Chapter 40: Chapter 40

The walk through the mahogany forest the next day was equally romantic. The forest was man-made and thick with a variety of green foliage and different species of trees and giant ferns lining the road so it appeared like a canopy, it might as well be the boulevard in Paris.

They went sightseeing at the famous chocolate hills which was a unique geographical formation that was shaped like a cone and look like mystic mounds. They had lunch in one of the cosy floating restaurants on Loboc river and when the cruise stopped at Busay Falls, they enjoyed a light picnic on an islet surrounded by calming waters.

Van had never had so much fun in her life or laughed so loud until her ribs hurt as Jake slipped and fell into the river simply because he was trying to look cool. She would always find herself sighing in content after the day's adventures and each day they made sure to end it with a romantic walk down the beach and watch the sunset. It was all surreal that Van wished never to go back to the real world but simply enjoy this bliss. What else could a girl ask for but to have a sweet boyfriend and a refreshing trip to a five-star resort in the most beautiful place she'd ever been her whole life.

Van came out of the bathroom to find a gorgeous mini dress laid out on the bed with a note: A beautiful dress for a gorgeous lady wear this to dinner. Jake.

Van smiled as she read it wondering what he has planned for tonight she was feeling so giddy like a high school girl on her first date. She towel-dried herself and put on the dress and it was just the right length. The fabric was smooth against her skin and it was a perfect fit. She paired it with the strappy heels in the box she found beside the dress.

Van was so happy it felt surreal, like a dream that she never want to wake up from and she prayed with everything she got that this moment will stay with her forever.

Van found candles burning a path way to where Jake said they were having dinner on the beach and her heart pounded loudly. She took tentative steps forward not sure what she was going to find but one thing she was sure of was that she would find Jake waiting for her.

There was a violinist playing on one end and there were two other men standing by Van had no idea what their purpose was and before she got to the table where Jake stood immaculate in a gray tux she got her answer.

WILL YOU MARRY ME

The words were written in bold letters held on both ends by the two men.

Van's eyes rounded.

Vaguely she was aware of Jake walking towards her and then he was on one knee and his outstretched hand had a jewelry box with a diamond ring in it.

Jake said something Van didn't catch.

"Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Jake repeated when it seemed like she didn't hear him the first time but Van had simply frozen, tears blinded her eyes and her lips were trembling.

"There's no one I want to spend the rest of my life with." he told her. "And this is not on impulse i've thought about this."

Van simply shook her head, still in a daze.

Jake got on his feet bewildered that she'd say no to him. "We're both going to get married eventually so why not now?"

"I'm not saying no I 'm just speechless right now I didn't expect this." The tears which well up in her eyes began to trail down her face as she gaze up at him.

Jake pulled her in for a hug and she held unto him tightly.

" I love you Vanessa and I can't imagine my life going forward without you in it."

" Yes. " She mumbled. " I'll marry you. "

Van had always had it at the back of her mind that her relationship with Jake might not last long–many relationships don't–much less end in marriage and yet here he was proposing to her. Jake wants to spend the rest of his life with her... Van find it hard to wrap her head around all these, and yet even as it sounded crazy Van knew she was ready.

The proposal might seemed a bit rushed but that didn't matter right now, they had their whole lives to continue to know each other. All Van knew then was how much she loves him and how much he loves her and that's all that mattered nothing else did.