NOW I DO

"I have never been this hopeful in my entire life, nor did I ever think that I would ever find myself in this situation—finding love in the weirdest way, loving someone so much yet almost everything is against you, wanting to be with that person yet even time is against you. But you know what? I promise you, love, that when this battle is over, we are going to have a kick of life. We will show the world what perfect lovers we are. Our story will be like no other."


Even now, our tale is phenomenal, and my heart is leaping with enthusiasm for that moment when all this will be behind us. I hope it doesn't take long, because I am dying to marry this man and become his legal wife.

"I can't wait to be legally betrothed to you," I whisper, a drop of tears escaping my eye, but he wipes it off.

"That's deep. I was so afraid that I would never hear you say that." He says this, fondling my cheeks.


"Neither did I ever see myself falling this deeply for you, my betrothed, but now I do. I would be a fool not to see and savor the goodness and beauty in you. You won my heart, and I am not afraid to say that, now, I want to marry my other half, my fiance!"

"And I promise I will soon watch you walk down the altar and into my arms. We will be joined together in holy matrimony and live our happy ever after in peace. With our kids." His arms sneak under my arms, his lips nuzzling mine as he feeds me his last most precious words. "I love you with all of my heart, Ellie, now and forever."


As our tongues dance to the sweet rhythm of the echoes of his sweet words to me, empathizing with their weight, I can't help but be glad that fate brought this rare gem into my life. A man like no other—cold on the outside but so soft and sweet on the inside. A man we share so much in common with. A man who loves me with my flaws like I do. What more would I ask? What more do I say, other than to ask the heavens to bless this man for me and give us a long life to bask in this life full of love?

"I don't wish to stop, but I don't want things to get out of control." He says, pulling away gently from the kiss but caging my face to his hands. He closes his eyes, and I feel his arms tremble. "Please go?"

It hurts me to see him in so much desire, yet I can't do anything, but soon.

"I'll go speak to Gracia first," I state, and he peels his beautiful eyes, the glow in them making me tremble.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" He asks, dropping his arms to my shoulders.

"No. It's too alarming." I explain.

"Be careful, and if she tries anything, anything at all, call me, okay? I'll dress up and head out right now."

"Okay. Make sure she doesn't notice you. That witch is too clever. We can't risk anything."

"Don't worry. I will be careful, but you need to be extra, extra careful." He says.

"I will," I reply, fondling the weapon tucked under my trench.

That woman can't be underestimated. She is more cunning and vicious than the devil himself, but even a devil can be cornered, and I will be the one to corner her. The clock at the beginning of her end has begun ticking.

I slip out of Damian's hold and walk to the door, the glow and power of my enthusiasm for ending this nightmare gearing my pace. I don't talk to the guards in the doorway or the servants in the hallway. I'll address them later. Seeing them awake and well after what happened yesterday is enough, and I will make sure that nothing of the sort happens ever again.

In what feels like a minute, I am racking at Gracia's door, knocking on it gently until it flows open, Nelly's face popping up. She first throws a quick glance behind her, like she is tensed to see me or like she is alerting her witch mother of my presence.

Well, this is my compound, and no one has the right to keep me waiting at the door like this. I kick the door open, pushing the mini witch aside. I walked in to find this monster seated in front of a computer. She closes it before I can throw a glance at what was on the page she was gawking at, and she springs up to her feet, striding towards me as I scan around the room.

"Looking for something?" She asks, summoning my gaze to her.

"What possibly would I be looking for in here?" I ask, meeting her eyes.

"Maybe you lost something, and you probably think you can find it here. We both know that you've got too much on your plate. What slid away, Ellie?" She challenges me, and I don't understand what she is driving at.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Gracia! I hold on tight to my things. Nothing can slip away." I state, and she smirks.

"I'll assume I didn't hear that; otherwise, I will break into bursts of laughter at your pathetic confidence. Anyway, for a deer to enter a lion's den, it ought to be either lost or stupid. Which of the two is your case?"

"None of the aforementioned. I'm here in my right state of mind to see you." I state.

"I'm standing right before you. Can I presume you did enough thinking overnight? So, what's it going to be, Ellie? Your way, or mine?"

She seems so peculiar, as if she knows what I am about to say. As if she has already won. Her boldness is threatening mine, but I compose myself.