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He woke up facing an empty bed. His hand reaching out slowly to touch the cool untouched side. He sighed before moving to lay on his back, his arm over his eyes.
“I miss you.” He said to the empty room, the echoes of his own voice was his only company. If she was here, he might have been able to see her sleeping soundly beside him. Her blonde hair spread out on the pillow, her hands curled up beside her head. Maybe he would have tightened his arms around her, bring her closer to his chest. Feel her warm breath against his skin And when she slowly woke up, the soft yawn she would make before she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. Her golden eyes, still full of sleep, would lift before a lazy smile would appear on her lips.
“Good morning.” She would greet him and he’d kiss her forehead.
“Good morning, my gem.” He would whisper into her hair. Lightly combing his fingers through her blonde locks before lifting her head to smile down at her. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did.”
“Did you dream of me?” His hand trailed down her spine and she let out a soft laugh.
"I think you're the one still dreaming." She'd tease before kissing his cheek. She would roll away from him and he would watch as she stretched her arms up. Staring at how the shirt she stole from him hung loosely over her shoulder before she glanced over at him. "What is it?"
"I'm just admiring the view."
She'd laugh and he would still find it the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Shall I join you?"
"Then I would be late."
"Would that be so awful?"
"Zhong Li!”
He would quickly get up to wrap his arms around her. Her small frame fitting perfectly in his arms as he put his head on top of her shoulder. "Spending the all day with you...that sounds perfect."
"Zhong Li..."
"Lumine." He softly smiled as he turned his head to look at her.
"I do need a shower."
"I said I could join you."
The grin on his lips was infectious as she sighed with a smile on lips. "Fine. But no fooling around."
"I cannot promise that."
A morning like this was a gift, a treasure, something that he never took for granted.Yet, he was alone now. There was no warm laughter. There was not soft giggles. There was not soft sighs as she whispered his name.
Just silence. Cold endless silence.
"I should get ready." he slowly got up, running a hand through his hair.
Before anyone claims that he was being dramatic, he would point out that this place, was just as much hers as it was his. It had pieces of her everywhere. The scented oil that she used instead of perfume, a unique blend of jasmine and honey. A gift he had gotten her on their first anniversary. A scent that he curated just for her, something sweet, something soft, something that reminded him of the woman he loved. He loved it when she put on her wrist and brought it up to her nose.
Inhaling softly, eyes fluttering as she enjoyed a brief quiet moment before she smiled at him. "It's like I have a piece of you wherever I am. You linger on me, Zhong Li."
"Well you are always in my thoughts so I'm glad that I do the same for you.”
"Cheesy." She'd say with a smile before she got on her toes to kiss his lips. "Be grateful that I love you so much."
"I am...every day."
He missed her. He missed the song she'd sing as she showered. Or how she'd always forget a towel and peak out of the shower to ask for one. He missed how she'd always help him with his tie, his cuffs, not because he needed to but because she wanted to. But right now, he was alone. There was no one to teasingly pull at his tie to steal a kiss. Or let her fingers fix the cufflinks. His eyes moved down to see the invitation on the dresser.
‘You are invited to celebrate the joyous union of…’
His phone rang. His attention was diverted. “Yes? Don’t worry. I won’t be late. “ he said gently before getting the rest of his things. “I promised I’d come. “ Grabbing his jacket, he took one last glance at the empty apartment before heading out.
“Do you believe in soulmates?” She once asked him after they finished eating.
“Your perfect other half? The one you are fated to be with?”
She nodded with a bright expression.
“No.”
“O-oh.” Her smile fell slightly and he felt a tinge of regret for ruining the mood. “I suppose it’s childish.”
“It’s not. It’s tragic.”
She gave him a puzzled expression as her eyes lifted slowly. “Tragic?”
“Fate and destiny tend to lean that way.”
“Ahh why are you so pessimistic, Zhong Li?” She said with a small laugh. “Who broke your heart?”
Silence. A sad smile.
“-Oh. I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago.”He said with a shake of his head. “And rather than pessimistic. I believe it makes me hopeful.”
“Hopeful?”
“Isn’t it more pitiful to believe in having only one person that can be that great love? What if they are taken too soon.. or if your timing was off? Or.. if they were your fated one.. but you weren’t their’s”
“Ahh so that’s what you meant.”
“Hmn?”
“You’re a romantic.”
“From a pessimist to a romantic. Who knew your opinion of me can change so quickly.”
“Don’t tease!”she said before tapping his leg lightly with her feet. “You’re a romantic pessimist.”
He placed his chin on top of his palm. It’s been so long since he felt this sort of warmth. “So, describe how I am a romantic.”
“You leave me notes.”
“Notes?”
“When you had to leave early and left me at your apartment. You left me notes.”
She took out her bag and slowly pulled out the notes she was referring to. Post it notes that he wrote while getting ready. “One on the pillow. Telling me good morning and how you regret not being there. There was one on the bathroom mirror too. Saying how I was beautiful. Which I found both sweet and cheesy. Another on the kitchen counter with the breakfast you left for me.”
“I…”
“That’s not including the fact that you always text me good morning and good night. You…you are a sappy romantic.” She said with a sweet smile before she leaned over to take his other hand and gave it a squeeze.
“You kept all those notes?”
“What can I say, I love romance.”
“So, bride or groom?”
“Hmn?” He turned his head to the woman with a slight blush on her cheeks.
“I’m wondering if I am lucky enough to sit beside a handsome man like yourself.”
“Ahhh.” He gave a gracious smile before shaking his head. “You are far too kind.”
“You might even outshine the groom if you look this good.”
“I don’t think so. He’s a handsome man. And he’s the one marrying a wonderful woman.”
“Ahh so you know the bride.”
“I do.”
“Family? Friend? Or perhaps..an old flame?”
He politely smiled. “I’m sorry. I see someone that I know.”
“Oh come on now, you can’t leave a girl hanging! Who knows maybe if it’s an old flame I can help you steal her away.”
“I wouldn’t want that. I just want her to be happy.”
“Well just don’t be the asshole who stands up and say you oppose the marriage. It’s just.. do it before the wedding.”
“Noted.” He said with a chuckle before approaching a few of his friends. “But I am no longer a coward in regards to matters of the heart.”
“You’re scared.” She said softly as she played with his hair. He had put his head on her lap once he got home. Tiredly collapsing onto the couch, she laughed before patting her lap.
“Scared? Of work? Hardly.”
“No. I think you’re scared of me.”
“You are not scary.”
“But I am.”
“You are kind, beautiful, and—“
“—Am someone you can love. Truly deeply love.”
He paused. “I am not afraid to love. I’ve told you—“
“You’re afraid I’d be a great love. An epic love. The kind that poets talk about.”
“Why would that be scary?”
“Because it’s not your first time. Because you’ve lost one before. Because.. you would be afraid that I might end up the same.”
“That’s just life.”
“It’s still scary. To lose someone precious… it’s terrifying.”
“I don’t plan on losing you.”
“You don’t plan for loss.”
Her golden eyes softened before she sighed and tilted her head back. “I’m sure you never wanted to lose her either. I’m sure you never thought of having multiple great loves…”
“Fine. Yes.” He reached out, his fingers lightly grazing her cheek. “I am afraid to lose you.”
“Not just because I love you but because you would leave a gaping hole in my life.”
“So, am I a great love?”
He smiled softly before cupping her face in his hands. “I think you may be my greatest.” His voice broke slightly before he kissed her lips.As if he was sealing his fate to her. He loved how she sighed his name as she pulled him closer. How soft her hair felt under his fingertips. He loved that she was here, that she was with him and--
"Sir?"
He lifted his amber eyes and looked at the man in front of the bride's room.
"It's your turn.”
He was a man that tried his best not to have any regrets. He was a man that knew that things will happen and to long for the past will only lead to misery. He was a man that knew what it meant to let someone go. It didn't stop his heart from skipping a beat when he saw her. In a white dress as she sat down, a veil adorning her head, she looked beautiful. She turned her head and a bright smile appeared on her lips. "Zhong Li. You came." She sighed and he gave her a soft smile in return.
"I promise didn't I?" His voice was tender and gentle.
"You are a man that always kept his word." She softly giggled behind the lace glove before she extended it out to him. "Come. Come. You have to tell me everything. It's been so long."
Had it been that long? He had not noticed. He sat down and that was when he saw how much she glowed. Radiant with happiness, her eyes full of excitement and love, she was beautiful. He placed his hand on his knee and let his chin rest on top of his hand. "So...?" He tilted his head to look at her. "He makes you happy.”
"Oh, Zhong Li. Are you going to be a sad old man again?"
"I am not a sad old man."
"Sometimes you act like one."
"I just want to know, if he makes you happy. It's what a friend would ask? Even if that friend was an old lover."
"And who told you that."
"My fiance.”
She laughed and clapped her hands. "Your fiance? You're engaged and you didn't tell me?" She slapped his shoulder and he made a playful wince.
"You never asked? And we just got engaged a week ago."
"Well, is she here? I'd love to meet her!"
"No, sadly, she's not.”
"O-oh. Well next time then. We can have a double date."
"Would it not be strange to have a double date with your ex-lover and his fiancé while you are with your husband?"
"So, is that a no?"
"I'll have to ask her. I'll do whatever she asks.”
"You must really love her."
"I do."
"A great love?"
They shared a sad smile before he nodded slowly. "Yes. She is a great love."
"I'm glad.. I'm really glad. We ended things so abruptly...I always felt like..."
"It's your wedding day. I hope you're not having cold feet.”
She laughed brightly before shaking a hand in front of her. "No. No. I love him. He makes me happy. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel...."
"He's the one. Your greatest love?"
"I think so. Anyways tell me about your her! Is she nice?"
"She is.”
"Is she pretty?"
"The prettiest." The soft gaze in his eyes, the way his lips turned upwards. Anyone could see that he was a man in love. It felt strange to be able to discuss a new love with someone he thought he could love forever. But then again love comes and goes. He loved her once. He thought she was his great love. he thought that it would be him by her side on this special day. But love doesn't work that way. There are things that they could not control. Fights that were hot and cold. Love is not easy.
"Zhong Li?"
"Yes?"
"Hold onto this one." Her tone was gentle, her eyes kind as she patted his hand.
He froze before he chuckled and nodded. "Is it because you feel bad for me?"
"No...it's because...I like seeing you in love. And you seem....to really love her."
"I do.”
"That's all I wanted for you."
He heard a bell and knew that his time was up. Quickly getting up, he heard the shift of her dress as she rose and hugged him. She smelled like glaze lilies.
"Thank you for coming. Even if it seemed like a strange request.—"
"This day...I wanted you to be here because you are still my friend. You know how I still worry over you. I will always wonder if I made a mistake...if you--You a good man, Zhong Li. "
"You don't have to worry about me anymore. I've found her. I have her.”
"Your greatest love?" She teased and he nodded.
"My greatest love."
There was a bittersweet silence between the two of them before he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Congratulations on your marriage, Guizhong.”
He expected to come back to an empty apartment, a cold apartment after the wedding. It would suit the day bu. t instead the apartment was full of warm light. The smell of Bamboo Shoot Soup growing stronger as he made his way to the kitchen. There he saw her, his greatest love, his gem, his fiancé. Her blonde hair tied up with the pin he had gotten for her on their first anniversary. He watched her sing and dance as she cooked. His lips curled into a soft smile as he leaned against the doorway.
She was beautiful.
He coughed to get her attention and she quickly jumped at the sudden sound. A hand to her chest, her golden eyes startled before a pout appeared. "You could have told me you were home!"
"You could have told me you were going to come earlier.”
He laughed as she put her hands to her waist before he moved to hold her in his arms and placing a kiss on top of her head.
"That would have ruined the surprise." She muttered into his chest.
"I could say the same."
"I could have thought you were a robber."
“Mhmn."
She finally relaxed in his arms and quickly wrapped hers around him. "i missed you."
"I missed you more."
"I'm sorry my trip took to long and I couldn't go with you to the wedding."
"It's fine."
"Was it nice?"
"Yes."
"Was she pretty?"
"She was."
“Ah..."
He pulled back to see her adorable expression before he shook his head and picked her up by the waist. Placing her on the counter, he looked into her golden eyes and smiled at her. "Is my gem jealous?"
"You loved her."
"I did. But I love you more.”
"You don't know that."
"Oh...But I do."
"How?"
"Because I didn't dread waking up today because I had to go to her wedding. I dreaded waking up because you were still not home. I hated the fact that you weren't with me all day. You were all I thought about.”
She tried her best not to smile but it was hard when his amber eyes looked at her with sincerity. When his gaze was loving, sweet, and kind. When his lips curved into a smile that was just for her.
"Lumine?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I know."
"Hmmn." He raised a brow.
"What?"
"You gave me a dissatisfying answer."
"But I do know!"
"Hmmn.." Before he could pull back, she grabbed his tie and kissed him. Her arms wrapping around his neck and he smiled as he kissed her back.
"I love you too..you ridiculous man." She slowly pulled away.
"Welcome home, Lumine." He gently cupped her face and kissed her nose which made her scrunch it up and laugh.
"I'm home."
Yes, she was home. His greatest love. He smiled as he kissed her again.
"Do you smell something burning?"
"My soup!"