- 9.
Christmas arrived, and Alex insisted on
meeting my parents. My father, initially
く
hesitant about us rushing things, changed his
mind the moment he saw Alex’s photo. I
assumed it was because Alex was handsome.
But when Alex arrived, my father pulled him
into a hug, ignoring me completely. “Alex! Is
that really you? When did you get back? Why
didn’t you tell me?”
I blinked, confused. “Dad, what are your
talking about?”
He patted my shoulder. “This is Alex! Don’t
you remember? You used to follow him
around as a kid, saying you were going to
marry him.”
I rubbed my shoulder, a memory flickering to life. I had a childhood friend, a neighbor boy I
adored, who moved overseas before I started
elementary school. I was so young then, I
く
barely remembered his name or what he
looked like.
“Alex!” I exclaimed. “You’re that boy!”
He chuckled. “Took you long enough. I’m
hurt.”
“You knew who I was all along! Were you just
messing with me?” I pretended to be angry.
He pulled me into a hug. “I only figured it out
when I heard your name. Don’t be mad. I
shouldn’t have kept it a secret.”
My father, oblivious to my mock anger,
continued reminiscing with Alex. After dinner,
he asked me to walk Alex out. Fireworks lit up
the sky, children’s laughter filled the air. We
strolled hand–in–hand, chatting about
<
As we reached Central Park, Alex stopped.
Suddenly, lights twinkled beneath our feet. He knelt down, pulling a ring from his pocket. “Ashley, I’m so lucky to have found you again.
Will you marry me?”
Being with Alex, I realized the difference
between loving someone and being loved.
Alex loved me, and it showed in everything he
did. He didn’t dismiss my feelings, didn’t
judge my late–night cravings, didn’t betray my
trust.
I extended my hand, my heart overflowing.
“Yes.”
