George smiled and delightedly expressed his gratitude before he turned his attention back to Sula. He shrugged at her and explained in a casual manner, "He's my friend. There's nothing to worry about. I know him. He's just kidding, so don't take it to heart."
Sula shook her head slightly and said, "Forget it." Then again, she was more bothered about his behavior, so she asked in confusion, "What I don't understand though is why you didn't tell him that I am not your fiancee?"
Deep inside, she felt a bit of joy in her heart. However, she suddenly felt like on crossroads. On one hand, she expected an answer; on the other hand, she was afraid that the answer she was about to hear was something that might take that bit of joy away. Still, she had to ask him so as not to keep being bothered about this all. She wore an emotionless face so that he would not be able to read the fear and expectation on her face.
George looked at her and chose to ignore her question. He heaved a sigh as a smile formed on his face. "How do you like it here?" he asked, his eyes around the place and finally landing into Sula as he waited for her answer.
Sula's eyes widened a little bit in surprise at him for changing the subject, but she was quick to regain her composure. She did not want George to think that she was desperate. She stood by the French window and removed her eyes from George to look out. The whole place was splashed and glazed with different and beautiful colors created by the lovely flowers patched on the ground, stretching all the way from the vast land and into the distance.
She took in the mesmerizing landscape for a while, wondering what he expected her to say. Finally, she replied, "This place does look lovely." She then turned to face him and added, "A good place to unwind and to breathe. Maybe have some peaceful tea with friends."
"Exactly." George nodded as he replied in agreement. Encouraged by Sula's same opinion of the place, George started to point out and describe the charming points of the place. "Being away from the center of the city, it is no wonder that the natural system around here provides good air quality, better and clearer than most places, as well as organic and healthy food. Besides the sense of smell and taste, our sight, too, feeds on the breathtaking view. Oh, and look, over there. You can see people having a wedding ceremony on the grass. Choosing this place for such a valuable occasion speaks volumes of this place."
Sula looked over the direction George was pointing. There were indeed people wearing lilac themed dresses and ties. Lilac and white balloons sprinkled the bright blue sky. What caught her eyes most, however, was the bride. Her snow-white wedding dress was shining and complimenting the fresh color shade of green. She was hard to miss and for some reason, she felt a pang of sting deep in her heart.
She sighed under her breath, and without taking her eyes off the people, she gave out a bitter smile and said, "Indeed, it is a sweet and romantic place to have weddings."
To hide the ache inside her heart, she turned to him and complained, "Say, are you trying to show me the place where you and Miss Ye are going to get married?
Bringing me here is a mistake. You are cruel for doing this, don't you know that?"
She chuckled and was about to tease him more until she caught his eyes, which strangely turned serious, making her stop talking. She swallowed a lump on her throat before she spoke again. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? Have I said anything wrong? Is there something on my face?"
George frowned a little as he stepped closer towards her, making Sula's heart beat race. With a soft voice, he said, "Sula, it won't be Holley and my wedding. It will be ours, you and I."
Sula's eyes widened in surprise. "What? What are you talking about?" she cried, trying to absorb what she just heard right now, and deduced whether or not she heard him right. Thinking that this might all be a joke, she chuckled under her breath. However, she immediately stopped when she noticed how his eyes looked at her in such seriousness that it looked like he actually meant what he just said. Her cheeks turned pink as she said, "Stop making fun of me! This is not funny at all."
As she felt the warmth on her cheeks, she was about to turn her back on him, but George was able to pull her to face him back by holding her hands.
Sula felt embarrassed as she felt George's eyes frozen on her face that she was able to look at anything but him. "Let me go!" she demanded.
"Sula, please," George said, making Sula stop struggling and face him unconsciously. When he got her attention, he felt even more determined to speak the words in his heart. "I know that this is all too sudden for you, but I really have thought this over and took you here to ask for...your hand in marriage."
"Stop! Don't say another word!" she interrupted. This was really too sudden for her and too overwhelming to the point that she felt hesitant and almost afraid to answer. "I-I don't know what happened to you and Miss Ye, but I have already made up my mind to leave the city and decided that I will never stand between you two. So please, cut the act, and stop making fun of me anymore."
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