The afternoon was passed happily. Gina and Kylie, who were busy eating meatball soup, did not forget to continue pestering Celine and Zack, who were getting to know each other better. More precisely, Zack had to answer a long interrogation launched by Celine about many things. "So, what Gina told you is true?"Celine asked after Zack told her about his bad experience with his ex."Does Gina usually lie?" said Zack, throwing the question back."Yeah, no. But who knows, it was you who lied to her." At the same time, she examined Zack's eyes, whose dark black orbs looked mesmerizing when viewed from this close."That's fine. I'm not a liar, just so you know," Zack concluded, for the umpteenth time reassuring the girl. Celine did not see any hint of deceit in his eyes, only earnestness, seriousness, and great confidence."For you, Gina didn't tell me about your problems with your ex. She just said you've been hurt too many times, so if I want to approach you, I have to be ready to fight
"Huh? So it's all about listening to our jokes?" Celine was stunned.Zack nodded, definitely behind the wheel. They were in Zack's car, which was driving slowly through the road, which was quiet that afternoon. Celine frowned for no apparent reason. She had been asking what exactly made Zack like her at first sight.And when he honestly answered her, she had that expression. Zack wondered to himself. Did she say it wrong or what, he wondered. Ish, women are such absurd creatures, he decided silently."What's wrong, anyway? Why are you pouting?" he asked bravely."It's not so sweet!" said Celine, pursing her lips forward even more."What?" Zack, who didn't know the direction of Celine's conversation, instead asked a random question."Yes, that ..., how can anyone suddenly like someone just because they hear them joking with their friends? Where's the special part?" Celine finally said."Oooh, that's so sweet, anyway. Here you go. I'll change the sentence. So, when I first heard you ta
Zack parked his car outside Celine's house. After neatly parking the vehicle, the 27-year-old man followed Celine as she walked home. Celine's house was next to a grocery store, which, according to Celine, belonged to her mother.“Mom!” Celine greeted after she was in the living room.There was no response, but Celine persisted."Please have a seat here. I'll go find my mom," Celine invited Zack to sit.Zack only said a little; he followed Celine's instructions.Celine then walked towards the kitchen to search for her mother but couldn't find her. She heard the sound of water from the direction of the bathroom and smiled. No wonder her greetings had yet to be answered; her mother was showering.Knowing her mother was still in the shower, Celine returned to Zack, still sitting in the living room looking nervous."What's wrong? Why do you seem tense?" Celine asked."N-nothing... I-I'm fine. Where's your mom?" Zack inquired."It seems like my mom is still in the shower.""And your dad?"
The food was ready. Celine's mother signaled her daughter to call Zack and her father.Celine quickly obeyed her mother's command. She invited her father and Zack to have lunch. The two men hurried to the kitchen and positioned themselves for the meal.During the meal, they chatted as if Zack had known Celine's family for a long time. Celine was overjoyed to see Zack getting along with her parents."Sorry, Zack, may I ask again?" Celine's father inquired."Of course, Sir," Zack replied amiably. He was no longer as tense as he was a while ago."Are you sure about my daughter?""Yeah, I am sure, Sir.""So, when are you two getting married?"Celine's father's question made Zack choke. Celine's reaction is similar. They had just started their relationship; how could her father have already suggested marriage?"Wait, Dad, we've just started dating..." Celine suddenly felt nervous."Celine is old enough to get married. Don't prolong the courtship. And you, Zack, are old enough, right?" Celi
A slim and short-haired woman approached Zack and Celine while the couple was enjoying their food and the songs performed by a band at the café. The woman looked beautiful with her fair skin and curly short hair, resembling a Korean woman."Are you Zack?" the woman asked."Yes. And you...?""Hey, how could you forget? I'm Monica.""Monica? Oh, hi, how are you?" Zack stood up immediately and shook Monica's hand."I'm good. Is she your wife?" Monica pointed at Celine."She's my future wife.""Hi," greeted Monica, extending her hand to Celine.With a forced smile, Celine accepted Monica's handshake, standing up to greet her."Why are you in here?" Zack inquired."I live here now. My husband works in this city. Anyway, I'll have my meal first. My husband and kids are over there.""Sure," Zack replied.After bidding farewell, Zack noticed a change in his girlfriend's expression. Celine looked unfriendly – her mouth was pouting, and her eyebrows were furrowed."Why the long face?" Zack aske
The morning after their argument, Celine woke up with swollen eyes. She cried, feeling that Zack didn't truly love her. That day, Celine had a day off, and they had planned to visit Zack's parents in Manhattan. However, Celine was curious if Zack would still pick her up as planned. Celine glanced at her phone. The awaited message had yet to arrive, even though it was already 6:00 AM. Celine sighed, then lay back down, turning her body. Once again, tears streamed down her face. Her feelings were a mix of anger, sadness, and guilt. Since becoming Zack's girlfriend, this was the first time he refrained from sending her a message. Celine felt insignificant to Zack now. In truth, she wasn't ready for their relationship to end. "Celine...." Her mother's voice made her wipe away her tears. She got up again, trying to compose herself so as not to look sad. She combed her hair, patted her cheeks gently, and then opened the bedroom door. "What is it, Mom?" "Zack is waiting for you in the l
It was already noon. Celine's stomach began to growl, but she was still afraid to talk to Zack.Zack smiled as he observed his girlfriend. He knew Celine was hungry, but he was reluctant to ask about her preferences, fearing it might end up annoying like the previous night. Eventually, he took Celine to a food stall on the Street.After parking the car, Zack gestured for Celine to enter. They chose a sitting mat to enjoy the spicy dishes they had ordered."Is it good?" Zack asked."Delicious," Celine replied, chewing her food eagerly.Zack was pleased to see his girlfriend eating so heartily. He even added some sautéed water spinach to Celine's plate."Eat more, Darling. Stay healthy.""I've eaten a lot. I'm full already. If I eat too much, I might get fat.""It's okay if you get a little chubby; you'll still be beautiful.""Flattery."They laughed. Such cheesy humor only brought them closer."Are you ready to meet Mom and Dad?" Zack asked."I'm not ready. But whether I like it or not
It was 5:00 AM when Celine prepared to return to her home. She had already dressed casually and gathered her belongings.Remember, Mrs. Zack had prepared some souvenirs for Celine's parents. The woman in her fifties hoped to establish a good relationship with Celine's parents. Even if fate allowed, they could become family."Celine, I hope you marry Zack soon. It's time for Zack to get married. We'll wait for the next news, Dear. Zack will propose to you," Mrs. Zack said."Ehm, yes, Mom," replied Celine nervously.There was happiness within her, but on the other hand, she still felt unprepared. Celine herself didn't know what was holding her back. At a quarter of a century old, she should be ready. It wasn't as easy as wanting to get married, even though she loved Zack.Many burdens weighed on her mind, alongside fears she couldn't comprehend. Celine was afraid Zack wouldn't be as she hoped. She was afraid that if they married, she wouldn't be a good wife.Celine was afraid she didn't