"Fine. Fine. If you don't want to tell me, I won't force you," Cindy said, taking her food to the little kitchen.
I sighed. I've never heard of a werewolf having two mates before. That's just too unrealistic, or maybe I'm just overthinking it since being a werewolf itself is possible. Most humans don't believe we exist.
Just as I promised Aaron, I went to work early so that I could find him there. He looks mature in the bartender suit he's wearing. He seems happier, more alive, and more cheerful than usual. When we broke up, he was always in a bad mood, like he doesn't care about everything I do. But now he's back on his feet, and there's no point talking about the past.
"What's your order?" Aaron asked without looking at me but at the counter, listing down something.
"No wonder why Ma'am Fatima trusts you. You treat your customers well," I said.
Aaron looked up. A smile brightened up his face. "You really came early," he said, giving me a hug over the counter. "Why won't you take a seat first? My shift's going to end soon."
"Alright. I want to drink a negroni," I said before going to my seat. I sat down and listened to the relaxing beats of music.
A few moments later, Aaron came with a glass of red Negroni. It's an Italian aperitif, a drink that is normally served before and after a meal. It's made of gin, vermouth rosso, and Campari; that's what makes its color.
"Thanks," I said with a sweet smile, taking the glass.
"Mind if I sit beside you?" Aaron asked.
"Sure." I moved a little bit to give him space.
Aaron sat down on the sofa beside me. He watched me enjoy the cocktail he made. "How is it?" he asked.
"Sweet, and bitter at the same time," I replied.
"Just like life," he mused. "It isn't always great, but we have to taste the bitterness to truly appreciate the sweet."
"That's too abstract."
"I know. Some words of wisdom are usually better expressed in an abstract way. Just promise me we'll face it all together, the good times and the bad times," he said.
"I promise. By the way, are you done with your shift?"
"I am. I still got some time. Can you go with me first? I want to bring you somewhere before going home," he said.
"Sure. My shift will begin in an hour."
"It's okay. It won't take long." Aaron took his coat, hung it on his shoulder, and held my hand.
We walked outside the pub together. I could feel those jealous looks behind our backs. I could still hear their gossips about me being a mismatch for a handsome man like Aaron.
"Wait. Slow down. Where are you bringing me?" I asked as Aaron was walking so fast.
"You'll know later," he said.
Aaron brought me to a mall. I don't know if he wants to buy something and needs my advice about it. He's acting really weird, as if he's running out of time. He went to the washroom for a while and then came back. He's not calm at all.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied and tried to laugh.
"Do you want to buy something?"
"Nope. I just want to relax after work. Come, I'll show you something." He grabbed my hand again. We took the escalator to the rooftop of the mall.
"This place is wonderful," I said, catching a glimpse of the orange sky streaked with pink, red, and purple. It felt like a dream.
"But you're more beautiful than that," Aaron said, his voice serious.
I looked back and saw him already on one knee. My heart melted when I realized what he was doing. He pulled a small box from his pocket and said, "I know I haven't been a perfect boyfriend, Tricia. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve hurt you, but I’m trying my best to become the man you deserve. I want to build a beautiful life with you. Will you marry me?"
This feels so good to be true. Aaron opened the tiny box and revealed a ring. It glitters as the sunset hits it. Now I know why he was in a hurry to bring me here. I'm so impressed by him. Also, we are having a baby, and he's nothing different from me, so I said yes.
"Yes, I'll marry you, Aaron."
Suddenly, he stood up and hugged me. He carried me and turned around several times before putting me down.
"Thank you so much, Tricia. I'm so happy that I met you. You made me realize a lot of things. This world became more alive because of you," he said.
"You too. I love you."
"I love you too." Aaron touched my face, pulled me close, and claimed my lips. Every time our skin touched, I felt that tingling sensation. It never faded. It tells me I'm with the right person, the one destined by the Moon Goddess to be my husband.
We watched the sunset together until night fell. Aaron said his goodbye. But it wasn't the end of our story yet. We still have lots of things to do and go through. With this ring on my finger, I can say that I'm willing to face it all with him.
"Seems like something good happened," Theo said as I entered the pub.
I approached him, raising my hand for him to see. "I'm engaged," I said.
"Really?" Theo seemed surprised. "I thought you didn't like him. Isn't it too early for you to get married? You've just met him, and you're already giving in as easy as that? I knew it; Ethan was such a playboy."
"Seems like we have a misunderstanding here," I said. "I'm not engaged with Ethan, but with Aaron."
"What?" Theo was even more surprised. "I remembered you mentioned him. He was your ex, right? Did you get back together? How?"
"It's a long story," I said.
"If you're already engaged with someone else, why not give Ethan to me?" Cindy asked. She suddenly emerged behind me.
"Well, you can take him if you want. But I think someone will be jealous," I said.
"I'm single. No one would be jealous unless someone confessed their feelings to me, and I might consider it," Cindy said.
I knew what she was doing. She's implying something. But it's none of my business to deal with anyway. I just have a guess that Theo has a crush on Cindy; that must be the reason why he's not interested in other girls, but when it comes to Cindy, he's always available.
"Alright, I think we should go to work," Theo said, dodging the topic. "Ma'am Fatima told me there are many customers coming here tonight. Some of her old friends are coming too, so we need to be prepared and give them our best service."