thank you so much.

"Will you marry me?" A man got down on his knees and asked a beautiful woman after dining in a fine restaurant. He held a ring in front of her.

Unknown to all, the two were dating for the past months and were low-key with their relationship.

The woman delicately stared at the man. For years, she's been living a quiet and a straight boring life. She loves it until she encountered this noisy man. For months, she had experienced emotions which she never came across with. And for weeks, she's been pondering a lot about the giddiness she felt whenever the man would be around her.

"Jake---"

"Trish, I know this is sudden. I have my reason which I will tell you but, the truth remains that you are the only one who I needed to be with....for a lifetime." The man uttered while giving her a look which can penetrates one soul.

Trish bit her lips and stared at Jake's ocean-colored eyes. She cupped his face and said, "Yes. I chose to be with you for the rest of my life." She smiled at him admiring the courage of the man whom she learned to love.

Jake hugged her and lifted her off the ground with so much joy inside his heart.

"I love you."

#######

"Noooooo!!!!!" Ariel shouted at the top of her lungs and threw whatever her hands can reach. She's now back at the Zippi manor and was wallowing in misery. Her parents consoled her but their efforts were to no avail. They stayed with her for a while to make sure she won't do anything stupid to herself. When Ariel seemed to calmed down, her parents gave her the space that she needs and let her rest to the bedroom.

'That two-faced Jezebel!'

She gritted her teeth and tore the broadsheet in her hands. "Gaaahhhh!" She shrieked again. All of her aspirations resulted to nothing.

As her breathing intensifies, her loathe for the duchess and the Yushkovas clouded her mind.

After quite sometime, Ariel wiped her tear-stricken face and reached for her bag then planned to meet the person who can help her.

'I'm not the only one who's going down.'

--------------

"Ready?" Natalia looked up at Alexander nervously. She's finally introducing him to her father. They were standing at the doorsteps of the Zimmer Estate.

"Since the day I've met you." The man replied smiling and fully fixated on her. The woman looked away because her cheeks instantly turned to crimson. He was holding her hand and casually kissed it.

A butler then opened the doors and led them to the main hall.

"Here they are." Daniel Zimmer uttered and somewhat excited as he saw the newly arrived couple. He was sitting down at a single sofa chair and was accompanied by a nurse. He firmly requested that he wanted to receive their guests that evening.

"Mr. Zimmer." Alexander approached the old man and reached his hand to shake it. Daniel accepted it and scanned the regal man.

"Alexander Gates." Daniel uttered with a hint of satisfaction and joy.

"You're going to marry my daughter, right?" The old man asked frankly.

"Dad---" Natalia was totally flushed. Jake and Trish just stared meaningfully to one another at the side.

Daniel was already aware that Alexander was the one who ordered and invited the medical experts to check upon his condition these past few months. He was moved because even though Natalia was not around, the man continued to fulfill his promise to her.

"Yes, I am." Alexander marched beside a blushing Natalia and gazed upon her. The woman stared at him with happiness.

Natalia was so caught up with the man's eyes that she didn't notice that Alexander was now holding a ring. She didn't notice that the hall was now dimmed and that little fairy lights crowded the walls of the main hall. The other people inside the room were just looking at them in reverence matching the faint melody that was playing in the background.

"Natalia, in front of your loved ones, I am pledging oneself to only have my eyes on you as you already seized my heart. I will try to the best of my ability to make you the happiest. I yearn to be with you every minute of my life. And I hope I will be the man who can make you say YES...right now..."

".....Will you be my queen?"

Alexander declared and lovingly stared at Natalia. His palms were getting sweaty under the silence of the woman.

Natalia was then pulled out from the trance when she heard the last phrase. The man just poured out his heart and her sight became blurry. Stream of tears are now rolling down to her reddened cheeks.

She was thinking about the day their fates collided. How this man bravely knocked on her door and secretly took care of things behind her back. Suffering for few years was nothing compared to a lifetime without this man. She won't fear anymore. And she won't waste time.

"Yes. I will."

Natalia solemnly answered as she stared at Alexander. The man was all smiles and put the ring on her finger. They hugged one another as the audience cheered.

"Yasss! Finally!" Luna shouted popping out from nowhere. Jonathan was with her too.

"My gosh! Two man down." Ziv jested as he wiped the tears on his eyes.

The two assistants were also there clapping on the background. They were the ones who pulled the party poppers as Natalia answered.

Trish hugged Natalia congratulating her and the two of them stared at one another's rings. Their friends also joined the future brides.

Meanwhile, the two young men shook hands and they both approached the patriarch.

"Take care of your future spouses." Daniel sincerely stated as his heart was full of joy.

#######

People were kept busy as new patrons filled the jewelry shop. Natalia is more than happy to witnessed how the whole business grew overtime. She was currently standing outside her car which was parked just within the vicinity and watched as the ribbon cutting commenced.

"Proud of you, student." A voice spoke up.

Natalia turned her head and saw a man standing beside her. "Master Flint! You came! It's so good to see you. Thank you. Thank you for encouraging me to take a leap of faith." She said as she hugged the dear man. It was because of him that she started the whole thing.

"My pleasure, dear student. I know you'll do well. My discernment never fails me." The man hugged her in return tapping her shoulders.

"Where's your wife, master?" Natalia asked while turning her head scanning the surroundings.

"She's currently resting at the hotel. We'll see you later at dinner, hmm?" Master Flint replied.

"Of course. I'll be there. See you later master!" Natalia waved her hands as the man walked away.

"Oh. Before I forgot, wear something traditional. We will dine at a highly conventional-themed restaurant." With that, the master left his student.

--------------

"Sir, here's the sales report for the first week of the Subarashi Yama Grand Hotel." The assistant laid the documents on the coffee table. He and Alexander flew to Japan along with Natalia and Delilah. The lovesick President was adamant to accompany his fiancée because of the reason that the young miss will meet her master.

"....and Natalia?" Alexander inquired as he scanned the documents.

"Sir, she already met her master per report. They will have a dinner along with his wife later this evening." Sergei responded. His boss just nodded and they continued working.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Alexander answered the call without glancing at the caller ID.

"Boy."

[Alexander: Grandpa. Everything alright? Where are you?]

[Grandpa: I'm here at Tokyo with your grandmother.]

[Alexander: Okay. I thought you're staying at the mansion.]

[Grandpa: You know we love to travel.]

[Alexander: Hmm...]

[Grandpa: Someone said you are here, too.]

[Alexander: Yes. Business.]

[Grandpa: As usual. Do you have the time to join us at dinner tonight?]

[Alexander: Sure. Where?]

[Grandpa: I'll message it to you.]

[Alexander: Alright. See you.]

The call ended.

Alexander received a text message. He still has three hours till dinner.

"Sergei, prepare my kimono."

"On it."

--------------

"Dad, Mom? You're here, too?" Alexander inquired as the door of an exclusive room slid open revealing a bunch of people who were already seated.

"Yes. Father invited us too." Timothy Gates answered.

Alexander nodded and sat on an available seat. There's an extra space beside him.

"Are we still waiting for someone?" His head turned to his grandfather who was silent.

"Your fiancée." The old man uttered with a serious face.

"Father said he invited the woman whom he's been telling you about." His mother whispered to him.

Alexander unconsciously clenched his fist after hearing the words. He thought he made it clear to his grandfather about the woman whom he wanted to pursue.

"Grandpa. I already told you----"

"Boy. Knowing about the duchess' tricks, I won't be sitting down and watch you fell into traps again. This woman, who you promised to take as your wife back then, is really good for you. She's of great character and well suited to the Gates family." The old man stated.

"I understand grandfather. But I already have someone who I wanted to marry." Alexander responded coldly.

"Enough. Give this a chance. The woman will be here in a minute. Act accordingly." The old patriarch dismissed and held his head high.

Alexander gritted his teeth and decided to leave when the door slid open.

A graceful woman, who wore a beautiful kimono, entered the exclusive room. The attire made her features soft and glowing. Her cheeks were tinted as she noticed that the person who came last was her.

Right then, Alexander lifted his gaze and looked at the woman unintentionally.

He sucked his breath as the woman is truly mesmerizing.

The grandfather smiled and was satisfied at the reaction of his grandson.