A
    DIAMOND
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Episode 35

The playlist for this chapter is  Cian Ducrot - Hello Gorgeous' do enjoy🎶🎶🎶

Fernando's POV

"Yes!" My pulses leaped anew as my fist punched the air out of excitement. I was beginning to get worried that my cheeks will split apart by the way I was grinning.

You don't have to blame me, Micaela said 'yes' to me, I mean she's now my girlfriend! So why shouldn't I be excited? My mind echoed with the sweet words of Micaela and that was all it takes for my lips to part into a good-humored smile.

I Fernando Perez am currently in a relationship! I can't believe this, how did everything happen so fast? Just yesterday I thought I'll never be able to love any woman on this planet, but look at me now, I did love someone like every normal man.

"Fernando, you love a woman" I chuckled at myself. Not just any kind of woman but a special woman named Micaela Alvarado who is a nerd just like me. A beautiful woman with an amazing personality.

A frown settles on my face and I began to regret not getting close to her back in high school, perhaps she wouldn't have been bullied then.

My gaze faltered and fell on the road and I brooded in silence. A sigh escapes my mouth when I realized there was nothing I could do to change that. It's in the past now, I'm here to make her feel loved for all the time she was bullied. I'll protect her and no one will ever dare to hurt her again, and more importantly, I'll treat her like the queen that she is and the thought of suicide will never creep into her mind again.

A goofy grin spreads on my face when I thought of his thrilled my mom will be when hears that her son has finally found a woman to make his wife! And how would I forget about Antonio, my buddy? He will for sure be the happiest when he finds out about the new man I've become.

Speaking of Antonio, he will be so surprised by the news because it wasn't part of our plan before I came here. It was a last-minute decision I made while traveling a thousand miles down here. My heart was aching to have someone like Micaela beside me. She needs me just the same way I need her in my life and that is why I made her mine.

I dig out my phone and dialed my best friend’s line and he picks up on the second ring. "Hello, brother!" I shrieked with excitement.

"Woah! It's been like forever since I heard such a cheering voice from my buddy! What's up, bro?" Antonio snorted on his end?

"I guess I sounded so happy than expected" I grin and went to rest my back on the rails used in fencing the rooftop.

"Yes, you did and still do. So, tell me, what or who has caused my buddy to be this delighted? What's the good news man?"

"You should take a guess" I replied grinning from ear to ear.

"If this isn't about business then it has to do with... Micaela Alvarado" he said and chuckled and I laughed.

"How smart of you. You are right bro, that woman just made me the happiest man alive".

"Really? Right now, I'm intrigued. What did she do to you?"

"I asked her to be my girlfriend and guess what? She accepted!" I exclaimed. I want the whole world to know that Fernando eventually fell in love despite my traumatic past.

"Are you for real?!"

"Yes buddy, it's for real. Hard to believe right?"

"Yes...yes, it's very hard to believe, especially when you never told me you'll be proposing to her, bro. What happened down there? I need a full gist!"

"Well, yeah you're right. I didn't plan it this way either. You know Antonio, you were right all along. I did love her but I was too scared to admit it because I don't want my heart to get broken again by a woman after what I'd passed through as a teenager because of them. But everything changed when I got here, that fear disappeared when she told me that she has been in love with me for quite some time now and that was the reason she kissed me that fateful day".

"Wow! In as much as I'm in awe for hearing this, I'm overly excited for you bro! I mean who would have thought you'd fall in love someday? Congratulations brother! Congratulations!"

"Thank you" I chortle and smoothen my hair.

"Welcome to the love club. I'll be your coach to guide you on this journey" he announced and we both burst into laughter.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Antonio. Your marriage is just 3 years old I guess, right?"

"Whatever. What I know is I'm older in this love thing so I'm qualified to be your coach, that's final. Do not argue with me".

"Yes Sir. We are going to talk more about it when I return. I have to go now, she should be waiting for me for dinner".

"Okay buddy, hit me up when you're free. My greetings to Micaela, tell her I'm sending my love to her and I can't wait to host her for dinner here in Madrid. One more thing, when you get back here, we're going to celebrate this amazing news".

"Roger that. Thanks man, I'll keep in touch".

"When are you coming back?"

"I don't know yet. Perhaps until my woman says she's had enough of me then I can think of returning" I chuckled softly imagining Antonio's facial expression right now.

"You've got to be kidding me?! I guess someone here is going to be more possessive than I've ever been" he let out and I laughed so hard.

"Get out of my phone, Antonio" I laughed and hung up the call.

The smile lingers on my face I thought of my mom again. If I should break the news to my mom about this, I wonder what her reaction would be. I know of course it'll be a positive one, she'll be excited that her first son is finally settling down. As soon as I get back to Madrid, I'll give her a call and invite her over.

I can't believe all that is happening, is so surreal. Love found me and I found love, this is so amazing. I squeeze my eyes shut and stretched out my arms like a bird. The cold evening breeze hits me and I sniff in some fresh aura.

A moment later I let out a sigh of relief and walked back inside to go have dinner with Micaela. Just maybe I would spend the night here if she asks me to. I just can't help but wonder what is going to be like sleeping next to her.

I pinched myself and mumbles "breathe Fernando, don't get ahead of yourself" and I did breathe before going in.

***

After we all had dinner, the four of us had a little chit-chat before I stood up to take my leave. When I said four of us it includes myself, my girlfriend, Sabrina, and Ji-hye. Glancing at my wristwatch it was past 11 pm, I need to leave so I'll make it to the hotel before midnight or max 12.30 am.

"I'll be taking my leave, it's getting late. Thanks for the dinner, I guess I finally kept to my promise of eating your delicious meal, right Ji-hye?"

"Yes, Mr. Fernando. I'm happy you did! Will you stop by tomorrow to have breakfast with us?" Ji-hye asks excitedly and I grin widely at her and glance at Micaela.

"If your boss lady would allow that then I'll be here for breakfast tomorrow" came my reply. Micaela blushed and stared down at her lap.

"My lady, can Mr. Fernando join us for breakfast tomorrow? You should say yes though, he's your boyfriend anyways" she said giggling and Micaela glance up at her with wide eyes.

"How did you know he's my boyfriend?" Micaela asks and I raised a brow at her. While I was here thinking a few seconds ago that she already announced it to her friends, then here she was asking Ji-hye how she knew. Okay, let's hear what Ji-hye has in store for a response.

"C'mon ma'am, you don't need to broadcast it. Mr. Fernando is the only man you've ever brought to your house, and I've caught both of you gazing into each other eyes like Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji-Hyun in a Korean drama titled Legend of the blue sea" Ji-hye blabs and I snorted holding back my laughter. While Sabrina giggles and my girlfriend...well she was blushing hard right now.

"I think Sabrina is influencing you now" Micaela replied and avoided my gaze.

"Sabrina? What does Sabrina have to do with this again? Why is everyone seeing me as a gossiper?" Sabrina whines and I chuckled.

"Because you are ma'am. Sorry, but it's the truth. You're nosy than I am" Ji-hye giggles and I couldn't help but laugh it all out.

These ladies are cool to be around after all. They love teasing each other and it's fun watching them do that. Although they can be noisy most times, but I guess their noise is what lightens up the atmosphere.

Is this what I've been missing out from? What would it have been like to have a younger sister? Would I have hated her too just because of my past?

"Earth to Fernando!" Sabrina yells and I logged out of my thoughts and flashed her a smile.

"Well, Ji-hye, you are not far from the truth. I'm now your boss's boyfriend. I guess she is too shy to let you know that" I said cockily while my gaze penetrated Micaela.

"Yay!" Ji-hye squealed excitedly and stood up. She came crushing me with a hug. "Thank you for choosing my lady to be yours. It's all I ever wanted for her to be with a gentleman like you, handsome. Please treat her like a queen because she is a queen, huh, and you are the king" she giggles louder, and we all laugh.

Sabrina began with her own blabbing on how I should romantically treat Micaela, tour the world with her, and lots of things she was mentioning that I wasn't paying attention to anymore. Mehn, they are drama queens around here. Just three ladies here and it's like 20 of them are present.

"Okay, okay, okay! I got you ladies, just don't worry about the young miss sitting over there, I'll treat her in a way that the world will envy our love!"

"Yeah!!" Sabrina and Ji-hye cheered loudly and Micaela covers her face in her palm while I smiled and went over to her sit to kiss her head.

I mean it though, I'm going to love and treat her like an egg, not even a scratch would affect her. From this day forward, she'll become like the pupil of my eyes.

"Oh God, please send me a man like Fernando" Sabrina prayed with her hands clasped and her eyes up to the heavens.

"Amen! I want the same for myself" Ji-hye answers and Micaela and I chuckle in amusement.

"Okay ladies, it's time to leave. See you ladies around" I announced and stood up with Micaela holding my hand.

"Oh, your bag!" Ji-hye exclaims and rushed up inside to go get it.

"It was nice having you around, Fernando. Have a great night" Sabrina said.

"Thanks for everything, I owe you one" I replied and she smiled and left us alone. I returned my gaze to the lady standing in front of me. "Finally, we are alone again".

"Yes, we are" she replied and gave me that smile.

"Don't smile at me like that" I pleaded and placed my hand on her right cheek. She held it and kissed my wrists and she let her lips linger there for a moment.

"How am I smiling?" she asks gazing up at me and smiling in the same way that I asked her not to. Her eyes pierced mine and I swear it's causing me to be nervous right now.

"Those eyes of yours are like stars. Have you ever sat outside at night and gazed up at the sky to watch the stars?-" I ask and she nods. "The beauty of the shining stars in the sky at night fits the description of your eyes. There's so much beauty in your eyes that it's almost blinding me right now. I guess if I stare too much, I'll get addicted to it and won't want to blink for a second".

She giggles and I grin nervously. "Damn! I suck at this! I wanted to say some romantic words to you but it came out worse than expected. I'm sorry" I apologize and sweep my face with my hands in embarrassment. This is going to be difficult after all, I can't do this alone, I need relationship guidelines. I'll ask Antonio for help when I get back.

"I love it" she announces holding up my chin. "Those are the sweetest words I've ever heard" she added and I was awestruck.

"You loved it?" I asks to be sure I heard her right, and she nodded in affirmation.

"Ferd, I don't care if your words are perfect or not, I love you for who you are. I don't want you to act like someone else but you. So many relationships out there have broken because of this, they pretend to do things they are not used to until they get tired someday and quit the relationship-" she pauses and took my hands and held them.

"I don't want the same fate to happen to us. Just do you, be real to me and I'll be real to you. Love me the way you can, care for me the way you know how to, just do things your way. You don't have to copy someone just to make me happy, I'm okay with whatever you give to me in this relationship, okay my love?" She continues staring into my eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll love you my way, you'd see. I'm glad to have made you my woman" I smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Uhmm...would you say yes if I ask you to spend the night here with me?" she inquires and I stepped back gaping at her. Her brows raised as she waited for my response.

Wasn't that what I wanted?