The party was in full swing downstairs but I was still upstairs at our new penthouse because of nerves. I may have been exaggerating when I said full swing since the party was just starting but it started a few minutes ago and the guests were already arriving.
Lily told me Atticus was already downstairs. It seemed he arrived a few minutes ago but was stuck downstairs talking to a few guests he couldn’t escape. I was already ready but decided to hide out here and wait for him to come get me instead if he would even be able to.
“I was told you don’t want to come downstairs. Is it possible for a party to happen without the host?” I jumped in surprise at the voice that suddenly came from behind me. I looked into the mirror to see Atticus stroll into our oversized walk-in closet that could pass for another master bedroom.
“Everything here is so big.” I gestured to the large space around us to ignore his questions but I knew he had caught on already “We could practically fit another bedroom into this space”
“I didn’t expect it to be so spacious but it's better. The space should have been enough for the entire beauty team or whatever you call them to make you so unbelievably beautiful” I flushed at the compliment that floored me completely, leaving me defenseless.
“What are you saying?” I mumbled while the floor became interesting in an instant “I still look the same, it’s the same makeup I do every day just that this time someone did it for me”
“No, you are wrong. You look beautiful, more beautiful each day I see you. Did I pick out that dress?” Yes he did and by the condescending smile he was sporting, he did too.
After our first shopping together, he developed an unhealthy obsession with buying me clothes and jewellery all the time. I had so much that I haven’t even used and he won’t stop no matter how much I tell him.
“You know the answer, so why are you asking me? Is that a new suit? Where did you change?” I asked him as I noticed that the suit he was wearing was different from the one he had on this morning when he left the house.
“Yes, it is. I figured that I wouldn’t have enough time to get changed when I arrived so I stopped by somewhere to get a new outfit and I am glad I did. The moment I came through the door, I was practically hijacked”
“I figured that would happen as well. A lot of the folks around are your close acquaintances and you must agree with me that you are a very hard man to reach, Mr Hayland” Now he was standing behind my chair and we were looking at each other through the mirror.
“Well, the money won’t make itself, Mrs Hayland. May I?” He presented yet another Jewelry box and I could not even bring myself to act surprised anymore because I was used to them by now.
“I saw them and could not resist getting them for you. I thought they would be perfect for the evening. "He opened the Jewelry box and this time I gasped when I saw the contents. It was so pretty and shiny.
“It’s so lovely, thank you” Just like we always did, I moved my hair and allowed him to place the diamond necklace on my neck. I knew almost nothing when It came to things like this so I couldn’t tell how many carats it was but all I knew was that it was so fucking amazing.
“Anything for you my queen” He gave me a quick peck and I turned my neck to capture his lips in a searing hot kiss.
“Your lipstick is ruined” he told me with a little laugh and attempted to fix it by trying to clean the smudge but I moved my head quickly so he wouldn’t be able to.
“HEY!!” I exclaimed and turned to grab a wipe from the table “You could ruin it more, I bet you just wanted to swipe your fingers underneath my lips” I accused him while trying to dab the wipes under my lips to correct it.
“What else was I supposed to do” He threw his hands up in exasperation but he was smiling.
“You..” I couldn’t get to complete my sentence since Lily entered the closet and was glaring at the both of us so hard I almost flinched.
“Did you both forget that there is a room of guests downstairs waiting for you two to arrive while you are here acting like you haven’t seen each other for years” She practically yelled but to me, she looked funny trying to be scary with that adorable face of hers so I did the only thing I could, I burst out laughing.
“Do I look like I am joking? I am angry right now” She even stomped her foot on the floor like an angry child and it only made me laugh harder.
"Sorry” I managed to let out in between my fits of laughter “You just look so cute trying to act all angry” I finally managed to pull myself together.
"We'll be done in a minute okay” Atticus spoke to her instead and she gave me one last glare before leaving the walk-in closet and finally the room.
“Do you need anything else? We’ve kept our guests waiting for a long time” He checked his watch while I scanned the room to see if there was anything else I needed.
“No, I’m good. Let’s go” I placed my palm into his and he led me out of the room and into the private lift. The elevator was one of my favorite things about this place. The elevator was transparent and was fixed outside the building so as we rode down, we could practically see the whole city and the view was simply breathtaking especially at night like this.
“This view never fails to take my breath away. I loved what you did here” I told him as the elevator raced down to the ground floor.
“Thank you. I’m glad you like the place and I am sorry you had to move. I know you didn’t want to especially since we had to let go of some people”
“It’s okay. I am okay with this now. I promise so you don’t have to feel guilty” I looked up at him to find him looking at me.
“I know we have talked about some things but I want to say this again here before I chicken out” He grabbed my other hand so I was standing opposite him instead of beside him.
"I am sorry Hazel. I was the one who chose to get married to you so the way I treated you was very foolish and inconsiderate of me. You didn’t deserve any of that because it wasn’t your fault and you didn’t ask for it, you deserve better”
I was speechless because of the sudden gloom and regret on his face. I thought we had passed this already. I opened my mouth to correct him but he shook his head asking me not
to say anything so I closed my mouth and allowed him to continue with what he had to say.
“I want this to be our new beginning. This house. Let’s start all over again and make new memories of ourselves. I cannot promise you that I will never hurt you because I am human but I can promise that I would never intentionally do anything to make you cry or regret your decision to marry me or give me a chance. I always want to do everything I can to make you happy. Let me spoil you silly with love, what do you say?”
I chuckled but my eyes were tearing up because I never expected to hear such a thing from him so I was pleasantly surprised.
“You never told me you had a way with words. I am seriously happy that you want to start all over with me and it’s what I have always wanted. Let’s put the hurt behind us and make a new beginning for both of us. So yes, let's begin again”
He pulled me to him and we sealed our promise with not just our lips but our hearts as well.
“I love you Atticus, more than you would ever know” I whispered when we pulled apart.
“Are you sure about that? Because I am certain I adore you more. You have slowly become my whole world Hazel that now I cannot imagine my life without you.”
The elevator came to a stop and we stepped out hand in hand and walked to the hall where our guest was waiting.
Throughout the entire party, A smile was always plastered on my lips because it seemed I finally had my happy ending.
This new place that I was so reluctant to move into turned out to be the beginning of my happy ever after
When I lay in his arms later that night, after the party was over, I could not help but go back to the promise my dad made to me.
“I think I am finally happy dad, you made the right decision for me”