My Only Exception

Chapter 24

Two months and they were all set.

"Let's go inside the fitting room," their designer told Raffy. "And Mr. Yu, you are not allowed to see her or for you to peek in."

Raffy went inside the fitting room and was helped by them in wearing the gown. After closing the sliphook, she was dressed up. She turned around and saw herself in front of the mirror, wearing her dream wedding dress. She took a slow turn as she reveled on the beauty of it.

"Do you like it?"

"It's just perfect," she smiled contented.

The following night, they held a small party separately. Ethan was with his friends, both in high school, college, and from work. Raffy had her closest friends during college. They decided to have a simple relaxation get together wherein they had a massage, spa, and some make over. Cass arrived and brought her all time favorite group of people to provide the service. They wanted to watch the video as to how Ethan proposed but she declined since they were preparing it as a part of their wedding.

Ethan on the other hand had twenty people with him who came and had a drink on a private room on his restaurant. Ryan, Seb, and Seff, who came in just earlier that day, were also present.

"Are you excited man?" they asked Ethan.

"I am and at the same time, nervous. I don't know what to feel," he said.

"Well... You are so lucky because after all these years, it still was you and Raffy. I'm glad you made it," Jacob said and proposed a toast.

"Thanks," he answered and raised his glass.

"I wish you all the best bro," Seff added. "It had been one... Weird situation for a long time. We hurt each other and stopped talking. We were playmates then and now, you are already playing with your own kid."

Ethan smiled. "No, thank you Kuya. You are... Better than the best brother in the world. I know you sacrificed a lot for me because you love me and I know I didn't see that for some time but... I eventually did and I am just thankful that I have always been more important to you than yourself."

Seff laughed. "That's what older brothers do."

"No, not all. Not all brothers can do something as brave as you. You took care of my family and added years to my son's life. If you weren't there, I'm sure they might be with someone else or worse, they wouldn't be living anymore," Ethan stood up and walked up to his brother.

Seff stood up and shook hands with his brother.

"It's time now for me to officially step down as Cali's step father," he laughed.

"No, Kuya. It's just a time that officially, you are Cali's step father. I know that if I stopped being around for whatever reason, you would always take care of him."

"Of course, I love Cali like my own," Seff said.

Ethan embraced his brother with a tight, meaningful hug. "Thank you Kuya. I'm very lucky to have you as my brother."

Seff smiled and patted his back. "My pleasure."

••

I had been tired for the past few weeks fixing all the issues that came up since I left.

The manager I hired fired people without valid reasons just so he can hire someone else, cheated on some clients, stole money, stole items from the restaurant, and a lot other things. I wanted to fire him and make a formal complain about it but I thought that I can't because it would take too much of my time and I need to be back home real soon.