Chapter 50

“One step back, and you’re back in your comfort zone, assured of what each day would bring you. One step forward and take a gamble taking a path full of uncertainties. Not knowing if it would give you pain or happiness.”

Ellie could not help but shake her head. She gave Ryo the same choices two months ago. Who would have thought it boomeranged to her? She looked at her father with her bright eyes. The tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth deepened as her lips stretched into a smile.

She took her father’s arm and made one step forward. His father smiled at her and assisted her as they walked further down the stone path. It felt like her feet were stepping on clouds. She could not feel her feet at all.

Her mother waited at the end of the path, behind a closed door. She handed her a bouquet of roses and gave each of her cheeks a peck. Her eyes looked at each of her facial features with such adoration. “You look divine, my baby girl,” she whispered. “We’ll wait for you inside,” she said, then nodded at her husband. Her dad gave her forehead a peck, then took his wife’s hand. Her parents opened the huge wooden door and walked inside, leaving her alone.

She had an inkling what’s going on but still did not want to jump the gun. Nothing but excruciating pain awaits her if her assumptions were wrong. She cleared her mind and submitted herself to the flow. After all, isn’t that what she chose? To take a gamble and thread a path of uncertainties?

A woman signaled her to move forward. With trembling knees, she obeyed and took a step forward. She walked into the opened wooden door. Her eyes could not believe what she was seeing. Her family and friends were all inside.

The white wisteria cascading from the ceiling called her attention. They looked so romantic and whimsical. There were white roses and jasmine all over the place, perfuming the air. Her father took her hand and held her as they walked down the carpeted aisle.

She held her breath when her eyes landed on the man standing at the end of the aisle. She never imagined he would look good in a barong. Ryo stood there, his eyes never leaving her. He was not smiling, but was not frowning, either. He looked calm and collected, unlike her, whose insides were having a riot.

If she only knew. Every second of staring at the closed wooden door, waiting for it to open and hoping it would bring Ellie in, was agony in its purest form for Ryo. Every damn second of it. “Where on earth did I get that crappy surprise wedding idea? Shit! What if she stepped back? That’s also a choice I gave her, right? Clearly, I’m thinking through my ass!” Ryo soliloquized. His hands felt icy from the sweat. “Oh gosh, what’s taking her so long?”

His insides were another story. His intestines felt like it’s moving, strangling his other organs. He didn’t know if he’d poop or pee or throw up. His heart, that’s another rebel. It’s been pounding in his chest since last night. It wouldn’t surprise him if collapsed from a heart attack.

“Hey bro, chill,” Claude spoke beside him. He, Vince, and Hideki were his best men. Yes, he needed three of them. “She’s gonna pick you, trust me.” Ryo nodded. His mouth felt so dry they must have fused up.

“Here, drink some water. You look like you’d pass out any second.” Vince said, handing him a bottle of cold water. Oh, how he needed it. The water down his throat relaxed his nerves a bit. When his tension eased up a little, he glared at Hideki. His useless best friend kept sniggering beside him. It tempted Ryo to punch his face to let off steam.

“You look so nervous, man. I wouldn’t be surprised if you shit your underwear,” Hideki spoke between chuckles.

“Thanks. I am dying in here, you useless piece of junk,” Ryo spat and threw the empty water at Hideki, which he caught with one hand.

Then the door opened but instead of bringing Ellie in, it was her parents walked in. “Shit, what’s happening? Where is she?” Ryo cursed under his breath.

“Relax, bro. If she did not accept you, then dad would have told you right? Isn’t that the agreement?” Claude consoled him while patting his shoulder.

Ryo felt a little relief from Claude’s words. He’s right. A couple of months ago, he and his grandparents went to the Ross’ old house and formally asked for Ellie’s hand in marriage. He mustered all his courage to face her family and answer all their questions. His heart and soul were all laid out in front of them. By far, it was the bravest feat he did in his life. Only when Leo Ross gave him his permission did he feel relieved.

And so began their planning to execute his idea of a surprise wedding. It’s a good thing that Naya was an experienced events organizer and has done several surprise weddings in the past. She talked him through the logistics and the details of how to execute one. Before today, he thought a surprise wedding was the best idea ever but now he regrets it. The suspense is killing him.

Once again, the huge wooden door opened. Ryo’s heart leaped to his throat when Ellie walked in from it. She’s a sight to behold. Naya’s right, this silhouette suited her better than a princess style gown. The lace clung to her body, hugging her curves perfectly. It gave her a classic vibe. He would have preferred white but again, Naya was right. Champagne looked better on her.

His heart danced for every step she took. Like their first meeting in Paris, she looked fresh and simple, yet undeniably beautiful. She never failed to take his breath away. The only time he knew he’s tearing up was when he felt wetness in the corner of his eyes.

Father and daughter stopped a step away from him. It made his heart stop. Was she hesitating? But then Leo held out his daughter’s hand for him to take, which he took as quickly as he could.

“Please take care of our Ellie, Ryo. Choose to love her every day of your life.” Leo said in a solemn voice before hugging him tight.

Ellie looked at him from under her veil. Her round eyes were as bright as the first day he met her. She smiled at him. “Ryo…” she said, her voice quivering.

“Thank you for choosing to step forward,” he whispered in her ear. With his hand holding her elbow, he walked with her towards the altar.

It was a simple and traditional wedding ceremony, just like Ellie wanted her wedding to be. It was over in an hour. They entered the chapel as two distinct individuals. With two separate last names and two different paths. But now, they’re exiting with a single path before them, two individuals sharing the same name. They’re no longer Elizabeth Ross and Ryo Matsuda but are now Mr. and Mrs. Ryo Matsuda. The future ahead of them is unknown, but they vowed to explore it together, with their hands firmly holding to each other.