CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO

HE WAS not here to ask for a divorce, was he?

No. Now wasn’t a good time. She wasn’t prepared yet. Should she tell him to come another day? What was she going to do? How should she send him away?

No, she could not send him away that easily. She missed him so bad.

“You still remember me, don’t you?” he asked.

What a silly question.

Cyrel could only freeze as Ross walked toward her.

“Are you ready to come home with me?”

She blinked as her heart hammered inside her chest.

“H-huh?”

“Not yet?” A sad smile curved his lips. “All right. I could come another time. But…” He sighed. “Will you listen to me first?”

Cyrel nodded as she swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you last time. I have no valid excuse. I was a jerk.”

“It’s… it’s okay,” she replied in a whisper.

“I should have been honest with you instead. I’m sorry. But I want my best friend back. I don’t want to go back to the person I was before I met you. I can’t imagine my life without you n-now.” Ross’s voice broke, but he went on as he took another deep breath. “When you left, I should have told you that I love you and that I’ll wait for you no matter how long it takes. I love you.”

Cyrel felt her heart drop to the ground. No, it wasn’t crushed, though.

“I’ve never felt this way to someone before, all right? So,” he pursed his lips, “there you go. I love you, and you can hurt me in any way you want.”

A tear fell from Cyrel’s eye.

“R-Ross… Tell me I’m not dreaming. Please…”

“You’re not.” He moved closer and cupped her cheeks. “I’m here. I’m asking you to take my heart right now.”

Cyrel sniffed as she put her hand over his on her face.

“I’m sorry for last time too, okay? I did not mean to end things that way. I’m sorry. I was emotional and unstable. You did not deserve that. And I love you, too. There’s not a day that I didn’t think of running back to you, but I was so scared because I’m just me, and I have nothing to give you. I’m so…” She paused and sobbed.

“Well, let me tell you it’s all right, and your existence is more than enough for me.” He chuckled through teary eyes. “I don’t think I could ever find someone like you. You don’t have to apologize anymore.” He patiently wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I saw you go out on a date with Sapphire and Jasper, though.”

“What? It wasn’t a date.” Ross chuckled. “We were waiting for Caleb that day. Yeah, the guy whom Sapphire cheated on me with. He didn’t take responsibility at first because he thought Sapphire was deceiving him. But he’s making it up to Jasper now. I promised you I’d do something for Jasper, right?”

“Oh.” Cyrel felt relieved. “Did your dad know about this?”

“Yup. He gave me his blessing to come here because he misses you, too.”

“I just talked to my mom too, and she told me you’ll save our house and our company. You didn’t have to do that, though.”

“But I know that was something you wanted to do.”

“And I could not thank you enough. We’re okay now, Ross. She told me she loved me and she was proud of me. I could not ask for more.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.” Ross smiled before his face descended on hers and claimed her lips.

They shared a glorious kiss. A kiss where they poured their love and longing for each other.

Then, Cyrel remembered something.

“By the way, I dropped something.”

Ross was only confused for a moment. He glanced at the ground and spotted the back of the photo. He picked it up.

“What’s this—” His eyes widened as he stared at the photo. Then he looked at Cyrel. “Is… is this… is this really ours?” he asked in disbelief.

Cyrel nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes! You’re going to be a dad!”

“Oh!” Ross caught his mouth as he stared at the sonogram once again. Fresh tears welled up in his eyes. “I’m going to be a dad. Yeah…” He ran and jumped. “I’m going to be a dad!”

Cyrel could not help laughing. Ross ran back to her and caught her in his arms. Cyrel let out a squeal as he swung her into the air.

“Ross, careful!”

“I’m so happy,” he said through tears when he finally put her down. “Thank you.”

“I know you’re going to be a great father.” She caressed his face. “Let’s do this together, all right?”

“In every step of the way,” he promised.

Cyrel wrapped her arms around his neck when he claimed her lips once again.

“Come with me,” he said afterward.

“What?” Cyrel uttered in confusion. “To where?”

“Just trust me.” Ross winked and pulled her hand.

ROSS drove to the King Tower. Cyrel was panting in excitement when he brought her to the seventh floor. At first, Cyrel thought it was an empty floor, but it looked more like it was undergoing a renovation or something.

“What is this place?” she asked. She was dying to know what Ross had got for her.

“So, there’s another reason why I started working for Dad again,” he began. “I want to build you your own recording company. And this,” he motioned to the room, “is where we’re starting.”

Cyrel stared at him in disbelief.

“I’m determined to learn how to run a company. I’m not as great as my dad, but maybe, there’s a place for me, too. I’m willing to risk just to make your dreams come true,” he said sincerely.

“Ross…”

“I’m doing my end of the deal. Now it’s your turn. I want you to write hundreds of songs for the world to hear.”

“You’re unbelievable!” Cyrel threw herself into his arms. “Thank you for sharing my dream. Thank you for doing all these things. I won’t fail you. I love you so much!”

Ross stroked her hair and her back and planted a kiss on her temple.

“I love you more.”