Chapter 217 Chapter 217
“Maxwell,” she called and ran the last meters to bridge the distance between them. She glomped him, closing her arms around his body. “I found you!”
He laughed, patting her back. “It wasn’t that hard, was it?”
“No, not with the pretty lights,” she said. “How did you do that? It looked amazing.”
“Oh, it was just an idea I had earlier today,” he replied and shrugged. “You liked it, huh?”
“Yes,” she smiled contentedly. “I always like your surprises.”
They sat down at the edge of the cliff, their legs dangling over it. He let her lean against his body, holding her securely so she wouldn’t fall. Valerie realized why he had picked this spot in particular—it gave them a great view over the ocean and the faraway lights of the hotel and the city. From a distance, they looked like small dots on a dark blue ground. The dazzling sight reminded her of a painting. It was too beautiful to be real, so she tried to memorize it as best as she could.
A light breeze played with her hair and prompted her to inch closer to him, enjoying the warmth of his body. She leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled serenely.
“I wish I could freeze time,” she mumbled. “So this moment lasts forever.”
“That isn’t necessary,” he smiled cheekily, winking at her. “Moments like this will continue to happen. We have all the time in the world to make beautiful memories together.”
“Yes, you’re right,” she whispered and took his hand, linking her fingers with his. “I love you, Maxwell.”
“I love you too,” he replied, gazing down at their hands. She wore the ring he had gifted her every day. He never saw her without it, and he was glad that she liked it so much. He gently turned her hand and exposed the gleaming crest on her wrist, tracing its shape with the tip of his finger. At his touch, the mark brightened. He guided it to his lips and kissed it, meeting her affectionate gaze.
“You are my light, Valerie.”
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Maxwell’s and Valerie’s vacation had already lasted one week, and now they still had one left. She enjoyed getting a break from work and being able to focus on their relationship. They spent every moment together, and she loved being showered with his attention. It made her feel like they were on a honeymoon together.
Today, they visited the beach again, lazing around in the sun and cooling down in the waves of the ocean. If it were up to her, they could spend forever on this island. It was heaven on earth. She hadn’t been this relaxed and happy in a while, and Maxwell hadn’t needed long to notice the change, often teasing her about it.
“If being alone with me makes you this cheerful, we should be alone more often,” he had said with a wink, tone sounding slightly suggestive. She had blushed at that and inwardly agreed with him. They had gotten so close to each other that she couldn’t imagine living without him anymore.
And the longer they were a couple, the more comfortable she felt. Lately, her thoughts often circled a particular topic that she had yet to address in front of him. It had been on her mind for a while—it was her secret wish, something that would mean the world to her.
However, Valerie was a little lost—she didn’t know what Maxwell would think about that wish, and so she was reluctant to bring it up. Most of her female friends knew about it at this point, and Valerie wasn’t surprised when Esther brought it up the moment she called Valerie that evening.
Thankfully, Maxwell wasn’t within earshot since Valerie was on the balcony of their hotel room, and he was busy watching TV. That gave her the chance to speak openly without worrying about blurting something out by accident.
“Did you ask him yet?” Esther prodded curiously, causing Valerie to sigh.
“No, I haven’t, and I honestly am not sure if I should,” she answered. “What if he says no?”
Valerie’s melancholic eyes wandered to the ocean below her, followed the glimmering water to the horizon where the sea met the sky. A breeze played with her hair, and she brushed a few strands behind her ear.
“What if he does?” Esther countered. “You have nothing to lose, Valerie. Just talk to him about it. I’m sure he will agree—he’s ridiculously attached to you, why would he say no?”
“You make it sound so easy,” Valerie whispered into her phone. “But I don’t even know how to… ask him. This is something big.” She blushed.
“I know that demon, and he’s crazy about you. He’ll support your wish,” Esther persisted. “Promise me you’ll ask him today.”
Valerie shifted the phone in her hand. “Okay, I will. He’s never brought this up, though… I’m not sure if…”
“Valerie.” Esther cut in, sounding annoyed. “Don’t make such a fuss and ask him. Nothing bad will happen, trust me.”
“I… yeah… yeah, you’re right. I’m blowing it out of proportion.”
“Exactly, you are,” Esther snorted. “And now I’ll hang up so you don’t have an excuse to put it off any longer.”
Before Valerie had the chance to answer, the line went dead. She stared at her phone in disbelief, shaking her head. Her friend definitely was stubborn… and a born matchmaker too. She put her phone down and tiredly rubbed her temples. If only she knew how to bring this topic up with Maxwell… She had never been good at having serious talks with other people.
However, she didn’t want to delay it anymore; it had been bothering her for a while, and she was sure that Maxwell had already noticed the dilemma she struggled with. He sometimes sent her strange looks because he felt that something was bothering her.
“Okay, now I’ll do it,” she whispered and left the balcony. As she entered their hotel room, Maxwell was already staring in her direction, his eyes narrowed and lips set in a thin line. He turned off the tv when she came closer.
“Valerie, what’s up?” he asked, causing her to pause for a moment before she gathered her courage and sat next to him on the small sofa near the windows.
“We need to talk about something very important to me,” she said. Her cheeks heated up under his piercing gaze.
“Yes?” he asked when she didn’t elaborate.