After the accident happen to Mika, and after knowing what happened before the accident, the both of us fly to LA to take the remaining surgery there and for her to recover.

We decided to stay in LA for half a year and it's also Mika's decision to stay here with the approval of her father and Fabio. It will be better for her to relax for a bit and I also want to distance her from her grandpa to avoid the incidents like that.

The engagement will not be called off but the wedding schedule is moved after what happened to her. They have no objections about staying here since they thought it will be better for us to have quality time together but I think it will take time for it.

In the first week, the last and major operation for her is done and for now, we are focused on her recovery. Her personal aide will only be there for a week because she's covering her work after the accident.

After finishing her surgery, I stay on her side since she was advised not to move a lot and make sure that everything is okay. As the day passed by, thankfully she was slowly recovering. But once she recovers, she goes back to her work. Maybe it's really her way to distract herself from her problems.

A month later, we received an invitation.

Me: "Mika, there's an invitation arrived for us"

Mika: "What is it?"

Even though we want to relax here, we cannot forget our work since our and her family's company is planning to expand their business here. We're still doing our responsibilities as members of the companies.

I open up the invitation to know what's kind of invitation is.

Me: "It's a ball party to be held in Milan"

Mika: "When?"

Me: "18th of December" - her phone suddenly rings.

Mika: "ah sorry, please excuse me, I'll just take this call"

Me: "Okay take your time" *smiles*

As she was taking the call, I keep on looking at the invitation for further details. Well, the call didn't take much time and she was immediately back inside.

Mika: "Sorry it's just my brother... where we stop discussing?"

Me: "The ball... do you want to go?"

Mika: "I'm okay with it, about you?" - She sat on the chair across from mine.

Me: "I wanted to go too but if we go there, the news between us will be-"

Mika: "I guess, we cannot prevent that kind of situation." - She took the invitation with her name.

Mika: "Red and white formal attire. Well it's not bad I guess and I think it's better to attend this we can deepen the connections of our companies to the others"

Me: "You have a point there, then I'll confirm our attendance there"

Mika: "Okay..."

Days passed by again and the ball is near, we decided to fly to Milan 3 days before the ball but due to some business meeting, headed flew first a day ahead. At first, I was afraid because Mika and Yuki might see each other again.

I know there's some rumor spreading around recently that was dating somebody now but, I know ever since that day, will not look for another woman. I wonder if she already heard or read about it.

[Flight to Milan]

It's a good thing that the meeting finished early so I can fly here to Milan early too. Before I headed to the hotel, I decided to drop by some pastry shop to buy Mika a chocolate cake. I notice that she likes sweets.

I was about to go back to the car when I saw Yuki walking down the street but he was not alone. I take a look at it again to make sure that I wasn't mistaken but it was really Yuki but who the hell is the woman- WHAT?!

My eyes widen when I saw the woman kissing him on his lips and it lasted long.

I was confused right now... I don't know but, if Mika was with me right now, I know she will be hurt again.

On my arrival at our hotel room, Haruka said that Mika was just taking a bath so I just settled my luggage first in the room.

A minute later, Mika get out of the bath and I got surprised too.

Me: "W-what happened to your hair?"

Mika: "Ah... it's already long so I decided to cut it off"

Me: "I see, I was just surprised"

Mika: "Sorry for not telling you about it"

Me: "You don't need to apologize, it's your right to choose whatever you want for yourself okay. and whether is short or long hair, you are still beautiful okay"

I smile at her as I hug her and give her a head pat.

Mika: "Anyway welcome to Milan"

Me: "Thank you. Here, I bought you chocolate cake"

Mika: "Thank youuu"

Me: "So tomorrow will be the final fitting?"

Mika: "Yeah"

Me: "Did you already eat dinner?"

Mika: "Not yet, I was waiting for you"

Me: "Then, wanna take dinner in the plaza?"

I really don't get why she suddenly cut her hair. It was cut into the same length back then when I first meet her with . But yeah, whenever hairstyle she has, it still suits her.

[Next day... fitting day]

Me: "Mika? You done?"

When I arrive at the room she was fitting her gown, for the moment, I was stunned by what I saw. She was really beautiful.

Now I get why Yuki treasured her.

She was very beautiful as the most beautiful and precious stone yet she was fragile too. When I walk towards her, I realize she wasn't wearing her necklace. That's why I asked her.

Me: "Your necklace?" - She paused for a moment before answering my questions.

Mika: "I think I left it in LA"

I knew she didn't leave it since I saw that she was wearing it on the day she left LA.

First, she cut her hair, now... the necklace. What really happened when I'm not yet here?

Did Mika already see Yuki? If she saw him, I wish Yuki was alone and not with a woman.

[Next day... Arrival at the ball venue]

When we arrive at the hall, we became the center of attraction

Man: "So the rumors were true that the both of you were engaged, congratulations!"

The news really has its wings and after almost 30 minutes, finally, we found we can breathe from the non-stop questions of the people here.

Me: "Thank goodness they finally stop."

Mika: "They really want to dig a lot of information about us."

Me: "Because they wanted to find new issues to be talk, btw are you okay?"

Mika: "Yeah..."

Me: " I'll just get a drink."

Mika: "Okay, I'll grab some desserts."

After I grab a drink, I saw talking to .

Me: "Mika here oh, Matteo Piano? "

Mika: "Mr. Piano, this is Masahiro Yanagida, my fiancé"

Matteo: "The rumors were true huh, nice to meet you Mr. Masahiro Yanagida and it's a pleasure to meet in person the former captain of Team Japan."

Me: "It's a pleasure to meet a great athlete too." *shakes hands*

Matteo: "I guess I'll leave you two here, please enjoy the night."

Mika: "Yeah, same to you."

Matteo: "It's nice meeting you too again."

Mika: "Btw thank you for the drink"

Me: "It's okay"

The program started a few minutes ago and right now we're socializing again with the crowd. Mika was now talking to the little boy who approaches us, asking her if it was really true that she was going to marry me. When Mika says yes, the tears are starting to form in his eyes, and anytime he will start to cry so Mika crouch down so that she has the same height as the boy and clearly see his face.

Mika: "Why are you sad?"

Little Boy: " I thought I will be the one marrying you." - Both of us chuckle at the straightforwardness of the boy. Seems like he really likes Mika.

Mika starts to caress his cheeks and wipes those tears in his eyes.

Mika: "You know, when you grow up, the day will come that you will meet the girl that is for you. Right now, just enjoy being a kid. Okay"

Little Boy: "Okay"

A man suddenly pops up beside me, and it happened that it was my father's college friend.

Man: "Masa, your future wife is going to be a good wife and mother, btw congratulations on your engagement."

Me: "Thank you Uncle"

Man: "Send me regards to your father okay."

Me: "Yes sir."

I look back to Mika who is now carrying the little boy while she keeps on entertaining the kid.

I smile as I imagine how Mika will deal with her children in the future. If the accident didn't happen 2 months ago, maybe Yuki and she will be like that in the future.

I don't know why my heart hurt suddenly.

*Sigh*

It's hard to fall in love with the person if you already knew that she can't be yours.

I walk towards her as I heard the music starts to play. Meaning the dance floor is ready for the dances. I also see that kid has already returned to his parents.

Let's test our luck today.

Me: "Mika? Can I have a dance with you?"

She just stares for a moment before she accepts my hands and smiles at me. I know there are a lot of people that are expecting us to dance since they know that we are engaged.

We're are dancing in the middle of the floor, matching our movement into the slow melody. Her eyes we're exploring the surroundings while I'll keep my eyes on her.

And once our eyes meet...

Me: "I love you, Mika."

She was stunned by what just I said.

Me: "Don't mind it. I-I ..."

Mika: "It's fine" - I smile at him before I rested my head on his shoulders.

Me: "Mika, don't pressure yourself to answer me. Just take your time okay." - she just hummed to me and we became quiet again.

I know she will not respond to it but I still push my luck to tell her about it. I know she wasn't ready to open her heart again.

I tried to hold myself for not falling for her but in the end, I can't ease the pain I feel whenever I see her suffering on her own. I wanted to protect her. I wanted to take care of her. I wanted to be by her side. I want to make her happy.

I want to see her smile again. I want to hear her laughter again.

I want her to fall in love with me and I'll make sure that I'll never leave her side.

And after the music end, I kiss her on her head before we head back to our seats.

The party was about to end so we decided to bid our goodbyes to them and go back to the hotel so that she can rest.

As we head out of the hall, I take off my coat and put it into her since it is cold outside. After hopping inside the car. I said to her that she can take a nap as we are on our way back to the hotel.

Mika rested her head on my shoulder and I didn't expect it from her. I carefully wrapped my arm around her back as I fixed my coat wrapped to her.

When we arrives at the hotel, I chooses not to wake her up so I just carried her to our room and lay her carefully on the bed. I remove her shoes and other accessories and get the makeup remover to remove her makeup.

Me: "Good night Mika"

I kiss her on her forehead before I change my clothes and go to sleep too.

-- To Be Continued --