I can see how proud and happy my parents are. Their faces say it all. After meeting my future in-laws, their eyes indirectly confirmed their satisfaction with their decision regarding the arrangement. Maybe they felt I enjoyed our time spent with Mr. & Mrs. Lee. The Lees captivated me. It made me think that perhaps this "effing arrangement" is not wrong after all.

You will see it tomorrow, Fate! When you meet the prince, that's the time you can confirm to yourself.

I got excited. I think I am now looking forward to meeting the icing on the cake. If I find my prince likable, it will just be a bonus. Nothing can give me a crazy surprise anymore with everything I experienced!

_________________________

I didn't wait for anyone to wake me up. I wasn't able to sleep last night. After meeting the parents, I thought of the young Lee more. Though I still see Joseph's face, it isn't as painful and sad as before.

Distraction is a perfect medication for healing a broken heart. And one way of mending a broken heart is to create a good and bad list. So I started making a good and bad list for Joseph and my prince. It's like a comparison list. More of making myself believe that prince Lee is my destiny. Period.

"Um, Princess, are you okay?" Dad's voice startled me. I didn't realize I was in the kitchen, standing before him.

My lips curved a big smile. "Hi, Dad! Good Morning!"

Dad's eyes grew enormous. "Good morning! How are you this morning? Is there a problem?" He looked worried, but I assured him he had no reason to be. 

I believe I came to terms with myself. After making my list of good and bad, I realized that even if I have to let go of my feelings for Joseph, there is love in letting go. The same as there is love in holding on, as I hold on to my fated destiny. 

I wrapped my arms around my dad and kissed his forehead softly. "I can't wait to meet my prince later."

I gave Dad a wink as I handed him his morning cup of coffee when I left him speechless in his favorite kitchen spot.

_________________________

It's an hour before we are to meet my prince.

Dad asked me to come to work after lunch, even after telling me not to work today. Mom told me we would meet in the company before going together to meet the young Lee. 

How crazy is this? I still don't know my future husband's name. However, calling him young Lee is better than referring to him as nameless and faceless.

"Good afternoon, Fate!" Jean, our front desk staff, greeted me as I walked to the elevator.

When the elevator stopped on my dad's office floor, it surprised me to see Cel, his secretary, waiting for me outside the elevator door. "Fate, your dad asked me to instruct you to go straight to the conference room; he wanted to meet you there instead." 

Though I found it odd, I nodded and headed to the conference room. Maybe Dad has visitors in his office right now.

When I turned the knob of the conference room door, darkness welcomed me. Why the heck do I have to wait here?  

I tried turning on the light switch, but it did nothing. I thought of just waiting outside. But before I could open the door on my way out, I heard someone moving from behind.

I felt goosebumps in my arms. "Dad, is that you? But, please, don't scare me."

There was no answer. My body froze as I faced the door. Whoever was behind me seemed nervous, like me. I can hear both our heartbeats beating loud and fast. What should I do? I only have one best choice: to open the door and run. But as I was about to turn the knob, I felt two warm hands cover my eyes from behind. I can feel his body close.

My hands trembled. "Please don't hurt me. Just let me go, and I promise not to tell anyone. Please..."

"Where do you think you're going, Mrs. Lee?"

Confusion replaced my fear when I heard the familiar voice. The person behind me gently removed his hands that covered my eyes. 

"God knows how much I have been wanting to see you." I will never forget that confident and sensual voice. I can feel his breathing behind my right ear.

"What are you doing here?"

A tingling sensation covered my body as I felt his breathing closer to my ear. "I came to see you." 

I can't believe what I am hearing. I felt the same flurries I felt before. Am I hallucinating? I wanted so much to face him, but what if I was wrong?

He cleared his throat. "Are you not going to face me? God! I miss you."

"Who are you?" My voice croaked.

"Why don't you face me so you could see me? I waited so long to be with you like this again." 

Is this what I am thinking right now? My tears fell. How could this happen?

"Fate Wilson-Lee, please face your future husband, who is dying to see and kiss you." 

His hands slowly made me turn towards him, and he lifted my face. He kissed me like he never wanted to let go. He held me closer and tighter. Finally, I placed my arms around him as tears kept falling on my cheeks.

"I am sorry if I make you cry again. I promised you from now on, every tear you shed would be happy ones."