ZEVADIAH 🍂 18
   Who says I'm perfect? I have my fair share of flaws; I'm a human - of course I make mistakes, but what I did five minutes ago wasn't even a mistake. What's wrong with showing her my tattoo when I already have her parents' consent to court her - although I still haven't gotten Asher and Mr. Kusnetzov's. Nonetheless, I know my parents don't really mind. Lucas did.
   "Look, I'm just trying to protect her," I want to screw this old man's head.
   All of them are already in the dining room, yet this asshole drags me outside the house to talk to me.
   I scoff, not really bothered by the fact that he's serious. "Protect her? From who? Me? Fawn doesn't need your protection." I remain calm while his hands clench into fists at his sides. He wasn't even there when Fawn was buried, neither were Asher and Mr. Kusnetzov.
   "What you feel for Fawn is just infatuation. It won't last. Leave her before you hurt her."
   I want to laugh at what he said, "What I feel for Fawn is none of your concern, besides I know the difference between infatuation and genuine love for a woman. I'm not like you."
   Lucas has feelings for Fawn and courted her in the future after she graduated from college. But things are different now; I just don't understand why the future events that already happened are happening now. Lucas isn't supposed to have feelings for Fawn this year. Or maybe it's because I'm making a move right now, which I didn't do before.
   "She didn't have the same feelings for you, so leave her alone. She's been through a lot lately. It's better if you leave her," Who is he to decide who I want to stay with or leave?
   I'm not a fool to leave her, suffering alone. Not again. "She needs me. That's exactly why I'm staying by her side as long as I want, Hoffman. That means forever."
   "She didn't need you, Rizal."
   My jaw clenches, "What's your deal? Is this why you're here, because you want me to leave her? Or are you here because Anya broke up with you, and you want Fawn to be your next girlfriend? Which, for fuck's sake, I won't let happen though. She is mine, and you won't have her."
   "She's not yours to begin with, and it has nothing to do with why I'm here after Anya and I broke up, not to make Fawn my next girlfriend. I just want Fawn to be happy."
   I know there's nothing funny about what he said, but it slips out accidentally, causing his forehead to crease as he looks at me. Damn it, I want to punch this old man. "She's happy without seeing your face lately. She has me to make her smile and forget about your existence. It's you she never wants to see, Hoffman, so why not leave because your existence doesn't really matter to Fawn."
   I don't let him speak a word, I turn my back on him, walk inside the house, lock the door behind me, and head directly to the living room. He is not welcome on my grandparents' property.
   "Where's Lucas?" Felly asks.
   "He left. Something urgent came up," I say before sitting on an empty chair next to Fawn.
   "Well, anyway, why don't we have beer to congratulate the future couple?" Typical German culture. Germans with their beers. Both my parents even agree and pour beer into their glasses.
   "Liebsti," I look at her. Sitting next to Fawn on her left side is her mother, Arlo, and Felly. Across from our seats are my Dad, Mom, and Selene. My brow furrows when Fawn doesn't look at me; instead, she's focused on the people in front of her, my family. "Fawn, look at me," my voice becomes serious, and my parents chuckle because they have her full attention. I know my parents has captivating looks especially my mum since she's a model but I don't want Fawn to ignore me because of them.
   When she finally turns her head to look at me beside her, she asks, "What?" as if she never ignored me seconds ago when I called her.
   "Stop looking at my family. I'm right beside you. Eyes on me." I notice she's so intrigued by my mum.
   "I can't help it. Your mother looks like a goddess. Your family features are exquisite," I saw my mother's genuine smile.
   "Oh my daughter-in-law already knows how to flatter me. Thank you, darling," I stare at my own mother. She laughs at my reaction.
   "Mom, you're stealing my woman. You already have Dad."
   "Chill, son, no one is stealing Fawn. Your mom is just a pure goddess," My parents are still in love with each other. My dad is still head over heels for my mom. One time, I asked him who he would save if the boat sinks with his wife and his offsprings, and without a second thought, he said he would save his wife first.
   "Thank you, darling," the same with Mom. She would save her husband and let us survive on our own. Pretty savage, but I understand them both. That's why Selene and I went to swimming lessons for a purpose. 
   I shake my head before turning to Fawn, whose attention is on her mother. "Are you okay, Mama? You should rest early tonight. Is the baby giving you a hard time again?" It's barely a whispered question from Fawn to her mother, but I know Tita Tina lost the baby during the eighth month of her pregnancy. I'm having trouble deciding whether I should tell Fawn or keep it away from her.
   "Is there something wrong, Tina?" Even my mom notices the unease of Fawn's mother.
   "Tita, it's better if you rest for a bit," I hear Felly's worried voice.
   “Tita Tina, you really need to rest.” her belly is already big but she still works.
   "We should go to the hospital," my dad comments.
   Tita Tina shakes her head, "No, it's not necessary. I'm fine. The baby is happy to meet all of you today. She's just active lately."
   I exhale a sigh of relief, "That happens to me too when I was pregnant with my son, Zevadiah, Tina. He was all about kicking his mother like he wanted to get out already. I still have pictures of him during and after my pregnancy," my eyes widen a bit when my mom pulls out her phone and gets up from her seat.
   "Hell no! Mom! Not in front of Fawn!"
🍂
   (Day 18, Sunday)
   I'm upset, more like upset with my own parents after what happened yesterday morning. My own dad pulled me out of the dining room and left the women having a feast on my baby pictures. Fawn and Felly were having fun teasing me late afternoon, even my own little sister, Selene. 
   Damn, why do mothers like showing their son's baby pictures to other mothers? It's embarrassing. I hope they're aware of that. I'm literally upset, but my parents said it's normal since Fawn will be part of our family soon. Part of me is happy that they welcome her and her family, they love her already, but it's too soon to let her see my former pictures together with her mother and Felly, even Selene, who has already seen my pictures.
   I know that I also have pictures of my parents when they were kids. My mom has pure white hair with amber eyes, but my dad has sea-green eyes like mine. Yeah, I look exactly like my dad when he was in his 20s except for my hair colour; I just wish I had at least my mom's tanned skin because people say I look more like my dad's younger brother than his son. I love my dad, but it would be nice to have tanned skin to highlight the color of my eyes.
   "Are you okay?" my attention shifts to Fawn. We have to continue practicing Tango and Rumba this Sunday. I know she's already familiar with the steps, but I want her close to me. I have to spend my remaining days with her.
   I smile, knowing she's with me, and I'll do whatever it takes to have her as my endgame in this story. "I'm okay when I'm with you."
   She frowns, and I just can't help but chuckle at her expression. She really doesn't like people who are cliche. "Stop saying those words."
   "What words exactly?"
   "Those cliche, sweet, cheesy words. I mean, I'm not really used to them, and it's kind of making me want to throw up."
   "Then I guess you have to get used to them... with me."
   "Come on. Just refrain yourself from saying those words. It's not that hard, right?"
   I shrug and lean back against the couch, "That's something I'll try to do since you've asked for it."
   She crosses her arms and eyes me warily. Probably she knows that I'll keep doing it anyway, but okay, I'll try to refrain myself.
   "Why don't we practice the Rumba again since we have nothing to do today, unless you want some extreme adventure. Perhaps?" I say, giving her a hint of something to do today.
   "Mhm, I think we've already mastered the performance we're going to do for Mrs. Creus' subject. We should go out and have some adventure to distract ourselves instead of staying here in the house all day." Exactly my point.
   I stand up and stride towards her direction, the couch across from mine. "So, where do you want to go, Liebsti?" I extend my hand towards her, glad she accepts it and stands before me. I intertwine my fingers with hers.
   "I don't know. You suggest," she shrugs.
   "I have something in mind. Go grab your passport," her forehead creases, but nonetheless, she heads inside her room, and when she's back, I hold her hand before we go outside the house and directly into my car that I parked. I planned this since last night.
   "Where exactly are we heading to?" she buckles up her seatbelt before I finally maneuver my car onto the road.
   "It's a surprise, Liebsti." I'm not planning to kidnap her or anything like that; I'm just taking her out of the country for today. I watched and observed her, and there were things I found out. Besides pursuing nursing and becoming a nurse, she also wanted to travel around Asia.
   Fine, I kind of stalked her and dig up some information. The things she couldn't do before, dreams she put aside because she prioritized her passion to become a nurse - a promise she made to her mom first instead of travelling - I'm making it come true right now. I'm doing it right now.
   "But why do I need to bring my passport with me?"
   I don't say anything, glad she doesn't ask more questions until we arrive at the airport.
   "Zev, where are you taking me?"
   I ignore her, keeping my mouth shut, and buy an online flight ticket to Taiwan. "We should head inside. Our flight is in an hour," I wink at her before I get out of the car and walk around to the passenger seat to open the door. "Surprise. I'm taking you out of this country for today's agenda." I add, and she stares at me.
   She blinks twice, trying to process what I said. "Pardon?" I know she's stunned for a moment, so I unbuckle her seatbelt and gently pull her out of my car. "To where are you taking me?"
   "You'll find out when we land soon," I say as we head inside the airport and directly to the gate. "Do you want to eat something before the flight?" She shakes her head and starts looking around.
   "This is my first time being inside an airport and being out of the country. I've never been able to travel to Russia, even though my father is from Russia."
   "I know."
   Her gaze focuses on me this time, "Tell me, Zev. In the future, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you're from the future, but I really want to ask you a question. Did I manage to travel out of this country before I took my own life?" she asks in a low voice. I hold both of her hands, gently massaging them.
   I shake my head slightly, "No," the only answer I can give her. "If you're curious about what really happened, just tell me, and I'll tell you everything."
   She shakes her head gently, "No. I don't want to know about the future. What matters is today. The present. The future isn't something I have to worry about anymore." A small smile forms on my face; I lean my forehead against hers.
   "Past or present. I always love you and choose you." She chuckles a little.
   "You always say that to me."
   "And I always will. Deal with it, Liebsti."
   "I guess I have to, Rizal."
   "You should, future Mrs. Rizal."
🍂
   Upon arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, when it comes to money, I have no problem spending it with her. It's just money, and I'm here with her to make memories, not worry about anything else. But we have to eat first before I take her to different places.
   "There's a Pian Piano Italian Restaurant nearby, do you want to go?" She grasps my right arm; I hold her steady for a moment before we walk to the nearby bench inside the airport. "Are you okay?" I help her sit down first.
   "A little bit dizzy, but I'm fine. Though I need to relax a bit," then I sit next to her, holding one of her hands before she lets go of my arm.
   "Lean on me. Tell me if you need something, and I'll do it for you," before I gently massage her hand while she leans on my shoulder.
   "What country are we in?" she doesn't move an inch as she asks beside me.
   "Taiwan. It's not that far from the Philippines, and we have exactly ten hours to spend here. Just you and me," I could smell the scent of her hair on my shoulder, slowly kissing it. She smells me. Fuck, I sound so cliche and smitten with this woman. At least she's mine.
   "How much does the ticket cost? You know I can't pay you."
   I chuckle, "Then you don't need to know how much it cost."
   "Zev, I'm serious. You can't just let it go without me paying anything for this trip. Although I love Taiwan, it's still not fair, at least for me," she removes her head from my shoulder and looks me directly in the eye.
   "You can pay me without money involved," I have something better in mind.
   She furrows her brow, "Then tell me what it is," she's eager to know.
   I lean in close to her face. "Don't complain and just spend your ten hours with me. Problem solved."
   She blinks twice, "That's it?"
   I nod with a little smirk on the corner of my lips, "What? Do you expect something more? A kiss maybe? A marriage in exchange for taking you here?" That thought literally came into my mind a few seconds ago, but I couldn't do that to her. I promised her mom to court her after she graduates from college.
   "A what now?" She looks baffled, staring at me.
   "Will you marry me?" I'm not sane, but I'm serious.
   "Are you high?" she asks, and that makes me laugh at her own question. "Zevadiah, don't tell me you used cocaine. I'm going to put you in a rehab centre. I'm serious," I laugh at what she says. "Stop laughing."
   Damn, she sounds serious, so I try to calm myself down and wipe the tear that escaped from the corner of my eye. "Okay. Okay. I'm not laughing now. And I'm serious about my question, and nope, I'm not high or even using drugs. I'm clean; there's no need to put me in a rehab centre, Liebsti."
   She sighs, eyeing me warily, "Do you really mean it? I mean your question."
   I slowly nod, my face becoming serious. No more laughing, my eyes on hers. "Yes. You don't have to answer now if you're not comfortable with it. I'll wait as long as you're ready to give me an answer. I'm not putting any pressure on you." My hand is still on hers; I can't help but think about the future with her if I had only been brave about my feelings for her.
   She would still be alive in the future if I had stepped in to protect her instead of watching from afar. I let her suffer at the hands of her step-father without doing anything for her. I blame myself for why she's no longer alive in the future, but fate, or whatever this is, gave me a second chance to do things I couldn't do to save her back then.
   "What if I say no?”