PHASE 17 - LOVE STORY WITHOUT PROGRESS

“...Yes… Mister Kristoff wants to marry you…”

Naomi kept her mouth shut and she bowed down as she heard that revelation. Our atmosphere was engulfed with an awkward silence.

Even the cute baby Riza stopped playing my hair and gave me a curious glare. This girl doesn’t understand us yet, right? But this girl’s facial expression says that she’s longing to have a father.

I have to break the silence.

“Kristoff wants to propose to you himself, but as you see… Rikkun just ruined his plans… Ahahaha…”

I already told her the truth since she was already slapped by the spoiler anyway. But Naomi’s face became much more serious than before. She held her heart and asked a piercing question.

“I know that Kristoff’s intention is good. Marriage would also be better on Riza’s status for having a father… But one thing is really concerning on my part.”

“What is it, Miss Naomi?” I tilted my head.

“Miss Tiara… Do you believe in second chances?”

“Second chances?” I was surprised.

I bowed for a moment, thinking of the correct words I should say to her. My next answer could be fatal on Kristoff’s relationship with Naomi.

But Naomi continued to explain anyway. “Being a teenage parent is really hard for me. I just fell in love with a man, and my world suddenly crumbled. I failed to graduate from junior high, my parents lost their trust to me, and even more, my lover cheated on me. It will be illogical for me to trust Kristoff again for what he has done to my life… But... a part of me still wants to love that person…”

She’s having doubt. I have to remove that doubt on her heart with a convincing answer.

“I think I believe in second chances. We’re just people, and we always make mistakes. Some people just tend to repeat their wrongdoings because they are suffering from the first mistake they made. Sure, you can blame them for that. I have met someone who also made grave mistakes but she did everything she got just to repair their relationship and reclaim their love. If you really love someone, then don’t let logic hinder you. If you want to have the pain in your heart go, then you have to forgive. All that matters is your emotions, your happiness, and feelings for that person. Logic is always out of the question if you’re seeking for true happiness.”

Shimata! I accidentally created a romantically inspirational speech! I just hope my thoughts would reach to her!

“Hahaha! You’re right, Miss Tiara.” Naomi chuckled. “I’m not saying that I will outrightly forgive Kristoff for being a womanizer, but I think I’ll give him a second chance. I’ll give him some free time to be with his daughter…”

Miss Naomi held her chin as she daydreams with a smile.

“But that marriage… I’ll think about it.” She said.

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“That’s good to hear, Miss Naomi!” I clapped my hands. “Mister Kristoff would be glad if he hears that!”

“Yaaaay!” Baby Riza jumped on my lap as if she really knows what we are talking about.

Naomi smiled. “Why don’t we schedule a double date?”

“E-Eh?”

<>

So that noon, we scheduled a double date.

We started on something more basic. We decided to eat in a fast food restaurant that offers roasted chicken with unlimited rice and iced tea. I couldn’t eat that much because I’m with Naomi, her baby, and Kristoff.

If it’s only us Rikkun having a date, I would have a blast on eating the meal. Right now, I can only eat four cups of rice max. I don’t want them to see me as a glutton.

Anyway…

Things are not progressing on Kristoff’s side. They are seated beside each other, but they barely talk at all. Naomi is preoccupied in mincing the food and feeding her baby. Kristoff is just at the side, smirking, watching his daughter gobble the meal.

This couple didn’t even try to have an eye-to-eye contact with each other. It’s awkward, and I feel uncomfortable about it.

Meanwhile, Rikkun is making fun of them.

“Can you guys kiss already?” The arrogant prince made a smirk.

Now the young couple had their faces blush.

“Rikkun!” I scolded him with a glare.

“What?” Rikkun raised his shoulders. “This is retarded! You guys are ignoring each other yet you have shared a bed a couple of times already-pwah!!!”

That’s just my fist going straight to Rikkun’s nose. Geez, just how can I discipline him!?

<>

The next venue of the date is the park. Mirose Grande have beautiful parks near the beach that contains colorful fountains, flowerful gardens and the most amazing things of all, food stalls! Wait, I am not here to eat! I am here to watch their love story progress.

It’s been a while now since we started to walk around the perimeter of the park, and they haven’t talked to each other yet. Naomi is walking her baby, and Kristoff is there, just watching.

I took Kristoff’s wrist and forced him to lock on his daughter’s hand. Kristoff blushed for a moment. I know he’s been longing to hold his daughter’s hands.

Naomi saw it, and she didn’t object. She just made a smile directed at his ex-lover.

This is the sweetest sight of all! Nothing beats a husband-and-wife holding their daughter’s hands as they walked in the park! It’s so lovely and adorable~

(And here am I, not able to walk hand-in-hand with Rikkun… I’m so envious of them.)

“Hey, Tiara…” Rikkun grabbed my attention. “My feet hurt due to exhaustion. My eyes hurt due to the unbearable sweetness of that couple. And I’m too lazy to continue on walking. I’m going to sit on the bench for a while.”

“B-But…”

Naomi turned to us with her happy eyes. She smiled and nodded to me, a silent confirmation that she already got this date handled.

Kristoff glanced at us too and then proceeded to talk to his child. “Hey, Riza. Would you like to fly like an airplane?”

“Aiwpwayn! Aiwpwayn!” The cute daughter jumped.

Kristoff lifted the baby and put him on the nape of his neck. Then they ran around the park with the baby shouting a “Wheeeee!!!” sound. Riza is laughing so happily as she experienced the view from above her father’s shoulders.

“See? I think we can handle it from here. Now go develop your own love story~” The young mother Naomi smirked.

“Wha-!!! M-M-M-Miss Naomi!” I cried.

Miss Naomi immediately left to chase her ex-lover and daughter.

Now it’s just me and Rikkun. My feet hurt too, so we decided to sit on the bench.

It was an awkward silence.

Miss Naomi is right. I should stop thinking about repairing another’s romantic affairs since everything is now going well with them. Kristoff and Naomi will get it all sorted.

Now I should make a move so that my love story with Rikkun would progress. This is a date after all.

If there is the best scene to confess, it must be right here, and right now!

“...Ummm Rikkun…”

I mustered all the courage I got to stare at his beautiful green eyes. I know I’m blushing, but I never thought Rikkun is blushing at me too. We’re both red.

“W-What is it, Tiara?” He weirdly stuttered.

“The truth is… I… I…!!!”

GRRRRRRRROOOOOOAAAARRR!!!

There was a loud roar… and it came from my stomach.

“...I’m hungry.”