I smiled at him. “Thank you Adam.” I told him. “In a way, you’ve been the bridge between Ryder and me. You were the one who helped me find the love of my life. If you didn’t offer to pay my date for Geena’s wedding, I would not have met Ryder.” I pulled away from him. “You’re a great guy, if only you choose to show it. You have a good heart.”
He frowned. “Yeah, but don’t go telling people about it, okay?”
I laughed and I hugged him again. “I love you, Adam. We may not be related by blood, but you’re the best cousin a girl can ever ask for.”
It took him a moment to hug me back. And then he said, “Thanks, Ash. You’re not too bad yourself. And I love you too. Be happy okay?”
I smiled. And I know, with Ryder, Adam can be assured of that. “You know I will be.”
***
One month later...
Although my parents and my relatives know that Ryder and I are living together, they still didn’t know that during Geena’s wedding, Ryder and I were only pretending. And until now, they still believe we are engaged. I once told Ryder that maybe it’s better that I tell my parents that the engagement was sort of a sham so our relatives will not feel sorry for me. Then Ryder and I fell in love afterwards and we are together now. But Ryder thought it was a bad idea.
“Being engaged to me was probably one of the things that drove Bryan mad, and for you to tell them that it was a lie… would break your parents’ hearts. As well as your Uncle Jack’s. Leave it be, Ash. We’re living together anyway. We pulled it off before when we weren’t officially dating. I think we’d do better now.”
So we left it at that. I wondered what we were going to do if my parents come down for a visit and I’m not wearing any ring anymore. But I guess, we’ll just make something up when we get there.
Ryder’s apartment was lush and luxurious, but somehow, I couldn’t help feeling that it was more a bachelor’s pad. He did have it when he was a bachelor, but he’s not exactly single now. I prefer the house in Malibu, which is really a house, with separate rooms, living room, and a deck.
I guess even though his apartment was huge, a part of me prefers a smaller, cozy apartment that feels more like two people are making a home out of it. But I am not really complaining. It’s such a small price to pay for being with Ryder.
Nicole has taken over my responsibilities in Malibu and I kept myself busy with setting up the branch in Manhattan. Ryder and I visit Malibu once a week together, where he conducts his business at his bars and I check up with Nicole in the office.
Today is exactly a month after Ryder and I got back together… a month after he found his way back to me.
We are travelling back to Malibu. I plan to surprise him with dinner. We can lie on the deck afterwards, drink some beer… he can play his guitar if he wants. Then we’ll make love at night.
An hour before we were due to go to the airport, Ryder gave me a call and told me that he can’t make it to Malibu.
“But Ryder, we agreed to go last week.” I said, a little disappointed, especially since his tone says that he has forgotten what day it was today.
“Sweetheart, I’m in the middle of a meeting.” He said to me, he sounded like he was in a hurry. “I’ll see you tonight. Call me when you’ve landed back in Manhattan.”
“What?” I thought I’d be staying in Malibu this weekend. “I’m going to take the last flight out?”
“The five p.m. flight out, love. Promise me you’ll be back?” He asked.
I was not happy about that. But I don’t want to fight with him. With a disappointed sigh, I replied, “Okay.”
“Look, I have to go. I’m quite busy today. I’ll see you tonight.”
Has it started already? Has he started being too busy to remember anniversaries or special occasions?
I only have a couple of hours in Malibu and I made the most of my stay. I was not in a great mood when I met Dannie, Nicole and John. I only had a couple of minutes to ring Adam.
Ryder didn’t give me a call all day, nor sent me a text message. He usually sends me messages every two hours, telling me he loves me and that he misses me. Today is the first day he didn’t. And it’s only a month since we survived his tragic memory loss.
I got back to New York in the evening and although I was tired and a little unhappy, I have no plans of spoiling this day. I will cook a nice dinner for the two of us anyway. We’re going to celebrate today, no matter what.
When I got inside the apartment, a red envelope on the table caught my attention. It was sitting beside one of Ryder’s car keys. I usually don’t pry on his stuff, but this envelope just seems to call out to me. It looked elegant, and it smelled of floral perfume. There was a note inside.
“I was hoping you could come to see me…” Printed in a neat script font.
There was a location map attached to it, as well as what seems to be an access card.
“Ryder!” I called.
No answer.
Now, I’m getting nervous. I’ve only lived with Ryder for about a month. Maybe one of his old flames didn’t know he was already living with someone and attempted to have a little tryst with him.
Ryder would never do this to me! Besides, if he’s up to no good, he wouldn’t carelessly leave this note for me to find, right?
But whatever is going on, I intend to find out. I took my phone and dialed his number. His phone is off. I tried about three more times just in case he just lost signal. But still it was off.
I took short breaths to calm myself down. I called his office. Derek, his assistant, answered.
“It’s seven in the evening.” I told him. “You should be home.”
He laughed. “But I’m fresh out of college and already a workaholic. What can I do for you, lovely Ash?”
“Where’s Ryder?”
“Ah…” He took a moment to answer. “He… went off more than an hour ago. Said he has some personal things to attend to down at Sixth. I thought… he was with you.”
“Thanks Derek.” I said and the I hung up.
My hands were turning numb fast. I looked at the location map and found that the “X” on it is in Sixth Avenue. The address says penthouse.
Ryder would never cheat on me!
“He won’t.” I whispered to myself. “He, of all people, knows what I have been through.”
But I needed to find out. Damn, if curiosity really did kill the cat! I dashed to the elevator and raced to the location stated on the map.
I felt like a woman in pursuit. My heart was pounding loudly, my hands are cold and I’m pretty sure my face is crimson red.
I found that the address points to one of the luxurious apartment buildings on Sixth. I looked at the map once again to make sure that I was at the right place.
The man standing by the doors greeted me cheerfully. He was wearing a black suit with a nametag so I assumed he is an employee of the building. I showed him the map.
“Yes, Ma’am. This is the place. Go straight, turn right to the elevators.” He gave me instructions and gave me a very bright smile. I had to smile back. He seemed very happy with his job.
The lobby of the building was posh and absolutely impressive, from the marble floors down to the furniture. If I don’t have a bomb hanging over my head, I would probably stop and admire the interior design of the building.
The person that Ryder visited is probably just as rich as him.
“But it’s you he loves.” I said to myself.
When the elevator opened, I pressed P and swiped the card. I closed my eyes and willed myself to keep calm. I know Ryder. He wouldn’t do this to me. There is a good explanation for all these. And I’m about to find out.
Whatever I uncover, unless what I see leaves little to the imagination, I will listen to what Ryder will say.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Damn! Why is it taking so long to reach the penthouse?
Finally, the elevator opened to a luxurious apartment. I gasped. Unlike our apart
ment, this one has a huge living room adorned with gold-accented furniture that looks very, very expensive. There is a glass staircase that seems to lead to the bedrooms on the mezzanine floor. There is an elegant chandelier in the center and everything in the house was a combination of white, cream and gold trims.
“Hello.” I called out. There was no reply.
Just then, I noticed that the wall in front of me has a paper stuck on it. I looked closer and saw an arrow printed on it. The paper was the same as the one I’m holding in my hand.
I followed the direction of the arrow until I got to the next one, and then to the last one. I was led to a huge balcony that is probably half the size of the whole house. I stepped out, expecting to see Ryder and whoever it was who left him the message.
But what I saw blew me away. There were roses and lighted candles all over the place. The balcony has the perfect view of the city. There is a table in the middle, set for two.
I saw Ryder standing in one corner looking out the view.
“Ryder…” I whispered weakly.
He slowly turned to face me. A brilliant smile was pasted on his face.
“I… don’t understand.” I said.
He walked towards me, his eyes twinkling.
“Who’s here with you?” I asked in a small voice.
He shook his head. He pushed a lock of stray hair away from my face.
“No one, love.” He said. “It’s just the two of us.”
I looked around. The place was romantically set up.
Just the two of us?
“But… I found a note for you…”
He chuckled. “That was for you, love.”
“For me? You had me thinking…”
“What were you thinking?” He asked, raising a brow. I have a feeling that he knows exactly what I was thinking and immediately, I felt embarrassed. I sighed in relief and gave him a hug. I felt silly.
“Nothing.” I said. “I missed you.”
“You don’t know how painful this day was for me.” He whispered.
“Painful?” I asked, pulling away from him.
He nodded. “Asking you to travel alone to Malibu. Not calling you, texting you… it bothered me all day!”
I narrowed my eyes. “You did that on purpose?”
He laughed. “I wanted this to be a surprise… and a little bit more dramatic.”
I looked at the dinner table, then at the roses and the candles. “What is this all about anyway?”
“You didn’t think I would forget what today is, did you?”
My heart instantly melted. “You remembered!” I said hugging him again.
“Of course I did.” He said. He stared back at me and said. “A month ago, you gave me another chance to make your ‘ever after’ come true. So it’s sort of like another date we need to celebrate every month and every year.”
He leaned forward and gave me a thorough kiss on the lips. I couldn’t help it. I was crying again. I was only planning a simple dinner. Ryder prepared something even more romantic… something surreal.
After the kiss, I pulled away from him and approached the dinner table. I looked at the elegant china and crystal wine glasses on it.
“Candlelight dinner, under the Manhattan moon, with the perfect New York city view, surrounded by red roses?” I stared back at him. “You couldn’t be more romantic, could you?”
He didn’t answer.
I turned away from him to look at how he had set up the place again. It was absolutely enchanting… like something you tear out of a romance novel. This is not even a hotel. I wonder how he found this place.
“Perfect location too.” I said. “Whose place is this anyway?”
“Ours.” He whispered behind me.
My heart pounded in my chest. I turned around to face him again. The expression on his face was serious… and wistful.
“You told me once that the other apartment is an ultimate bachelor’s pad. I guess it’s time to give it up now that I’m not one anymore.” He said. He looked at the house. “This one has four bedrooms, a huge living room, a huge kitchen, a library, a game room and a nursery. I think you would find this more suitable for us.”
“Ryder… I’m not asking for this much. I can live anywhere with you.”
“But I want us to live in a house where we can build our future in… where you can comfortably spend your ‘ever after’ in.”
My heart warmed. Tears welled up in my eyes. Everytime I hear Ryder say the words ‘ever after’, I believe in it more and more.
“When did you buy this?”
He took a deep breath and said, “You know… that day I got into an accident, I met up with my real estate agent. I was looking for a house for us.” He took a step closer and looked at me deeply. “I’m sorry, this got delayed, love. I would have brought you here sooner.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I shook my head. “There’s nothing to say sorry for, Ryder. You’re here now and that’s all that matters.” I lunged forward and gave him a tight hug. I cannot believe this is happening to me. Somehow, I still can’t believe that Ryder Van Woodsen is happening to me now, when before, I was even scared to dream about a guy like him.
When I stared up at Ryder, I saw that his eyes were teary too. He gave me a kiss on the forehead. “Do you think you can live here with me?” He asked, smiling.
I laughed. “I will live anywhere with you, Mr. Van Woodsen.”
He brushed his lips to mine again. Then he looked deeply into my eyes, a sober expression was on his face now, that it actually made me quite nervous. “One more thing, Ash.” He whispered. “You told me once that I should find a reason that is good enough, and you will finally accept your ring.”
I nodded, because now, I have completely lost my voice.
“I think I found one.” He whispered. And then slowly, he pulled away from me and came down on one knee. He held a box in front of me and opened it. My Harry Winston ring sparkled before my eyes.
“Astrid Jacobson, I will forever thank God that I walked into that jewelry shop that day… that your friends stood you up that night we met at the bar. Little did I know that those days would change my life. That I was about to be rescued by you. I didn’t believed that a woman can want me and love me if I wasn’t who I am. You wanted me, needed me, loved me… for everything I am inside. Even when I hurt you over and over… you still kept your faith in me.
“And I want to spend the rest of our lives proving to you that I am worthy of that faith. I will spend the rest of my days making you happy. I love you very, very much, Ash, and if you will allow me… I will make the rest of your ‘ever after’ come true… but not as Astrid Jacobson. But as Astrid Van Woodsen.” He paused, looking at me wistfully. His eyes are welling up with tears. Then he asked, “Would you please be my wife?”
I bit my lip. Rivers of tears are streaming down my cheeks now. “Ryder…” I started. “I don’t know what to say.”
Ryder smiled. “I would like you to say ‘yes’ actually.”
I giggled, in spite of my tears. “I… love you.” I said in between sobs. “If… you are the prize at the end of the road, I would… go through a hundred more breakups and a hundred more pains. Before I met you, I was asking the heavens why I had to experience that much betrayal and pain… but now, I know. Everything… has fallen into place. You are my knight in shining in armor, my rock, my guardian angel. You are my real ‘ever after’.” I giggled. “Yes, Ryder. It will be an honor for me to be your wife. I will marry you.”
He smiled. He took my hand and placed my ring on my finger. Then he brought it to his lips and kissed it. He stood up on his feet. I smiled and threw myself in his arms. He caught me and he spun me around. When he settled me on my feet, he took my hand so he can look at the ring on my finger.
“I told you… if I find a reason that is good enough, you won’t have to take this off your finger ever.” He smiled.
I laughed. “I never thought I would be wearing this ring f
or real.” Then I looked at the ring again. Something was different about it. The center diamond looks a lot bigger, like about twice bigger, but everything else looks the same. “Ryder… did you change this?”
He laughed. “It’s the same ring. But I thought the future Mrs. Ryder Van Woodsen deserved a bigger rock at the center. That’s the only thing I changed, I promise.”
“You shouldn’t have.” I said.
He leaned forward and kissed me. “I know. But I want to, okay?”
I hugged him. “I love you, Ryder.” I said.