Chapter 20

Isabella spent the last two months reviewing on her own for the board exam at Franco's pod. He also cancelled all his trips and decided to just stay home and spend all his time with her.

Isabella felt that it was the happiest moment of her life, carefree and just filled with love that's offered by Franco. Every day, Franco would surprise her with flowers, love letters, and gifts. Franco felt like he was ten years younger, that his feelings for her is overflowing it felt like it's his first time to fall in love. They made love almost every day, every night as if there is no more tomorrow.

One morning, while Franco was still asleep, Isabella noticed the gift box that he gave on her graduation day. Franco gave her the gift on the night when they first made love but she didn't open it until now. She read the card that said, "Congratulations, Isabella! I will always be happy whatever path you choose in your life as long as it won't make you cry." She opened the box and there she saw a set of white gold accessories – earrings, necklace, bracelet and a ring. The necklace is made from thin white gold, meticulously chained together with a heart pendant that matches the earrings, as well as the bracelet. But the ring has a different style. It's just a plain white gold ring with a small diamond in the middle.

Oh my God, she murmured. I hope this is not what I think it looks like. She left the ring in the box and wore the others. She cooked some breakfast and waited for Franco to wake up. She slowly crawled back to bed and stared at Franco's angelic face. She sighed and thanked him silently for everything he has done for her. When he woke up, Isabella has already dozed off. Franco moved closer to her and hugged her. Franco felt his tummy grumbled so she whispered to her ears, "I love you," which woke her up instantly. "I love you, too," she replied.

"Seriously?" Franco's eyes widened and smiled excitedly.

"Yes! We've been making love for the last two months, what do you expect?"

"I kind of think that you love me too but you never said it until just now."

"Oh well, I love you, Franco Villaflor!"

"Isabella, I love you so much!"

Franco hugged her tightly, with his eyes closed and his mouth curved into a wide smile. "Isabella…"

"I know you're hungry. C'mon, let's eat. I cooked breakfast."

Franco carried her towards the kitchen like newlyweds. While they were eating in front of each other, he noticed the accessories that she's wearing.

"Wow! I thought you'll never open the box. They look good on you, brings out your beauty even more." Isabella smiled and raised her two hands to show him that there are no rings on her finger. Franco nodded and smiled. He stood up and went to the living room and looked for the box. When he returned, he kneeled down in front of her.

"Isabella, I've waited two years just to tell you this, will you marry me?" he asked, offering her the ring.

"Yes! I will!" she said excitedly.

While Isabella was looking at the ring earlier, she thought what if Franco is going to propose to her. She imagined him saying the words, "Will you marry me?" Nah, that's too soon. Maybe he'll just give me the ring as a gift or maybe a sign that they are officially in a relationship. Then she looked at the ring that Carlo gave her that's still on her right ring finger. Everything was just an illusion, a part of our once beautiful past that's never coming back. A past that I will always look back until I am old. A past that might drive me insane but I don't care anymore. Those memories made me who I am today. Maybe I am still vulnerable, but I am much stronger, and I will always love him as much as I did years ago. Maybe it will go away someday, maybe not but I am sure that I won't be able to love Franco the way I loved Carlo. Carlo, my first love, my first kiss, my first everything. She removed the ring and placed it in the small pocket of her luggage that she's bringing to London.