"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ― Andy Warhol

Everyone eyed my father expectantly. He smiled after giving mom a knowing look. "We caught her seeing another guy. We didn't want to appear rude or harsh to her so we will keep the information for her to tell," dad said and everyone nodded in respect.

I wanted to know but dad said he wants us all present because it is a very important news, that is until Angelika gets a vacation. I didn't find out who was Cassie's baby father, but he assured me that I wasn't the father and for that, I felt relieved.

"Well, that's a good news!" theios Demi said and then grab his wine glass and raise it. "To our kid's success!" he proposed and everyone agreed including me. Gently making a toast with Vicky's glass ignoring her sharp glares thrown at me, I made a small sip.

I simply leaned in closer to her when everyone focused their attention on their food and once in a while, they converse mostly about politics and business. "I'm sorry if I didn't call you, I missed you," I whispered against her head.

I heard her sighed and then pop a piece of olive in her mouth before looking up at me. "At least you should have called," she said, her lips everted and protruded in a sulky pout and I stifled the urge to wipe out her pout with a kiss.

"Because I want to surprise you but, of course, someone has to spoil it. And still, I'm sorry. Yes, I should have called, baby. Will you forgive me?" I whispered apologetically and she nodded, a small smile curving on her lips as she bobs her head in agreement. "Yes."

"I have something to tell you. Let's sneak out after dinner," I murmured softly and I furtively eyed everyone and it seems that no one was watching us as they animatedly converse and once in a while, they burst out laughing.

Vicky's eyes widened excitedly and nodded her head profusely. She turns her attention back to her food and resumed eating.

.....

Dinner was done, just as soon as everyone was on their feet, Vicky tugs me by the wrist heading towards the opposite direction to the other door and nobody noticed us since they were chatting as they walk out the door across and into the hallway. The door we walk through was connected to the big pantry and then at the back, a door that led to the garden.

I simply slip in my hand in my pocket to check on the ring and I smiled.

We ambled hand in hand along the stone garden walkway. "You said you want to say something?" Vicky asked as she walks ahead of me, then turns to face, stepping backward and I keep up with her slow pace.

I chuckled.

"Well, now that everything is settled, I think it's about ti—"

My words were cut off when Vicky's phone rang. Her attention diverted to her phone in her hand. Raising her index finger, "I'm sorry, hold on," she said as she checks on the screen.

I nodded as I stop when she stops and watch her connected the call with a bright smile. I love when she smiles. She just radiates and shines like a ray of sunshine.

"Oh My God, Bell, how are you?" her eyes sparkled as she looks up at me. She looks excited and I was smiling unconsciously as I watch how her eyes lit up and wearing that old friend smile.

She turns on her heel and went ahead of me. She was walking fast as she talks to her and I gave her a little privacy, walking slower, still following her. She made a turn on the right heading towards the hedge maze and we passes by. She kept walking and I just followed her, my hands both resting in my pockets as I watch her back and once in a while enjoying the beautiful garden. It felt a little chilly and Vicky doesn't seem to care. She was wearing a tight fitting dress that complements her beautifully. Purple ruffled shift dress that just past mid-thigh. Her hair swept up with just a minimal accessories, completed her looks.

I heard the rushing water through their man-made brook, I smiled. It's like we were in the middle of the woods. I like this area of their backyard. I know we are already almost at the very back of their properties.

She comes to a halt then turns to face me. I smiled when I realize she's done talking. I narrowed our gap and intertwined our hands.

"I'm sorry, I had to take that. I haven't talked to her for a while," she said apologetically.

I beamed at her. "It's alright, baby," tugging her when I see the view of the fountain from where we are. It's a good place to propose.

"It's beautiful," she said as she looks up, the half moon beaming at us. Indeed, it is beautiful with the moon giving us light.

As soon as we reach the fountain, the water falling into the ponds under the deck. I led her to the wooden chairs under the gazebo and I sat, pulling her on my lap momentarily, then we watch the water falling, illuminated with the colorful solar lamp directed at the water. The sounds of the water hitting the ponds feel like an oasis. I stared at the reflection of the moon on the ponds.

"What were you saying while ago?" she started breaking the silence that filled our gap.

I suddenly don't know how to start.

How am I gonna start it?

"Xandrous?" Vicky called and I snapped up my head and meet her eyes.

I smiled. I open my mouth but then closes it again, unable to find the words to start. She shot me a confused look. "You said everything is settled and it's time to, what?" she pressed.

Her fingers stroking my nape as she waited expectantly.

"Well," I started, swallowing hard, "I don't want to wake up with an empty side on my bed anymore," she looks at me, eyes lock on mine, waiting expectantly. "I don't want to spoil this chance and screw it up again. I don't want to live a day without you by my side. Victoria Pallos, will you marry me?" I searched her eyes, they glisten under the moonlit. Then a tear cascades down on her cheeks.

I wipe it frantically, "it's alright, baby if you're not ready," I said as I dried her cheeks with my fingers.

"NO!" she shook her head frantically. "Are you nuts," she hissed. "I've been dreaming of this day to come, Xandrous!" then she hugs me real tight all the while crying.

I can't understand why she's crying and it's breaking my heart.

"Please stop crying, baby. I don't like the idea that I'm the reason with those tears," I said as I pulled her away from me. She chuckled as she slaps me on the shoulder.

Wiping her tears away, she spoke. "It's tears of joy, silly!" she giggled.

"Where's my ring?" she asked as soon as her giggles simmered down.

I smiled. "I need you to get up, baby," I said and as soon as she's up on her feet, I pulled the box out of my pocket and opened it. Her eyes lit up as she stares at the beautiful ring. Sucking her breath, her palm flew over her mouth as she stared mesmerized at it.

"Do you like it?" I asked a little worried as I watch her reaction.

She looks up at me. "It's beautiful, Xandrous!" She suddenly jumps on me and I'm glad my reflex is fast enough to fold the lid of the box before the ring fly on the plank of the deck and worst drops on the pond, all the while catching her in my arms.

She hugs me real tight. "I love you so much. You don't have any idea how happy I am, Xandrous," she mused and I chuckled.

"You just made me the happiest man in the world, Vicky," I said and then kiss her briefly.

She smiled as she pulls back and I took her left hand and slip the ring. It fits like a glove and it looks fabulous on her hand.

She raises her hand up and stares at it. The moonlight hits the stone and it sparkles, just like her.

"It looks more beautiful when you're wearing it," I said and she grinned cheekily, her eyes filled with joy and a warm feeling filled my heart.

She drops her hand on her side and stared at me. "The proposal is not so romantic and definitely you didn't exert much effort," she pouted and I let out a soft chuckle. I was too eager to make her mine, I didn't even think about it. "but it's fine. I'll take it," she smiled. "You have a lifetime to make me feel special," she giggled and curled her hands around my waist.

I felt overwhelmingly happy. "Yes, I will. I promised you to make you feel like a queen because you are my queen," I grinned happily as I curled my hands around her, pulling her closer to me.

Her smile widens, with her warm honey brown orbs twinkling merrily. She brightens more than the diamond she's wearing. "Shouldn't we go back inside? I can't wait to announce it to them," she giggled enthusiastically as she pulls away and tugs my hand, leading me back to the mansion.

.............

"Where did you guys came from?" I heard theia Yvonne asked as she pulls Vicky to her side. Vicky let out a soft giggle after giving me a knowing glance.

"Mom," with her enthusiastic voice, "we just had a walk with Xandrous at the garden," she grinned, "and he proposed," showing her ring to her simultaneously.

"Oh my God, that's awesome. Congratulations!" theia Yvonne pulled her for a hug.

My mom heard it and she quickly headed towards them with the widest grin. "Congratulations, Vicky!" she as she pulls her for a hug, as well.

"Congratulations, son!" dad patted me on the shoulder, as we watch the rest congratulating Vicky, pulling her in for a hug after. When I look at theios Demi, he has this hard stares thrown at me.

Giving me a neutral look, he spoke icily. "Congratulations, you better not make her cry!" he warned sternly.

"Relax, Demetrio. I'll be the first one to break his neck when he tried," dad said and theios Demetrio scoffed.

"I'll hunt him down!" he threatened and even if I feel a little awkward, I just shook it off.

"I will never make her cry, I promised, theios," I exclaimed and he sneered.

"You better be!" he nodded.

..............

Days passed by and I feel like I'm walking on a cloud nine every day. Xandrous never failed to show up in my office, teaching me sometimes about things like marketing, and would take his time reading my reports and add important points if I missed something. He would always make my day entertaining and exciting and before I knew it, I'm starting to enjoy my job.

Every day, I work with marketing managers and executive staff to execute our overall public relation, so secure a better business flow.

I was sitting on my swivel chair when a loud knock on my office door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I said as I stop swiveling my chair, looking at the door.

The door opens and I felt my blood rushes to my heart, making it beats faster than normal. I sat upright and watch her strutted in, holding my temper at bay.

"What ill wind brought you here?" I sneered rudely, placing my hands on my table, subtly showing her my engagement ring and probably she'll back off.

Her eyes landed on my ring finger as I expected and she looks stiffened as she stares longer at my ring. I thought she's going to cry when I saw she blinks once, her face softens but then hardens as quickly as it softens. She looks up to meet my eyes.

"I don't want to take much of your time. I just want to let you know that I'm not giving up on my son's father." My face hardened matching hers. How dare she concluded that Xandrous cares for her. He doesn't care a bit. "I don't know what is Xandrous up to, but I do believe that she cares about me. Here's the proof!" then she pulls something out of her purse. She walks closer to my table and dropped it. The thing bounces and before it landed on the floor, I caught it.

It was a small USB and what it looks like a USB Flash drive voice recorder. When I look at her, she was gone. I quickly plug the silver USB into my laptop USB port.

I waited until it reads, then I click on the listen button as soon as the window pops up.

I heard Cassie's broken voice. "Why did you let me believe that ..." she trailed off "that night when we did it, you were so gentle and I felt it like you like what we had," she choked.

"I do. I like what we did and now, I want to do it again!" my face scrunched up. He sounded different or probably I was just undeniable. " I mean ..." the man's voice is soft and hesitant.

"You mean what?" she cried out.

"I mean, I didn't regret what we did. You were good in bed," he responded and he sounded genuine.

"But why did you deny it?" Cassie's voice is rising as she spoke bitterly.

My heart beats rapidly as I waited. I'm starting to feel light headed. I don't want to entertain the small voice whispering in the back of my head. I don't want to believe it was Xandrous.

"Of course, I don't want to hurt her ..." he said after a long paused.

I froze. My hands curled into balls tightly.

"You don't want to hurt her?" she cried out. "You made me look like a desperate bitch in front of her and your father! You denied your own child in front of your family just for the sake of not hurting her!" she cried out angrily.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it,"

"You need to decide, Xandrous."

I stiffened and I felt like all my blood drained out of my body upon hearing his name.

"If you don't want the baby, then I'll leave you alone. Don't give me false hope."

"Why is that?" she asked softly.

"I just want to kiss you," he said.

A tear fell on my cheeks. My eyes flew on the ring on my finger, but I still don't want to believe it, but my heart already accepted the truth.

I quickly powered down my laptop and yank the USB drive, and tossed it in the garbage bin. I decided to go home. I called my father that I won't be able to attend the meeting and lied about not feeling well.

.................

I woke up early morning and ignored the urge to call back Xandrous. He's been calling me since yesterday. He was supposed to pick me up after work and we will have dinner somewhere before driving me back home.

I felt sick and I don't feel like going to work. My eyes darted to the clock and it's already ten in the morning. I hear footstep from the hallway and ignored the urge to go check what's making those noises.

I quickly had a shower and went downstairs to have a coffee and probably go shopping to clear my head.

As soon as I was on the last step of the staircase, I saw mom looking all ecstatic and ordering around. When she looks at my direction, she smiled broadly.

"Good morning, honey!" as she narrowed our gap. "Tomorrow early morning, we are going to pick up Elle and Nico at the tarmac," mom exclaimed excitedly and my system suddenly awake.

"Elle is coming back?" I exclaimed, surprised.

Mom nodded and twirled me around. "She's coming back!" she giggled and I can't help but giggled, too.

Oh, I can't wait to see her. I can't wait to hear her story and share mine.

.........

A/N: Here we go...

Any avid fans of Nico and Elle here?