Chapter 40

Porter held Janine’s hand as they walked to the celebration.

Janine looked at Porter and smiled, still in awe that her parents are actually all for their relationship. She didn’t expect someone to like this relationship. She didn’t expect anyone to accept them but deep inside, she was wishing. She didn’t want to leave her family if they won’t approve them. But she knows she would if they don’t.

“Are you happy?” Porter whispered as they stopped at the balcony of the house

Janine leaned on the railings, facing the garden while Porter enclosed his arms around her, leaning his chin on her shoulder. She smiled and nodded. “More than happy.” She said in a very soft voice.

Porter smiled weakly. “Me, too. I am happy.” He whispered back. “I’m happier that your parents approved.” He added as he kissed her shoulder.

Janine placed her arms on top of Porter’s arms enveloped around her. “I’m happiest with you.” She said sweetly.

Porter tightened his hug on her. “Don’t worry, Baby. I’m happiest with you, too.” He spoke as he kissed her shoulder.

Just with the touch of his lips on her bare skin, Janine could feel a thousand volts of electricity flowing through her every vein.

“Damn. I wanna kiss you but I want your parents to see that I respect you.” He said in a husky voice as he looked at her parents who are talking to some guests.

Janine chuckled and faced him, not minding if her face is so red. “W-We can kiss.” She said shyly as she looked away.

Porter chuckled and hugged her. “My kiss can wait, Janine. But since you said it, I’m expecting a lot from you later.” He teased and Janine pinched his side again, making him laugh loud.

Janine rolled her eyes at him. “Whatever.” She spat but didn’t bother to get out of Porter’s hug.

“Can I sleep in your room tonight?” He asked curiously.

Janine narrowed her eyes on him. “No!” She replied.

“But why?!” He whined.

Janine pointed at her parents. “I thought you want them to see that you respect me?” She asked, teasing.

Porter let out a deep and heavy sigh. “But I love cuddling with you.” He reasoned.

Janine smiled, reminiscing the past two nights that she slept beside him – the best nights. “I love cuddling with you, too.” She spoke.

Porter’s eyes widened, shocked at how open Janine is right now. “Baby…” he groaned. “I’m trying to keep my desire for you to myself but why must you seduce me like this?” He asked, whining.

Janine chuckled. “I’m not seducing you, though.” She replied.

Porter shook his head and rolled his eyes. “You don’t even know what you’re doing to me when you look at me with those eyes.” He spoke. “You make me crazy. You make me out of myself.”

Janine wrapped her arms around him. “Trust me, I feel that, too. You just don’t know.” She repeated his words.

Porter smiled. “Damn. Let’s go to your parents. I need to stop myself right now.” He spoke as he laced his fingers with hers, leading her to Mr. and Mrs. Kwon.

Janine smiled widely as she looked at her fingers laced with his. There is nothing to worry about. Everything is just completely perfect with him.

Mr. Kwon smiled when he noticed the couple coming their way. “Take a seat.” He told them.

Porter nodded and pulled a chair for Janine.

Janine looked at him and smiled. “Thanks.” She spoke.

Porter just smiled back and sat beside her, greeting the guests with them at the table.

Mr. Kwon looked at him. “So, Porter, what are your other plans?” He asked.

Porter looked at him and smiled. “The house is almost done, Sir.” He spoke and Janine looked at him with shocked eyes.

“What house?” She asked in disbelief.

“Our house, of course.” L replied naturally.

Janine narrowed her eyes at him. She never heard any of Porter’s plans. He never told her, anyway. “You mean…” She couldn’t even bother to continue her sentence.

Porter smiled and nodded. “Yes, Janine. The lot that I bought.” He confirmed her thoughts.

Janine’s jaw dropped upon hearing it. Being with him now is one thing, being with him forever is another.

“You plan on staying here?” Mrs. Kwon asked Porter.

Porter nodded and looked at Janine. “I want Janine to be close to you, too, Mrs. Kwon.” He replied as he laced his fingers with Janine, playing with them.

Mrs. Kwon smiled and held Mr. Kwon’s arm. “Aren’t they adorable?” She asked, smiling widely.

Mr. Kwon nodded, smiling as well. “The moment she came here with him, I knew there was something between them.” He beamed.

Janine reddened. She knew this would happen.

Mr. Kwon chuckled. “Janine said that he’s just her friend but it’s so hard to believe.” He beamed. “How could a friend look at her with such adoration?”

Porter smiled and kissed Janine’s fingers.

Janine looked at her father who’s looking so proud of the two. “Dad!” She wanted it to stop because he’s making it hard for her to keep a straight face. Her face is flushed and she couldn’t help but just smile.

Porter chuckled. “I also plan on venturing into fishery.” He declared.

Mr. Kwon looked at him with a serious face. “Fishery?” He asked.

Porter nodded. “I want to invest on your shipping company, too, Mr. Kwon.” He added.

Janine looked at L then at her father. She couldn’t understand fully what they are talking but it’s making sense to her.

Porter was going to give up his life in Seoul for her. He was going to live here with her.

“What if Janine wants to live in Seoul?” Mrs. Kwon asked.

Porter smiled. “I bought a condominium unit, Ma’am.” He replied. “If she wants to live in Seoul, we can stay there.” He said as he glanced at Janine who’s looking still so shocked of everything.

“But I doubt it, Ma’am, Sir.” Porter spoke. “I know that she wants to live here. With you.” He looked at Janine. “Right, Jae?” He smiled.

Janine smiled and nodded. “I’d stay where you want to stay.” She told him.

Porter shook his head. “You’re the boss. I’d stay where you want to stay.” He said as he planted a kiss on her forehead.

Janine blushed at his sweet sentiment in front of her parents and other guests. God, she loves so dearly.

Suddenly, a microphone feedback was heard. Porter smiled. “Listen, Baby.” He said as he stood up and walked to the small podium where the sound system is set.

Janine looked at him as he positioned himself on the chair with the guitar.

He started strumming and everyone nodded at the melody.

I don’t want another pretty face. I don’t want just anyone to hold.

I don’t want my love to go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul.

Janine smiled as Porter’s eyes stayed on hers as he sang the verse. She didn’t know that he could sing. She didn’t know that she would sing for her.

I know that you are something special. To you, I’d be always grateful.

I want to be what you always needed. Then, I hope you’ll see the heart in me.

Memories of how they spent their relationship private rushed over her as she listened to his song. This is a song for her, of course. She’s all he ever wanted. He didn’t think of anything that would happen when he started to like her.

You’re the one I wanna chase. You’re the one I wanna hold.

I don’t want another minute to go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul.

Porter smiled at her as he sang the song whole-heartedly. He never did think that there would come a time when he would be singing in front of the family of the woman he loves. But heck, he was going to do everything for Janine.

You might need time to think it over. But I’m just fine moving forward.

I’ll ease your mind. If you give me the chance, I will never make you cry. Come on, let’s try.

Porter continued singing but then Janine saw people moving, each with a folder at hand. Janine’s jaw dropped when she saw the folders unfolding in front of her eyes.

“Will you marry me?” The letters on the folders read.

Janine’s eyes were clouded in tears as Porter continued to sing in front of everyone. She looked at him, even with a blurry vision due to tears.

Porter smiled at her. “What?” He asked.

Janine smiled. “Yes.”