I wanted to tell my mom that I was almost done with my studies and would soon be a master's student of Jesselton College.However, after deliberation, I decided against it because I doubted they cared. After all, their main concern was for me to ask fewer questions, not actually to encourage me to study.The day before Mardi Gras, my curiosity got the best of me. Being excluded from my mom's secret planning felt particularly uncomfortable. So, I asked Colin if he knew anything about the big plans our moms seemed to be cooking up. I couldn't take how their conspiring had noticeably increased and their knowing smiles were becoming more unsettling.Colin was standing at his desk, one hand behind his back and the other holding a pen. He was writing with an air of calm authority. He looked up, his expression serious. "Let them conspire all they want. It's not like they'll sell us off or anything."His nonchalant response made me pause. The more I thought about it, the more sense it ma
Both Mom and I were in a distracted state, and we exchanged words for about 15 minutes until her phone chimed. She checked the message, then waved her hand, signaling that I could leave.The incredulity of the situation was baffling. After all, she was inside my bedroom acting like she owned it.Feeling frustrated and curious, I reluctantly opened the door and stepped out.However, the moment I opened the door, I was stunned. A sea of dazzling red roses filled the living room, covering every available surface. The air was thick with the sweet, intoxicating scent of roses, making my heart race.Memories of my birthday flooded back to me when Colin filled an entire hotel room with roses. But today, he had outdone himself.Amidst the roses, I saw the man I loved. He was dressed impeccably, looking as dashing as ever and full of deep affection for me. The world fell silent. It seemed as if only the two of us existed at that moment.Someone turned off the lights, and for a brief momen
Being proposed to in front of our parents made me blush with embarrassment, and for a moment, I felt somewhat at a loss.I had read countless novels and seen many proposals in stories. But experiencing it myself, I realized the depth of emotion that could make one willingly give their whole life to someone.Hannah clapped her hands and chanted, "Say yes! Say yes!"The soft glow of candlelight enveloped us, illuminating our faces with a warm radiance. Colin stood before me, his eyes shimmering with anticipation.My nose tingled as a surge of emotion filled my chest. A sweet, overwhelming joy rose within me. It was a happiness born of love and contentment. Colin was the love of my life, and there was no way I would refuse his proposal. Besides, I had made up my mind long ago. No matter how the world might change or if it were to crumble around us, I would marry Colin and no one else. I had already promised myself to him."I do," I said firmly, my voice filled with conviction.C
Felix chuckled and found the light switch, flicking it on. "How could you be so clumsy?" he teased but then asked more gently, "Is your foot okay?""It's fine. This is my first time witnessing and participating in a proposal ceremony. It's such a joyous occasion that I'm too happy to care about a little pain. Besides, it didn't really hurt me, so no worries," Hannah replied cheerfully.Everyone burst out laughing at that."Lulu, today is the happiest day I've had in seven years. You're now part of our family, and Colin has finally found the woman he loves. It's simply wonderful," Aunt Mel said, wiping her eyes until the skin around them turned red.She continued, "I did a lot of terrible things back then, and you and Colin suffered because of that. I wish I could make up for it with my life. For the past two years, I've lived in fear, worried that my actions would keep you two apart. If that had happened, I'd never be able to forgive myself."Aunt Mel raised her head and looked at
The proposal was a great success. After some playful banter, everyone gradually dispersed.Hannah naturally followed Felix back to the Whites' family home—not the one across the street but the old family house.Aunt Mel had declared that the house across the street was reserved for us as they didn't want to intrude.It was nearly midnight when we finished tidying up the living room. Fireworks continued to explode outside, heralding the arrival of Mardi Gras.My dad, barely able to keep his eyes open, stubbornly sat on the couch. He kept glaring at Colin, which amused me to no end.Annoyed by his action, my mom grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to their room. Even as he struggled, he mumbled about wanting Colin to go back to the house across the street."They're practically married now. Why do you care so much? You're such a busybody. If you don't get to bed by the count of five, you'll be sleeping on the couch forever," Mom threatened.With his keen senses, my dad quickly g
Seeing me lying there in my birthday suit, Colin's gaze deepened like the depths of a fathomless lake."I'm a little cold," I said, reaching for the blanket to cover myself.Colin swiftly pressed himself against me, his kisses raining down on me like a storm battering a sailboat lost at sea. We spent the night wrapped in each other's arms, and only at daybreak did we find rest.I was awakened by the sound of fireworks on the day of Mardi Gras. Colin was already up, bustling around the house shirtless and preparing something in the kitchen that filled the air with a delightful aroma.My body ached from the night's exertions. I felt too lazy to get up, so I rolled around in bed.As I opened my phone, a flurry of notification chimes filled the air, all from friends and classmates sending their Mardi Gras greetings.It was then I realized that the day before was not only the day Colin proposed but also the eve of Mardi Gras. We were so caught up in our emotions that we forgot to cele
"What's wrong with you? You need to lighten up, got it? If you keep this up, the three of us will head over to the house across the street and leave you here to sulk alone," my mom scolded.Thanks to her intervention, my dad finally managed a slight smile at the dinner table. The meal proceeded without any further incident.Just as we finished eating, Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel arrived, accompanied by Hannah and Felix. They carried a variety of packages.The elders chatted while the four of us youngsters sat and listened.Aunt Mel announced, "Harper, yesterday was Colin's day, and we were overjoyed by his successful proposal. So, today, Austin and I are here to formalize this union by presenting the betrothal gifts. Let's set aside all past grievances and start anew."Colin is incredibly lucky to marry such a wonderful woman like Lulu, and from now on, we'll treat her as our own daughter. These gifts may not be many or expensive, but they come from the heart."Everyone's gaze turn
That evening, I returned home in a sour mood. Colin noticed immediately and asked what was wrong. I recounted Nico's refusal to co-author the paper. Colin seemed unsurprised, reminding me that Nico was simply that type of person, and there was no need to insist."But how can that be okay? The lab's success is largely due to Nico's efforts. It's not right for him to lay the foundation only for me to take the credit. If he refuses to co-author the report, I simply won't publish it," I said, pouting in frustration.Colin couldn't help but laugh at our predicament. He likened us to two overly studious individuals with a curious affliction—one stubbornly refusing to co-author the report, the other relentlessly insisting upon it. Any other person would have taken the opportunity to claim all the credit, but we were pushing it away.In truth, it wasn't about pushing credit away but rather about fairness. We had agreed from the start that any success would be shared between us. I was unwa