At that moment, Jonathan’s heart ached for Teresa.
Teresa clutched Jonathan’s hand tightly, her whole body as limp and fragile as a helpless animal. With a pleading look, she begged, “Please don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
Jonathan tucked the blanket around Teresa and gently patted her back. “I won’t leave you,” he reassured her.
Even after Teresa fell asleep, her hand remained tightly clutching Jonathan’s.
Jonathan had classes the next day, so he had to leave early in the morning. Before he left, he wrote Teresa a note. They were just passing strangers, and that was the extent of what he could offer.
Jonathan had thought it was just a fleeting encounter, but to his surprise, Teresa kept popping into his mind. He wondered how old she was and which university she was from. He thought they would never meet again.
After graduating, Jonathan decided to return home to build his career. With Irene home, he wanted to give his family a better life through his own efforts He envisioned settling down, getting married, and starting a family.
He remembered that day vividly. Benny came to pick him up at the airport. Benny was a friend Jonathan knew from back home. Their fathers were close. and the two had been friends for many years.
Benny teased, “Jonathan, still single, huh? Want me to set you up with someone?”
Jonathan chuckled, “If you find anyone suitable, feel free to set me up.” By then, he was ready to take dating seriously. After all, he had needs and feelings like anyone else.
Benny pulled out his phone and showed Jonathan his graduation photo. “These are my college classmates. Check out the front row. They’re all beauties. Anyone catch your eye?”
At first sight, Jonathan’s gaze landed on Teresa. That breathtaking face, those mesmerizing eyes–unchanged, just as he remembered. He didn’t expect to meet her again.
Benny grinned. “So she caught your eye, huh? That’s Teresa, our campus belle. How did you know I was planning to set you up with her?”
According to Benny, Teresa had been in a relationship before, but it was short–lived and didn’t go anywhere. She’s been single ever since.
Benny said, “She’s three years younger than you. Her family’s quite well–off, but she’s not high–maintenance at all. She’s super generous with her friends. Honestly, she’s a really great girl.”
Jonathan listened quietly until he asked Benny, “Aren’t you throwing a party tonight? Will she be there?”
Benny grinned and said, “If you want to meet her, I can totally arrange that. I’d trust you with my life, man. Want me to get her WhatsApp for you?”
Jonathan shook his head and said, “No thanks. I’ll get it from her myself at the party.”
Benny was excited. “Awesome! If you two hit it off and tie the knot, you bet I’ll be sitting at the hea
Jonathan snapped back to the present.
at your wedding.”
Teresa stared at Jonathan in disbelief. “Wait, so it wasn’t Benny who set us finally understood why Benny bombarded her with twenty calls that day.
Sup? You had your eye on
first, and you had him play matchmaker?” Teresa
Jonathan smiled gently and said, “All I can say is, it was fate. We were meant to be together.”
‘Maybe it is, Teresa mused. If Jonathan hadn’t chosen to return, or if he’d forgotten about her when he did, or if she’d had a boyfriend back then, they never would have ended up together.
1/3
The car pulled up at their destination. Spotting Jonathan’s car, the lobby manager hurried oom and based respectfully “Welcome, Mr. Lyrati —
“Are all the arrangements in place?”
“Yes, Mr. Lynn. Everything’s been arranged just as you requested, the manager said
with an ingratiating site
Teresa couldn’t help but gaze at Jonathan. He was orice ridicated. Now he was a poised and powerful CEO. He didn’t have in fear anyone afrynure. Cin the contrais, everyone scrambled to curry favor with with.
Even though she had long ceased to be his wife, Teresa genuinely telt happy for Jonathan and was deeply touched.
As the bar manager led the way, Jonathan wrapped his arm around Teresa’s waist, and they headed upstairs.
Teresa finally snapped out of her daze. “Walt, what did he mean by arrangements‘ just now? she wondered
“Mr. Lynn, this is our bar’s prime viewing spot. Right this way, please.”
As the private room door swung open, Teresa was greeted by a sea of pink balloons arranged in a heart shape. On the table cat an enormous cake. The stood frozen, speechless, as the floor on both sides was lined with limited edition designer handbags.
Jonathan drew her close with an arm around her waist and guided her to the window. Outside, fireworks erupted across the night sky as a separiren of
drones formed the silhouette of Cupid’s arrow piercing a heart.
As the grand finale, the fireworks illuminated the night sky, spelling out [Jonathan and Teresa.]
Teresa drew a deep breath, suddenly grasping the immense significance of Jonathan’s grand gesture. As she turned, her gaze locked with his profound eyes.
Jonathan pulled her close by the waist and murmured, “After everything we’ve been through, I know even more clearly what I want, and I’m determined than ever to pursue it.
“After everything we’ve been through these past ten years, could you give me one more chance to spend the rest of my life with you?”
“But I-” Teresa tried to pull her hand back, her mind in turmoil. She didn’t know how to answer.
Jonathan cut her off. “I know Yvonne’s gone, and there’s no one to confirm or deny anything now. But I’ve always told you, the and I were friends. After we got married, there was never anyone else. All I want is to be with you.”
Teresa’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears as she furrowed her brows, biting her lip to hold back her emotions. Jonathan let out a weary sigh.
“Back when we divorced, you said you were tired and didn’t love me anymore. But if you love me now, even just a little, could we give our marriage another chance this time?”
Tears welled up in Teresa’s eyes. Her heart ached. She couldn’t tell if she was regretting all those wasted years, or if she was sorry for what she sait. She thought Jonathan only returned because he couldn’t let go of what he’d invested.
When she offered no reply, Jonathan’s gaze remained locked on her. “Didn’t you say that if I won the bet, you’d remarry me? Well, I won.”
Teresa looked up at him, her voice trembling. “That’s not…”
“Are you breaking your promise again? Why can’t you trust me just one more time? Am I really that unworthy of your trust?” Jonathan reached out to gently wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“Alright then,” Jonathan said, his gaze steady on Teresa. “If I had lost our bet today, what exactly were you hoping I’d agree to?”
M
“I hope…” Teresa let out a bitter laugh, her voice trembling “…that you won’t end up hating me.”
“Why would I ever hate you?” Jonathan’s dark eyes bore intensely into Teresa, unwavering in their focus.
“Because…” Teresa exhaled shakily, struggling to get the words out. “The child…”
