Euphoria

Chapter 14: Buckle-Down to Something

At the restaurant, Philip saw unfamiliar folks that he bet were her parents. With full of respect, he introduced himself to them who seems impressed with his manner despite knowing him through the stories that Heather always told them. At that time, both parents already met and Mrs Miller was pleased with his parents who she thought were full of mannerisms despite being the minority race in America itself.

"So, mind if you introduce yourself. Your education, background, and so on." Then Mr Miller spoke, wanting to know more about the man that has helped Heather overcome the sad period that almost cost her life before.

"Well, my real name is Philip Kim Min-Hyuk and I was born in New Jersey. My parents did some small business but due to the recession when I was twelve, my wealthy uncle adopted me, and I was brought to the United Kingdom. For your information, my uncle is a businessman in London and he enrolled me in Eton College to have a proper education. Then I pursued my education at the London School of Economics with a major in Law. I settled down in London for almost two years where I became a lawyer right before my parents asked me to go back home to the US for good. Plus, my uncle has let me go since I grew up and could do the decision on my own. Soon after I relocated here, I was doing my master's in Administration Law at Washington and landed a job as a state attorney afterwards. My current job now is Assistant to General Attorney in New York." Like his usual self, Philip could not stop spilling the truth about himself. Well, he was not bragging about himself but when someone asked about his background – he just could not stop himself from talking about it.

"Impressive." That was the only word that could come out from the mouth of Mrs Miller as she been smitten by Philip that she thought seemed suitable with Heather. Then, her husband added a few questions about his future son-in-law. "I heard you are British Citizen and the one that impregnated my daughter, before. Am I right?"

Everyone was startled when Mr Miller was inquiring him about the pregnancy and Heather rolled her eyes towards her father – begging him not to ask any nonsense questions no more. Why does he need to bring up the humiliating past at the meeting between the two parties? Heather did not know what to do as she seems clueless about the erratic situation that just happened in a blink second. She took a glimpse of Philip and he like usual was calm with the question itself.

"First of all, I do have dual citizenship. Since I was born in the US, my first citizenship is American and for the British – my uncle insisted I apply for it since I would be living there for a very long time. So, I had my citizenship through naturalisation. And for the second question, I was the one responsible for the pregnancy that Heather had to went through. Hence, I decided to make amends for everything that I did and marry her instead. With this union, I hope both of you can give us the blessings." With full of determination, Philip tried to convince his future in-law so they would give him a blessing to take their daughter into the hand of marriage.

"Mr Miller and Mrs Miller, mind if I speak on behalf of my son. I think both of them should get married immediately, considering a lot of things have happened recently. Moreover, my son's biological clock is ticking and I think this time seems perfect for him to tie the knot." Suddenly, the quiet Mr Kim stated what was on his mind thus making everyone in great surprise since he rarely opens out his mouth.

"I think Heather and Philip should get married last Sunday the upcoming month. Don't worry about all the preparations since we would be handling it." Then, Heather's mother spoke and set the date of her wedding that appears similar to the time she should tie the knot with Malcolm Hendrix.

Everyone seems to agree with the date, but not Heather as she felt something was wrong. Last time, she requested her mother to cancel everything related to her wedding with Malcolm; but how on earth she would tie the knot on the same date that was supposed to be her big day with her former flame? During the journey back to her house, she confronted her mother and asked her about all the preparations for her cancelled wedding.

"I am so sorry, Heather. I knew you had asked me to cancel everything but I thought it would be a shame if you and Malcolm reconcile back and decide to get married for real. My dear, I know your heart aches because of Malcolm but he now was your past. Now, Philip is your future." Thanks to her soothing words, the anxious Heather has regained her composure back. 

Well, she did not blame her mother as Malcolm and she was always in an on/off relationship thus this time the old lady must think that her daughter would be reconciled back with her fiancé. However, destiny does not favour them instead brought Heather with the Korean-American man together.

Although it was not a toxic relationship, Malcolm and Heather were always in a fight because of simple things until they decided to hold their wedding until everything become smooth for both of them. Therefore, Heather has been his fiancée for almost four years without the sign of marriage as her man seems to listen to Bianca rather than her. At that time, Heather did not know what to do as her love for Malcolm kept on decreasing; thus, she decided to end their romance, a few months before they would be tying the knot for real. And, the day she was supposed to walk down the aisle to Malcolm has changed into a walk down the aisle to the guy she just met – the charming yet charismatic future Assistant of General Attorney, Philip Kim.

Since she could not sleep that night, Heather thought it would be better to call her fiancée and told him about the thing that made her drown in worrisome. She pressed a number on her iPhone and a few seconds later, Philip answered her call full of anticipation.

"Hello, Heather. Why you call me in the middle of the night?" He asked, still yawning sleepily. However, for his love – he would do anything just for her.

"Nothing. I hope I do not bother you and your sleep. I cannot sleep so I thought to kill my time by listening to your voice." She said shyly. The truth, she just wanted to tell him something that has bothered her. And she did not have any courage to tell him after listening to his mellow voice.

"Don't lie to me, Heather. I know you have something that is stuck in your mind. Spill it." Thanks to his instinct that knows someone that is lying, Philip demanded his fiancée tell him the truth because he knew her very well. Heather would not call someone unless there are emergencies that needed her to do so.

"Fine. You got me, this time. Well, I should tell you the truth that the date that going to be our wedding day is the date Malcolm and I suppose to get married. I hope you don't mind about it because I do feel awkward with it. You know, everything seems related to him and I just hope you would not think otherwise." Instead of feeling gloomy about the thing she just spoke, Philip giggled at her statement as he never thought that Heather would be feeling awkward with that simple matter. For him, he did not mind as long as Heather legally become his wife.

"What's so funny, Kim Min-Hyuk?" She pouted, feeling that he did not understand what she went through at that moment. Before she wanted to end the call, Philip spoke something that just lifted her mood to another level.

 "Don't worry, Heather. I know you since a long time ago and trust me, I would not let that stupid thing bothers me. Plus, I will buckle down to something in order to see you smile again."

"What do you mean?" Heather asked, wanting clarification from the guy she always called 'my lawman. Was he trying to be as sweet as candy in the middle of the night by saying all of those words?

"I truly believe in true love, and you are my first love. Even I knew I could not compete with Malcolm for your affection last time, but heaven has sided with me this time and we would be tying the knot for real. One more thing, I want you to know that I will do anything for you even if I need to catch a pearl in the ocean deep so I can present it to you as a dowry." Because of that, Heather could sleep peacefully that night after conveying a goodnight as she did not want to bother his sleep any longer. What she could conclude was, that the past always be a past and the future that brings her happiness.