^ gotta song surprise for you, listen while reading!

My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Michael singing while holding me in his arms as we laid in the bed together.

His warmth embraced me tightly while he sings one of his songs (the song attached). I look up at him, raising an eyebrow, listening to him. He notices that I'm up and smiles widely, "Hey you, good morning. Did I raise you?" I nod while giggling, "It's alright. I love hearing your sweet voice singing such songs. You seem chipper."

I loved seeing him so happy. His extravagant and sunny personality kept my spirits high.

He exhales slowly, "I'm chipper because I get to have you in my arms."  My heads rests on his chest as I whisper, "Can you keep singing to me?" He begins to sing again as his fingers comb through my hair. I closed my eyes, imagining the moment lasting forever.

His melodic voice echoed in my room, causing my heart to melt for him more. I couldn't help but imagine me and Michael years from now. Married. Happy as we've ever been. I was deeply in love with man, and I found myself wishing for a forever with him. Something he's not even ready to commit to giving me.

Eventually, my trance was broken by Michael squirming to get up. I get off of him as he slides out the bed, "I want to make you some breakfast." I blush as I sit up in the bed, "What did I do to deserve you?" He smiles widely, "You made me happy, girl." He leans over and pecks my lips before walking out my room.

-

I walked downstairs to see Marina's Nana sitting at the dining room table, sipping a glass of herbal tea. I smile, "Morning." She looks at me, "Good morning, Michael. Sleep well? I heard you singing and giggling with Rini." I nod as I walk to the kitchen, continuing to talk to her, "Yeah, Marina is great. I love her." She stands up and walks to the kitchen as I get some ingredients for pancakes.

"Michael, may I ask..what's your intentions with Marina?"

I pour some pancake mix into a bowl and pours walk before looking at her, "I like her. I know she likes me. We are an item in a way. Exclusive." Her eyebrows raise before laughing, "Ah, I see. Do you plan to commit to Rini? Marina is a woman that will want more eventually, you know that? Marriage. Kids. If you're not going to give her that, let her go. Don't lead her on to thinking she might get those things."

I blink slowly, speechless at her words before grabbing a whisk and mix the pancake mix and the water in the bowl, "I want to give Marina those things. I just can't give it to her no-" She interrupts me, "Then don't! I'm so tired of Rini getting hurt. And I refuse for you to do it to her. You HEAR me?" I could hear her voice crack as she sets her hands on the counter.

"I remember how devastated Rini was..when her mother walked out. When her dad never showed up anymore. She felt that...it was her fault. And the guys she was with before, they used her for their selfish gain..she wanted love, and when Rini loves. She loves hard. So I'm begging you, Michael. For the sake of her, if you cannot give Marina the future she deserves. If you can't make the sacrifices for her. Let her go."

I set the whisk down in the bowl, slamming my fist on the counter angrily, "Look here. I'm not like 'other guys.' I love Marina. I've never been so crazy about a woman in my life. I know you love her and want to protect her, but she's what I want. Seriously."

"Ahem..."

I turn to notice Marina standing in the kitchen with her arms folded, angrily. I bite my lip, nervously, wondering how much she heard. She sighs, "Look here, whatever I'm doing with my life is on me. I don't need you two discussing me or my past or life choices under the same roof." She walks out the kitchen to the living room, and I follow after her.

"Marina..."

"Just save it, Michael."

She turns to me, "Is my Nana right? Can you give me what I want?" I look at her, astonished by her question. She chuckles, "Of course you can't, for your career. I understand. You know, these past weeks, I've been leaving early from work, missing work, spending less time with family and friends for you. Hell, I almost lost my residency for this, Michael. I don't think you can see that I've given up a LOT for my career for you, for US." I bite my lip before shoving my hands in my pockets,

"Marina, I'm sorry.."

She blinks back tears, "Michael, I love this, I love us. Our laughs, our moments, our intimacy. And yes a part of me wants more, but I don't need more now. I just want to know that there is a 'more' for us." My lips part, thinking of the right words, but nothing comes out. She stands there quietly, sniffling as I take my hands from my pockets as I get down on one knee. She gasp, "Michael?!" I smile, "I love you enough to ask you to marry me, right now."

She rubs her eyes, "Are you INSANE?!" I chuckle, "Just being bold and naive, so what do you say?" She squints at me while shaking my head, "No." My eyes widen at her answer while she smiles, "I don't want to get married silly, I just want to know that, there's a possibility of the sort, that this isn't just some dead-end relationship." I stand back up as she hugs me tightly. My arms immediately was around her tiny, thin frame while smiling as she looks at me, pecking my lips.

"Marina, you're completely right. I've been somewhat selfish. And I'm sorry and I want to prove my loyalty and love for you. Will you be my girl?"

She blinks at me while nodding happily, "Yes, yes, I'll be your girl." Her lips immediately met mine as we kiss one another.

"You know you're a crazy little man for proposing to me."

I frown, "I know. I didn't even have a ring. How cheap of me?" She laughs as her Nana walks up with a letter.

"It says it's for you, Rini."

Marina takes the letter, opening the wax seal from it.

"Hello Marina. I see you and Michael are hiding out here. I may have not drove over you two last night. Lucky for such a vigilant boyfriend. I know things have been slow, but our game has finally warmed up. Now the real battle is on. Now, what I need you to do is for you to call off work today."

She hands me the note, and I read it.

"So he was responsible for the car thing last night. Why doesn't this guy come and kill me already. I don't want to be part of this stupid game. I have work tonight and I'm not going to let some creep mess with my head."

I look at her nodding, "I believe so. It's probably some stalker-hater. Who knows." She looks up at me, "I hope so. Anyways, you owe me some pancakes, mister!" I laugh, "Alright, alright. Chef Jackson is in session."

—
Mmm. Pancakes. I really wish my life could be so like Marina's. But who is this guy? And why does he want Marina to not go to work?

Stay tuned until next time!
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-lcgendxry 🌝

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