Xx The King's Beloved Xx 1 Chapter 1: Now And Forever Part 1

The memory of it... still so vivid.

With all my might I tried to forget...I want to forget!... but I just can't. How did it become like this? What did we do to deserve this?"

It was such a fine and beautiful afternoon that day.

You can hear the sound of a brewing coffee, smell the rich aroma that surrounds the air, perfectly matched with the great ambiance of simple but elegantly designed furniture - modern sofas and chairs, new stack of magazines, coffee barrels, showcase of chic tumblers hanging by the wall, plants at the corners of the shop, and luminous chandeliers. You can also admire the beauty of the fountain that can be seen just outside the window, with its waters dancing back and forth to the rhythm of the music being played.

Rania, a young and beautiful woman in her early 20's, with long and straight golden blonde hair that has a tinge of pinkish ends, deep blue eyes perfectly matched with her preppy blue dress, can be seen sitting on one of the chairs of this luxurious coffee shop as she eagerly waits for someone. For what could be a better place to relax than just enjoying your cup of coffee and savouring your delicious cake on a place like this and on a day like this?

And so she waits. From time to time she would look to the swinging door expecting that the next person coming in is the one she's waiting for. But then, she'd realize that it's not, so she'd get back to her phone and tries to continue reading some books and novels.

After a few more moments, alas!, the one she's waiting for has arrived. Walking towards her is a handsome young man in his early 20's, with short brown hair and green eyes, wearing neatly pressed, blue polo shirt and black pants, carrying a bouquet of blue roses in one hand. This man is named Zeid - her long-time boyfriend.

"So that's what took you so long?" she said half joking as she stares at the flowers Zeid is holding.

The man laughed and small dimples can be seen on his cheeks. "I'm so sorry for being late. But don't stare at these flowers ~ they're not meant for you."

"Really?", she raised one of her eyebrows.

He paused for a moment then said, "Juuuuust kidding! Of course it's yours!" and he handed the flower bouquet to Rania while kissing her cheeks, then sat down.

"So, where are we going?"she asked.

"It's a secret. You'll know when we get there. 'You ready?".

"Ready. Let's go."

After fetching the car from the parking lot, Zeid drove to their destination which is none other than the most luxurious hotel in town. Escorting Rania, they went to the top floor. To her bewilderment, they continued walking towards a room that somehow looked like a conference room. While she's confused, Zeid opened the door for her and welcomed her inside. All the lights were off and it was pitch black.

"Hey Babe, where are we going? Why is it so dark in here? It's scary" she whispered.

Noticing that she's not holding on to anyone anymore and that Zeid is no longer escorting her, she panicked and loudly called Zeid's name.

"Babe?..... Babe! Where are you?" she got worried as she looked back and forth everywhere seeing nothing but darkness.

Click! And all the lights turned on.

Since it hurts to suddenly see light when your eyes just adjusted to the darkness, Rania can barely open her eyes.

"SURPRIIIIISEEEE!!!!"

Suddenly a bunch of people came out of nowhere and cheered happily.

As the scene gets clearer and clearer, Rania saw her bestfriends surrounding her along with her family on one side, workmates on the other, and many other colleagues and friends she shared with Zeid all around her. Then she notices the extravagant design of the whole function hall. There where large flower stands everywhere, carefully arranged tables and chairs, caterers, all the pillars and walls have been decorated with colorful curtains.... "it looks like someone will be having a debut on this place", she thought to herself.

Then the piano plays an instrumental, yet modern version of "Can't help falling in love" by Elvis Presley.

~Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love

With you~

As the music continues to play, Zeid came out from the crowd carrying a big box covered in pictures of different mobile and PC games on his hand. He approached Rania slowly with his feet trembling a bit in every step. The crowd cheers loudly.

Rania, now smiling and finally getting a picture of what's happening, stayed at her place. She's now engraving her memory of this very moment that Zeid is walking towards her carrying whatever he's carrying.

Smiling and laughing at each other, Zeid now stands before Rania. He then bent down one of his knees, offered the box and asked her to open it.

Widely smiling, Rania opened the box and inside she found another box but this time, it is covered with pictures of foods and beverages. She opened it again and found yet another smaller box which is now covered with pictures of cars.

To her confusion she quoted, "You definitely put in a lot of effort into this."

She shook her head as she sees that after the box filled with car pictures is yet again, a smaller box covered in pictures of branded clothes and shoes. Then, a box covered in gym equipment and a box filled with pictures of movies after it.

Finally, the next one doesn't have any pictures on it but was just a black box. Now she's hoping whatever's inside is a decent one. She opened it carefully.

"Hot-tempered", it read on the cover of the box inside.

Then, she opens again.

"Jealous", it read again on the cover of the next box.

"Childish...sometimes."

"Can be lazy..."

"But very faithful and loyal and honest!", it continued.

"And most all...", now reaching what seemed to be the last box as it is now very small and white in color.

"The one who loves you the most"

Aaaahhh.... Rania's heart exploded in happiness. She clenched her chest and looked pa.s.sionately to Zeid. He is now handing over another box to her but this time, instead of her opening it, Zeid opened the small box and there popped out, as you may have guessed, a pink and l.u.s.trous diamond ring.

"Babe, this is my real gift for you, actually. Sorry for making you go through all that boxes but let me explain to you what it means" he said.

"I think I already know what it means but, go ahead, I want to hear it from you."

Zeid smiled. "I knew you'd get it easily! That's my girl!"

After breathing deeply, he continued, "Yes, that box represents me. On the outside, I just look like someone who likes playing games, interested in food and drinking, loves cars, branded clothes and shoes, gym.. the movies.. and whatnot.

But on the inside,....

I'm just a black box.

Empty, full of hatred, hot tempered, jealous, childish at times.... and lazy at times, pessimistic.... and all the other negative things I wasn't able to include.

But after meeting you, that black turned to white.

Why? Because I learned to love. And that love has always been the greatest gift I have ever received in my whole life.

It helped me change, helped me improve, mature, and learn things I never knew before....coz' I never cared for them before. It helped me become a better person. And most of all....

..it filled up my empty heart.

Before, I kept on trying to fill that empty gap I feel inside not knowing that what I needed was just around the corner. I tried everything, all hobbies you could think of! though…. all of them ended up in vain.

But after meeting you, everything changed! And I can never be more thankful to G.o.d for letting me meet you. Thank you is not enough to express how grateful I am! Really!

You're the one I hold dearly to my heart. Cheesy as it may sound but really, that's the truth. And right now, I...

I just want to spend the rest of my life with you...

So... Rania, will you?...

Please, marry me."

Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! The crowd cheered loudly as they await Rania's reply. It was in fact too loud that it may cause your eardrums to explode.

"Ahh.. what a blissful moment" she thought to herself. For indeed, the whole atmosphere is so heartwarming that it looks like its a cut from a movie.

You could clearly see a picture of a woman and a man so in love with each other. Both their smiles cannot be hidden in their faces. And that look, yes, that look of love....such a magnificent scene... a heart-pounding scene.

And finally, she opened her mouth to answer Zeid.

"You don't even need to ask..." she replied. "...my answer is -"