The proposal

After what Henry said, Lina didn't say anything anymore. She can't anyway. She felt like her heart was going to come out of her chest since it was beating too hard. And she also couldn't eat anymore, her hands started shaking as her heart kept pounding.

'This will be her new reality from now on.' Lina had that realization. She did like Henry from the beginning. From the moment they had met and that kiss they shared, she has not forgotten him from then until he met her again. Lina is upset because why couldn't they just date like normal people would. Why did they have to be thrown together like this? Because of the situation, she kept questioning Henry's actions towards her. Is he really into her as his words and actions implies or is he simply doing it because he thinks it needs to be done, like an obligation?

At another time or different turn of events, she would be happy to be sharing a time like this with him because of their first memories together. But he did not try to get in touch wit Lina for 2 years after that. And its more upsetting because Lina now knows that he has the capability to find and meet her if he wanted to. She now doubts her feeling and her decisions when it comes to him

"If you're not going to eat anymore, let's go." Henry informed her as she stayed silent and still, deep in thought.

She took a long drink of water and got up after him.

"Wait here, I'll get your shoes." Henry told her when they reached the living room towards the main door.

"But I'm wearing shoes." She looked at her white slip-on shoes.

He came back carrying a light blue colored shoes, which looks very similar to what he is wearing now only in different color.

"Wear this. Your shoes aren't warm enough and more suitable to where we are going." He's also carrying a not so thick jacket, she assumed was for her because its pink. She remembered the clothes she's wearing,

"These aren't my clothes."

"Of course, it is." He replied as he handed her thick socks and the shoe.

"Where did you get them?" She asked as she put on socks and the shoe, seating in the sofa.

"I had it bought for you. I have a personal shopper so I told her to get it for you. Do you not like it?"

"No, its fine. Thanks." She said as she stood up, wearing her new comfortable shoes, it is indeed warmer and more appropriate.

"How's your foot? You're okay to walk some?" Henry asked as he bundled her in the jacket he's holding.

Lina slowly rotated her injured foot. "Yeah, it feels fine." Henry just nodded and he took her hand as they walked towards the car, opening the door for her, he got in and they drove out again.

They went higher into the mountain some more and reached a small unpaved path after about 20 minutes of driving on the winding roads leading higher. They got out of the car then, Henry donned his own jacket and he led them to a direction towards the trees and started walking for another 10 minutes.

Henry held her hand the whole time they were walking and made sure Lina's foot is doing fine. Which started hurting a little bit after a few minutes, but Lina didn't tell him that.

The sun was starting to set by the time Henry slowed down. The woods were starting to get dark but it got brighter as they reached a small clearing where the most beautiful mountain sunset view, she had ever seen in her life was right in front of her.

They were standing at a small flat un-fenced cliff-side clearing by the edge of the mountain. Its facing the peak where the sun is slowly making is descent.

Lina was left speechless by the beauty of nature in front of her. With the fall weather just starting, the leaves on the trees have turned different shades of yellow and gold, mostly attached on the tree and have not fallen yet. Creating a canvas that when hit by the receding rays of the sun, the whole mountain almost looks like gold. The leaves swaying with the wind almost makes it seem that its glistening. And it's all in front of her.

"Thank you for taking me here." She sincerely told Henry who was standing next to her, holding on to her waist this time. Lina noticed that Henry likes to always touch her in some way, all the time.

Henry then let go of her to take her hands in his and slightly turned her so they're facing each other. His handsome face looking serious. With the sun shining on their side, he had a real glow to him, like a spotlight. Despite his worried eyes, he smiled at her and he glowed a hundred times more. Lina was in absolute awe of the beauty around her. From nature and the person to be his husband.

"You know, they say better late than never, right? " He said with a wink and then went down on one knee in front of Lina, took a ring box from his jacket pocket, opened it in front of her and with such adoration a person could have in his voice, said, "For my own Mrs Wu!"

Henry was still holding on to Lina's now shaking left hand when he removed the ring from the box and carefully placed the beautiful ring on her finger.

It's a 3 carat yellow pear shaped diamond ring cut, held by three thin platinum bands.

Henry kissed the finger where had placed the ring. He stood up, lifted Lina's hand so she can looks at it better.

Lina cant stop the tears falling from her eyes down to her cheeks, from shock, from happiness.

For the first time since he saw him again, this time, this feels right again. She felt like this wasn't something he did out of duty. This time she felt it in her heart and was touched by the beauty he has given and shown her.

"It's beautiful." She said softly. She looked closer at the ring, her ring. It's cut with almost a hundred facets so when the rays of the sun hit it, it glimmers, shimmering as she looked at it.

"But not as beautiful as you, my Lina." Henry leaned down, making sure Lina is looking at him, wipe the tears from her cheeks and kissed her.

Lina raised her arms and wrapped it around Henry's neck as she felt his lips touch her. She's not thinking, she's only feeling and this is what she wants.

With the sun bathing them in its last warm golden rays for the day, the couple shared a kiss they haven't shared before. Its full of honesty and vulnerability in their hearts. They might have said it but they both felt some insecurity with the upcoming message, both not sure how the other is taking it. But as they kiss deepens, as their tongues tangle trying to breathe each other in to their hearts they let go of their hesitations and depend on each other and trust one another.

Lina has her arms wrapped around Henry's neck, pulling him closer while he had both of his on Lina's back, moving from her head to her shoulders. Pulling her tighter and tighter, as close as he can have her as their lips stay apart, their tongues savoring each other after 2 long years again. They have both surrendered each other to this kiss and their hearts know it albeit unconsciously but comfortingly.