#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: SEE YOU

TIARA'S POV

Kung hindi pa ako hinila ni Adrien pababa ng stage ay baka hindi na ako nakaalis sa kinaroroonan ko. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay napako na ako roon dahil sa pagkagulat. It wasn't just me who was surprised; the entire audience fell silent, gazing at the stage in evident bewilderment.

Nakangiting pinisil ni Adrien ang balikat ko bago siya lumayo. I felt hands on each of my shoulders, and when I looked up, I was greeted by Damian and Emeric's gentle eyes. Nakakaunawang iginaya nila ako para makaupo sa ngayon ay bakante ng front row seats maliban sa isa na ngayon ay inookupa na ng ina ko. My brothers guided me to sit beside her before they took their own seats, Damian on my side and Emeric on my mother's.

A warmth softened my mother's sharp eyes, and she offered comfort by tapping my hand gently. "Don't be too surprised. That fool is well... a fool for you."

"You knew?" I asked in a whisper.

Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya pero hindi siya sumagot. She looked at the stage pointedly, and when I glanced in its direction, I saw that Domino was being handed a microphone. He's wearing a plain white jacket, while the others are wearing black.

"I know everyone's confused at this moment, and you all certainly didn't come here tonight to witness a group of people stumbling around the stage who clearly don't belong here."

A chuckle could be heard in the audience when Lucienne and Trace turned their thumbs down in disagreement. Nilingon sila ni Domino na napailing na lang bago nagpatuloy. "What you all aren't aware of is that I recently proposed to this lovely woman," he said, pointing a hand towards me.

An "aww" rippled through the spectators.

"But she didn't say yes."

This time, the sound in the audience was replaced by gasping. I could feel their heavy stares at me, and I let out a sigh before rolling my eyes.

"Mainly because I didn't ask her so that she could give me a yes. I just slipped a ring on her finger one morning, and I declared that we were engaged."

The gasping was different this time. It was more out of shock and disbelief than out of empathy for the "supposed" rejection. I'm pretty sure some of them were also laughing because of Domino's unconventional way of proposing.

"Then her mother kindly emphasized the significance of a marriage proposal to a woman, making her point clear by telling me that there would be consequences if I failed to create a memorable moment for her daughter."

My mother scoffed beside me. "Kindly is not the word that I will use." Nakangising nilingon niya ako. "I threatened to castrate him."

"Mother!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"And I completely agree with her," Domino said with a smile that could rival the sun. "She deserves everything, and that is something that I promised myself that I would always give her."

In this place, I am seen the way I have always been to the people who knew me as the Tiara Millicent Silvano, who is a prima ballerina. For some, I am an exquisite dancer that they come to watch perform in front of them. But for Domino, I am just Tiara. His Millie Mouse... his sweet doll.

Today, everyone will get a glimpse of who I am to him through his heart, which has always seen me for just who I am, even though there were moments when I even didn't know who that was.

"According to Lucienne, the song that we have prepared today means..." He intentionally trailed off before pointing the mic to the woman who stepped closer to speak.

Kumaway si Lucienne sa direksyon ko bago siya nagsalita. "Jihyo from Twice said that the Set Me Free song means "Let's break away from everything that binds us and love freely, to our hearts' content". It's perfect for this occasion." Kinorte niya ang mga daliri niya ng papuso. "Ako ang nag-suggest."

"Nagyabang ka na naman. Parehas kaya tayo ng suggestion," rinig sa mic na angal ni Trace.

Umismid si Lucienne. "Mas nauna akong naging fan."

Hinila na ni Thorn ang asawa niya palayo pagkatapos ibalik ang mic sa natatawang si Domino. With a shake of his head, he turned back to me. For a moment, he just stared in my direction, as if he'd been transfixed by the view of me. "I was there where you were sitting while you were here where I'm standing. It was then that I first fell for you."

Mist wet my eyes, but I blinked them back so that I could see him clearly. "Freedom is something that I fear would hurt you. Someone as delicate and precious as you." Domino is looking at me with his eyes full of words that didn't need to be said. "I wanted to cage you in, but not to imprison you and bind you so that you couldn't move. I wanted to cage you in a world that is solely for you, away from things that could harm you. And for all the times that I felt what it's like to be with you, I kept on hoping that I could be that. That I've been that. A world where you could be free, a home for your heart that I vow to protect from breaking for the rest of my life."

He has been exactly that. He changed my fears into memories. He turned the hurt I've been carrying into feelings that I will not mind relieving again and again.

"I'm terrible at dancing, but I hope this won't stop you from saying yes, doll." He winked in my direction. "Not that I'm giving you a chance to say otherwise."

Pumainlang ang hindi pamilyar na malikot na tugtugin sa paligid. Domino handed the microphone to the staff before he stepped back to join the others. The full HD projector behind them flashed open, revealing an image of the music box that Domino made for me. The ballerina could be seen twirling, while beside it, texts were appearing one by one.

My lips parted automatically as I watched the people I came to know for a short time dance as if they weren't in front of hundreds of people right now.

I wasn't surprised that the women are actively participating, especially Lucienne, who seems to know every step, and she's even moving her lips, which tells me that she knows the song. What came as a shock was to see the men, who are usually serious, moving their stiff bodies to the music. Tanging si Domino lang at Trace ang bigay todo sa pagsayaw sa mga lalaki.

Domino lied. He wasn't terrible at dancing. Compared to his overly enthusiastic brother, he moves with precision, like he actually knows the steps and executes them, which only a man with confidence in his ability could do. He might not be at a professional level, but he could move.

This is making me want to beg him to make this an annual thing. Though when it comes to Domino, I doubt I need to beg for anything. Unless it's an orgasm and he's punishing me.

I let out a small cough. This is not the right place, Tiara. Get a hold of yourself. Nilingon ko si Damian at naningkit ang mga mata ko. He's one of the reasons why my pent-up need for Domino is on the verge of exploding. The other reason is my other brother that is sitting beside my mother. Emeric has been popping up wherever I am, and if not, he's often calling me.

At this juncture, I'm going to get married a virgin. Which wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that I might ravage Domino right at the altar after we both say I do.

My heart clenched, but not out of something negative. Instead, it was followed by an unmistakable warmth.

I do. It won't be too long before those two words are going to be exchanged by me and Domino, because he's right—he won't give me a chance to say no, and even if he did, it is not a chance that I would take.

"Yeah, come and set me, set me, set me free."

I blinked, my eyes focusing on the stage. The other's enthusiasm didn't lessen, while the other Dawson's men's need to be swallowed by the floor is intensifying. Kumilos sila at sa pagbabago nila ng puwesto ay ilan sa kanila ang napunta sa unahan.

They opened their jackets, revealing the customized shirt inside. Mahinang napatawa ako nang makita ko na iba't ibang Disney characters ang naka-imprenta sa mga suot nila na may kasamang mga text. The display on the theater's projector was replaced by a slideshow of the prints so that we could see them clearly.

They turned Little Mermaid's "A part of your world" into "You're my world", Aladdin's "A Whole New World" that shares the same sentiment with Domino's version "You're my whole world", Princess and the Frog's "Never Knew I Needed" to "Always Knew I Needed You", and Sleeping Beauty's "Once Upon A Dream" to "One Dream And That Is You".

There were a lot more. Some are quotes from the movies. While it looks cute to the women, it seems like a silly contrast to the siblings' faces. Especially the older ones, who look like they're looking for someone to shoot them. Si Trace lang talaga ang proud na proud na tinuturo pa ang suot niyang damit na may mukha ni Little Mermaid.

The song finally reaches its conclusion, with the display on the screen changing back into the image of the music box. Domino was the last to open his jacket. He took it off completely, and a giggle escaped my lips when I realized that he's wearing a shirt with the face of Moana. Ang pagkakaiba lang ay walang kahit na anong sulat iyon.

Domino was given a microphone again. With his radiant smile and expressive eyes, he looked straight at me. "You're Tiara from Ukraine. You have boarded my plane, you flew across the sea, and you have claimed this heart of mine."

The cheer of the people was deafening. I've been on stage what felt like hundreds of times in front of thousands of people, and yet I feel like this one was the loudest. Maybe because, aside from their claps and yells, nothing can compete with the thundering of my heart.

Domino tipped his head in one direction. I saw Emeric stand up, and to my confusion, he handed me the music box that I left on Domino's bedside table this morning.

"Turn it over, doll," Domino said.

I followed his instructions, turning the box upside down. I haven't looked at it thoroughly before. I just thought it's a music box. But even if I did, I wouldn't find anything strange. Only now that I know where to look, I realized that there's an unnoticeable slidable slot on it.

I slid the panel off, and it revealed a small compartment. A small white envelope is inside, as well as a tiny black velvet pouch. I opened the latter, and a beautiful necklace with seven stones, alternating between sapphire and diamond, fell into my hand.

"That letter was written by my mother for the person I will fall in love with someday. Isa iyan sa mga sulat na ginawa ng ina namin para sa aming magkakapatid. We usually give it before the wedding, including the jewelry that our mother passed down to us. But the moment I created the music box, I knew that I wanted to store the letter and the necklace inside. It was my silent vow, a promise that those two were intended for you and you alone, no matter what might happen between us."

I've read the books. I knew about the letter. I know it's something that I shouldn't read now, but I also understand why Domino is giving it to me now.

He already has his ring on my finger. Something that happened just recently. Right now he's showing that even before it, even before I realize what I feel for him, he has long already decided that I am the one for him.

Walang kasiguraduhan kung saan kami mauuwi. Despite his confidence in us and his unwavering belief that I wouldn't be able to leave, it's not like he could force me to stay. But even with that possibility, it was like he was telling me that there would be no one else.

"You are a living art. It's not only in the way you show your passion but also in a way that is just you. The grace of your movements, the softness of your lips, the sway of your delicate hands, and the stories behind your eyes. You are the most beautiful masterpiece that this world has ever created. You're beauty, and I was the lucky beast that was given the privilege of having you in my life, my beautiful sweet doll." Humakbang siya palapit hanggang nasa dulo na siya ng stage. "The world was the first one to lay eyes on you. The version of you that dances around a stage like this to perform for hundreds or maybe thousands of people, giving a glimpse of the beauty inside you. But I have seen it all that even if the spotlight no longer points at you, even if all the pointe shoes in this world run out, even if you can't move your feet anymore or move your hands, I would still be here. I claim you, Tiara Millicent Silvano. You are mine the same way that I will forever be yours."

I will not be a fool. I will not fall in love. These are just some of the things that I promised myself before. And yet here I am, foolishly in love with this man who is baring all his heart for me.

"I promised your mother that I would give you a memorable proposal, but as a compromise, we agreed that I still wouldn't ask you the question that they usually ask in this kind of moment."

Nangingiting pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. I expect nothing less. He's Domino. My Dom Domino, who knows me better than I do. He knew that I liked him before I did, he knew that I cared for him before I realized it, and he knew the exact moment that I loved him even though I wasn't aware of it. He understood the language of my heart before I learned how to speak it.

Inangat niya ang kamay niya sa direksyon ko. Damian took the things I'm holding while Emeric stood up to guide me back to the stage.

Domino's hand enveloped mine in his, the heat of his touch offering a soothing warmth. He pulled me up on the stage until we were both facing each other.

"Always full of surprises," I murmured.

"Always when it comes to you."

Sandaling nakakulong lang kami sa mga mata ng isa't isa. Hindi niya kailangan magsalita para maintindihan ko ang nasa likod ng tingin niya. With him, I now understand what it feels like to be connected to somebody as much as I am linked to him. My body wants him the way his seeks for me, my heart longs to him the same way his does no matter how long or short we're apart, and my soul gravitates towards him the way his moves so that it could always belong to me.

My heart hammered into my chest when he began to lower himself to one knee. Hawak ang kamay ko na nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. His finger traced the ring that I was already wearing.

The roaring sound from the crowd faded into the background as it was eclipsed by the beating of my heart. My zmiya, my serpent. The man who is always in control and has an intensity that can't be masked by his cheerful disposition.

The man that is now kneeling in front of me.

The dynamics of our relationship mean that there would be more time when I would be the one doing the kneeling. Something I don't mind one bit. And yet the sense of power that always surrounds Domino didn't diminish despite him being on his knees. While I do it as an act of submission, he's doing it now as an act of promise.

"Tiara Millicent Silvano..." I ignored the tears falling from my eyes, and I quirked an eyebrow at him. He grinned, accepting the challenge that he could read in me. "You will marry me."

I throw my head back, laughing with the crowd. He will always be this kind of man, and I wouldn't want him any other way. My domineering Dom Domino.

He kissed the ring on my finger without moving his gaze from me. "See you at the wedding?"

The question he just asked would be the only one that I would receive from him. A question that only requires one answer.

"I will see you at the wedding, zmiya."