Chapter 8

*A week later*

It is the time for my family vacation, I was checking my suitcase and if I have forgotten anything. I grabbed my suitcase and carried them to my father's car. I was about to put in the car until my dad said

"Oh no Shay, you aren't putting your suitcase in my car"

I looked at him confusingly asked

"What do you mean? How am I supposed to bring my suitcase then??"

My dad was grinning and said

"In Luke's car."

I gave him 'did you forgot your medication, dad?' and said

"Dad, Luke is not here, remember?"

Then, across from my father and I, there was a deep voice said

"who am I then?"

I looked towards the voice. I was too shocked that I dropped my suitcase. I saw Luke standing there smiling from ear to ear looking at me. I ran into his arms, I was full in emotion that I could just cry in happiness.

He broke our embrace and lifted my chin towards his face.

"Hey you," said Luke, grinning

"Hey" I whispered, I was lost in words. No words can describe how happy I was seeing him in front of me.

We kissed for a couple of minutes before my mother interrupted us by saying

"I know that you missed each other but we should go now."

We broke apart and I said

"So, me and Luke are meeting you there at the hotel?"

My parents nodded and my father said

"This time we are letting both of you catching up with each other for the ride. I'm trusting you, Luke" he said sternly to Luke

"With all of my heart and life, Mr Asher," said Luke, grinning at me

On the ride with Luke, we were having a carpool karaoke with boy band songs like one direction, backstreet boys, we did some high school version and some rock bands such as Queen. It was fun and 4 hours long ride.

Luke hold my hand with his right ones while the other was on the steering wheel. I asked Luke

"When did you come back?"

He looked at me smiling and said

"Two days ago. Your parents invited me a few weeks ago so I thought why not surprised you"

I smiled "I love it. Are you going to stay for the whole week or just a few days?"

"My whole week is yours, baby" he grinned

"Good. I miss you"

"I miss you too," he said then kissed the back of my hand. Then, he asked me

"How's everything with you?"

"Hmm... I told you everything?"

"I know but I can feel that you are not telling me exactly everything," he said

"Everything is doing great but there's still an emptiness inside of me. I don't know what is it."

"You will figure it out, Shay. I know you can. How's Shasha?" said Luke, confidently believing in me

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. She went to a date with Caleb. You know, the new kid that I told you about."

"What?! How come you never told me this?!"

"He had my blessing even before he actually asks Shasha on a date. He's a good guy, Luke. And I got caught up in my presentation, sorry..."

"Are you sure he ain't just going to be like her ex?"

"I know you are worried but I trust Caleb. I met him and he is my friend now."

"I trust your opinion, babe. But, Shasha is like my younger sister. So, let me be the judge of him. If he hurt her, tell me. And I will chop his head off"

I laughed and raised both of my hands and said

"Whatever you say, your honour"

We arrived at the hotel. My parents booked us a family suite. Quite fancy but comfortable. My favourite part was the view. You can see the beach, hear the sounds of the wave of the ocean. The blue and clear water of the ocean is a huge blessing from God. It was an eye-catching view.

My parents have their own room together, Luke and I have our own room. 'No funny thoughts, children'

We spent our first day going to the beach, chilling out together, we did some campfire and barbeque. It has been a long time since I felt this complete and for once I felt full of happiness.

I took a look at my parents laughing and getting cosy together. And then I looked at Luke, smiling at me with his eyes full of love. The emotions took control of me. I silently prayed and thanked the universe and God for giving me these moments. I felt free.

The next few days, we finally went to my hometown, to my Nanna's. I walked and walked until I'm close to her tombstone. I had some flowers with me so I put it at her tombstone to honour her.

"Hey nanna, I know it has been months. I miss you so much. I'm here with mum, dad and Luke"

My dad smiled and said

"Hello, mother. I know I haven't been there much. I'm sorry. I love you and I miss you. I promise you that Mary and I will do everything we can to cherish Shayna"

Then, it was my mum's turn

"Hello Eliza, Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I'm not a good mother but you are a great mother in law and grandmother that I could ever ask for," she said

I went beside my mum and hugged her. She was right, my grandmother is nothing but an amazing, incredible woman. My mum had a few tears on her face. She was an orphan but when she met my dad, Nanna welcomed her like she is her own.

Luke was standing near me and gave his respect and said

"Hey, it's me, Lucas. I miss you too, you know. Your cooking mostly" he said while looking at me

I laughed slightly at his comment. He looked back at her tombstone and said

"I will protect her with my life. I promise you, so you just be there, relax and eat chips, okay?"

Luke and his jokes, sometimes I just want to smack him but he meant good. We left a few minutes later. I was in the car with Luke, I realized that he went in the wrong way and not the way back to the hotel.

"Hey, are we going somewhere? Cause this is not the way back to the hotel."

He smiled and said "trust me on this one" winking at me

I took his right hand intertwined our hands together and smiled.

A few minutes later, he stopped near a beach. I went out of the car and walked closer to it. I recognized the beach, I looked back at Luke and said

"You still remember?"

"Of course I remember. This is where we first met, I was 5 and you were just 4" said Luke

I smiled at the memories. He went behind me and hugged me from behind. He rested his chin on the top of my head.

"Do you remember how scared you were when a ball nearly hit you?" he asked

"Of course I remember, and you, my guardian angel was there saving me" I smiled

"You were so cute," he said

I broke the hug and said questioningly "I'm not cute anymore?"

His blank expression broke into a full grin. He took my face in his hands and said

"You are beautiful, angelic, stunning, adorable and every amazing thing that I could ever imagine."

His words melt me. He reached into his pockets on his jacket and said

"I have something for you"

"You have done enough for me, Luke"

"You deserves more than just enough, babe"

I saw a square velvet box on his hands. He opened it up. I was speechless, there were a ring and a necklace.

"I'm not proposing you yet, but this is a promise ring to show my devotion for you, Shayna. I need you. I love you. I hope you know that I would protect you even though I have to sacrifice my own life." he said

I looked into his eyes. He was crying, and then I was crying. I grabbed his face and said

"I love you, I love you and I love you."

Luke is everything for me. He is my light after my grandmother. He gave me hope to live. No one can replace him in my life. No one will ever make me feel the same way as he did to me. His presences easily make me feel lost in it. I forgot about my pain and my despair when I'm with him.

He put on the ring on my ring finger and clasped the necklace around my neck. Everything seems too good to be true. It feels like a dream. He is my dream.

We spent the evening enjoying the beach. We drove back to the hotel. Luke took my left hand and took a look at me before kissing my hand. I looked back at him and smiled.

Then, a car flash towards us. The darkness took over...