CHAPTER L: Lady Miracle

Morning came and the heavy feeling that sat on my chest remained.

I finally calmed down but I still find it hard to take in everything that has happened yesterday.

I think I was too overwhelmed.

I've totally lost my composure.

I violently ruffled my hair as I continued staring into space.

A few moments later, my phone rang deafeningly.

I probably shouldn't have set it to the highest volume.

I grabbed it and checked who the annoying caller was.

To no surprise, it was Solar.

I sighed before answering the call.

"What could be so important that you had to call at…"

I checked the time on my nightstand.

"…six a.m."

"Well, today is the day! Plus, I have class this morning so it's the only time I'll be able to remind you."

I rubbed my eyes and flipped sideways on my bed.

"Nope, I already told you I'm not going through with it so give me back my peace and quiet."

"Shush the blabble, you're definitely going through with it. I mean, girl, you put effort into that painting, I ain't allowing you to waste that." She was literally dripping with sass on this one.

"It's not you who painted it anyway. So, what's the big deal?" I said whilst covering my eyes with my arm.

"Oh, stop being a bitch. Just, at least, give it to him, you know? If he throws it, then grab it back and pound him to a pulp."

"You're not particularly lifting up my spirit."

"I'm not. You can lift that on your own because, unfortunately, I'll be late to class! Don't forget to dress pretty and bring that amazing painting of yours, okay? Goodluck! Mwah!" I glared at the screen of my phone after she hurriedly hung up on me.

"I should really find new people to hang out with." I mumbled tiredly.

After setting the phone back on my nightstand, I decided to ignore what she said and go back to sleep.

I don't have classes in the morning so I should have been sleeping in until noon, but Solar just had to disturb me.

Tossing around for who knows how long, my sleep never came back to me.

I grunted and sat up.

As I did, I inevitably faced the source of my distress.

The painting.

Last night, I wasn't able to go through with the destruction of the colorful canvas.

It was still physically intact with no sign of my emotion-driven attempt to rip it to shreds.

I also told Solar about how I won't be confessing anymore due to an unexplainable change of heart.

She called bullshit on that.

Well, I would too. If a person almost lost her sensibility due to insecurities and what-ifs because of the oh-so-famous love, of course, no one would believe that he or she did give up out of nowhere.

I really should have thought of a better excuse.

However, in the back of my mind, I couldn't really explain to Solar what truly happened so the best choice after that was to reason out, even if it fails tremendously.

And it did.

So, here I am now, being forced to do something I'm literally not motivated for.

The truth was that I really planned to give it to him someday, or maybe keep it here and stare at it with grief for the entirety of my life, but that wasn't supposed to happen today.

The wounds were far too fresh and doing this would most likely just add salt onto it.

I was eventually able to fall asleep after my eyes got tired of glaring at the painting.

When I woke up, it was already quarter to twelve.

I stretched and got off my bed.

I diligently fixed my pillows and comforter before going inside the bathroom to start my morning routine.

Once I was done washing up, I quietly sat down in front of my vanity mirror.

I plugged the blow dryer and used it against my damp hair.

It took approximately thirty minutes before it was completely dry.

I combed it out and put on my lotion and other body essentials next.

When that was finished, I applied my face creams and moisturizers.

I got my makeup out of their respective drawers and expertly used it on my face.

After I was satisfied, I carefully checked if there was anything to correct.

When I didn't see anything in particular, I got up and trudged into my walk-in closet.

It took me quite a while before I was able to choose the outfit I wanted.

It was a white sweetheart neck tube top paired with a rose-colored high waist pleated flare skirt.

I went with a nude sixteen centimeter ankle strap stiletto that perfectly accompanied the style for the outfit.

I was going to go with a simpler one but Solar repeatedly texted me to wear something that can blow everyone's mind.

I don't know anymore who I'm trying to impress at this point.

When my outfit was worn, I went back to the vanity mirror and brought out my curling iron.

I curled my long hair in soft waves that adorned my collarbone beautifully once it was put up in a high ponytail.

I added a humble necklace along with small but noticeable earrings to balance out my outfit because it's looking more extravagant than what I expected.

I also lightly sprayed some perfume and included a thin shining bracelet.

And then, I was finished.

I twirled around a little to see my accomplished look for the day.

If Solar doesn't get off my back after seeing this, then I don't know what I'll do to her.

Speaking of Solar, there she goes again with her calls.

I barely even got to say hello because she hurriedly rushed into speaking the moment I answered the call.

"Okay, where are you now?"

"In my house?" I said in an almost 'duh' tone.

She didn't bother to comment on that as she continued on her rumblings.

"Well, I'm so excited. So get here quickly! Don't forget the painting!"

This made me scowl.

"Argh, painting this, painting that. Just shut up with all this painting shit."

"Calm your ass down. I won't be dealing with a haggard woman on such an important day."

I rolled my eyes at the word important.

I'll be rejected, yeah, that's important.

Once that phone call was finished, I grabbed my things, that stupid painting included, and headed downstairs.

I ate a light brunch before leaving the house.

The looks the helpers and the guards were giving me was not helping with my turmoil.

If that wasn't enough, when I reached the university grounds, everyone openly stared at me as I walked down towards the main building.

This was so humiliating. I know that the painting doesn't go well with my outfit so I hoped that they could have just turned the other way.

But that's obviously not happening.

When I just reached the entrance of the building, Solar came out of nowhere and pulled me towards the elevator.

"Where the heck are we going?" I questioned her.

"Rooftop." She said.

"Why?"

"Just following orders." This made me confused.

"Whose orders?" I asked again.

But she didn't bother to reply to me.

I kept on pestering her but she remained quiet until we reached the top.

As we waited for the doors to open, Solar surprised me by grabbing my arms.

When I looked at her, she was beaming from ear to ear.

"I'm happy for you and you're absolutely gorgeous today, by the way."

"Thanks?" I hesitated.

She gave me another warm smile before pushing me outside the elevator.

I almost stumbled down which made me glare at Solar.

Yet, her grin never disappeared.

All of a sudden, music played solemnly into the background.

I turned around mystified at what's happening.

But what I didn't expect was to see Ross standing in the middle of the large area, dressed in a dashing smart casual wear.

He sported a clean white long sleeve top that has two buttons left open along with a tight gray trousers and black flats.

His usual messy hair was styled up which made his handsome face more apparent and visible to the eye.

I shifted my eyes away from him and looked around and saw Haru standing behind him at a distance.

My attention went back to Ross when he slowly moved towards me with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

I breath hitched once he stood in front of me.

"My lady…" He started.

I opened my mouth to try and respond somehow but nothing seemed to come out.

I was deemed speechless.

"I was planning to court you first and foremost, but I suppose I can't wait any longer. I didn't want you to beat me to it."

I guess he was talking about my plan to confess. But how did he know?!

He chuckled when he noticed the shock on my face, "I can already understand what's running through your mind. Don't worry Solar didn't tell me. The truth is I was the one who went to her and asked for her help."

"Then, how?"

"Instincts?" He smirked.

"You and your animal instinct." I said whilst shaking my head.

He laughed out loud after hearing what I uttered.

When he calmed down, the spark in his eyes stayed and the happiness he possessed grew even brighter.

"I learned that courtship is a romantic and very traditional gesture in your country. So, I planned on doing it on a more appropriate set-up but I was a little rushed so…"

He gestured towards the decorations plastered everywhere.

There were normally small trees and various kinds of plants here so the harsh sunlight doesn't directly come down at us.

But what the decorations did, improved the scenery all together and definitely for the better.

There were balloons scattered across the floor in aesthetically pleasing hues of pink and white.

Coincidentally, similar to what I wore.

There were also scattered baskets filled with different kinds of food. In addition to that, cute and fluffy stuffed toys, that ranged from small to human-sized, were sitting in the benches stationed in multiple places.

As I was busy admiring the scene before me, Ross began to speak in a sweet and calm voice.

"My lady, you cluelessly walked into my life and I don't intend on letting you leave. Although the order might be a little off, allow me to court you for the rest of your life…"

He took a step closer towards me.

"Not as your acquaintance…" He lifted his hand and touched my cheek.

"Not as your friend." He used his thumb to lightly stroke my trembling skin.

"But as your lover." He concluded as he reached for my hand and kissed it in a soothing way.

After that, I wasn't expecting a large bunny to appear at my side.

This literally made me jump in fright.

The bunny held up an elegant card to which I grabbed with my shaking hands.

I glanced up at Ross to know what I should do with it but he merely smiled softly and nodded at me.

I breathed in as I gradually flipped the card open.

There in a fancy handwriting were the words…

'Will you be my girlfriend?'

I gasped and reread it over and over again just to make sure that I wasn't being delusional.

When the ink didn't magically disappear, the tears that were being held up against my eyes, rolled down consecutively.

"What would be your answer, my lady?" Even though his demeanor portrayed confidence, the slight shake in his voice was still present.

It actually made me calm down because this signifies that we're both nervous at the same time.

With this thought, I whipped my head towards him and punched him in the chest.

He winced and massaged the place where I hit him.

"What was tha-"

"Of course. It'll be your privilege to have me as your girlfriend."

He stared at me wide-eyed as if he couldn't process what I just uttered.

When Solar shouted that he should breathe, that's when he finally regained his stance.

"Indeed, it would be my privilege."

As Solar's cheers and Haru's claps filled the space, Ross instantly gave me the rose and gave me a small peck on the forehead.

He stared at me warmly in the eyes as he slowly engulfed me in a hug.

Now that I think about it…

"You still haven't called me by my name, though. What kind of lover is that?" I nudged at him.

"I will. But I want something distinct. Will you allow me that?"

"Sure, I mean it's just a name."

A few moments later, he grumbled something in my ear but I couldn't quite catch it.

When I was about to ask him again, what he said next sent shivers down my spine.

In a smooth and deep voice, along with the heated feeling within his arms, he whispered…

"My lady, my Miracle."