24

He smiled, touching the ring with his other hand. “It’s a really new thing for me, you know.. It’s like wearing a handcuff.” He looked down. “But the thing is, I wasn’t taking off the handcuff, even I had the key.” He glanced back at her and grinned. “Stupid isn’t it?”

Azalea looked up at Sidney. “No, it’s not stupid. It means you choose this life willingly. You would go through not being able to fulfill your own desires till it’s right for both of us. You’re really amazing,” she said smiling at him gently. “Not I’m not making sense, sorry.”

He pulled her into an embrace, nuzzling his face on her shoulder. “Don’t you think that you’re flattering me too much?” He sighed into her neck. “Azalea…” He said softly, calling out her name for the first time, it came out longingly.

"You said my name," she stated happily. "I like it when you say it, say it more." She really wanted to hear him say her name over and over again. It was so beautiful coming from his lips. She held him close to her and began to play with his hair.

"Azalea," He chuckled, feeling her playing with his hair. He released her to look at her face. "My Azalea,” He touched her chin. “Azalea Romaine.” He grinned when he used his last name on her.

Azalea blushed and looked away. “I like that,” she said. “I am yours, only yours. Now and forever.” She blushed even more saying that, she was his completely. She looked up at him from under her lashes.

He didn’t expect her to say something so cheesy. But then again, she was a happy, dreamy teenager filled with stars and rainbows. “I’d be honored to have you.” He caressed her reddened cheeks. “Now, should we proceed to the golf course? He laughed lightly.

She blushed even more and sighed under his caresses. “I hope you still feel that way after a few months,” she said quietly, the raised her voice. “Sure.” She kissed Sidney quickly, then got situated into the seat again.

"It wont stay that way. In a few months, my feelings would only grow deeper and deeper for you." He continued to drive, now holding her hand with one of his, while the other one held the steering wheel.

Azalea smiled to herself and looked out the window, giving his hand a small squeeze. “Good,” she said, her voice soft. “I wonder what would’ve happened if we never got married.” She was more talking to herself than to Sidney.

He heard but didn’t know how to answer her. If they didn’t get married, things wouldn’t be so different for him at least. He would’ve proposed Nicolette and maybe right now they would do a preparation for their wedding. He still wished for that to happen, but for some reasons, he wanted to be kept married to Azalea. Is that wrong?

"I guess things would’ve been the same as before. Sorry, stupid question," she said annoyed at herself for asking it. She looked out the car window and watched the scenery pass.

"No, I don’t think that’s stupid." He caressed her hand a bit. He said, stopping the car. "Here we are." He glanced to the hilly grass field with a rather huge lake inside it.

She looked at the hills. “So big. How do you keep track of your golf balls?” she asked knowing she’d loose hers. The grounds looked pretty and well kept from what she could see.

"I don’t know how exactly. But we’d never really loose it?" He chuckled and sat down near the lake. He paused a moment before asking. "..Have you ever meet your parents again?"

"No, I haven’t. I haven’t looked for them because what would I do if I found them? I have nothing to say to them," she said smiling sadly.

He hugged her. “I understood. But, do you want to? I think I can arrange things and have people find them if you want.” He rubbed her back softly.

Azalea shook her head and hugged Sidney back. “No, I don’t really want to meet them. Besides, they’re probably too busy with another child. I’ve heard different things now and then about them from the orphanage. They didn’t want me, simple as that,” she said.

"Then they’re having a great loss," He said, kissing her forehead deeply. Her parents was probably stupid, just as he was. He was going to let her go as well. And he’s so thankful that he didn’t.

"I doubt they think of it that way," she said holding him tighter and burying her head in his chest. "But thank you." Her voice was muffled by his shirt. She felt safe and at home in his arms, she was so grateful to him.

He stroked her long ebony hair as they just sat there hugging in silence. People has disappoint her in the past, and he promised him self that at least him, would be the one person that would never let her down.