“Your reflection is visible through the TV screen, Keiko,” Kenzo said, spotting her.

Keiko’s attempt to eavesdrop on his phone conversation by hiding behind him had been foiled.

“Are you talking to Sandy-san?” she asked eagerly, quickly moving to sit next to him on the couch.

Keiko was Kenzo’s half-sister, born from his father’s side. At sixteen years old, she possessed a striking beauty and was positioned as the heir to the company if Kenzo declined the role.

He chuckled, rising from his seat and taking a step back. “No, I’m talking to Walter.”

Keiko mirrored his actions, staying close to him as he moved, her curiosity unabated until he made his way to his room. As he was about to reach for the doorknob, she materialized in front of him, her arms outstretched, effectively blocking his way.

“When will Sandy-san come to visit us? She promised me that we’d go shopping together.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Don’t you think it’ll be better if it’s a surprise?”

“Are you talking to your little sister?” inquired Walter from the other end of the line. Kenzo confirmed and then assured Walter he’d call back later, before ending the call.

Meanwhile, Keiko responded to his suggestion with an enthusiastic nod and an applause of her hands. “That’s a brilliant idea, big brother!” Her eyes then widened, and she let out an excited gasp. “I’m going to ask Dad to let me go on vacation to the Philippines! I’ll surprise Sandy-san, and I’ll finally be able to meet her and Senthie-san in person!”

“Eh?” he reacted dramatically, utterly taken aback by how his little sister had misunderstood his intent. However, before he could clarify, Keiko had darted off, leaving him perplexed.

As Kenzo thought about the unique bond between Keiko and Kassandra, he was reminded of the time a year ago when she saw him on a video call with Kassandra. She quickly recognized her, as Kassandra had become not only an exclusive model but also a full-time brand ambassador for Fashion Sen’s, which happened to be Keiko’s favorite clothing brand.

After Senthie’s first-ever fashion show in New York, Fashion Sen’s gained a massive following on social media. This was particularly true after introducing men’s clothing into its collection and featuring unique models who were once homeless. Senthie had achieved her dream of establishing a charitable foundation called The Sense of Home, which provided jobs and runway modeling training for homeless individuals. This initiative garnered worldwide attention.

The brand experienced exponential growth because of its additional support from influential figures interested in charity work. As a result, Fashion Sen’s became well-known and successful, expanding its store branches internationally.

Consequently, Kassandra also attained a level of fame that rivaled that of top-tier celebrities.

Keiko, being an outgoing person, quickly befriended Kassandra, and often imitated her sense of fashion, reminding Kenzo of their connection every time he saw Keiko. This led him to wonder once again: Has Sandy read my letter?

 ~

The following day, Walter initiated a video call to share some important news. Senthie and Jimhuesh, after a few years together, were now engaged, with their wedding scheduled in just two months.

“Are you all right, bro?” Walter asked.

Kenzo chuckled. “Huh? Of course! Sen has finally found someone she can fall in love with. I’m happy for her.”

“You look heartbroken for someone happy. Are you sure you are okay? It’s been three years already. Tell me you’ve truly moved on.”

This time, Kenzo couldn’t hold back a genuine laugh. “I have moved on, bro. I was just . . .” He shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe I was just a bit jealous of how lucky Jimhuesh is. After all, he’s marrying my first love. But I’ve moved on, and I’m genuinely happy for Sen.”

Walter sighed in relief. “Fine, I’ll believe that. But if you tell me that you still love my little sis, I’ll stop their wedding for you.”

Kenzo chuckled, shaking his head. “That won’t be necessary, bro. I’ve already let her go when I left the Philippines.”

“Okay, then. I’m sure you’re going to meet someone who can love you as much as you give love.”

He responded with a warm smile, but deep down, Kenzo was aware that he had already found that special someone.

 ~

The long-awaited wedding day had arrived, and Kenzo was pleasantly surprised by its simplicity and yet undeniable romantic charm.

The ceremony was set to unfold at the Andersons’ residence, nestled within their spacious backyard garden as the evening approached. The venue was illuminated by a gentle glow emanating from countless candles and lanterns, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a place where a man would tenderly propose to his beloved.

Unlike the elaborate flower displays typical of many weddings, the scene was adorned with a minimalist touch. A graceful twig arch, decorated with delicate flowers and vines and adorned with LED strings, served as the focal point. Red rose petals adorned the floor aisle, tracing the path the bride would take to reach her eagerly awaiting groom.

The guests had taken their seats, a select few among them, totaling around twenty attendees. Among them were GMC’s Chairman, Alberto, Jimhuesh’s secretary, Liam, and Senthie’s family.

The intimate gathering also included close friends of both the bride and groom: Rychie sat beside Cecilia, Georgia accompanied Walter, and Kassandra found a spot next to Kenzo. The remainder of those present consisted of various relatives and business associates of GMC.

As the wedding ceremony commenced, the melodious notes of Beautiful in White by Shane Filan filled the air, signaling the bride’s arrival. Senthie, adorned in a self-designed white wedding dress that epitomized perfection, made her entrance. Her gown, a French satin A-line masterpiece, featured puff sleeves and a straight neckline. It was a dress tailored exclusively for herself, and Kenzo thought that no one could wear it better than her.

All eyes in attendance were fixed on the bride, but her gaze remained unwavering, directed solely towards her soon-to-be husband, who now appeared to be teary-eyed.

“Jim must be in tears of joy seeing his very beautiful bride,” Kassandra whispered.

Kenzo nodded and smiled. “Yes, that’s for sure. Sen is breathtakingly beautiful . . .” He looked at Kassandra. “. . . and so are you.”

She giggled. “I know.”

As the bride reached the wedding arch and took the groom’s hand, the ceremonial processional gave way to the officiant’s words of welcome. The officiant introduced the couple and shared some heartfelt thoughts about marriage. Then came the moment the guests had eagerly awaited, often the most emotionally charged part of the ceremony: the exchange of vows.

The groom took the initiative. Clearing his throat, Jimhuesh began, “Well, Ms. Salvador, Sensen . . .” His voice trailed off, and he audibly sighed into the microphone. “I’m so nervous right now, I don’t know where to start. Do we really have to do this?” The last sentence was barely audible, but it reached the guests, who responded with laughter, joined by the bride’s amused chuckle.

Senthie took the microphone and let out a theatrical sigh. “Me, too.” She chuckled before addressing the officiant. “Sir, I think we should skip this part.”

The audience responded with a collective groan of disappointment at the couple’s decision to skip their vows.

Senthie, noticing their reaction, turned her gaze toward them and let out a nervous laugh. “We’re very sorry. It’s just that we don’t intend to make promises; we prefer to express how much love and respect we feel for each other through our actions.” She cringed playfully, and Jimhuesh joined in, which elicited laughter from the guests. “Did you see that? I should probably stop saying cringy things.” She glanced at Jimhuesh. “Right?”

He nodded in agreement, his wide grin expressing gratitude for her saving them from potential embarrassment. With that hurdle behind them, the ceremony continued as they exchanged rings on each other’s fingers, reciting the standard wedding vows.

“I now solemnly declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” declared the officiant.

Anticipation hung in the air as everyone eagerly awaited the sealing of their marriage. Some might have expected a passionate kiss, but what they witnessed was a gentle peck on the bride’s forehead.

Kenzo shared in the collective disappointment, thinking that if he were in Jimhuesh’s shoes, he would certainly kiss Senthie or anyone who might be his wife, on the lips.

Kassandra expressed her frustration. “Are they really going to be like this? It’s not like they’re father and daughter. Why did he kiss her on the forehead?”

Cecilia, seated next to Kassandra, shared her sentiment. “Ugh, tell me about it. They even skipped the most important part.” She groaned, then took a deep breath and shouted, “Kiss her on the lips!”

The chant began as she repeated, “Kiss her on the lips!” with unwavering enthusiasm, quickly spreading to the entire assembly.

“Kiss her on the lips!”

“Kiss her on the lips!”

The couple, visibly blushing, appeared as if they were rediscovering the concept of kissing. The enthusiastic cheers from the guests continued unabated until, finally, they decided to go with the flow. It was Senthie who took the initiative, rising onto her tiptoes to give Jimhuesh a peck on the lips. However, the demanding guests were still not satisfied.

“That wasn’t a kiss!” Cecilia’s voice rang out as she stood up.

Senthie shot a brief, cautioning glance at her, silently urging her to desist. But her attention was quickly diverted as Jimhuesh encircled his arms around her waist and drew her close. Senthie instinctively placed her hands on his chest as he leaned in deliberately.

The guests, swept up in the moment, seemed to have lost control, their excitement palpable. They began to whistle and chant, “Kiss her!”

And then, the moment everyone had been clamoring for arrived. Senthie and Jimhuesh kissed, their lips meeting passionately, reminiscent of scenes from romantic movies where the lead characters were deeply in love, unwilling to part from each other.

The ceremony concluded with resounding applause from the guests, words of encouragement, and a heartfelt prayer for prosperity, faithfulness, and a strong bond offered by the officiant.

 ~

The day had started beautifully, but then, unexpectedly, the rain began to pour. The wedding reception concluded earlier than planned, right after the bouquet toss, which Kassandra had managed to catch.

As she clutched the bouquet, she turned to Kenzo, who was now driving. “Do you think the rain is a bad omen for me?”

Kenzo, ever the optimist, responded, “No, I think it’s a good omen. They say rain is a blessing.” He tried to bring a smile to her face, watching her closely when she didn’t immediately respond. “Look at me, Sandy. Don’t dwell on it.”

She managed a smile and nodded at his reassuring words. But then, her mood shifted suddenly as she yelled, “Kenzo!” and her gaze darted towards the road.

He reacted swiftly, slamming the brakes and instinctively shielding Kassandra from the potential impact. They had narrowly avoided a collision when the red light suddenly flashed.

“Are you okay?” he inquired with genuine concern; his breathing heavy. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken my eyes off the road.”

Kassandra exhaled and beamed at him. “I’m okay. Don’t worry; that was quite fun, actually, though it was nerve-wracking.”

He managed a small smile and gently squeezed her trembling hands. He suspected she might be putting on a brave front.

The remainder of the drive proceeded without incident, eventually leading them to Taylor’s residence. Kassandra’s parents had attended the wedding and left shortly after the meal, so Kenzo had offered to drive her home.

“Uh, did you, by any chance, find a letter from me?” he asked reluctantly as he unfastened his seatbelt, with Kassandra doing the same. He had slipped the letter into her bag when she drove him to the airport three years ago.

She nodded. “Yes. Why?”

“Why?” Kenzo hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. Talking to her made him feel embarrassed and nervous. He wondered why her response seemed as though it was from the past as if she had never thought about his letter or what to say in response.

He felt perplexed. If she had indeed read his letter, wouldn’t she have mentioned it at some point? Was it possible that she’d had a change of heart?

Kassandra wore a mischievous smirk as she rummaged through her bag, eventually retrieving a pink envelope and handed it to him. “Here is my response.”

Kenzo accepted it, his eyes briefly meeting Kassandra’s before he carefully opened the envelope. Inside, he found just three words: I’d love to.

Those three simple words conveyed her willingness to wait for him until his return. Originally, they planned to reunite after five years, but circumstances had brought him back sooner, thanks to Senthie’s wedding.

A smile formed on Kenzo’s lips after reading the letter. “Would you give me the same response if I were to ask you another question?”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “It depends on the question.”

He chuckled. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Kassandra played along, raising a brow and theatrically sighing. “Let me think about it.”

Kenzo, however, shifted from humor to seriousness. He gazed into her eyes; his expression determined as he spoke from the heart. “I was a man who didn’t know when to give up. I was too hung up on my ex, too afraid of being abandoned. I have many flaws, can be overwhelming, and I’m far from perfect. I may not be the most deserving man for you, but . . . would you ever give me a chance to be with you? I like you, Sandy.”

Kassandra had shown him that he didn’t need to go to great lengths to win someone’s love; he just had to be himself.

“You’re not far from perfect, Kenny. Because for me . . .” She smiled. “You are more than perfect.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “And I think you already know what my answer will be. I like you a lot, Kenny. No, I love you. I would kill a bear just to be your girlfriend.”

Kenzo was elated, feeling like he was on cloud nine. He wasn’t sure what to do next, but one thing was clear in his mind, he asked, “Uh, can I hug you?”

She nodded and they wrapped their arms around each other. But amid the embrace, a thought crossed his mind. “Are you okay with being in a long-distance relationship?”

She let out a giggle and patted his back affectionately. “That’s not a problem. I’ll just visit often. And you should, too.”

“Keiko will be ecstatic to hear that. She was throwing a tantrum when Dad didn’t let her come with me here,” Kenzo remarked. He pulled away from the hug, placing his hands on her arms instead. “Should I just resign and stay here?”

Kassandra laughed, cupping his face gently. “No, don’t do that. A CEO husband is everyone’s dream.”

Kenzo’s eyes widened, his heart racing. She had already considered him as her potential husband. He cupped her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Soon, you’ll be a CEO, too.”

Her smile faltered, and she looked away while folding her arms. Kenzo withdrew his hands, unsure of her reaction. Then, Kassandra spoke, “That’s right. Then both of us will be busy.” She gazed at him. “Can we really do this? Should I just tell my mom that I don’t want to be the heir of Rebeau Cosmetics and go with you to Japan?”

Kenzo silenced her with a tender kiss, causing her to blush. He then embraced her once more. “Let’s not think about that. Let’s just enjoy what we have for now.”

 
The End.