Chapter 80

AURORA.

On the day of the premiere, I woke up feeling better than I had in a long time. My makeup artist and stylist, the same one Nathaniel had taken me to the afternoon of the auction was the one I’d booked for today. She arrived on time at my apartment to begin prepping my face before she could apply makeup.

The premiere was starting at noon and the production team had already messaged me to arrive at 11:45 AM at best. Thankfully, by 11:00 AM, my stylist was done with my makeup and styling me. The dress we’d chosen was a deep crimson color with a long slit at the end that ran all the way to my upper thigh. Abuela expressed her concern at the dress ripping off completely and Lola and I laughed about it.

I couldn’t help myself from checking my phone frequently, in case there was any message from Nathaniel that he had landed. It was at the back of my mind that his business trip would take longer than expected and he would miss such an important day to me. But he had promised to be there and I had to take his word for it.

When Lola and I got to the premiere, there were a lot of people there. Since I’d never been in this scene before, I barely knew what to do. Camera flashes were going on and off, and the crowd seemed hysterical at my arrival. Lola motioned for me to smile and wave to the cameras, and even though I felt like a piece of art on display, I did as she advised.

Winter and Mateo were already there—lending their support to me—as well as Peter and the rest of the production team. Sophia was present with her husband, Michael and after saying hi to them, Lola and I walked over to Winter, after which Mateo came to find us. There was still no sign of Nathaniel. Despite his earlier promise, he was nowhere to be found. I tried to swallow down my disappointment but it was easier said than done.

The order of the day was simple. First, we were going to watch the movie and then we would be interviewed by the reporters. The movie began and Lola, Mateo, Winter and I watched the film's premiere together with the rest of the team, the culmination of months of hard work, creativity, and dedication from the entire team. It turned out pretty well if I said so myself and I did.

There were a lot of congratulations from the team and also from other big actors and actresses in the business. I received them all with thanks, even the offers to cooperate in the future. Things were really looking up. Despite my inner turmoil regarding Nathaniel's absence, I knew I had a professional duty to fulfill.

The disappointment of his absence lingered, but I tried to focus on the positives of the day. The film was well-received, and it seemed the audience appreciated our hard work. I couldn't help but hope that Nathaniel had a good reason for not being there, even though his absence had left a void on a day that should have been a moment of celebration.

After the premiere, I participated in interviews with the press, answering their questions about the film and sharing insights about the adaptation process. Then one interviewer asked me a question I hadn’t expected.

“Mrs. Quan, what are you thinking of right now?”

Blinking, I met her eyes through the furious flashes of the cameras. “I think… I just want to see him.” I said softly, aware that the noise had suddenly quieted and my response had been loud enough for all to hear.

The reporter’s eyes seemed to widen, the notion that a juicy story was incoming setting her fires burning. “I’m sure everyone would like to know the identity of this ‘him’ in question. Is he a boyfriend or a lover?”

I smiled wryly, wondering why I’d said that. At that very moment, the grand venue's doors swung open, drawing the attention of everyone present. In walked Nathaniel, his presence commanding the room's focus. His eyes found mine and we maintained contact as he walked towards me.

I didn’t know when my face broke out in a smile. He was here. Nathaniel had come. I almost ran to him but quickly remembered I was in public and under scrutiny so I held my peace. But why did he look so determined?

Cameras immediately turned on him and as though the producer had just sighted him, he ran towards him in one swift motion. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the producer announced, amplifying his voice so all could hear him as the noise reduced, “I have the distinct honor of introducing a key figure behind the success of this remarkable project. Please allow me to introduce Mr. Nathaniel Everleigh.” With a graceful nod, he signaled to Nathaniel, acknowledging his presence and role.

I was shocked. Nathaniel had invested in the movie? How come I didn’t know about it?

He extended his hand to shake the producer's hand, their greeting marked by mutual respect and collaboration. The audience's curiosity was palpable, evident in the hushed whispers and speculative glances exchanged among the attendees.

The producer continued, “Mr. Everleigh has been the driving force behind our film, providing essential support and resources to make this adaptation possible. His unwavering belief in the talents of our production team and the exceptional work of our writer, Aurora Quan, has made this day a reality.”

The crowd fell silent, their attention fixed on Nathaniel. He waved a stiff hand and gave a brief nod, after which he turned and began to make his way towards me. My chest was heaving at this point and I shuddered under his intense gaze. When he reached me, he smiled. “I saw the movie. It was amazing. I didn’t expect anything less.”

He’d seen it. My joy was about to burst out. “Where were you? I didn’t think you’d come back in time.”

“I was backstage. Perks of being an investor.”

Then he reached forward and took my hand in his, causing the crowd to go abuzz with gasps and murmurs. Nathaniel’s gaze locked onto mine as he clasped my hand in his and yelled, “I am Aurora’s beloved.” Beside me, Lola gasped.

I was left momentarily stunned, my breath caught in my throat. Especially because in that same breath, Nathaniel got down on one knee. The gasps and whispers of the audience surrounded us like a cocoon, but at that moment, it was as if we were the only two people in the room.

Dios mi, I was breathing funny. Was it just me or was the room hot all of a sudden? What was he doing? Oh, God.

I watched with bated breath as he produced a small, elegant velvety box from his pocket, and with an almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, he continued, “Aurora Ysabel Quan, will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?”

I stared at him, dumbstruck. I would never have expected him to do this, much less here in such a public place. When I didn’t respond, he continued, “I know what you’re going to say. We’re already married. But to me, that wasn’t really a marriage. Now, I understand that you might not love me the way I do you and I just want you to know that if you accept me as your husband for real this time, I’ll dedicate the rest of my life to falling deeper in love with you every day, respecting you and showing you how much I care and cherish you. Our marriage didn’t start with a happy beginning, but I can assure you, it will have a happy ending.”

Here was Nathaniel, a billionaire extraordinaire, a man of few words, kneeling in front of me in front of the entire world and asking me to be his wife for real. My vision blurred and I felt the tears roll down my eyes. At that moment, I realized that I’d never loved anyone the way I loved him.

From the first day I met him to when I became his assistant, he’d never done anything out of place. He respected me, asked my opinions and made certain I knew how much he cared for me. He supported me even though I resigned as his assistant and became the largest investor in my film.

How could I not love such a man? A man who always put me first. He’d waited for me to come to him after finding out we were married. He respected me and didn’t push. Hell, he even flew a caregiver all the way from Mexico for Abuela.

I wanted this. A real marriage with him. To be his wife not only in name but in everything. I wanted companionship, I wanted to live with him, I wanted to carry his children. I wanted everything.

The audience held their collective breath as they waited for my response. I smiled, my eyes glistening with tears of joy. In a voice filled with love and certainty, I replied, “Yes, Nathaniel, a thousand times yes. I’ll marry you.”

The room erupted into cheers and applause, the camera flashes capturing this unforgettable moment in our lives. Nathaniel slipped the beautiful ring onto my finger, and we embraced amid the celebration. When we pulled away, Nathaniel kissed me. The feeling of his lips moving against mine forced my body to come alive and I responded to the kiss, kissing him back just as fervently.

***

Winter stared at his best friend and his wife with sadness.

Aurora had initially been a substitute for someone else and he could finally admit the truth of that, but over time, he had genuinely fallen in love with her. Witnessing her passionate kiss with Nathaniel made him see that he’d been fighting a battle he was going to win. She’d been in love with Nathaniel from the start; she just didn’t know it.

Despite the bittersweet tinge of unrequited love, Winter knew that he had succeeded in preventing a tragedy from repeating. Aurora had found happiness and love with Nathaniel, and that was what truly mattered. It was a somber realization, yet seeing her joy and knowing that she was safe from the past's shadows gave him solace.

Just like Aurora had said, he would find someone else.

Someday.

***

As Mateo observed Nathaniel and Aurora locked in a passionate kiss, and he learned of Nathaniel's identity as the film's investor, he experienced a profound realization. It wasn't the financial aspect that had led him to lose in this competition for Aurora's heart. Instead, it was a lack of genuine respect.

Mateo reflected on his past actions and decisions. Despite believing that their initial breakup had been for Aurora's well-being, he understood that he had never truly respected her opinions and desires. His actions had always been driven by what he thought was best, and he had often failed to take her wishes into account.

Realizing the depth of his own shortcomings, Mateo accepted the possibility that he had lost Aurora forever this time. But in his heart, he held no bitterness or resentment. Instead, he harbored a genuine desire for her happiness, even if it meant that he would no longer be a part of her life.

As he watched the woman he had once loved in the arms of another man, Mateo couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. Still, he wished her nothing but joy and contentment, understanding that her happiness was what truly mattered.

Just like Aurora had said, he would find someone else.

Someday.

***

AURORA.

Nathaniel and I pulled away, breaking the kiss. I stared at my soon-to-be-husband-for real, laughing into the air.

“Why are you laughing?” a laughing Nathaniel asked me, his large hand slipping around my waist to pull me closer.

“I’m already thinking of an idea for my next book,” I replied, eyeing his plumb lips that were already pink from our earlier kiss, wanting to kiss him again.

“Hmmm,” he hummed, drawing closer so that his lips brushed against mine. “Tell me more.”

I shivered at the contact, the butterflies in my abdomen fluttering as if they were on crack. “What do you think about ‘Arranged Marriage to Mr. Billionaire’?”

His lips stretched into a grin and he kissed me this time again. Pulling away, he nodded. “I like it.”

“I love you, Nathaniel,” I said, the weight of my feelings for him almost too heavy. “I’ve loved you for longer than I can remember and I’ll love you until the day I die.”

“I love you more, Aurora,” he replied, his eyes glistening with sincerity. “Always and forever.”

“Always and forever.”