" But right now I can say it to you..", Sylvia paused and pulled him close that their lips were an inch from each other. "-that I love you", she continued and then she kissed him with her every being.

****^^*******
Its already past 6pm before Raymond finally found Jasmine after the long search. He sighed in relief at the sight of her.

He made his way to her where she stood at the beach side facing the sea.
He stood few steps away behind her.

"Why,why does everything has to happen all at once? From finding my lost mother to having a stepsister. And my love life is also there to talk about. Why does my life suddenly turns out to be a TV drama?", Jasmine asked herself aloud.

"And then I was so angry and sad to have put blames on Raymond. I even told him to stay away from me. How stupid of me", she said with a scoff and ran her fingers to her hair.

"To say the truth...., I think I'm lost without him. How can I live without him? He's one person that puts smiles on my face. He loved me so much. But look at me..", she paused and gave a soft laugh, "-look at how I'd let go of someone I love with my whole heart. Someone that even when I'm sad he knows how to make me happy. I lost him already... And I'm sure he'll never come back to me anymore because I've pushed him away many times and I just did again today. I guess its the last time for me now", she said with croaked voice.

Her sobs could be heard by Raymond who has been standing there taking in all she has said. A small smile broke on his face before he composed himself and cleared his throat loud enough for her to hear.

Jasmine was startled at that. She immediately turned to see who it was. She gaped at the sight of him. "Raymond?", she mumbled his name.

"Yeah?", he answered.

"How..long..have you..been standing there?", she asked nervously.

"Not too long", he answered innocently.

She became a bit relaxed to hear that. Within a blink of an eye, she closed the gap between them and hugged him so tight. "I'm sorry,Raymond. I'm so sorry,please don't leave me", she pleaded with sobs on his chest.

"Shhh... Its OK. I'm right here my love,I'm never ever gonna leave your side", he said patting her and then he placed a kiss on her head.

"I never meant to push you away its...",

"Shhh...that's enough. I know you were just upset over everything. Its OK, I love you so much and I can't live without you in my life. You make my life complete, you're my happiness. If I loose you today,I'll loose myself because I'm so addicted to you. And always remember that no matter how many times you asked me to leave, I'll never leave. I'll always be by your side.", he cut her mid sentence and wrapped his arms around her.

Their embrace became so tight that they could suffocate each other if they last more than five minutes more with this position.

"Do you feel hungry?", Ray asked after releasing her from his embrace.
She nodded. "OK, I'll go get you something to eat,OK?", he asked.

"OK", she replied.

He was about letting go of her hand when she pulled him back. "Promise me you'd be back?", she asked.

"Yes I will. I promise", he replied and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
She flashed him a faint smile before he went out of sight.

Fifteen minutes has passed and Raymond has not showed up and the day was getting dark. Jasmine who has been pacing around in expectation of him is been affected with the cold evening breeze. She sat down on the sand and hugged her knees to her body trying feel some warmth.

'You promised to be back, Raymond. I'm right here waiting for you',she whispered to herself. '

He's not coming back sweetie, remember you told him to stay away from you. So this is his chance to pay you back for all the times you pushed him away',a voice in her head said.

'No,he's not like that. He promised to be back',she replied to the voice.

'Then why hasn't he being here?',the voice asked in a mocking tone.

Jasmine was speechless. She was shivering from the cold wind that was blowing. She hugged herself so tight. Her gaze were becoming blurred with tears as she stared at the sea. 'Raymond promised me,I'll wait for him',she consoled herself before she buried her face on her laps.

"My love", Jasmine heard a voice said ten minutes later. She raised up her head from her laps turned to see Ray squatting beside her.

"I. Thought. You. Were. Never. Coming back", she said in an husky voice and gulped.

"Why not? I promised you,remember?", he asked.

She gulped harder. "Yeah. But...but what took you so long?", she asked.

"I'm sorry I kept long,I was fixing something up. You're cold,come here", he said and pulled her to a hug before releasing her and handed his jacket to her. "Do you feel better now?", he asked and she nodded.

Raymond stood up and said. "Please give me your hand and get on your feet", he said.

"Uhhh. Why? Where are we going?", she asked with furrow brows.

"Just get on your feet first", he replied with a grin.

"Okay. But....where's the food you were meant to get?", she asked given him a quizzical look.

"Oh...yeah. The food...that's where we're going right now", he replied.

Without questioning further,she placed her hand on his and he pulled her to her feet. He entwined their hands and they started walking down the end of the beach side.

"Raymond? Where are we going?", she asked slowing their steps.

"To the end of the beach. Don't be scared", he said to her and continued walking.

"Why are we going to the end of the beach?", she asked staring at him nervously.

"Just to see the end?", he answered but in a question like manner.

"You're not going to.....", she trailed of as she caught sight of the lights that encircled a table and two chairs that was decorated with white clothes and a vase of flower on it. There was also a bottle of champagne with two glass cups on it. She was surprise at seeing all this as she continue to walk close to the table. She came to an abrupt stop when she saw something more beautiful.

On the sand was written boldly with sparkling lighting "PLEASE BE MY WOMAN,BRANDY". Jasmine was awestruck, she clasp her hand to her mouth.

Ray was no longer standing beside her but was kneeling right in front of her with a small box opened in his hand showcasing a glittering silver ring. "I'm sorry I couldn't do much to make the proposal better, but I'll still go ahead and ask....Please Jasmine Williams Brandy,can you do me the honor and be my woman?", he asked.

Jasmine whose hand was still clasp on her mouth was dumbstruck. For the nth time today, tears has been formed in her eyes but this time around it was a tears of excitement. She stared at him as he waited for her answer with fears in his eyes.
"Yes!", she answered with a chuckle as those tears dripped down.

"Yes?", Ray asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Yes yes yes. I will be your woman,Raymond Robert", she answered with a wide grin.

Ray became so excited that he got up and hugged her lifting her up and swirling her around. He put her down and slide the ring to her finger.

Just then,a song started playing. 'When I look at you by Miley Cyrus'.

Ray cupped her face and said to her. "I love you so so much,my love".

"I love you too,my Darling. And I love this surprise you just gave to me", she replied with a smile.

"You do?", he asked with a grin.

"Yes,i very much do",she replied with smiles.

"I love you more",Ray said and pulled her close and then he kissed her so deeply. Jasmine responded to the kiss as she wrapped her arms on his neck and kissed him passionately while his hands wrapped her waist as there sway to the rhythm of the song.

Hello my lovely readers! I'm sorry for late updates.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter? Please don't forget to vote and comment. I'll be glad if you guys become more than a silent reader.

Thank you, thank you,thank you!😘

Equila73