(Many readers wanted me to re-write the epilogue because the last one felt too rushed. So here it is.)
*Three days later*
It has been three days since we left USA and two days since we moved into this new house in the outskirts of London. In a way, life has changed completely but it's too soon to say if the change is good or not.
Our first day in UK went by sleeping due to the jet lag. Today, since morning, Sean and I were going from shop to shop, buying new furniture and decoration items for our house. Well, not our house, since we haven't officially moved in together. I was just staying with him in the same house, like a housemate.
I don't know exactly where we stood from the relationship point of view. We both had admitted our love for each other and we had spent the last two nights on the same bed but he hasn't officially asked me to be in a relationship. So unless he does that, I was going to keep my guards up. I didn't need to have my heart broken two consecutive years.
"I like this sofa set." I said, eyeing a royal blue velvet seven-seater sofa set. But when I noticed the price tag, my eyes popped out. "It's too expensive."
"Did I ask you to pay?" He said sarcastically. "Buy whatever you want, without looking at the price tag."
"Fine, Richie Rich." I muttered under my breath. "What about this dining table?"
"It's an 8-person table." Sean said, walking behind me to see the wooden dining table. "We are two."
"Actually we are 6, including the maid, the driver and guards." I reminded him. "Seriously, we are in a different city. Do we really need servants here? What about keeping things low-key?"
"It is low-key. Do you expect me to do the groceries and wipe the dishes?" He said and I stuck my tongue out at him. Low-key, my ass.
"You are so annoying." I said and walked over to the payment counter. Sean gave them the address and handed over his credit card. I didn't try to see the bill because I know it will give me a heart attack.
"I know." He said and held my hand before walking towards the exit. "But you're stuck with me."
"Yep, poor me." I said to tease him.
"Yes, poor you." He rolled his eyes, opening the door of the car for me. "The driver will take you home. I have a meeting with the architecture about the new office."
"But--- But---" I got sad all of the sudden. I wanted to spend more time with him. Pathetic? I know but it is what it is. "Ugh. Fine. I'm hungry. Bring me Chinese."
"Sure." He said and motioned the driver to take me home. I wanted him to kiss me before leaving but Mr. Cold ass didn't even think of that. Pouting, I lay back on the seat and closed my eyes.
•°•°•°
Sean's house--- Our house, as he likes to call it--- is about thirty minutes drive from the centre of the city, in a peaceful part of the town. The house is small compared to the Millers mansion but it's really beautiful and cozy. It's built strictly in Victorian style, like the houses in old British movies with pitched roofs and cylindrical turrets.
The inside of the house was painted in darker tones like greys and browns. The woodwork was intricate and complicated but it was still warm and homely. I could see myself raising a family in here one day.
Sean hasn't even asked me to be his girlfriend and here I am, thinking about a family with him. What the hell is wrong with me?
I went inside and gave Flora an off for the rest of the day. Flora was our live-in maid that was almost the same age as Jennie. She was married to one of the guards and they both stayed in the servants quarter with their two daughters.
I retired to my bedroom for a quick nap. It was around 7 in the evening and tomorrow, I have an interview with a new publishing house. Sean says the job was already mine but I wanted to get the job on the basis of my capabilities, not with Sean's help. Besides, I have enough confidence on my CV.
The exhaustion of the whole day washed over me and I immediately went to sleep. The next thing I know, someone was patting my face.
I opened my eyes and my vision slowly adjusted to the light. Sean was sitting my by side, towering over me and trying to wake me up. "Dinner is here. Dragon chicken with sticky rice, your favourite."
"I'm sleepy." I said and rolled over on my stomach.
"Wake up, sleepyhead." He said and ran his fingers down my spine, tickling me.
"Ugh...." I groaned and sit up.
"Go freshen up." He said.
Nodding, I walked into the bathroom in my sleepy state and turned on the shower. The cold water washed off the drowsiness and freshened me up. I changed into the bathrobe and walked out of the bathroom.
Sean was sitting on my bed, watching a movie on the LED. A tray was placed in the middle of the bed with our food and drinks. When he saw me coming out of the bathroom, he gave me a detailed look from head to toe and smirked.
"Stop thinking whatever you're thinking." I said shyly and sat down beside him.
"I'm not thinking anything." He said, obviously lying.
"Yeah, right." I said and took a bite of the chicken. "How's the new office?"
"It's coming along. Hopefully, it will be fully functional by the end of this month." He replied.
I rested my back against the headboard confortably, half lying on Sean while munching on the take away. Lately, I've found myself getting addicted to Asian food, particularly the American version of them. That, along with a 2000's RomCom, is the best combo ever.
After the food, I dimmed the lights in the room and we watched the movie while leaning on each other.
"I can't believe I'm watching this nonsense." Sean said, earning a frown from me. "If people back home knew...."
"This is your home now." I reminded him.
"Hmm." He mumbled lowly.
"I know you miss your life back home. But it's just natural nostalgia. You are better off here." I said.
"I know. It's just that..." He sighed, unknowingly grazing his finger over my arm. "It's difficult to live a calm life after being through that high, that adventure and craze."
"I understand." I said and cupped his jaw. "You miss that adrenaline surge."
"Yes." He said, staring into my eyes. "But it's worth it."
"What's worth it?" I asked.
"You." He said and my cheeks for warmer.
We both gradually went to lying position while our limbs still locked to each other.
"Besides, once you start working again, you'll get busy. You will have control again." I said, grazing his hair.
"Yeah, I know." He said. "I also miss Lucas sometimes."
"I know. But Chicago is just one flight away. You can go there to meet him and he can come here." I said.
"Hmm." He sighed, playing with my hair. "I love your hair. Have I ever told you that?"
"No." I said accusingly and he smiled in return.
"I'm telling you now." He said and twirled a lock around his finger. "And I love your freckles."
"And? What else do you love?" I whispered, eager to hear more.
"Your lips." He said and rubbed his thumb over them.
I sucked a breath and my smile faltered. "And?"
"And the fire inside you. Your passion, your obsession with doing the right thing, your angry little mouth, your high-pitched voice..."
"Ok, I get it." I said, stopping him midway. He slowly hovered over me, kissing my cheeks. "You know what I like about you?" I whispered, despite his mouth trying to distract me.
"That I am an asshole?" He said in between kissing me.
"No. I mean, a little but you are a softie from inside." I said.
"You don't know me then." He said, trying to act tough.
"I do. And I know that behind this fascade of the tough criminal, you actually have a great heart." I said.
"And..."
"And that you care for me. You protect me, keep me safe."
"And..."
"And that you have an amazing bone structure." I said, running my fingers over his jaw. My answer made his chuckle.
"And you are sexy." I admitted, blushing.
"Am I?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Kinda. Not too much though." I said to avoid inflating his ego.
"Oh, is that so?" He asked, slipping his hand into the bathrobe and touching my sensitive skin.
"What are you doing?" I slapped his hand away and asked, "Who gave you the free pass, Mister? I'm not your girlfriend so go back to your room."
"But you are my girlfriend." He said.
"Really? When did that happen? Was I zoned out when you asked me?" I asked.
"We live in the same house. We spend the whole day together. We accepted our feelings in front of each other. I've risked my life for you multiple times. In fact, I moved my whole life to be with you. Do I still need to ask?" He asked in a deep voice.
"Um... I thought... We...."
"Because if you want me, I can ask." He said and my body warmed up in response. "Penelope Woods, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Um, I'll have to think." I said and he pouted, making me chuckle. "I'm kidding. Yes, I will." With that, we sealed the deal with a passionate kiss. The kiss wasn't sexy or full of lust. Instead, it was full of promises of a new life filled with happiness and love.
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