Chapter 49 — Connecting Soul-to-Soul

Clave.

Time.

Today was the time for me to get down on one knee in front of the woman who had turned around my life for the better.

It was impossible to explain how much I wanted to spend my entire life with her, which was why I bought a house in her city, but she didn't know about it yet. She still thought I was going to stay in Connecticut. She was quite simple-minded in some cases. What did she expect? For me to tell her to uproot Draven and her life from there? Or stay in a long-distance relationship?

How could she think that I could stay away from her for a month or even longer?

Here I was busy planning our future, and she was thinking I was busy with work. I had everything planned—starting from how I would propose to her if she accepted, the place we would get married, go for our honeymoon, and the house we would live in together. If she didn't like the house, we could easily buy one based on her choices. However, I bought this house, keeping her taste in mind.

As far as I knew Zinnia, she would want a cozy house—not a lavish mansion too big for three people to live in. We wanted to give the best upbringing to Draven. Also, even if she rejected marrying me for now, I had prepared myself for that too. Just because she was in love with me didn't mean she had to be ready to marry me just yet. No matter what, I would just be there by her side forever.

I was currently in my car, going to meet Draven. According to Zinnia, Maya would pick up Draven from kindergarten since she was supposed to attend a meeting with a big-shot client. However, Maya knew my plan, so I told her I wanted to take Draven's permission first before finally proposing to Zinnia. According to the plan, I would pick up Draven and drop him off before his mother got home.

As soon as I reached the place, I received a video call from Zinnia. I couldn't get out of the car now, otherwise, she could notice the familiar surroundings.

Putting a smile on my face, I received FaceTime.

"Hey, kid," I greeted once her chirpy face popped up on the screen.

"Claveee... Ask what happened?" Zinnia told me.

I twitched my lips and asked innocently, "Why?"

"Ask, ask," she urged. She was dying to tell me something, however, I liked playing with her.

"Okay, I will, but if I don't, will you not tell me?"

She groaned, getting annoyed. "Just ask already."

"What if I don't wanna know?" I teased.

This time, she huffed. She was getting angry. It was quite visible in the way she started puffing her cheeks. "I am busy. Bye!"

As she was about to cut the call, I gave up on the act and finally asked, "What happened?"

"About time!" she exclaimed in relief as the glint in her eyes was back. "I got the deal with one of the finest businessmen, Mr. Rewel. So I have a new project to work on and this time it's for five events. First is a business party, the second one is a masquerade, the third one is an arrangement for a wedding proposal, then the wedding and the wedding reception. Mr. Rewel booked the dates as well."

"That's great!" I couldn't stop my grin, feeling so proud of her. I silently prayed that she always attained success like this because she was really hard-working. "By the way, you said there is a proposal arrangement too, but how can Mr. Rewel be so sure his girlfriend would accept the proposal?" I asked curiously.

"Actually, he already proposed unofficially to her, so this one is the official proposal. It will also go to the paparazzi too and he promised to promote my event planning business. Isn't that awesome?"

"Indeed, kid. Congratulations! When will these events start?"

"In about three months, so I have to hurry," she informed me and then suddenly stopped, probably noticing I was in the car. "Where are you going?"

"I am just out on a job." Job to take Draven's permission to propose to you.

She didn't ask about it, respecting confidentiality. We chatted for some time until I noticed it would become late to pick up Draven if I continued talking. "Zinnia, I'm hanging up now. I have to go."

"Yeah, sure. Talk to you later. Best of luck with your mission! Be safe!" with that, she cut the call.

I got out of the car and watched the kids playing on the playground. A grin formed on my lips seeing Draven sitting on one of the swings.

I walked to him and cleared my throat to gain his attention.

"Superhero!" Draven exclaimed as soon as he saw me and rushed to hug me.

I ruffled his hair and picked him in my arms. "Hey, Champ."

"What are you doing here? Will you stay with us now?" he started bombarding me with questions.

"We need to have a man-to-man talk, which is why I am here today," I said with an aura of playful suspense.

"Whatever you want to talk about, I'm up for it. I am so happy to see you, Superhero!" He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"Aww… look at poor Dravy..." came a sudden mocking voice.

Draven and I looked in front of us, only to find two boys of his age, smirking at him.

"He hugs just about anyone because he has no dad," the other one spoke with a fake pitying expression.

I clenched my fist in anger, but before I could say anything, Draven said firmly, "He is not just anyone. He is my dad!"

All my anger vanished within a second just by hearing him. I mean, I knew that he thought of me as a father figure. But I didn't know he was willing to publicly acknowledge me as his dad.

Suddenly, it hit me.

I didn't just have someone like a son. I... I have a son. My son.

I was on cloud nine. I wanted to show the entire world that I had my son in my arms.

"But—"

"No buts," Draven had pure anger in his voice. Yes, he definitely got it from his mother. Even Zinnia never cared who stood in front of her when she was angry. She would just speak her mind. "My dad is my superhero. I don't have to show off like you two that I have a father. And—" Before he could further continue, I decided to interrupt.

"And, I think you two adorable children won't bother my son anymore. There, you have finally seen his father." Judging by Draven's reaction, those two kids definitely bullied him on the father topic. But not anymore. I was here now with him.

I started walking toward the car with Draven still in my arms. I could feel his eyes on my face, his small hands clutching the fabric of my denim shirt, but I didn't look at him. I knew his eyes were watery and I just couldn't see him crying—even if they were happy tears.

I opened the passenger door and made him sit before I went to the driver's seat. As I was about to start the car, Draven was fidgeting a little before asking, "I’m sorry I didn’t ask before, but can I call you my dad, Superhero?"

I halted hearing his nervous request.

Was today a dream? Draven was just giving me the best of the best surprises with each passing moment. He had no idea how long I waited just for this very moment.

"Superhero?" his nervous voice brought me out of the trance.

Realizing he was eagerly waiting for an answer, I let out in an instant, "Yes, yes, of course, Champ. You have no idea how long I was waiting just for this day to come. I would love to be your dad and I will be honored if you call me dad. Star promise."

I did the thing he did with his fingers, to show that my feelings were really genuine as well.

A tear poured out of his eyes, but he wiped it with the back of his hands. "Thank you, Dad,” he choked over saying it and more tears poured out. He hurriedly tried to wipe the continuous tears as he wanted to say more but couldn’t manage to control his overwhelming emotions.

I felt at peace the moment he said Dad. I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and leaned to him to wipe the tears. "You don't have to hide your tears from your father."

"But what about my real dad?" he asked out of nowhere while still crying.

I brought him to sit on my lap. "Listen here, Champ. A real dad is someone with whom you are connected soul-to-soul. Now tell me, do you feel an attachment to me as I do?"

Immediately, I realized that I used heavy terms, which wouldn't be easier for him to understand.

"I don't know, but I always want to have you in my life. I don't want to lose you. When you are away, I miss you. When you are with me and Mommy, I feel like we are a family. I feel so happy, and Mommy looks so happy too. I wish those moments to last forever," he explained his emotions, making me chuckle.

I caressed his back and asked, "First of all, we are a family. Now tell me, Champ. Do you want this family to be permanent?"

He nodded and pouted his lips cutely. "But how?"

Finally, it was time to tell him why I was there.

Even after all that was said between us, I was a tinge bit nervous. However, I mustered enough courage and let it out of my chest, "I want to marry Zinnia."