December 25, 2011

December 25, 2011

 Stephanie's Perspective

The same old songs we're exploiting the city, fireworks were giving light to the skies and roads. I and my mom were watching and listening to them as we drink our wines, sitting comfortably outside our house, near the pool, relaxing and enjoying how people welcome the day of Christmas.

*Beep*

 I heard my phone's ringtone, I got my phone that was placed on the table right next to me. 

 [You have one message received from: Idiot]

"Merry Christmas, my beloved beautiful wife," Elijah texted. I groaned and ignored his message then put back my phone on the table.

"You are not going to greet back my future son-in-law?" mom said and my eyes faced her.

"Mom!" I sighed and she giggled, telling me I shouldn't object, besides, Elijah was a one-time big-time man. I honestly agree, he's a big catch, came from a wealthy family, the Cortex, handsome, kind...a paused... He was a perfect ideal husband, and if loyalty was the one were going to talk about, he was one in a million. But despite the fact that we were engaged, and soon-to-be husband and wife, he was just not my type, I couldn't see myself being with him in a romantic relationship.

 My mom loved him badly that she even proposed one year ago, to Elijah's family to accept her proposal, which let their son marry her daughter, me, after graduating college, and you know what's funny?... The Cortex family had actually the same thought as my mother, they just couldn't tell mom due to fear she might refuse, specifically that I was the only one left by her side.

 The Cortex family were my family's best friends, that's how I and Elijah became close to each other, not actually close cause we always argue and fight, most of the time since we were just little kids, around 6 or 7. We hated each other like cats and dogs but Elijah's behaviors towards me suddenly became odds after the planning of our marriage.

 I talked to my mom and asked her that I was against the fixed marriage, but she just smiled and calmly said, "Stephanie," she whispered my name. "I know, I am being selfish to you and decided things on my own, but just remember one thing, I don't want you to end up like me, I want you to be with someone who will take care of you when I'm gone. And Elijah is that person, Stephanie," she explained, and at that moment I understood why does she want Elijah to be my husband. 

 Dad left my mom and built a new family with his mistress and mom was just only afraid to see me having the same situation as hers. That's why I just kept tongueless and just agree with the plan. But I still had one condition, that after graduating, if I was completely and satisfied that I didn't love Elijah, her together with Elijah's family, the Cortex, would agree to cancel the marriage.

I was happy that they agreed yet besides that agreement, Elijah looked like he was into the marriage. The devil friend of mine became an angel, he acted like a husband figure, and suddenly became nice to me. I didn't know if he was only doing it just for fun or what? But it doesn't matter anyway, I didn't care at all. Elijah was always the same in my eyes, a friend.

[You received one message from: Idiot]

"I know you read my messages, don't dare ignore me, Stephanie! By the way, come out here, I'm outside your eyes," he texted. 

"Gosh, this idiot! He always comes out of nowhere," I murmured.

"Mom, can I..." before I could tell mom that I was just going to see Elijah real quick, and come back after 5 minutes, she cut me off, telling me I could spend the night with him and that she's actually sleeping and wanted to rest.

Haisst... I couldn't stop murmuring and left my mom who was heading inside the house.

I went outside and saw empty roads, no Elijah's body was found! I knew it!

"Where are you? I am outside the house and I can't see you," I texted Elijah. 

 [You have one message received from Idiot]

"I'm just kidding, I'm with my parents right now," he responded, and my jaw fell as I read his response. 

"This idiot just ruined my time with my mom for a prank?!" I was madly not in the mood. I dialed him and scolded him as he answered my call.

"What the heck are you up to? Did you know what you just did?" I yelled but he looked like enjoying the moment that all I could hear from the other line was his annoying laughter.

"Quit it, Elijah!" I uttered. If he was only in front of me, I would surely punch him in the face!

"You know what, you're cute even when you're mad," he whispered 

"Whatever, Elijah Cortex," I was about to hang up the call but he stopped me, asking me to keep the line. 

"What do you want?!"

"Turn to your left," he said. I grunted yet I did what he told me to do, I face my left side but all I could see was a dark road, no Streetlights, totally dark.

"Don't tell me you're in the dark?" I said and he chuckled.

"Exactly my love," he said, his voice was different, he tried to say those words as sweetest as he could. I chuckled, "Idiot!" I murmured.

 "I can hear you, Steph," he said and I giggled. 

"But it's true, you're an idiot, Elijah," I teased.

"Come here," he whispered and ignored my words. Then a light flickered in the dark, it was a light coming from his car 

"Why would I go to that dark side of yours?" I said and grinned devilishly.

"Haha, Stephanie, you're making me laugh. As if I'm going to rape my future wife in the dark when we're going to do it after our wedding," he chuckled and I was speechless, I felt like I was choking by his words. 

"Are you trying to play with me?" I whispered.

"Just come here," he whispered, "Please," he said romantically. Whatever! I hanged up the call and went near him, I've made sure to give him a nice scold, but the moment I pointed the flashlight of my phone he smiled ear to ear, "Merry Christmas, my wife," he said and fireworks coincidently light up the dark place we were at. He was wearing a tuxedo and holding a bouquet of roses, he went near me and gave it to me. I was speechless, I never received flowers from anyone before.

"Did I flutter your heart?" he whispered to my ear.

I smiled sarcastically, "Just not expecting this from you, " I answered and his hands held my shoulders, the fireworks were gone that I couldn't see him yet I could still feel his hands on my shoulders.

 He pulled me slowly and all I could feel was he was hugging me tight, it happened too fast. 

"Stephanie, please marry me in the future," he whispered. I got nervous, he became more weirder than before, then I couldn't catch my breath when he kissed me in the head.

I stepped backward, "What are you doing?" I asked and glad we were in the dark, he won't see how nervous I was. 

I honestly confused by his actions, I wasn't sure if he was doing all those things because we were engaged, he might be going with the flow? Cause if his words were real, I doubt it, he never confessed nor said those three words to me.

"You can go back to your mom, now, " he said.

"Where are you going?"

"Yes, why? Are you disappointed that I'm going to leave too soon?" he teased and I chuckled, idiot.

I rolled my eyes, "Over my dead body, Elijah! You dress too well just to give me these flowers, that's odd, so I thought that you're attending something," I answered. 

And I heard his footsteps, he pulled me in the light part of the road.

"You're really smart, Stephanie. I'll be attending a party with my parents' business partners, I wanted to be with you but it's my father's request to be in there," he explained, couldn't believe that I was still in his words, we're nothing but cats and dogs, why would he want to be with me? And he didn't have to bother himself just for flowers. 

"Okay, then," I said and he said goodbye before I could greet him back.

********

 I was inside my room when my eyes caught Elijah's flower.

"He's sweet," I smiled, it was an appreciation for his effort.

I was about to text him but I saw a small box inside the bouquet. "What is this?" 

I was curious and opened it immediately and I was really confused with him, I didn't expect what I was looking at, there was a ring inside the box and a note saying, "Will you marry me?"

I snickered and looked at the ring, "You're really an idiot," I whispered.