⭐ Zachary's POV ⭐

"Okay son, so this is the dress that I've bought for your mum." It was full-length ultra violet lux chiffon dress that flatters with a sweetheart neckline and a pleated blouson overlay bodice. A pleated skirt and stacked mirror bead trim along its bateau neckline and waistline contributes to a stylish look.

"Wow dad," I couldn't hide the surprise tone in my voice.

"Well how is it?"

"Mum will absolutely love it! It's one of the prettiest dress I've seen!"

Dad let out a breath of relief as he placed the dress into the bag. Laughters could be heard from the living room. I wonder what my mum and Rachel were talking about.

"Dad," I called out to him as he was about to turn the doorknob. He turned around to look at me.

"How.. How did you know mum is the one?"

After hearing my question, both of my dad's eyebrows shot up. He stood there for a while,  before walking to where I was standing and placed a hand on my shoulder signalling me to have a seat.

"I didn't know," my dad replied.

Now it was my turn to look surprised. "What do you mean? How did you even know you wanted to marry mum?"

My dad chuckled at my bewilderment and said, "Oh son, love isn't about knowing if that person is the one. Love is wanting to put a smile on that person's face, like how that person makes you smile when you think about them. Love is feelings, love is emotions. When you're in love with someone, that person is the last thing you wanna see before you go to sleep and the first thing to see when you wake up. When you're in love, you have that instinctual need to pick up the phone and share the most mundane and important moments of your day. Love is an indescribable warmth, that overwhelming feeling of warmth that you get from another person."

After hearing that, for a moment, I was at a loss for words. My dad had a small smile etched on his face and gave my shoulders a squeeze before leaving the room. I sat there for a good ten minutes, thinking about what my dad had said. It's the most beautiful speech about love and it's from the least romantic person I've known.

The last time marriage came into my mind was a few years back when I planned to propose to Eva. Well, technically I didn't have a concrete plan in mind. I only thought of buying a ring and intended to find the perfect timing to go down on one knee. I wanted my proposal to be simple because when I first met Eva, she's a simple girl whose dream is to become the best fashion designer. I know this might come as a surprise for all of you, because the Eva you know definitely isn't a simple girl. I don't know the exact reason for Eva's change, but I was sad that things didn't work out between us. Having said that, I am truly happy for her now.

Now, as I think of Rachel, I do know that if and when I propose to her, it wouldn't just be simple. I want Rachel to feel like she's the most precious and beautiful girl in the world.

A knock on the door broke my train of thoughts. Rachel came into the room and stepped into my line of sight.

"Hey Zach, are you ready to head out? Your parents are waiting," Rachel said. When I didn't respond she bent down to look at me in the eyes.

My heart is bursting with love as I look into her bright eyes. I love Rachel, I really do. It was at that moment I've decided nobody else will be my wife other than her.

"Why are you looking at me this way?"

Instead of answering her, I pulled her in and started kissing her. The kiss continued for quite a while until Rachel pulled away from me.

"As much as I'll like this to continue," Rachel started with a shy smile. "But we can't let your parents wait for too long. I can tell your dad can't wait to surprise your mum," Rachel continued on a laugh.

"Well then, let's go!"

When we stepped into the living room, my mum was already wearing the dress that my dad bought for her. I slid a sideways glance at Rachel. She did it. We were unsure if Rachel would be able to convince my mum to wear the dress without giving away the whole plan.

"Thank goodness Aunt Natalie didn't question me when I told her that I bought the dress along with mine because it was on sale." The corners of my lips twitched up into a smile as I saw the look of relief on Rachel's beautiful face.

"Your lying skills have improved. Should I be worried?" I chuckled and gave Rachel a nudge.

"Of course," Rachel murmured with a cheeky grin.

The four of us were already seated in the car when my mum had the sudden urge to pee. My dad saw that as an opportunity to go through the plan with us one last time.

"So, Zach and Rachel go through the plan with me again."

"After we get off the car, I'll bring Aunt Natalie into the restaurant while you go over to The Bloom Room to collect the bouquet of Tulips you've ordered in advance." My dad nodded at what Rachel said and looked at me.

"As for me, I'll wait till mum and Rach are seated before I talk to the manager about the song playlist you've asked me to prepare," I said and showed him the thumb drive.

"Great," my dad nodded with a nervous smile.

"Dad relax, I'm sure mum will love the surprise you've planned for her."

"Yeap Uncle Scott, Zachary's right. He should totally learn some tricks from you," Rachel gave my dad a reassuring smile.

"Hey what do you mean by that?" I turned around with a hurtful look which only earned me chuckles from Rachel and my dad. I rolled my eyes and pouted.

"Aww, you look so cute when you pout," Rachel reached forward to pinch my cheeks.

"Sometimes I can't believe the two of you are adults."

"Oh Uncle Scott we'll always be young at heart."

Laughters filled the car once again and my mum rushed in telling me to quickly start the car as she was worried that we would be late for our reservation. If only she knew we still have an hour to spare because we told her we were bringing her to a restaurant which required more than an hour's drive to get there. However, Noel Petit was only 30 minutes away from my apartment. We couldn't possibly arrive at the restaurant too early, they might not have a table for us yet. I was trying to think of ways to buy us some time, I tried driving slower but my mum was asking if I could drive a little faster. Just then, out of nowhere I felt an unusual vibration from the car and it automatically slowed down.

"Hey sweetie, why are you slowing down again?"

"It wasn't me mum. I've got to pull over to a side and check if we have a flat tire."

"What?! We're already running late for our reservation!" My mum couldn't hide the panic in her voice.

"It's alright Aunt Natalie, I can always call the restaurant and tell them we'll be a little late," Rachel explained as I got out of the car.

Just as what I expected, we've got a flat tire in our hands. Under normal circumstances I would have swore out of frustration for having a flat tire in the middle of the road. But today, I was actually thanking my lucky stars. Without this flat tire, I wouldn't be able to stall for time. During the process of changing the tires, I didn't feel that lucky anymore. I was starting to sweat and the hot sun shining down on me wasn't helping.

As soon as I got in the car my mum said, "Why do I get the feeling that you guys are up to something?"

"What makes you say that?"

"It seemed like I was the only one worrying about us not reaching on time for our reservation."

"Oh Nat, relax, I know you hate being late but it's okay to be late once in a while."

My mum kept quiet for the rest of the ride, but the atmosphere in the car has definitely changed. It was like everyone was struggling to keep the secret in the bubble and that bubble was about to burst. Nobody dared to say anything else in case we accidentally spoil the surprise. I breathed a sigh of relief when the restaurant came into my line of sight.

"Wait a minute, we're dining at Noel Petit?" My mum stopped in her tracks with a bewildered look on her face.

Before my mum could say anything else, my dad quickly pulled me towards the flower shop.

"I don't know why but it's kinda nerve wrecking for me now," my dad said as a blush crept up his cheeks.

"Does Noel Petit mean something to you and mum?"

"It's where we had our first date. Back then Noel Petit wasn't as famous as it is now. The both of us wore the same colour to our first date," he chuckled. "I remembered trying out at least 5 outfits before deciding on a blue polo shirt and grey pants."

"Wow dad, this surprise has just gotten a lot more romantic."

As the florist wrapped up our bouquet of Tulips, my dad couldn't stop pacing around the shop. It was his first planned surprise for my mum in a long long time. Rachel and I already assured him that mum would love what he had planned for her.

"You've got this dad," I encouraged him as we entered the restaurant. He flashed me a broad smile, regaining his confidence. I passed the thumb drive to the manager as my dad walked to where the girls were sitting. Rachel had a bright grin plastered on her face as she came over. She reached for my hand and interlocked her fingers with mine. 

"Mission accomplished!" Rachel exclaimed with a giggle. I looked down into her pretty eyes sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight.

"I would love to kiss you right now but I know we both prefer not to publicly display our affections," I murmured and shot her a playful wink.

Rachel's face turned as red as rose. She bit her lips nervously and hazarded a quick glance around us. She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips quickly against mine.

"This is the only exception Zach," Rachel started. "I don't know how couples ever get used to PDA-ing."

I couldn't help but laugh at Rachel's awkwardness which earned me an eye roll from her.

Author's note:
Hey guys!! Yes I'm still here despite disappearing for 9 months 🤭 Hope this chapter is worth the wait! Thank you all for being so patient with me ❤️

There's a disclaimer I've gotta make, the love advice Zachary's dad gave was from a Facebook video I happen to come across. Credits to the guy, thank you for giving such a beautiful meaning to love! 😊

Till next time! Stay tuned! 😘