Chapter 21 - It's YES!

She knew that day would come, so close in fact that what she expected came true.

She had never doubted Vernon since the first time she met him. She knew that being with him in the future would probably be more fun.

And ... a week with him was full of intimacy that was hard to explain, making her sure that Vernon was indeed the savior of her heartache.

"Are you serious?" asked Serena, still trying to contain her nervousness.

"What was this cruise for, if not for this? I want to be close to you, Serena."

Serena's heart was touched by that. Her body heated up in response to everything Vernon did to her.

"But, didn't we promise—”

ll prove that I'm not him, who hurt you, who betrayed you. I'll be the best version of you."

Serena wanted to cry, but she didn't want to let the tears out. She spared her tears too much for a man. At least now she should really save her tears for something truly worthwhile.

He was still staring at her, waiting for her to answer until Serena actually took the flower and the ring from Vernon's hand.

"Can you pin it on?" asked Serena with a smile.

Vernon then pinned it and looked at her for a moment, waiting for her answer. "Is it YES?"

Serena nodded with a smile. "Yes. Yes, I want to be your girlfriend, Vernon."

Vernon grabbed her and lifted her up to spin her around in a circle and kissed her on the lips as the sea breeze picked up and the music he had designed played beautifully.

They laughed together until they were staring at each other. Serena's heart was pounding, she was even more nervous about becoming his girlfriend officially.

"Being my girlfriend, you look even more beautiful," Vernon said.

Serena chuckled and smacked his arm lightly. "So you think I wasn't beautiful before I became your girlfriend?"

"You were beautiful, always beautiful. But your aura became more visible when you finally accepted my love."

Her face flushed with embarrassment, even making her a shy woman all of a sudden. It was as if Vernon never stopped praising her, even his words when speaking were so soft, that it was more like he was pampering her.

"But, Vernon ... are you sure if our relationship is known to the public media? Surely you will be scrutinized, your life and even your ex-girlfriend," Serena asked.

"I don't care. I already know what risks I'll run if I date a beautiful woman like you. Especially since you're a celebrity. I'll get used to it."

Serena hugged him tightly and inhaled deeply of his masculine scent until she finally let go and looked around.

"You've organized everything, right? I mean, including the call?" asked Serena.

"Yeah. Didn't you know that I was pretending to talk to someone?"

Serena shook her head. "You look real when you talk to your cell phone, you know. Especially when your phone actually rings."

"The waiter called me."

Serena rolled her eyes and shook her head that Vernon could be that smart.

"So, now let's pack up, Love."

"Love?"

Serena was surprised when she was called 'Love' by Vernon. It was a new thing for her when her boyfriend called her with such a special nickname. Because she had never received such a special call before.

"Is something wrong, Love?" asked Vernon, teasing her.

"You called me that. Is ... that okay?"

Vernon then took both her cheeks and rubbed them with his thumbs. "You're my love, and I've never had a problem calling you that. If you're not happy and not used to it, then—

"I'm happy," Serena said, cutting him off. "Very happy!"

Vernon smiled and kissed her lips briefly. "Fine. Let's go back to the cabin, Love."

The turmoil in her body could not lie that she really liked that nickname. Not only was she being treated special, but she didn't even expect to have a nickname that she was hearing for the first time.

After packing up and knowing that the ship was already docked at the harbor, Vernon took her hand to get out of the ship before it got too crowded and the reporters might come back.

When they arrived at the car park, Vernon opened the door for Serena and he was relieved that no reporters were chasing after them even though he had seen some reporters waiting but from a distance.

"Are you okay?" asked Vernon, looking at Serena.

"Yeah. why?"

"I'm just worried you'll feel uneasy because of the crowd when we get off the ship."

"I'm fine, Vernon. Thanks for worrying about me."

They drove out of the harbor and relief could be seen in their expressions. Vernon was happy that he got Serena and Serena didn't expect it to be this soon.

"Do you want to go back to your apartment or shall we go to my mansion?" asked Vernon.

Serena gulped when given the choice. But even though it sounded tempting, she still wouldn't make things easy.

"To my apartment, Vernon. I'm tired."

"Sure, Love. Whatever you want."

When she arrived at her apartment, Serena had already started getting calls from her agency. A few times Serena deliberately put it on silent because she had just arrived but the agent was already really bothering her.

But when it kept ringing, Serena couldn't just ignore it.

"What?" asked Serena when she picked up the call.

"You're back, Serena." It was Henry, the producer and owner of the Agent she worked for.

"What's wrong, Henry? Just tell me straight away."

"Well, there's a fashion show to showcase their new clothes. And they're interested in you because your body size and face suit the clothes they're making.”

Serena listened while activating her speaker.

"I feel OK because your fee is so high, but I have to ask you first."

She rolled her eyes and walked into the apartment with Vernon following and closed the door again.

"I sent the details to you, in your email. You'd better check it and call me back soon. Bye, Serena!"

The call ended and Serena put down her phone, reluctant to check her email while Vernon was still in her apartment.

She immediately hugged him and sighed with relief. "We can finally be together like this, Vernon."

"You didn't check your email first, Love?" asked Vernon.

In his arms, Serena shook her head. "Later. I want to be alone with you." Her pampered demeanor began to emerge, allowing Vernon to learn her character.

Vernon just smiled and he stroked her head of hair. He even sat and held Serena on his lap like a child longing for his father's affection.

Then this time it was Vernon's cell phone that rang, making Serena have to move herself and let him receive a call from who knows who.

Vernon's face changed as soon as he saw the caller, and Serena knew that it was his ex-girlfriend who was calling him.

"Pick up, I'm fine," Serena said.

Vernon picked up the call and let Serena hear what they were talking about.

"What is it again, Cherry?"