AUTHOR'S POV

City hospital,
04: 02 pm

Ten days passed at the hospital. The surgery was fortunately successful as well as the meeting, as Hazel took over and managed everything in the absence of triplets.

Now the two of the elder brothers gathered at the hospital as Alice was being freed from the white gauze bandage by the head doctor.

They were standing a bit away from Jane and his aunt, looking at Alice feeling mixed emotions of happiness and nervousness. They got more attached to Alice as they have been in the hospital almost all the time, taking care of them, supplying necessary substances, literally, everything they could at that time.

"Ready?" The doctor asked Alice. She nodded and squeezed her eyes as the sunlight hit her eyes after years. Her sweaty palms clenched her dress.

" Who do you want to see first?" The doctor asked wiping the area around her eyes carefully with cotton.

" Jane." She replied even though having a second name in her mind.

The doctor rolled her chair a bit so she could face Jane who was standing a few steps away from herself.

" Open your eyes now." The doctor said making Alice take a deep breath before opening her eyes. " Easy." The doctor creased her back gently as her chest moved up.

Her vision was still blurry. She blinked multiple and put some effort into her eyes to clear her vision. She finally saw a girl standing a bit away from her with her fingers crossed.

" Jane," Alice said standing up from her chair.

Jane palmed her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. The moment was so overwhelming and satisfying for her.

" Hey." Alice went towards her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Please don't cry." Alice said holding her tears back.

Reed and Edwin were witnessing the wholesome moments with adoration.

Alice broke the hug and wiped Jane's cheeks. "You look even prettier now." Alice complimented. Indeed she's the prettiest.

Her aunt's eyes filled with tears as well, she embraced Alice and kissed the side of her head elderly.

Alice's eyes caught two tall men standing at the corner. One is in a gray suit while the other one is in black.

She went towards the men and stopped a couple of steps away from them. Her eyebrows crashed as she tried to recognise them. " Edwin and Reed right?" She asked.

Edwin nodded but non of them spoke. " Who is who?" She asked.

Everyone laughed at her question but Reed's smile faded as soon as Alice took a step towards Edwin and brought her hand closer to his face. Before her fingertips could touch his face Reed pulled her towards him by her wrist.

" Told you." He muttered, feeling a bit angry but instantly regretting as the playful girl giggled making him realise that she acted like she didn't recognise him.

Their eyes locked properly for the first time and the way the innocent couple make things obvious was getting adored by everyone. Even by Jane.

She understood Reed as he looks at Alice the way she used to look at Maxwell. Her smile started to fade at the thought of him but she got a grip on herself knowing she can't ruin the moment.

" I knew it." Alice's eyes light up. " You are exactly how I imagined you." She bop his nose getting to see his perfect set of teeth in response as he flashed the biggest smile.

" And I'm more handsome than your imagination right?" Edwin joked wiggling his eyebrows.

" Of course." She replied laughing at Edwin.

Reed wasn't able to take his eyes off her as she looked happiest. Only he knows how he was controlling his desire to devour her.

" Congratulations to everyone." The doctor said bringing everyone's attention towards himself. His expression said he has worked hard and succeeded.

" All thanks to you." Alice walked towards the doctor and held his hand. She kissed the back of his wrinkled palm and brought her forehead to it for a second.

Edwin and Reed looked at each other with crashed eyebrows. " It is traditional I guess," Edwin mumbled.

" I see," Reed responded looking at the old-fashioned trio.

After getting Alice's discharge papers and clearing the bill the brothers dropped them back home.

THE NEXT MORNING:

Alice smiled looking at her parents' photo frame. It was her first time getting to see them after their death.

Hearing knocks on the door she went downstairs to open it. " The restaurant will be open after-" She paused herself as she realised the person on their doorstep isn't a customer, by looking at his suit and the car behind him plus he was holding a big classic box.

" Good morning, Ma'am. I'm Reed William's driver. He sent me to deliver this to Miss. Alice. Am I at the right address?" He asked nicely.

" Yes, I am." She replied getting handed the box.

" Have a great day, Ma'am." Fulfilling his duty and slightly bowed and left in the car while Alice somehow carried the box inside. The box wasn't heavy but huge enough to block her view ahead as she carefully walked avoiding bumping with chairs and tables.

She managed to place the box on one of the tables and stared at it confused. She hesitated to open it and called Reed to ask about it but he didn't answer the call.

Her curiosity increased with each second and she finally lifted the lid of the box and peeked inside to see a light purple dress underneath. Her lips parted at the design. She picked that up only for its soft fabric to spread around. The dress was printed full of colorful flowers and was an up-and-down cut. She hugged the dress happily smelling the pleasant scent of it.

Her eyes turned towards the box again which had a pair of golden heels and a card.

She picked up the card using her free hand. " Be ready at sharp six in the evening." That was all written on it. She flipped the card to see if there was any other massage but it was blank.

The card suddenly got snatched easily within a split of a second. " What it all these?" Jane asked opening the refrigerator while reading the card making Alice follow her around.

" Reed sent this," Alice replied honestly watching Jane opening the water bottle for herself not turning her eyes from the card.

" Are you going on a date with him?" Jane asked taking a sip while resting her back against the refrigerator.

" Date? No. We aren't in relationshi- wait we kissed." Alice's voice stuck in her throat as the realisation hit her. She almost forgot about it.

Jane raised an eyebrow crossing her arms on her chest waiting for the explanation from Alice.

" Girls, Breakfast's ready." Their aunt's voice with the delicious smell of pancakes entered.

Alice hurriedly put all the gifts back in the box and hide that under the table.

" Pastries." Their aunt placed a tray full of pastries on the table. " You both still unready? You will be late for the offline, Jane. And what about the music classes, Alice?" She asked resting her hands on her thick waist making them sit immediately.

" It's a holiday for me," Jane replied taking a bite from the food while Alice was nervously applying jam to the breads. "...and Alice has classes in the evening today. At sharp six." Jane lied making Alice force a smile at their aunt that faded real soon as she couldn't believe Jane helped her.

" Eat a lot, you have lost a lot of blood during surgery." Their aunt began catching Jane smirking at Alice. " Two of you." Jane's head snapped up. " You aren't any better, both of you have become so skinny. What will neighbors think? I cook and feed customers and don't give them any food to eat. Good God..."

" Stop thinking so much, Aunt, no one in New York have enough time to measure our weights-"

" They do notice." Jane got cut off. " Didn't you see your boss's cousin and they themselves?" She asked to survive more. " Take some inspiration...look how well built they are..."

And the lecture goes on and on until they finished the entire tray forcefully.

Well-fed girls went upstairs. Jane's mood was noticeably good because of fulfilling one of her promises to Alice's dead parents. She slept peacefully after so long. Now she gotta pay back the amount to Reed.

The evening arrived and she was sitting on her bed with a marker in her hand and its cap between her teeth. Her eyes were searching for a suitable job.

The door opened and closed within a beat. She glanced up to see Alice standing there with the mysterious outfit.

Jane sighed helping her to get ready and sneaking out of the house as their aunt was busy serving customers.

Alice went outside to see Reed standing beside his silver Acura wearing an off-white cost, black sunglasses were covering his eyes.

He took off his glasses and swept his eyes from Alice's toe to head as she walked to him. " Why weren't you picking up my calls?" She asked.

" You can't be real." He mumbled.

" Reed." She whined as he ignored her question.

" Get in." Reed opened the car door not wasting any time.

" But where are we going?" She asked not stepping in the car.

" You'll know," Reed replied keeping the secret.

" But-"

Reed sighed heavily causing her to oblige him.

He smiled getting in the car as well. She asked him multiple times about the location they were heading to but he didn't utter a word about it.

All she could do at that time was wait and watch.

It took almost an hour for the car to finally reach its destination. Reed got off the car and opened the door for Alice.

She stepped outside and gazed around. There was nothing eye-catching to see at first until Reed held her hand and lead her the way.

She kept on tugging her hair behind as the force of the fresh air was high.

The hard road ended under their feet and a security guard stopped them. Reed took out a card and the guard started to check.

While waiting Alice looked ahead to examine the place. It was a port-like area more like a boat parking stok as many yachts were tired at the edge of it.

After a few moments, the guards allow them and they headed ahead. At this point, their clothes were flapping heavily and she was barely able to open her eyes and hear any sound around beside the marine waves.

Reed stopped in front of a floating yacht making her look up at him.

" TAKE YOUR SANDALS OFF," Reed said loudly as he should have, to be audible.

" WHAT?" Alice asked loudly.

Reed sat on his ankle and pulled her sandals off her feet causing her to bend down and take support of his shoulders.

Doing the same with his shoes he stood up.

" GET ON THIS ONE." He said holding their footwear but she stepped backward.

" YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IT?" She asked.

Reed chuckled. " THERE'S A CAPTAIN FOR IT." He replied stepping on the yacht. " GIVE ME YOUR HAND." He said forwarding his hand towards her.

She shook her head looking down at the water.

"Trust me." He assured.

She looked back then at him. Gulping and encouraging herself she gave her hand in his which he caught tightly and pulled her up.

She balanced herself and let out a breathy chuckle clenching his arms tightly. " You rented this boat?" She asked looking around at the interior.

" It's a yat-" He stopped himself knowing it was not the right time to correct her, she'll feel insecure to speak any further as she was already quite nervous. " It's mine. We sail around in this every summer." He explained.

" This is so cool." She let go of his arms and roamed around freely.

The old aged captain started piloting and soon They got far away from the city light.

She captured thousands of pictures of the golden hour and the sunset.

Reed waited for the sky to get darker then took Alice on the roof of the yacht. Her lips parted as there was a small dining table surrounded by petals of red rose and golden lightning. Slow music was playing at the back making the moment more romantic.

Reed handed her a lantern and took her to the bow with him. She released it and watched it fly high in the sky.

The old captain conning the yacht adored watching her from his driving seat. As he and Reed saw her busy in her own world the captain quickly handed Reed the bouquet they were hiding.

"This night can not get any better." She mumbled not moving her eyes from the sky full of stars.

" Alice?" Suddenly she heard her name in the most polite tone.

Turning around with a wide smile to face Reed, she gasped as she set her eyes on her man who was on his knees holding that bouquet.

" Will you be my girlfriend?" He proposed.

Alice was frozen at first, she was trying to figure out of it was all real or if she was having the most beautiful dream of her life.

" I'll keep you safe every time, just be mine." He added.

Alice's reaction was expected to witness as she put her index finger on her chin and rolled her eyes up. " Ummm... what should I say?" She muttered playfully. " What about no?" She asked turning her gaze at him again.

" I'll legit jump from this yacht and die."

Alice laughed at his words. " And what if I say yes?"

" I'll die with happiness anyways." He had excitement in his voice for her answer.

" It's a yes." She nodded slowly biting her bottom lip, accepting him and his bouquet.

He got up from his knees and cupped her face.

The few centimeters distance between them was filled with the moonlight. Soon they left no space for that also and attached their lips. " I love you," Alice confessed smiling against his lips.

" My heartiest congratulations to you both." The captain cheered making Alice hide her blushing face in Reed's chest.

Their journey began with trust and promises.

• If you are willing to chase me, I promise I will walk slow.

Chapter Published On: 7 May 2023.

My Wattpad was having glitches. So sorry for the late update. I also forgot the existence of my Instagram account so that I could let you all know through that about the problem I was facing.

I'm so dumb I could have told my sister to post about it on my conversation board. Forgive me😭😭.

Had to attend a funeral. I'm not a teenager who likes ghosting and all. I seriously was out of town Out of network and out of mind.

By the way, No one realised I was AISHATHEAOUTHOR there.🤭 Well even my family has no idea about me being a writer.

Blabbering aside thanks a lot for 600+ votes. Keep voting and commenting. 😘😘

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