Chapter 19 Decision
When they arrived at the reception of the Wedding Anniversary of Matt's parents, as expected he introduced her to his relatives and friends. He introduced her to his college varsity teammates and close friends. She felt glad to meet them all and they all seemed genuinely happy to meet her too. She met and hang out with some of them because she had been friends with Matt for quite some time before he decided to confess and feelings and court her. Their both fathers were best friends and that's the reason their friendship was built too. Her father attended the celebration too and she greeted him the moment they came to the party. In fact, her Dad was fond of Matt and he like him for her. Her Dad told her that, a long time ago.
Everyone was so nice to her, especially Matt's family. They had known her for years and now that he brought and introduce her on this special occasion as the girl he was courting not a friend anymore just like before. They seemed very happy to see them together most especially their both fathers. Well except Nina- Matt's ex-girlfriend. She somehow felt and notices the glares she was giving her whenever she wasn't looking. A kind of stare like she was holding a grudge on her. Nina was the best friend of Carla, Matt's sister and her parents was a close friend of Matt's family. As far as she was concerned, she was the long time girlfriend Matt has ever had. They broke up when she cheated on Matt and she knew all about that because she was there when he was healing his broken heart over her.
What is she doing here anyway? She wasn't needed here! She still has the guts to show to Matt and his family after what she did to him?
As the night went by and as the celebration continues, Matt gently grab her arm and motion her to the dance floor to dance. She willingly obliged and together they dance to the romantic music that is playing by the DJ. She silently watched his every reaction about seeing Nina again and looking for a trace that he still has feelings for the woman but her inhibitions vanishes when she saw him seemed not affected at all by Nina's presence.
"I hope my relatives didn't pressure you about too much-asking questions." Matt chuckled as they sway to the rhythm of the music.
"Well, not really. They just asked me what do I do, what's the real score between us, stuff like that."
"They were just happy that they finally meet you."
"They also told me that you always tell them about me and that I am so important to you. That you were faithful and thoughtful boyfriend material. Things like that... " Matt's laughter grew more when he heard the last phrase she said.
"They told you that? They're really selling me into you uh?" He stated chuckling.
"You have such a huge and adorable clan, Matt. They are all nice. Your grandma is a sweetheart and Cassy, that cousin of yours was sweet and a great company." She replied true to her words.
"They like you, so sure with that.." Matt replied with that significant glint of his eyes.
"Really? I hope so..."
"And my friends, they're a bit noisy and annoying you know, but they're really fun to be with. I hope they did not tease you and discredit my good reputation to you." He joked that made her smile.
"Ah, your friends? Noisy? Yeah, they really are but I couldn't find them annoying maybe because we didn't talk too much and we never hang out yet but I guess they're fun to be with too." She smilingly replied. Actually, she knew some of his friends and met them before but she never had a chance to hang out with the most of them. It's different now since Matt is introducing her as his girl now.
She felt his hold to her waist suddenly tighten and pulled her more closer to tease her. He stared at her with that endearing look as if his eyes shows that she was a beautiful sight to behold. She responded with a warm smile when she felt him caressed her cheek softly.
As the night grows older, she decided to finally talk to Matt about the relationship he was proposing. Right after he came back after getting her a drink, she asked him to talk privately. Curiousness and confusion is the feeling she read on his face and she answered him with a warm smile trying to tell him not to be worried. Matt brought her on the balcony away from the party and the noise. Since the party was held in the garden area, the balcony is the appropriate place for them to talk privately without being disturb by noise at the party.
"So what do you wanna talk about, princess? " Matt started after he pulled out a deep sigh as if getting rid of the heavy obstacles in his chest. She couldn't help but laugh at the tone of his voice.
"Hey what's the matter? " She asked him in between laughs.
"Nothing, I was just kind of..... nervous. Why do I have this feeling I should be all ears in what you will about to say? Should I get worried?" He replied.
"Okay, here's the thing. Remember the proposal you've been asking me about?" she started.
"Yeah... "
"Matt, I've known you a lot. Your family, friends, and almost everything about you. You have been a good friend and a best partner in crime. You're one of the important persons I cherish the most. You're thoughtful, kind, sweet, charming and mostly you love the way I am." She heard him chuckled when he heard the word charming so she stopped a bit and castigated him.
"Hey, stop laughing!" she stated. Matt's face then turned serious though she could still sense a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"The moment you told me you love me and that you're willing to wait. That all you just want is to express your love without expecting something to return. Even a heart of stone will be mellowed into those words. You deserve to be loved back Matt, so my answer is yes. Yes, I'm willing to be yours, officially..." She said smilingly to him.
Matt then got silent and stunned for a while it's either because of disbelief or he was trying to absorb what she just said. It seemed he had swallowed his tongue and she couldn't help but laugh in his facial expressions.
"Matt, are you listening? " she stated sounding irritated.
The next action by Matt is unexpected, she immediately wrapped his arms around her and danced her in the air. She couldn't help to laugh at his reaction because he was like a child that given his favorite candy. The moment he put her down and as soon his feet touches the ground, Matt gently caress her face then the next thing she knew, Matt already claiming her lips. Her eyes went wide together with the mixed emotions that are now rushing into hers. Excitement and happiness are what she felt by his gentle kiss. She was glad she made him happy this way. The kiss they shared lasted a moment then he embraced her tightly like he doesn't wanna lose her.
"You don't know how much you made m happy tonight, princess. I love you so much and I promise to make you happy in the best way I can." He started endearingly.
They spread the good news to everyone when they came back to the party. Matt's parents and her father are so glad about the news they shared. Everyone seems to be happy for them except Nina she thought. Well, that's her problem anymore.
She was happy too because she knew this is the right decision she have to make. Strange but something is telling her there is missing. That she should feel more than this. Is it the sparks they call? Perhaps, such a thing does not really exist, and books about love who told about it just exaggerate it. But isn't compatibility is another reason why two-person choose to love each other? Matt and she are compatible and love? Of course, they love each other. She has learned to love Matt as a friend and in the next level. Matt was so easy to love and she knew he will take good care of her. That night Matt brought her home knowing she made a right decision in giving him chance.
Waking up in the morning still having the thought of last night put up a smile on her lips. She has no regrets in accepting Matt. She was lucky indeed to have him in her life. She was even greeted by his sweet and thoughtful message when she opened her phone this morning.
Good morning princess, you really made me happy last night. Hope you slept well and dreamt of me last night because I did. Thank you for accepting me in your life, I promise to love and cherish you the best way I can. You're actually the first person I thought of this morning, hope I was also the one you were thinking of this early morning. I love you and I'll always do...
Her smile couldn't seem to vanish as she read his messages. She was about to text him back when she heard the doorbell rang. She immediately got up to the bed and fixed herself. Being curious who might it be because she was not expecting someone to visit her this early, she went out and opened the door.
"Ms. Bea Watson?" It was a uniformed delivery man clinging a bouquet of red American roses.
"Yes..." She answered as she gave the guy a sweet smile.
"Kindly sign this please, Ma'am. " said the delivery boy as she handed her the receiving form.
No need to wonder who send her the flowers, but how the hell Matt knew that her favorite flowers are red American roses? She hasn't told him that information though they used to be friends for years before. When she was about to read the note that was attached to it, her eyes automatically widen in surprise as her expression went blank when she found out it was from...
"THYAGO WILLIAMS"