I am shaking inside and out, I can barely hold myself in one piece. It's both excitement and terror running through my veins and I think I'll faint any minute now. But then I feel a large hand slipping around mine, grabbing it tight, giving me the comfort and serenity I need in this moment.

I look at my right just to find familiar warm brown eyes that smile wider than his lips can.

"It'll be fine," Gareth says softly, giving me a quick squeeze to my hand to reinforce his words. "We've all worked so hard and the critics have given positive feedback so far."

"I know," I murmur, still feeling shaky and at the edge of throwing up all I've eaten today. "I'm just nervous. Today we finally release the film to the world and I'm just... scared?"

"The fans will be happiest, and those who didn't read the books will enjoy the film as much. You did well, Ann, truly."

I nod ever so lightly because even if I've heard those words so many times already and I am actually proud of what I've done, I'm still extremely anxious for the premiere of Typhoon. This is the film I produced, for the one I worked so hard and it's finally seeing the light. Today the film is hitting the big screen for which it was made and I'm just nervous.

I wonder if this is how parents feel when they send their children to school the first time.

"Ann!" someone else calls from outside, clearly in a rush.

Gareth and I are alone for now as Cece is busy getting ready himself. Upon my request, we've come to my house to get ready for the premiere with my best friend's help, even if Gareth still feels uncomfortable in front of the makeup artist. Even if it's been a few months, Cece is quite resentful and still suspicious of Gareth although he's been nothing but constant and supportive.

Gareth and I... 

No, it's not like the relationships you see in films or read in manga, it's very different, very real. Firstly, it's just known to our loved ones, and we don't really have much time as a couple because I'm still working hard with Father, getting proper training as I prepare to study abroad for a year; Gareth keeps working as well, so we don't see each other much. However, we do make an effort to spend time together when that's possible. He likes inviting me to see his mother because she adores me and he is just too happy to have the two most important people for him together. His words, not mine.

Sometimes I go over to his flat and we don't do anything but discuss certain project or share comments on a new script he was sent, yet it's still nice to do that when we're next to each other, comfortably lying around in his living room. I particularly love when he just rests his head on my lap as he reads his scrip and I work on my own, too. It's just comforting to have him with me.

Although none of us knew how to be in a relationship, we've discovered it isn't that hard. It's just... being there. You share your happiness and your sorrows, you lean on the other and trust your significant other will catch you when you fall. You share a meal just as naturally as you share a smile. It's not much different from a friendship, but for two people who aren't even experienced on that, I guess it's just the same for us. Gareth and I aren't just boyfriend and girlfriend, we're also best friends.

And yes, Cece gets man every time I say this, but it's true.

Over the months and all the events that have unfolded since my father's stroke, I've come to realise many things. First, not having a talent or being particularly good at something doesn't make you unworthy, because if you work hard, maybe even harder than those with talents, you can still accomplish what you want.

I've also learnt that true desire comes with a bit of masochism, and I say that with the purest meaning behind. If your really want something you will fight for it, over and over again, no matter how times you're knocked out and left bleeding, because as human beings, we recover and if a flew blows can't take that desire away, then you keep fighting, even when it hurts. The good thing is that once you get what you wanted, all your wounds are healed and every time you look at the scars, you can only feel proud of your hard work.

The door opens and Cece burst inside, wide eyes and anxious expression.

"Gareth is late! Andrew is going crazy saying he should be heading to the red carpet already. Which reminds me, Ann, we're also late!"

Before I can even say something, someone else come behind Cece and no, it's not his boyfriend but my mother who immediately stops to coo at Gareth and I in the room. She still does that every time she sees us.

"Oh dear, you two remind me so much of Jun and I when he produced that film with me." I chuckle because she also says that a lot, how Gareth and I are like a younger—and with less age gap—copy of my parents.

"Gareth has more hair than Otousan had by then," I tease and Mum looks personally offended. I hear Gareth lightly chuckling and trying to hide that. "But it's true, we should get going. The other actors will arrive soon."

"True. I'll see you at the theatre then," Gareth says, turning to only focus on me and squeezing my hand one more time. "You'll see how everyone loves it."

"Thank you," I reply smiling cheerfully just to tell myself it's okay.

With his free hand he cups my face and leans softly to kiss my forehead. I know he would kiss me in the lips if my mother and best friend weren't present, but it's fine. This feels warmer and more comforting, and makes me feel so adored that I can't complain.

"See you soon," he smiles at me in that way that still makes him heart flip.

Then Gareth releases my hand and turns to leave, nodding his head in farewell to the other two people who just look at us with expressions that tell me they are containing their comments and expressions of cuteness.

I then leave the room too, just to join Father outside who seems so calm and in control, as usual. Mum goes to him, hooking her arm around his, and then he offers me his left arm, which I take happily.

"Ready to see the final product of your hard work?" Father asks and I nod, chewing on my bottom lip. "I'm sure it'll do great, Ann. You did a wonderful job and I can only look forward to the things you'll do in the future."

"If we work together, then it's bound to be good," I foresee hopefully, smiling brightly and enthusiastically. "Shall we go now? There's a premiere waiting for us."

I walk out of my house with my head held high and still nervous, but also excited. There's a bright future ahead and so many plans, so many new things to learn and explore. For now I enjoy my earned happy ending because I surely did my best for this, even if it might not be enough for others, it was the best I could do at the time and I know I'll do even better later on.

At seventeen I took my father's place and produced a film, fought every prejudice and misconception not because I wanted to prove myself but because I wanted to do a good job. I did it for my father, and for the fans of the books, for everyone that works for Tachibana Productions. I did my best for this to happen.

I also met the man for whom I fell and although he rejected me over and over again, even unconsciously I kept trying until I won him over. Now he's with me and I'm happy because all that heartache just made me realise how sincerely I loved him, even if I still don't have a reason.

I don't think life throws away happy endings to those undeserving one. If there's such a thing as happy ending, then that only belongs to those who work hard to get it. If you give your best to do those things you sincerely think are important, if you keep yourself honest and true, then you'll accomplish what you want, and if that's what your happy ending is, then you'll get that. Whether it's a promotion, or losing weight, or learning a new language, or producing a whole trilogy, or maybe even getting the man your heart desires, if you truly want that and fight for it, your happy ending will come. And yes, when you work your hardest for it you'll definitely know when your happy ending has arrived and when it's time to start a new story in your life.

Life doesn't have just one book, that's silly to think of. I know my life is more than a chapter, more than a book, more than a trilogy even. And as the first book ends, another begins and I know I'll work my hardest for the happy ending of that one.

Now at eighteen I'm going to the premiere of my first production. I wonder what awaits for me at nineteen.

One thing I know for sure: I'll keep doing my best for all the things I believe in and want. That's what I do, that's how I live, and I'll continue like that until the last day.

The End.

⋙⋘

And that's how this story ends. I do feel so proud of our Ann, don't you?

I really want to thank every reader, especially those loyal ones that always commented and left a vote to support the story. I know it wasn't really popular (compared to the others in the series) but that's okay, it was fun, it was lovely and I enjoyed every word I wrote. I love Ann and every character in this book. Gareth is probably the most flawed love interest I've made and I loved that, making him so imperfect and lacking. I feel that you don't have to be perfect to be loved, after all. If someone loves you it's with your flaws and virtues, right? Like Ann loves Gareth.

Leave your last comment and get excited because Blanca Like Snow will be coming next week, so add it to your library to get notification! I'll also add an excerpt here later on. Look forward to the fifth book in the Aware Princess Series!

Last dedication to 21GissDankworth

Bel, xx