaya’s heart felt like it was freed from a chain of thorns that had strangled it.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” Chaya said as she sniffed.

Kyrie blinked. “W-what? How did you…”

“Well, last night, Kiel told me you wanted to ask me to marry you. So, he told me to say ‘yes.’”

“Oh, that kid… B-but you’re not marrying me because he asked you to say ‘yes,’ right?” he implored.

Chaya arched an eyebrow. “Why are you asking me to marry you in the first place?”

“Because I’ll never stop loving you, and I won’t be that stupid to let you go again. I’m asking you to marry me because I want to be the man you need. I want to protect you, and I want to love you with every breath I take,” he declared.

“Then, I’m marrying you because I love you, and you’re the one that I belong to. I promise I’ll always depend on you, and you can depend on me, too. I’ll try to be a better person for you and Kiel.”

Kyrie dipped his head and claimed her lips for a glorious kiss. It was slow, deep, full of passion, and sweet. Chaya felt free. All the pain and heartache she felt when they parted had disappeared. That moment was just magical.

“I love you,” he whispered as their lips parted.

“I love you,” she said, her eyes again moist with tears.

Kyrie smiled and kissed her once again. Then, he pulled her into a warm tight hug as warm as the start of a new day. And Chaya was glad she welcomed it with Kyrie.

“Did you watch Tyler’s interview?” she asked after a while.

“Yes, that’s why I followed you as soon as I could. I felt like he was talking to me, and I would be a fool to just sit there and do nothing. But I didn’t know how to talk to you. I became a coward again. I told myself that if you’d rather hate me, I know I deserved it.”

Chaya pressed her face into his chest and inhaled his scent. “That Annemarie wasn’t your girlfriend?”

“No. What made you think that she’s my girlfriend?”

“Because she sticks around you like glue.”

Kyrie chuckled. “She’s here because she wanted to help with my project. Did you know that your pitch is her favorite? By the way, I tore the letter you gave me. The world should see your idea, Chaya.”

Chaya glanced up at him. “I thought you hated it. You weren’t looking the whole time I was presenting.”

“Because I knew if I faced you, I would find myself begging you to take me back. And I realized I should have just done that.” He stroked her hair as he gazed at her lovingly. “What did you do to your hair?”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

“Will you kiss me again?” Chaya wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Sure.” Kyrie snaked his arm around her waist and claimed her lips for another kiss.

They went back to Chaya’s room, where Kiel was still sleeping.

“Do you want to go back to bed?” Chaya asked.

“Sure. Maybe we could sleep some more.”

They slowly approached the bed, careful not to wake Kiel up. They lay on each side so that he was sandwiched between them. Then, they wrapped him in a tight hug.

Kiel opened his eyes. He glanced at them.

“What’s happening?” he asked.

“Nothing. We just want to hug you,” Kyrie said.

Kiel beamed. “Hug me tighter, please.”

Chaya giggled as Kyrie reached for her for a hug.

“Do you want to call me ‘Mama,’ Kiel?”

“Yes, Mama,” Kiel agreed.

Chaya and Kyrie exchanged smiles.

***

“What's going on in here?” Granny Caroline asked in delight when she entered the kitchen with Popsy Neil.

The three of them were making breakfast. But Kiel was more like a commentator.

“I see you’ve won her heart back now, Kyrie,” Popsy Neil remarked.

“He never lost it, anyway,” Chaya said, giving Kyrie a sweet smile.

“I’ll still win your heart every day.” He kissed her forehead.

“Oh, if that’s not too much sweetness.” Granny Caroline giggled. “Kiel, dear, would you like to come with us? The fresh bread delivery is going to arrive any moment from now.”

“Oh, I love bread! Daddy, help me!”

Kyrie put him on the floor at once.

Granny Caroline winked as she took Kiel’s hand.

***

“I should have made a more romantic proposal for you.”

They were sitting on the balcony, brainstorming.

Chaya frowned. “Everything’s romantic when I’m with you. Come on, let’s do our best for Parker and Jellybean. After all, they are the reason why we met and are together again.”

Chaya and Kyrie agreed to reschedule her flight once more. Once they were done meeting his family, he’ll fly back home with her to announce their engagement to her family and Roxanne’s.

Kyrie brought her hand to his lips.

“Parker can just pop up the question from out of the blue.”

Chaya laughed. “He offered me a lifetime of free vacation here.”

“I can offer you better than that,” he said cockily.

“I know, but I like working hard for rewards.”

He glanced at the sea. “Do you want to go swimming?”

“When we’re done here.”

Kyrie frowned.

Chaya pressed her lips into his.