The Royal Contract

He was not proposing again to his fiance, but he had something else planned for tonight. It was a surprise that he had been keeping from her for the past weeks.

“What are you doing?” Jacky asked, again bothered that everyone was staring at them. “Stand up, Marcus. Everyone is looking at us.”

He always found it adorable that his future wife could face anyone in a one-on-one battle, like a cat, unafraid to show her fangs and claws. But when placed in a crowd, she was like a dog, with her tail tucked safely between her legs.

“So, let them look.” Marcus stayed kneeling on the floor before her, unfazed that they were drawing attention. “Please, just listen.” He pulled her hand into his, forcing her to look at him instead of the growing crowd.

He did not care if they kept watching. On the contrary, he would like everyone to hear what he had to say. Because if he had to shout to the entire world how much he loved this woman before him, he would.

“You don’t need to propose again. I already said yes.” Jacky reminded him, glancing one more time at the people gathering around the stage.

.....

He could tell she was nervous from the sweat in her palms, the shaking of her hands, and the tremble in her voice. But who was not because he also felt the same.

His heart was about to come out of his chest, and his lungs could hardly expand from his shallow breathing. He was anxious, uncertain if Jacky would like the surprise he had prepared.

“I know that, but I have another question.” He inhaled enough air to fill his lungs and then expelled all of it immediately. He wished it would do the trick, but he was still nervous. “Will you marry me... now?”

“I already said that I will marry you. You don’t need to propose again?” Jacky answered him, agitated that the guests appeared to be anxiously waiting for her answer. Even their friends seemed to be looking at her with anticipation. But he believed she missed the last part of the question.

Still, Marcus was not about to give up now. He pulled a glass ring box from his side pocket and opened it before her. Then, it revealed two gold wedding bands on the soft cushion inside.

Automatically, he looked up to catch her reaction. His eyes studied the confusion on her face. Eventually, her eyes became teary, as if she finally understood his question.

“I could not wait for another day of not having you as my wife.” Marcus proclaimed before her. “I know you kept saying marriage is just a piece of paper. That being with me is more than enough.”

Suddenly, his vision became blurry, as if something was stinging his eyes. Then, he felt something drop on his cheeks, only to realize that it came from him. He did not mean to cry, but here he was in tears.

“But it is.” Jacky insisted. “I love you, and you love me.” Jacky touched his cheeks, wiping the few tears falling from his eyes. “Should that not be enough?”

He could feel that something was holding Jacky back from marrying him. Yes, she accepted his ring, but something was still keeping her from taking the next step, using several excuses to postpone the wedding.

“No, I don’t think it is enough anymore. I want our names on that piece of paper, saying that you are the sole owner of my heart.” Marcus felt that his heart was about to burst. He needed her to say yes. “And I am yours.”

He wanted her to agree to marry him on that spot. He knew it seemed so sudden, but it was not. He had thought about this since that day he admitted how much he loved her, and losing her was never an option.

He abruptly stood up, pulled her with him, then walked backstage, away from the prying eyes of all of their friends. He had to get to the bottom of this now.

“What is stopping you?” He finally asked the question they had been avoiding as they stopped at a private area where they could be alone. “Do you still want to marry me?”

“Of course, I do. It is all I can think about...” He could hear the hesitation in her voice. “But...” He could also sense the fear and doubt. But he was here to help her, not to judge her. To fix whatever the problem was.

“What? Is it me? Did I do something wrong?” He had been faithful to her. He avoided all his past mistakes because he feared losing her again. He had to know her reason so he could mend it now.

“No. It is not you. It is me.” The classic excuse. “I still think I am not good enough to be your wife.” She finally admitted it. “Even your parents do not want to meet me because I know they do not like me. I am not the woman for you.”

Now, he understood.

The insecurity was still eating at her.

But, he did not care about his parents. She was not marrying them. She did not have to please them.

“Damn.” He believed it was him who was not good enough for her.

“Stop, Jacky. No more excuses. It is either you love me or not. This agreement is only between you and me. No one else.” He pulled her to him, tilting her face until her eyes had no more else to look at but his.

“But...” She was about to protest again, but he silenced her.

“No more buts. I am getting married today. If you want to be with me for the rest of your life, you will stand beside me on that stage and be my bride.” With that, he turned around and returned to the stage.

Now, it was up to her.

He knew he was putting her on the spot, but he had to do it. Or else, they would be two lost souls, waiting for things to happen until both could not find their way and be lost forever.